News from March 2020
Immunity doesn't extend to Native American-owned business, Arizona Supreme Court rules
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a tribal entity did not prove it is entitled to share in a tribe's sovereign immunity, and subsequently that a superior court did not err when it denied an business' motion to dismiss a lawsuit.
Lawmakers in Oklahoma, West Virginia the latest to call for rejection of ALI's insurance Restatement
PHILADELPHIA – Oklahoma and West Virginia can be added to the growing list of states seeking to formally reject the American Law Institute’s controversial Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance - a project that some see as evidence of an ideological shift at the organization that amounts to a power-trip.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., a global supplier of automotive parts located in Monroe, Ga., will pay $85,000 and provide other significant relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced.
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS: Bradley Partners Carol Van Cleef and Erin Illman Recognized as Women Law Firm Leaders in Blockchain by Bloomberg Law
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings issued the following announcement on March 6.Bradley attorneys Carol Van Cleef and Erin Illman were recognized by Bloomberg Law for being female leaders in the cryptocurrency law sector.
Arkansas Supreme Court says law was improperly applied in class action against Fort Smith
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that a circuit court erroneously interpreted the law when it concluded that a defendant waived its right to compel a pretrial notice.
Tennessee Supreme Court rules statutory cap on noneconomic damages is constitutional
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Supreme Court of Tennessee has found the statutory cap on noneconomic damages in the Tennessee Code doesn't violate the right to a trial by jury, the separation of powers, or the equal protection provisions of the state constitution.
Alabama Supreme Court rules construction company failed to provide proof of arbitration clause
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Supreme Court ruled a construction company failed to establish the existence of a contract that included an arbitration clause.
Alabama Supreme Court reverses defamation verdict against Montgomery TV station
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Supreme Court reversed a defamation verdict against Birmingham Broadcasting LLC, finding that the judgment should've been rendered in favor of WVTM-TV.
Baltimore gets favorable decision letting its climate change case transfer out of federal court
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has refused to reverse a remand order sending the City of Baltimore’s climate lawsuit to Maryland state court, virtually ensuring ExxonMobil, Chevron and other oil companies will face trial seeking billions of dollars in damages in an unfavorable venue they were hoping to avoid.
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS: Bradley Partner Monica Dozier Named to The Mecklenburg Times '50 Most Influential Women'
Bradley attorney Monica Dozier was selected to The Mecklenburg Times’ list of the “50 Most Influential Women” for 2020.
Industry reps argue U.S. Forest Service, not National Parks Service, should determine route of natural gas pipeline
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – An appeals court made a judgment contrary to the wishes of Congress and the Executive Branch when it effectively barred the construction of a natural gas pipeline, according to a group of trade associations.
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS: Bradley Named Benchmark Litigation's 2020 Tennessee Litigation Firm of the Year
Bradley is pleased to announce that Benchmark Litigation has named the firm its 2020 Tennessee Litigation Firm of the Year.
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP: 43rd Annual National Food Policy Conference
Foley Special Counsel Brian Sylvester, a member of the firm’s Food & Beverage and Cannabis Industry Teams will be moderating a panel discussion at the Consumer Federation of America’s 43rd Annual National Food Policy Conference, scheduled to take place March 11 & 12, 2019 at the Washington Renaissance Hotel in Washington DC.
Class action accuses Norfolk Southern of biometric privacy act violations
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A class action lawsuit was filed against Norfolk Southern Railway Co., alleging the company collected biometric data and violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
Owner of vacant lot wins lawsuit brought by victim of attack
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — The Mississippi Supreme Court on Feb. 20 declared the owner of a vacant lot has no legal obligation to an assault victim who claimed his assailant came from its property, granting Murphy Oil USA's request for summary judgment.
Delaware agencies dismissed from lawsuit over new Public Service Commission rules
GEORGETOWN, Del. (Legal Newsline) — Two state agencies have been dismissed from a lawsuit that argued that rules created by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) were unlawful.
Unions ask SCOTUS to approve pipeline route under Appalachian Trail
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Unions representing pipeline workers have thrown their support behind the construction of a pipeline that will cross a national forest and under the Appalachian Trail.
AstraZeneca beats lawsuit over diabetes drug
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) — A Delaware Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals, LP in a case that alleged personal injury from a woman who had taken their drug Farxiga to treat Type 2 diabetes.
Johnson & Johnson claims FDA's new asbestos testing based on 'faulty assumptions'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Johnson & Johnson says a Food and Drug Administration panel charged with designing new standards for detecting asbestos in talc used “faulty assumptions” and failed to reflect scientific consensus in its draft recommendations.
Maryland courts remain open amid ongoing COVID-19 monitoring
The Maryland Judiciary is actively observing the developments concerning the coronavirus, COVID-19.