Legal Roundup
Virginia Receives Over $116 Million from Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that Virginia has received a payment of $116.2 million from the major tobacco companies, including Philip Morris USA Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Scandinavian Tobacco Group Lane, and ITG Brands LLC, as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
Attorney General Phil Weiser sues to shut down real estate company that locked homeowners into unfair agreements
Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a lawsuit in Adams County District Court today against MV Realty over allegations that the company illegally locked hundreds of Colorado homeowners into unfair brokerage contracts with exorbitant fees and decades-long terms that even applied to their heirs.
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over proposed government-created religious public charter school
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in what would be the nation’s first government-created, taxpayer-funded religious public charter school. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has defended the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions that prevent religious public charter schools.
BakerHostetler Team Supports Enzo Biochem, Inc. in Exploration of Transaction Options
Partner Adam Finerman and Associates Scott Kilian-Clark and Michael Greubel are supporting client Enzo Biochem, Inc., as it reviews strategic alternatives received regarding a potential transaction.
Carr Obtains New Indictment Charging Three Suspected Gang Members in Savannah
Attorney General Chris Carr announced that his Gang Prosecution Unit has obtained a new indictment in Chatham County charging Treyvon Howard, Rashine Edwards, and Jakarie Cowell with Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Hijacking a Motor Vehicle, Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, Financial Transaction Card Theft, and various weapons offenses.
Reed Smith represents Noro-Moseley Partners in Series A Funding
Global law firm Reed Smith successfully advised Noro-Moseley Partners, an Atlanta-based early-stage venture capital fund, in its investment into Liminal’s $8.5-million Series A round, the firm announced.
AG Campbell Applauds Changes to GSEP Program That Will Save Ratepayers Money
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following statement in response to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issuing Orders on April 30th adopting her recommendations to make the Gas System Enhancement Plans (GSEP) more affordable and better aligned with the Commonwealth’s climate mandates. As a result, ratepayers should expect to see relief on gas bills in the coming years.
AG Nessel Urges Residents to Report Suspected Price Gouging During Ice Storm Clean-Up
As Northern Michigan continues to recover from the recent ice storm, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to stay alert for price gouging and deceptive business practices, and to file a complaint about any potential consumer protection violations to her office.
Darlene Vertullo, Former Bookkeeper, Arrested for Embezzling Funds and Credit Card Fraud
Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Darlene Vertullo, age 49, was arrested on April 29, 2025, and charged with one class A felony count of Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer, in violation of RSA 637:3, and one class A felony count of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, in violation of RSA 638:5, I(c).
Real Estate Attorney Jill Parks Joins Ballard Spahr in Washington, D.C.
Jill S. Parks—who represents developers, investors, and companies in land planning, zoning, and development—has joined Ballard Spahr’s Real Estate Department and Real Estate Development and Transactions and Zoning and Land Use teams as partner, firm Chair Peter Michaud announced.
Beth Boland Featured on 2025 Most Influential Bostonians List
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Beth Boland is named among the 150 Most Influential Bostonians by Boston Magazine.
Gutting of AmeriCorps is the latest AG lawsuit challenging the Trump administration
Attorney General Phil Weiser co-led a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s dismantling of AmeriCorps through a 90% reduction of its workforce, effectively ending the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations, and funding that make its important work possible.
Attorney General Neronha joins lawsuit challenging Trump Administration’s dismantling of AmeriCorps
Attorney General Neronha , as part of a multistate coalition, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency though an 85% reduction of its workforce, effectively ending the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations, and funding that make its important work possible.
TN Attorney General’s Office Provides Helpful Tips and Guidelines to Businesses and Consumers Regarding Tennessee Information Protection Act
The Office of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs announced the release of a guide to assist consumers and businesses in understanding the Tennessee Information Protection Act (TIPA), which will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Williamstown Resident Sentenced for Unauthorized Practice of Psychotherapy and False Pretenses
The Attorney General’s Office announced that Gretchen E. Lewis, 58, of Williamstown, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of Unauthorized Practice of Psychotherapy and one misdemeanor count of defrauding Vermont Medicaid by False Pretenses.
AG Jennings pens open letter to legal community regarding law firm capitulations to Trump’s unconstitutional threats
Attorney General Kathy Jennings is leading a coalition of state attorneys general in an open letter to the legal community supporting law firms that have fought back against President Trump’s unconstitutional attempts to target law firms for advocacy the Trump Administration disfavors, and expressing the coalition’s profound disappointment that several of the country’s largest law firms have capitulated in the face of these dangerous attacks on the rule of law.
Attorney General Griffin Announces Arrest of Little Rock Man Following Organized Retail Crime Investigation; Accomplice Remains at Large
Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing the arrest of a Little Rock man for theft of property.
Attorney General Rayfield files lawsuit challenging executive order to terminate AmeriCorps grants
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a multistate lawsuit challenging an illegal executive order that terminated AmeriCorps grants and reduced the agency’s workforce by 85 percent.
AG Campbell Issues Consumer Guide on Appraisal Discrimination to Protect Homebuyers and Homeowners
As part of her commitment to preserve and expand access to safe, affordable, and equitable homeownership opportunities for all Massachusetts residents, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released the office’s first-ever ‘Know Your Rights’ guide designed to help homebuyers and homeowners understand, recognize and report appraisal discrimination.
Attorney General Brown Files Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Dismantling of AmeriCorps, the National Volunteer Public Service Agency
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general—joined by the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania—in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps by abruptly reducing the agency’s workforce by nearly 90%, cancelling its contracts, and closing $400 million worth of AmeriCorps-supported programs.