News from April 2013
Michigan appeals court rules mortgage registry's role is valid
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- A three-judge panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals recently affirmed a lower court's decision in favor of the national mortgage registry known as MERS and three other defendants.
Former N.J. AG appointed Rutgers' senior VP, general counsel
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- Former New Jersey Attorney General John J. Farmer Jr. has been appointed Rutgers University's senior vice president and general counsel, President Robert Barchi announced last week at a Board of Governors meeting.
Companies ask Del. SC to dismiss lawsuit over banned pesticide
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) -- Last week, attorneys for Dow Chemical Co. and Dole Food Company Inc. asked the Delaware Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit against them over a now-banned pesticide that has been linked to sexual and reproductive abnormalities.
U.S. SC to hear arguments in case over genetic patents
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments Monday in a case brought against a Utah-based molecular diagnostic company over its attempt to patent a pair of genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
AGs, Facebook announce online safety campaign
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (Legal Newsline) -- An association of state attorneys general and Facebook are launching a new consumer education program designed to provide teens and parents with tools and tips to manage their privacy on the popular social media website and the Internet.
N.C. SC overturns commission's decision approving utility rate hike
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The North Carolina Supreme Court late Friday overturned a utilities commission's decision approving a Duke Energy rate hike.
UPS delivery driver will get nearly $1 million, La. SC rules
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) -- The Louisiana Supreme Court has reinstated a nearly $1 million judgment against the state of Louisiana for injuries a UPS delivery driver sustained while maneuvering a loaded dolly into an elevator.
Wash. SC: Insurers can't recoup defense costs paid while defending under reservation of rights
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) -- Last month, the Washington Supreme Court held that an insurance company cannot recoup defense costs paid or incurred under a reservation of rights defense, even when a court rules that the carrier does not have a duty to defend.
Scruggs' conviction upheld by federal appeals panel
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court on Friday upheld the corruption conviction of disgraced attorney Dickie Scruggs.
Experts for Ecuadorian plaintiffs suing Chevron disavow their findings
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- Chevron Corp. has submitted sworn declarations from two experts at a Colorado-based consulting firm, retained by lawyers for the Ecuadorian plaintiffs suing the oil giant, denying that there is any scientific merit to the plaintiffs' damages claims against the company and Texaco Petroleum Company.
Mo. AG issues alert about storm chasing scammers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster issued a consumer alert Friday warning consumers to be alert after Wednesday night's storms for storm-chasers, or scammers who take advantage of Missouri consumers in need.
Conn. AG announces administrative order against power plant owners
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced an administrative order Thursday requiring the current and former owners of the New Haven-based English Station power plant site to clean the property.
R.I. AG presents legislation for personal care assistant background checks
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin presented legislation Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee to protect seniors and other vulnerable populations by regulating background checks for personal care attendants.
Ind. AG files lawsuit against discount vacation package company
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit Thursday against a Texas-based travel agency and its owner for allegedly violating Indiana's Do Not Fax law by sending unsolicited fax advertisements to consumers.
N.Y. AG gets $540K judgment against former environmental chairman
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman obtained a $540,000 judgment Wednesday against a former Ulster County official who allegedly diverted taxpayer funds for personal use to a charity he controlled.
Abrahamson becomes longest-serving justice in Wis. history
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson became the longest serving justice in state history, with 36 years, seven months and four days of service on Wednesday.
Democrats, others react to Grassley's proposed legislation to cut D.C. Circuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Democrats, advocacy groups and government think tanks reacted sharply to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley's proposed Court Efficiency Act, with some saying the GOP senator's proposed legislation is simply court packing.
Chesley pays more than $80,000 in costs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) -- Prominent plaintiffs lawyer Stanley Chesley has paid more than $88,000 in legal costs for an investigation that led to his disbarment, according to a filing in Kentucky Supreme Court.
N.Y. AG sues security guard training company
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against a New York City-based company and its owner for allegedly using fake job listings and false promises of employment.
N.J. AG releases SAFE Task Force report
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa released the final report of the New Jersey SAFE Task Force on Wednesday, an evaluation of violence, gun control, addiction, mental health and school safety in the state.