News from February 2024
Drummond urges Congress to assist crime victims, cautions of potentially dire consequences
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading a pair of efforts – one a bipartisan group of attorneys general across the nation, and the other an Oklahoma coalition of tribal leaders and district attorneys – asking Congress to provide adequate funding to the Crime Victims Fund so states can properly serve victims of crime.
Attorney General Neronha Deems Rhode Island PBS – The Public’s Radio Merger Application Complete
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has deemed the application for the proposed merger of Rhode Island PBS Foundation and The Public’s Radio complete.
Tennessee Joins 23-State Coalition Sounding Alarm on Current Administration’s LNG Export ‘Pause’
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined a 23-state coalition warning the current Administration and the Department of Energy that its “pause” on the export of liquified natural gas (LNG) is unlawful and will only serve to embolden America’s adversaries, hamper the U.S.’s ability to protect itself, and harm the economy.
The Buckeye Institute Reacts to Ohio Supreme Court Ruling in Its Important Municipal Income Tax Case
The Buckeye Institute, a public policy think tank based in Ohio, has expressed disappointment over the recent ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court in the case of Schaad v. Alder. The case, which was argued by Robert Alt, the president and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, challenged the expansion of municipal taxing authority in the city of Cincinnati.In his response to the ruling, Alt stated, "The court's ruling is disappointing. Local taxing authorities should be able to tax only within their own jurisdictions—where people live and actually perform the work. There will be other...
Rokita warns Hoosiers about romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant against romance scams, especially with Valentine's Day approaching. These scams often involve individuals posing as potential romantic partners to exploit unsuspecting victims for money or personal information.
Executive Summary of the 2023 Justice Department Equity Action Plan
The Justice Department recently released its 2023 Equity Action Plan, which is in line with President Biden's Executive Order on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The plan aims to address the longstanding disparities and systemic injustices that have disproportionately affected marginalized communities.According to Attorney General John Doe, "The 2023 Equity Action Plan represents a significant step forward in our commitment to promoting equity and justice for all Americans. We recognize the need to...
DLA Piper welcomes Investment Funds partner David Solander
DLA Piper is pleased to welcome David Solander as a partner in the Investment Funds group in Washington, DC.
20th Anniversary of Maura Murray’s Disappearance from Haverhill, NH
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit is issuing an age progression photograph of Maura Murray in an effort to generate new leads and helpful tip information to aide in the ongoing investigation into the February 9, 2004, suspicious disappearance of Ms. Murray from Haverhill, New Hampshire.
America First Legal Files Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against The Walt Disney Company For Illegal Race and Sex Discrimination
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a federal civil rights complaint against The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries, accusing them of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint alleges that Disney has engaged in illegal race, sex, and national origin discrimination, which is prohibited by the law.According to AFL, Disney's "Reimagine Tomorrow" website suggests that race, color, religion, sex, and national origin are often the sole determining factors in the company's hiring, training, and promotion decisions. This alleged intentional...
Kentucky bill to make U.S. citizenship a voting requirement passes Senate
FRANKFORT, Kentucky – A bill that would prevent non-citizens from voting in Kentucky has passed the state Senate.
Morrisey urges Harris to invoke 25th Amendment because of Biden’s 'profound cognitive decline'
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging Vice President Kamala Harris to invoke her powers under Section 4 of the 25th Amendment and declare President Joe Biden is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.
Co-Chair of Locke Lord’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Allison O’Neil Featured on Women Governance Trailblazers Podcast
Allison O’Neil, Co-Chair of Locke Lord’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Group, was featured on an episode of Women Governance Trailblazers, a top-ranking podcast dedicated to leaders and visionaries in corporate governance.
Life Sciences Litigator to Lead Shook’s Boston Office
Shook Partner Tom Sullivan will lead the firm’s Boston office as managing partner effective January 14, 2024.
12 Bradley Attorneys Selected to 2024 Georgia Super Lawyers and Georgia Rising Stars
Bradley is pleased to announce that 12 of the firm’s Georgia attorneys have been selected to the 2024 editions of Georgia Super Lawyers and Georgia Rising Stars.
Workplace Religious Accommodation in the Post-Groff Landscape on February 14, 2024
The Supreme Court handed down its opinion in Groff v. DeJoy in June 2023, changing the test for determining when a religious accommodation constitutes an “undue hardship” for an employer.
Mechanic's estate must pay for helicopter destroyed in fatal crash
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - In a decision hinging upon the ancient concept of bailment, an Indiana appeals court ruled the estate of a man killed in the crash of a helicopter he was working on must pay for the loss of the aircraft.
Class action against matchmaker ends before Ninth Circuit can take it up
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers have ended their pursuit of a case against a dating service they claim bilked customers.
Sick Orlando plaintiffs appeal loss of suit against Lockheed Martin
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Lawyers representing dozens of Orlando-area plaintiffs against Lockheed Martin are appealing a Florida federal judge's decision to throw out some of the claims, based on unreliable scientific testimony.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Highlights Urgency in Combating Human Trafficking
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, emphasizing the urgency of their work in combating human trafficking. He began by sharing a few stories that illustrate the horrors of this crime.Highlighting the Justice Department's efforts, Garland mentioned a recent case in Louisiana where an individual was sentenced to 35 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution for using sexual abuse, violence, and other forms of abuse to compel minors into forced...
Attorney General Reyes Joins AG Coalition Opposing Biden-Senate Border Bill
Before the demise of the Biden-Senate immigration bill, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general on a Texas-led letter to the United States Senate leadership strongly objecting to measures in the “border bill.”