News from August 2014
Hatch says federal patent reform among his ‘top priorities’ next year
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The push for federal patent reform may have slowed, but it has not died.
Wisconsin AG obtains $300,000 judgment against dairy producer
Story CopyMADISON, Wis.
GOP Senator fends off Kan. tea party challenger
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., earned the right to run for a fourth term Tuesday, defeating his tea party challenger.
Second Circuit affirms $500M Travelers Insurance settlement over coverage of Johns Manville
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a $500 million settlement agreement against the former insurance company for Johns Manville in an asbestos case that has been tossed back and forth between three New York courts several times.
Attorneys to receive $4.75M in Red Bull class action settlement
FOLEY SQUARE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Red Bull has agreed to a $13 million settlement in a class action lawsuit that came about from its allegedly false advertising of Red Bull having more benefits than coffee.
Oklahoma AG, 11 other states sue EPA
Story CopyOKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced on Tuesday that Oklahoma and a coalition of 11 other states filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking the invalidation of a 2011 settlement.
Ill. legal reform group launches 2014 judicial candidate survey
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – A state legal reform group has launched its 2014 judicial candidate evaluations, seeking to keep voters informed of the men and women who “can have a tremendous impact on the daily lives of the citizens of Illinois.”
IL13 race: Former Madison County judge slams Boehner fundraiser for Davis
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – Former Madison County judge and current congressional candidate Ann Callis is criticizing House Speaker John Boehner for headlining a fundraiser for Rep. Rodney Davis in Illinois’ 13th District.
Class action filed against Washington Metro over background checks of African Americans
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has been named in a lawsuit after the class members claim its background check policies are unfair.
Quaker Oats agrees to reformulate products in transfats settlement
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The Quaker Oats Co. has agreed to a $1.4 million settlement in a class action lawsuit claiming it mislabeled its products as transfats free when they weren't.
Law professor: U.S. SC rulings could reduce abusive claims filed by patent trolls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that overhaul the rules governing court-awarded attorneys’ fees in patent cases will have “significant” implications for so-called patent trolls, one law professor says.
Maryland’s chief judge visits courts in Snow Hill and Ocean City
Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera visited Worcester County on August 5, meeting with judges and court professionals at District Court locations in Snow Hill and Ocean City.
Money pouring into California's Prop 46 fight
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – In the months leading up to November, millions of dollars will be spent to persuade voters to do one thing that California courts and legislators have refused to do - inflate the cap on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.
Missouri AG reaches agreement with security system telemarketers
Story CopyJEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
Vermont AG reaches $200,000 settlement with Texas billing company
Story CopyMONTPELIER (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced a $200,000 settlement on Monday with a Texas billing company that allegedly violated a state law meant to protect Vermonters from unauthorized telephone bill charges.
Texas governor race: Donors include Hanks, Damon and Chuck Norris
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – On both sides, tens of millions of dollars are being raised in the battle to succeed Texas Gov. Rick Perry, with support coming from movie stars, colorful entrepreneurs and even a former president.
Heartland Institute expert says Wisconsin collective barganing ruling good for taxpayer
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – A recent Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling dealing a bow to union collective bargaining agreements will benefit taxpayers and perhaps spread to other states, according to a Heartland Institute expert.