News from August 2024
Greenpeace attempts to use new European Union directive to sideline Energy Transfer lawsuit
A new legal tactic that Greenpeace International has deployed to sideline Energy Transfer’s lawsuit to recover damages stemming from the 2016-2017 Dakota Access Pipeline protests has yet to gain much traction in North Dakota.
Baker McKenzie Earns 69 Practice Area and 153 Lawyer Rankings in Chambers Latin America 2025 Guide
Chambers Latin America has released its 2025 guide, ranking Baker McKenzie in 69 practice areas and in 153 lawyer categories.
Say cheese? Lawsuit over what's in Combos moves forward
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The maker of Combos snacks has lost a key ruling in a class action lawsuit against it that claims the "cheese" filling is made with other stuff.
Attorney General Bonta issues fourth annual Labor Day report
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the fourth annual Labor Day Report, highlighting the California Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to empower workers in California and across the country. The report emphasizes ten key workplace rights that every worker in California should know and exercise, along with a consumer alert providing resources and information on labor trafficking.
Attorney General Raoul leads coalition supporting Florida's firearm purchase restriction
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, urging the court to affirm the lower court’s decision to uphold Florida’s law prohibiting individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms.
Judicial Resources Commission schedules public hearing for potential vacancy
The Judicial Resources Commission will hold a public hearing on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. CDT in the Supreme Court Courtroom, State Capitol Building in Lincoln, Nebraska. The hearing will consider whether a judicial vacancy exists in the office of the County Court, 10th Judicial District, due to the recent appointment of Judge Timothy Hoeft to the District Court.
Minnesota AG issues alert as Lumber Liquidators files for bankruptcy
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has issued a consumer alert regarding the recent bankruptcy filing of flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators. On August 11, 2024, Lumber Liquidators filed for bankruptcy restructuring in Delaware federal district court. As part of its restructuring plan, the company plans to close three of its seven stores in Minnesota, specifically those located in Chanhassen (2973 Water Tower Place), Rochester (5139 Highway 52N), and St. Cloud (3320 Division Street West). The four other Minnesota locations—in Blaine, Burnsville, Duluth, and...
Convicted killer pleads guilty after Chester County manhunt
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that Danelo Cavalcante has pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from his escape from Chester County Prison and criminal activities while on the run across neighborhoods and the countryside for 13 days in August 2023.
Attorney General Paxton files amicus letter against Dallas City Council's ballot language changes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed an amicus letter with the Texas Supreme Court, opposing actions taken by the Dallas City Council. The council substantially altered ballot language in a manner that could obscure the meaning of certain initiatives to voters. Texas supports petitioners' claims that these last-minute changes and additions to the November ballot language are misleading and fail to meet court standards designed to ensure voter clarity.
AG Yost supports efforts to keep Trumbull County hospitals open amid bankruptcy
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a response supporting the objections of four parties seeking more time to facilitate the purchase and avoid the closure of Trumbull Regional Medical Center and two Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital service locations.
AG Nessel announces $9 million settlement over unclaimed MoneyGram property
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a settlement involving a bipartisan coalition of 30 states in a multistate lawsuit regarding unclaimed property managed by MoneyGram International, Inc. (MoneyGram). The settlement will lead to an approximately $9 million recovery for Michigan residents with outstanding unclaimed property held by MoneyGram's money order service.
Attorney General charges Illinois man with possession of child sexual abuse material
Attorney General Raoul charges Bureau County man with possession of child sexual abuse material
Charleston man charged with distributing child sexual abuse material
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of William Robert Rattazzi, 73, of Charleston, S.C., on one charge connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Charleston Police Department, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, all also members of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
Iowa Supreme Court announces new adjudicative term including community outreach
The Iowa Supreme Court today announced its 2024-2025 adjudicative term calendar. The schedule includes special evening sessions in Des Moines, sessions at Drake and Iowa law schools, and three special sessions in various communities to hear oral arguments. The adjudicative term, when the supreme court hears oral arguments and writes the majority of its published opinions, spans from September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Attorneys general support Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy for minors
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting Michigan in the case of Catholic Charities v. Whitmer. The lawsuit challenges Michigan's ban on licensed health care providers offering conversion therapy for minors, a practice aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Former State College psychologist convicted of repeated sexual assaults
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a former State College psychologist was convicted this week for the rape and sexual assault of a young girl from 2005 to 2013.
Coalition led by Montana AG questions top asset managers' support for environmental proposals
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has led a coalition of 24 attorneys general in seeking answers from the nation's top asset managers regarding their support for environmental shareholder proposals. The letter, sent Thursday to 25 asset managers, raises concerns about potential violations of fiduciary duties by these managers. The proposals in question were recommended by Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and flagged by the environmental activist group Ceres.
Windham Superior Court in Brattleboro begins renovations on September 3
The Windham Superior Court in Brattleboro will commence renovations on September 3, 2024. These renovations are anticipated to last approximately one year. Due to construction, hearings may be relocated to a different courtroom within the building or to Newfane. There may also be occasions where in-person sessions switch to remote formats. Parties will be notified promptly if such changes occur.
Hall County Solicitor General pleads guilty to misusing public funds
Attorney General Chris Carr announced today that Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard has entered a guilty plea for unlawfully acquiring funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) to cover personal expenses. These include unauthorized travel expenditures and the misuse of Local Victim Assistance Programs (LVAP) funds.
Attorney General announces sentencing for ringleader in Central PA bank fraud scheme
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the sentencing of Tyreese Lewis, the head of an organized conspiracy to defraud central Pennsylvania residents and financial institutions of approximately $2 million.