News from 2024
'Ghost guns' still likely guns and probably need to be regulated as such, judge rules
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has rejected a motion to dismiss in a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against sellers of so-called ghost guns.
Favorable recommendation for Dechert as it fights hacking lawsuit
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The global law firm Dechert LLP should defeat a lawsuit that accused it of illegally obtaining privileged emails from opposing parties in cases.
The Buckeye Institute: Ohio State Agencies Earn Solid B for Cutting Regulations
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute released a new policy brief on Wednesday, grading Ohio's state agencies on their efforts to cut regulations. According to Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, Ohio’s state agencies earned a solid B grade in cutting regulations due to legislative oversight and vigilance. Lawson highlighted the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence to improve Ohio's grade and further reduce regulatory redundancies.In the paper, Lawson urged lawmakers to hold state agencies accountable for maintaining regulatory burdens...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues School District for Illegal Electioneering with Public Tax Money
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Denton Independent School District (“DISD”) for illegal electioneering by using taxpayer-funded resources to stump for specific candidates during an election.
Attorney General Neronha to host Expungement Clinic
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the return of the Office’s expungement clinics on February 29, 2024.
Justice Department to Implement Groundbreaking Executive Order Addressing National Security Risks and Data Security
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed the need for the groundbreaking Executive Order, stating, “Our adversaries are exploiting Americans’ sensitive personal data to threaten our national security.”Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized, “Today, we make clear that American citizens' sensitive and personal data is not for sale to our adversaries.”Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division highlighted the significance of the Executive Order, stating, “Hostile foreign powers are weaponizing bulk data...
Attorney General Clark Leads Coalition in Asking EPA to ‘Pump the Breaks’ on Vehicle Emissions Settlement
Attorney General Charity Clark has led a coalition of state Attorneys General in filing public comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) latest vehicle emissions settlement regarding “defeat devices” installed in a group of RAM truck models.
AG Ferguson: Providence debt collector Harris & Harris to pay $1 million for failing to inform patients of their medical debt collection rights
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that debt collection agency Harris & Harris will pay his office $1 million to resolve a lawsuit, which asserted the company unlawfully collected medical payments from more than 160,000 Washington patients without providing them with disclosures about their rights when faced with medical debt.
Attorney General Kaul Intervenes in Clean Air Act Litigation to Defend Rules that Promote Transparency and Flexibility for States
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with 15 other attorneys general, has moved to intervene in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA (D.C. Cir. Case No. 24-1009).
The Buckeye Institute Challenges NLRB's Influence on Courts
The Buckeye Institute Challenges NLRB's Influence on CourtsColumbus, OH – On Wednesday, The Buckeye Institute raised concerns about the influence of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on court decisions, specifically in the case of Starbucks v. McKinney. The institute filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to consider a more balanced approach when granting preliminary injunctions."When the National Labor Relations Board sues a private company, the government should not get special treatment on its request for a preliminary injunction," emphasized...
Carlos Dorego Arrested on Charge of Improper Influence, Sending Unsolicited Text Messages to Circuit Court Judge
Attorney General John M. Formella announces the arrest of Carlos Dorego, 55, of Shelburne, New Hampshire, on one class B felony count of improper influence contrary to RSA 640:3.
AG Henry Files Lawsuit to Shut Down Con Artist Posing as Internet Provider
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a lawsuit against Davis Communications Internet, Inc., and its owner, David Davis, for operating as an internet provider — but in reality were reselling internet services they purchased from a legitimate provider.
Drummond requests Pardon and Parole Board reject clemency for Michael Dewayne Smith
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is requesting the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board deny clemency for Michael Dewayne Smith, who was convicted of murdering a 40-year-old mother and a 24-year-old store clerk in separate incidents on Feb. 22, 2002.
Former Federal Prosecutor Garen Marshall Joins McGuireWoods’ Government Investigations Team
McGuireWoods continues the expansion of its nationally recognized Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department with the arrival of former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy special forces combat veteran Garen S. Marshall, who joins the firm as counsel.
Jessica Wang, Evelyn Clark Join Top Legal Diversity Programs
The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) selected two Thompson Coburn attorneys to participate in 2024 development programs.
Minnesota Lawyer Selects Phillip Martin and Timothy Scallen to POWER 30 M&A List
Fox Rothschild congratulates Partners Phillip B. Martin and Timothy J. Scallen, who were selected to Minnesota Lawyer’s 2024 POWER 30 Mergers and Acquisitions list.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Wins Case Declaring $1.7 Trillion Federal Funding Bill Unconstitutional
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated a significant legal triumph as a court declared the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 as unconstitutional due to the lack of a physical quorum. Paxton successfully sought an injunction against the implementation of certain provisions of the law affecting Texas.In response to the ruling, Attorney General Paxton criticized the actions of the House of Representatives, stating, “Congress acted egregiously by passing the largest spending bill in U.S. history with fewer than...
Scandal at Harvard: Organ-harvesting suits against school fail, wife of 'Grim Reaper' pleads guilty
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The wife of a former morgue manager at Harvard Medical School caught in an organ-harvesting scandal has pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges, while civil lawsuits against the school are crumbling.
Company losing clients thanks to Labor Dept. probe now hopes for help from district judge
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - A staffing company that claims its business could be ruined by a federal labor investigation failed to make its case, a magistrate judge has written, adding it should pay the Department of Labor's costs.
New York's AG to fight Sirius in state court
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against Sirius XM Radio is headed back to where she first filed it.