News from June 2014
Third Circuit dismisses securities class action lawsuit against Pfizer
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Appeals Court for the Third Circuit has ruled that a district court appropriately dismissed a lawsuit against Pfizer and Wyeth that alleged they made false and misleading statements regarding trials for an Alzheimer's drug.
Retiring CEO of med-mal insurer staying on to protect MICRA
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The CEO of Cooperative of American Physicians, a physician founded company providing medical malpractice insurance to California doctors, will stay his pending retirement in hopes of protecting the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act.
California Justice Baxter to retire
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvin Baxter announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in the November general election.
New York AG's smartphones initiative makes progress
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón announced progress on Thursday in their Secure Our Smartphones Initiative that could further curtail violent smartphone theft.
Missouri AG settles with landfill owner
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced an agreement Thursday with the owner of the Bridgeton Landfill to resolve allegations of an underground fire and an ongoing odor nuisance.
Meso case allowed despite previous agreement releasing company from future liability
JACKSON, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - A Tennessee appeals court held that a mesothelioma lawsuit was proper despite an agreement reached between a railroad company and its employee releasing it from liability of all past and future personal injury claims while settling an asbestosis case in 2002.
Former intern files class action after claiming L.A. Clippers violated labor laws
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A former unpaid intern is suing the LA Clippers after he claims the team misclassified him and other unpaid interns in an effort to reduce labor costs.
N.C. AG sues Medrano Express
Cooper
Ted Cruz airs video in support of Shannon in tight Okla. GOP primary
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - With the Republican Oklahoma primary less than a week away, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has released a television ad in support of the candidate he'd like to see win, T.W. Shannon.
Iowa governor holds nine-point lead over Democratic challenger
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad currently holds a nine-point lead over his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Jack Hatch.
Miss. SC concludes trial judge improperly influenced jury on punitive damages award
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The Supreme Court of Mississippi has remanded an asbestos lawsuit, ruling the punitive damages award was improper because the trial judge influenced the jury when he asked them to clarify their verdict.
Simmons law firm and Hanly Conroy to merge in July
ALTON, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Asbestos law firm Simmons, Browder, Gianaris, Angelides & Barnerd LLC is merging with the New York law firm Hanly, Conroy, Bierstein, Sheridan, Fisher & Hayes LLP next month, meaning the new firm will have offices stretching from the west coast to the east coast.
Miss. U.S. Senate runoff: 42 percent of Cochran's donations coming from PACs
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - When the polls closed June 3, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran found himself deadlocked with the tea party-supported Chris McDaniel at 49 percent - a figure nearly equaling the total percent of donations the incumbent has received from political action committees.