News from December 2023
World Renowned Banking and Financial Restructuring Team Joins Greenberg Traurig
Leading banking, finance, and restructuring lawyer Kalyan “Kal” Das joined Greenberg Traurig, LLP along with Sharan Calay and Andrew Silverstein.
Federal judge dismisses attempt to keep Trump off West Virginia ballot
CHARLESTON – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to keep former President Donald Trump off the West Virginia ballot in next year’s primary.
Arizona Senate files lawsuit against Gov. Hobbs over director nominations
The Arizona State Senate, represented by Senate President Warren Petersen, has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Katie Hobbs over her refusal to submit agency director nominations for Senate confirmation.
Woman blames PetSmart after slipping on dog poo inside store
CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County woman says she was injured after slipping on dog feces while shopping at PetSmart.
Attorney General Moody's OSP Secures 19-Year Prison Sentence for Human Trafficker
Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution has successfully obtained a 19-year prison sentence for Brandon Gutman, a human trafficker who forced a woman and teenage girl into the sex trade. Gutman, from Boca Raton, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges related to his involvement in a human trafficking operation that spanned several years. The investigation revealed that Gutman utilized various forms of manipulation and violence to coerce his victims into engaging in commercial sexual activity.According to law enforcement officials, Gutman withheld...
Attorney General Moody and Governor DeSantis Challenge Biden Administration Rule Requiring States Set Targets to Reduce On-road CO2 Emissions
Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's new rule that requires states with National Highway System mileage to set arbitrary emissions targets. The rule also mandates that states track and report progress towards these targets. The lawsuit argues that the U.S. Department of Transportation does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.In a statement, Attorney General Moody expressed concern over the financial hardships this rule would impose on Florida and its residents,...
Church asks court to force W.Va. Secretary of State to incorporate it
MARTINSBURG – A Berkeley County church wants a federal judge to force West Virginia’s Secretary of State to allow it to incorporate.
Lawyers want $840 million for work on 3M PFAS settlement
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Some of the nation's most prominent plaintiffs law firms are asking for $840 million in attorneys fees from a massive settlement with 3M over chemicals known as PFAS.
Texas Attorney General Opposes Special Prosecutor's Petition Against President Trump
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has joined an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to deny Special Prosecutor Jack Smith's petition regarding former President Donald Trump's appeal for presidential immunity. The petition seeks to have SCOTUS consider the issue before a lower appeals court has the opportunity to do so.Paxton, in his opposition to Smith's petition, highlights the unusual nature of the request. He argues that Smith has not provided sufficient justification for bypassing the standard appellate process. According to Paxton, the...
Lawsuit: A prolific class action lawyer is more into extortion than litigation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Ashley Furniture claims a prolific class action lawyer is actually an extortion artist and is suing him for more than $100,000.
Pattern of neglect by Colo. district attorney helps accused murderer get lesser charge
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A trial judge was justified in reducing a homicide suspect’s charges from first-degree murder to second-degree as punishment for the district attorney’s repeated violations of discovery orders, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled.
Climate change plaintiff drops case after being told to continue in federal court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Rather than continue in a federal court, a fishermen's group suing Big Oil over climate change would prefer to drop the matter entirely.
Fox Rothschild Welcomes Labor & Employment Partner Robert Seiger in Philadelphia
Fox Rothschild is pleased to welcome Robert C. Seiger to the Philadelphia office as partner in the Labor and Employment Department.
IP Attorney Courtney Adams Thornton Joins Ballard Spahr in Atlanta
Courtney Adams Thornton—an experienced brand protection attorney who advises clients in trademark, copyright, advertising, and internet law matters—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Intellectual Property Department and Trademarks and Copyrights Group as Of Counsel.
Duane Morris Expands Intellectual Property Litigation Team in Delaware
Duane Morris LLP is pleased to announce that it has expanded its intellectual property litigation team in Delaware with the addition of Silicon Valley partner D. Stuart Bartow. Bartow will maintain a presence in both California and Delaware.
Michigan Supreme Court appoints new members to law well-being commission
The Michigan Supreme Court has approved new appointments and reappointments to the Commission on Well-Being in the Law.
Real Estate Attorney Kacy D. Cigarroa Joins Dykema’s San Antonio Office
Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced the addition of Kacy D. Cigarroa as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group resident in the firm’s San Antonio office. Cigarroa joins Dykema after practicing at Kruger Carson PLLC in San Antonio for the past four years.
Expert: Most litigation to remove Trump from ballots in other states won't be successful
In a 4-3 decision, the Colorado Supreme Court has held that former President Donald Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president because he engaged in an insurrection in violation of the 14th Amendment.
Bipartisan bill would allow more surviving family members to seek punitive damages in wrongful death cases
A bipartisan effort is under way in the Florida Legislature to remove long-standing restrictions on the awarding of punitive damages in wrongful death cases involving medical negligence.
Janesville Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2021 Death in Wisconsin Dells
A Janesville man, Jeremy Lee Mondy, has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in a death that occurred in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The sentencing was carried out by Columbia County Judge Todd Hepler, who deemed that Mondy's actions warranted a lengthy imprisonment.Attorney General Kaul expressed his satisfaction with the sentencing, stating, "This sentence will keep the public safe from this defendant for a very long time. Thank you to the investigators and prosecution team for ensuring that justice was served in this case."Mondy was found guilty of...