Asbestos
$9B for ovarian cancer claims rejected by judge; J&J heads back to court
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A "heavily negotiated" plan to end tens of thousands of ovarian cancer claims with a $9 billion fund that has "significant support" can't be confirmed, a Houston bankruptcy judge has ruled.
Reform
ATRA CEO: 'Public nuisance litigation has become the new frontier for plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking to circumvent traditional liability principles'
Lawsuits
State Sen. Sharer on Democratic-backed legal reforms: 'Trial attorneys can abuse the system for their own personal gain'
Bill Sharer, a State Senator for New Mexico District 1, has accused Democratic lawmakers of enabling trial attorneys to exploit the legal system for personal and political gain.
Attorneys & Judges
'Giant Killa!' law firm fights Beasley Allen lawsuit after partnership blows up in J&J talc bankruptcy
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Disappointment can't be the basis for a lawsuit, a personal injury firm says after being sued by lawyers it once teamed with to push asbestos litigation against Johnson & Johnson.
From Southwest Texas Record
One of the most complicated tort trials in history continues to unfold in a Texas bankruptcy court.
From WV Record
TOPDOG Legal Marketing Named Finalist of 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics in Greater Arizona
Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has named TOPDOG Legal Marketing, LLC as a finalist for the 2024 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. The program raises awareness in marketplace ethics and honors businesses that operate with integrity.
Arizona Estate Law Firm Unveils New Brand, Website
Chandler, Arizona (AZ) attorney Bernard M. Strass is excited to announce fresh branding and a new website for his AZ estate law firm, Desert Rose Estate and Elder Law. The law firm’s new name reflects a full concentration on estate and life planning that enables Strass to provide focused and dedicated legal services for these matters. It also honors Strass’s father, Luke, who owned Desert Draperies and Interiors in Phoenix for many years and Strass’s mother’s family, the Roses.
Attorneys & Judges
Russian national sentenced for illegal export of controlled aviation technology to Russia
Oleg Sergeyevhich Patsulya, a Russian national, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to export controlled aviation technology to Russia and engage in money laundering related to the illicit export scheme.
Attorneys & Judges
Texas woman sentenced to prison for IRS fraud conspiracy
Jackie Marie Peters, a 53-year-old resident of Mansfield, Texas, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by United States District Judge G. Murray Snow.
Attorneys & Judges
Billings man sentenced to prison for methamphetamine distribution network involvement
A Billings man received a prison sentence for his role in a methamphetamine distribution network.
Attorneys & Judges
Justice Department enhances FBI resources to tackle crime in Indian Country
The Justice Department has announced a concerted effort to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, focusing particularly on issues related to missing and murdered indigenous persons.
State AG
New Baltimore resident charged with selling counterfeit car parts by auto fraud task force
Dinas Kamaitis, a 31-year-old from New Baltimore, Michigan, has been charged with selling counterfeit car parts, as announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Attorneys & Judges
Federal jury convicts Ashland man on sexual abuse and drug distribution charges
A federal jury in Billings has found Stephen "Mutt" John Parker, 60, of Ashland, guilty of sexual abuse and methamphetamine distribution.
Attorneys & Judges
Justice Department commits FBI resources to combat violent crime in Indian Country
The Department of Justice has announced a significant redeployment of FBI resources to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, particularly focusing on cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous persons.
Attorneys & Judges
Maryland man sentenced for drug conspiracy in West Virginia
Charles Edward Scott from Damascus, Maryland, has been sentenced to a prison term of 156 months following his involvement in a drug conspiracy distributing the drug "boot" in West Virginia.
Attorneys & Judges
Palmer man sentenced for illegal aircraft operation in Alaska
A Palmer man has been sentenced for operating an aircraft without the necessary legal requirements, according to U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska.
