News from July 2014
Madigan suing student loan debt repayment companies
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed lawsuits on Monday against two student loan debt repayment companies that allegedly charged large upfront fees for bogus services.
Companies form new cooperative patent licensing agreement
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A group of companies last week announced the formation of a cooperative patent licensing agreement, saying it would cut down on patent troll litigation and the "growing practice" of patent privateering.
Texas SC rejects 'every exposure' theory in asbestos case
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that an asbestos claimant failed to offer legally sufficient causation evidence, denying the "every exposure" theory on the grounds that simply offering evidence of exposure regarding a dose-related disease should not imply automatic liability.
Second Circuit dismisses class action against Deutsche Bank
NEW YORK, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has dismissed an appeal against Deutsche Bank National Trust Company by plaintiffs who claimed it and its trusts did not own their loans and mortgages.
Appeals court dismisses Madoff Ponzi scheme appeal for lack of standing
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has dismissed an appeal involving the settlement of class action securities claims related to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.
W.Va. AG warns of E-ZPass scam
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey warned West Virginians on Saturday about an email scam related to electronic toll passes.
Astellas Pharma settles False Claims Act allegations over Mycamine
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced on Friday that Kentucky joined with other states and the federal government in a settlement with a pharmaceutical company that allegedly violated the False Claims Act.
Opioid suit is latest brought by Calif. county with help from contingency fee attorneys
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Santa Clara County in California has filed a lawsuit against five of the largest opioid manufacturers, marking at least the 10th time the county, which recently was among a group of government entities that earned a $1.15 billion verdict against the paint industry, has partnered with private law firms.
Calif. appeals court reverses summary judgment for asbestos defendant
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court has reversed a trial court's summary judgment award in favor of an insulation company in an asbestos lawsuit on the grounds that it failed to meet its burden of proof.
U.S. SC overrules Federal Circuit again; this time, in case over direct infringement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that a defendant is not liable for inducing infringement of a patent when no one has "directly infringed" the patent.
Washington AG obtains reversal of energy rate plan charges
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - A key portion of a decision that approved Puget Sound Energy's multi-year energy rate plan has been reversed, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday.
New York AG reaches anti-discrimination deals with employment agencies
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said his office has reached agreements with five New York City-based employment agencies resolving allegations of unlawful discrimination and predatory business practices.
Schneiderman settles with beverage company over ads
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Thursday his office has settled with a beverage company, resolving allegations it used misleading advertising that targeted Hispanic communities.
Kingston leads Perdue by 1-point in Georgia U.S. Senate race
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - With the runoff election rapidly approaching, the two Republicans vying for the nomination to run for Georgia's open U.S. Senate seat are separated by a mere point, a new poll shows.
University of Pennsylvania receives $10M to study Superfund asbestos site
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Researchers with the University of Pennsylvania received a $10 million grant to study asbestos and how the toxic fiber leads to asbestos-related disease in response to America's 10 Superfund sites.