News from June 2021
Smoke-break injury happened on-the-job, court rules
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma’s highest court reinstated a workers’ compensation claim by a school cafeteria employee who tripped in the parking lot while returning from a smoke break and claimed her injuries occurred “inside” the facility while she was performing work-related duties.
Group asks judge to speed up release of ethics records from Interior Department about Elizabeth Klein
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The nonprofit suing the Department of the Interior for records related to one of its top officials – who just happens to be a climate activist – wants the judge hearing its case to speed things along.
Manhattan Institute: Members of Congress coming to disgraced lawyer's aid should be embarrassed
A think tank’s legal policy director sees the six members of Congress who asked U.S.
Rannazzisi testimony tries to shift blame away from DEA
CHARLESTON – A key former Drug Enforcement Administration officials took the stand in the landmark federal opioid trial, opening his testimony by saying drug distribution centers were well-equipped to prevent diversion.
TOPDOG Legal Marketing joins prominent legal blog communities
TOPDOG Legal Marketing LLC is pleased to announce the acceptance of the company’s blog into the LexBlog and Arizona Attorney Daily legal blog networks.
MAYER BROWN: Mayer Brown continues expansion in New York with the arrival of tax lawyer Michelle Jewett
Mayer Brown announced today that Michelle Jewett has joined the firm’s Tax Transactions & Consulting practice as a partner in New York. Ms. Jewett was previously at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP.
ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP: Armstrong Teasdale Attorneys Named to Nevada Business 2021 Legal Elite
Armstrong Teasdale is proud to announce that Partner Jeffrey Barr and Senior Associate Michelle Alarie have been named among Nevada Business’ 2021 Legal Elite.
Compressor maker liable for 60% of huge asbestos verdict despite 14 other defendants
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court upheld a jury verdict assigning 60% of the responsibility for a man’s mesothelioma to a compressor manufacturer even though the plaintiff identified 14 other defendants including the U.S. Navy that allegedly contributed to his disease.
D.C. court rejects Exxon's appeal of order to remand advocacy group's case to Superior Court
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A panel of federal appellate judges recently dissolved an administrative stay in an advocacy group’s lawsuit against fuel giant against Exxon Mobil, which claims the company has not done enough to combat climate change, and ordered the case would stay in the D.C. Superior Court.
Class action filed against Snapple over 'all natural' drinks
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Two women claim that after purchasing Snapple "All Natural" labeled beverages, they found on the nutrition label that the drinks were in fact not "all natural."
Woman files lawsuit after buying 'hint of lime' Tostitos, says she expected real lime
BENTON, Ill. (Legal Newsline) — A woman claims that she bought chips, believing the item to have nutritional value based on the labeling, but once purchased, she found that no such ingredients used in the making of the product.
Sex trafficking lawsuit filed against an Arkansas Economy Inn
SPRINGDALE -- A woman claims that she was the victim of human and sex trafficking as a minor and hotel staff was aware of the illegal activity and did not inform law enforcement.
NELSON MULLINS: Women Attorneys Chosen for Profiles in Diversity Journal Awards
Profiles in Diversity Journal has selected three Nelson Mullins partners for its Women Worth Watching Awards.
ORRICK HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE: State Attorneys General Update – June 2021
On May 25, 2021, Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine sued Amazon in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for alleged antitrust violations under Washington, D.C., law.
BAILEY GLASSER LLP: Bailey Glasser Seeks Approval of $5.5 million ESOP Settlement
Lawyers from Bailey Glasser reached an agreement with Defendants Wilmington Trust, N.A., Michael Smith, Andrew Smith, and Frank Mennella in which the Defendants will pay $5.5 million to resolve a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the Defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Florida's Chief Justice lifts courtroom restrictions amid ongoing pandemic recovery
At this time, effective vaccines for COVID-19 are adequately available in Florida for persons ages 12 and older; almost half of this state’s population has been partially or fully vaccinated; and government-issued health standards and guidance provide that fully vaccinated persons do not need to wear face masks or physically distance in most indoor and outdoor settings unless required by federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations,” the administrative order states.
Judge denies Avenatti's attempt to add defendant and remand defamation case to Delaware state court
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – Michael Avenatti will not have the opportunity to add a defendant to his defamation lawsuit against Fox News or remand the case to Delaware Superior Court, per a federal appellate judge.
MN appeals court says AG must hand over outside communications in climate litigation
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled on Tuesday that Attorney General Keith Ellison cannot conceal documents related to his office's communications with attorneys general in other states.
Yellowstone Electric hit with sanctions in defense of driver who killed 10 cows
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - A Montana utility was ordered to pay attorneys’ fees and sanctions for its behavior in defending a lawsuit by farmers who sued after an employee of the electric company plowed his vehicle into a herd of cows, killing 10.
Prominent class action law firm slapped for behavior in securities case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge in New York accused lawyers at the prominent class-action firm Robbins Geller of making false statements in a securities lawsuit in order to locate it in a venue convenient to its Long Island office.