Trump's use of Alien Enemies Act faces scrutiny in Supreme Court brief
America First Legal and U.S. Representative Brandon Gill have submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to support President Trump’s measures against the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
State Sen. Sharer on Democratic-backed legal reforms: 'Trial attorneys can abuse the system for their own personal gain'
Bill Sharer, a State Senator for New Mexico District 1, has accused Democratic lawmakers of enabling trial attorneys to exploit the legal system for personal and political gain.
SEC retracts defense of contested climate rules in legal case
The Liberty Justice Center has achieved a notable victory in the legal case against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding climate change rules.
America First Legal seeks federal probe into Ohio school district policies
America First Legal (AFL) has requested a federal investigation into the Bethel, Ohio public school system, accusing it of violating Title IX and an Executive Order issued by former President Trump.
Court denies IBM's motion in racial and gender discrimination lawsuit
America First Legal (AFL) has achieved a significant legal development in its lawsuit against International Business Machine Corporation (IBM).
'A glaring loophole': PREP Act doesn't stop lawsuit from N.C. teen vaxxed against his will
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The North Carolina Supreme Court won't stop the parents of a then-14-year-old vaccinated against COVID-19 against his will, despite a federal law that shields defendants from liability during health emergencies.
Missouri AG asks DOGE to investigate $5B Grain Belt Express project
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called for an immediate investigation into a nearly $5 billion federal loan guarantee supporting the Grain Belt Express project, which he describes as "one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory."
'This ends today:' DOJ asks court to block IL, Chicago from using 'Sanctuary' laws to hinder deportation of criminals
Federal lawsuit from the Trump administration asserts the state of Illinois, city of Chicago and Cook County are unconstitutionally using state laws and local ordinances to shield illegal immigrants - and particularly, illegal immigrants who have been convicted of other, violent crimes - from being removed from the U.S.
Bonus for railroad workers to get COVID vax could be 'coercive'
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - Federal law preempts a Montana statute barring discrimination against unvaccinated workers but BNSF employees can still pursue claims a $300 bonus for getting vaccinated was “coercive.”
Former LAP board member: Clerkship accountability project has messaging problem
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A former board member at the Legal Accountability Project (LAP) is not surprised that Yale Law School has barred the use of student organization funds to subscribe to LAP's "Centralized Clerkships Database.”
Russian national sentenced for illegal export of controlled aviation technology to Russia
Oleg Sergeyevhich Patsulya, a Russian national, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to export controlled aviation technology to Russia and engage in money laundering related to the illicit export scheme.
House minority leader gives $18K to Wis. liberal SC candidate, wants help with congressional maps
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Electing a liberal state Supreme Court justice in Wisconsin is key to the future of the Democratic party, the nation's House minority leader has said with his mouth and checkbook.
South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Massey said to be ‘disappointed’ in compromise version of tort reform measure Senate Bill 244
The South Carolina Senate passed a bill late Wednesday night aimed at overhauling personal injury lawsuit and insurance rules to lower insurance rates for businesses.
$9B for ovarian cancer claims rejected by judge; J&J heads back to court
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A "heavily negotiated" plan to end tens of thousands of ovarian cancer claims with a $9 billion fund that has "significant support" can't be confirmed, a Houston bankruptcy judge has ruled.
Beasley Allen fights new votes to approve J&J's $9B talc bankruptcy
HOUSTON - Lawyers opposing a $9 billion plan that keeps ovarian cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson out of the hands of juries and judges are upset other firms have clients now voting to approve it.
Sonya H. Toma appointed District Family Court Judge for Maui County
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald today announced the appointment of Sonya H. Toma as a judge for the District Family Court of the Second Circuit in Maui County.
Landowner appeals EPA Clean Waters Act ruling to Fourth Circuit
RICHMOND, Virginia – A West Virginia landowner is appealing a federal court ruling he says allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to unlawfully enforce the Clean Water Act.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Tort reform legislation will protect local businesses and consumers
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has introduced a tort reform package aimed at addressing excessive litigation to protect local businesses and consumers.