News from June 2020
Judge to opioid lawyers: Show me you're worth 7% of multibillion-dollar settlement
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing federal multidistrict litigation against the opioid industry has given plaintiff lawyers three weeks to provide more information to justify their request to steer 7% of any global settlement toward a “common benefit fund” for lead attorneys, which could amount to more than $3 billion based on reported settlement amounts.
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Rainy sidewalk a dangerous condition, Ark. court rules; $630K verdict the result of 'trial by ambush'
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – The Arkansas Supreme Court has affirmed a $630,000 slip-and-fall verdict over the objection of one justice who says a wet sidewalk is not an unreasonably dangerous condition.
N.J. Supreme Court gives win to class action lawyers
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Class action lawyers have scored a win in New Jersey, with the state Supreme Court extending the reach of a consumer protection law past what two lower courts ruled.
N.J. judge certifies pollution class against wishes of defendants, legal reform group
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A class action lawsuit involving several big companies over groundwater contamination has received a favorable ruling from a New Jersey appeals court.
'Storage Wars' star loses lawsuit after $12K sale voided
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A former star on “Storage Wars” has lost his lawsuit against Public Storage after a $12,000 sale of a unit’s contents was voided.
Missouri tax issues at center of class action against Overstock.com
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Overstock.com is facing a class action lawsuit in St. Louis that alleges it charges a higher sales tax than is allowed.
Makers of products with no asbestos had duty to warn users if it would be added later, New Jersey decides
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Makers of parts that did not contain asbestos – but would later need to be used with parts that did – owed a duty to warn users, according to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
If American Law Institute can't be impartial, judges shouldn't be members, group argues
WASHINGTON – According to one Washington observer, the Philadelphia-based American Law Institute needs to remain true to its mission of distilling and clarifying law, or else strongly consider whether it is appropriate to have judges as members of its ranks.
Ex-USC kicker wins case against expulsion; Abuser has become the victim, dissenting judge says
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The expulsion of a former University of Southern California football player has been overturned, as a California court has found the proceedings were unfair.
Man who broke hip on waterslide loses negligence claims
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A man who got turned around on a waterslide and broke his pelvis when he splashed down has lost his negligence claims against the waterpark.
Lawyers built class action on 'confidential witnesses' with bogus stories, defendants complain yet again
A prominent class action firm has been caught for at least the fourth time padding its complaint with information from “confidential witnesses” whose testimony fell apart when subjected to questioning under oath.
Alabama court orders that deer stay the same size
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – Hunters in Alabama will need to keep looking hard for big bucks, as their Supreme Court has, for now, ruled breeders shouldn’t create a mule deer-whitetail hybrid.
Labaton scores lead role in suing WWE over Saudi Arabia stock drop; Competing firm was charging too much
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Shareholders suing World Wrestling Entertainment over its partnership with Saudi Arabia will be represented by Labaton Sucharow.
Disillusioned Mormon takes second shot at suing church
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) – The woman who lost her faith in the Mormon church, then lost her lawsuit against it, is trying again.
Massachusetts and CFPB sue credit repair company they say fails customers
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has teamed with the feds to go after a credit repair company.
Napa Valley vineyard says COVID-19 shutdown order not fair
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A Northern California vineyard is suing Gov. Gavin Newsom because its tasting room is still ordered to be closed.
West Virginia, Georgia AGs lead push to uphold Trump water rule
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr are leading a 23-state effort to protect property owners, farmers and energy producers against an attempt to reinstitute an Obama administration water rule.
First-of-its-kind bill enacted in Iowa forces asbestos lawyers to pare usual list of defendants
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – It took a couple of months longer than expected, but Iowa is now the first state to pass a law that reins in a certain practice by asbestos lawyers.
Maryland courts innovate during COVID-19 with virtual graduations
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for the Maryland Judiciary, but it has also spurred innovation within its Problem-Solving Courts.
Third Circuit to decide whether private lawyers can chase California-style jackpot in the name of government
PHILADELPHIA – Oral arguments in the extended standoff between the Sherwin-Williams Company and a Pennsylvania county hoping to use private lawyers to sue it over lead paint will take place today before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.