Chris Rizo News
Unions sue over Vioxx settlement
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Two of the nation's most powerful unions have sued six law firms for their handling of litigation against Vioxx maker Merck & Co. Inc.
Abbott targets Houston mortgage scheme
Greg Abbott HOUSTON(Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has obtained a temporary restraining order against several people accused of conspiring to steal homes from deceased homeowners and their heirs.
Weiss sentenced to 30 months
Melvyn Weiss LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline)-Famed securities attorney Melvyn Weiss, who made a lucrative practice out of suing corporations on behalf of shareholders, was sentenced Monday to 30 months in federal prison.
Exxon Valdez ruling could reshape U.S. tort law
Ted Frank WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court will end the long-running class-action lawsuit over the Exxon Valdez spill any Monday between today and June 23, when it issues a ruling before the high court's term recesses.
Lawyer vows to appeal $26 million Vioxx reversal
Mark Lanier HOUSTON(Legal Newsline)--The famed Houston plaintiffs' attorney who Thursday saw a Texas appeals court toss out his client's $26.1 million verdict against Merck & Co. Inc. over the company's drug Vioxx said his client will appeal.
Appeals courts overturn Vioxx verdicts
(Legal Newsline) - Merck & Co. Inc. notched two major legal victories Thursday, with appeals courts in Texas and New Jersey tossing verdicts against the drugmaker involving the painkiller Vioxx.
Abbott, Democratic Party settle voter fraud lawsuit; both sides claim victory
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has agreed not to target people who collect others' mail-in ballots for them as part of a settlement with the Texas Democratic Party.
Abbott has $7.3 million in campaign war chest
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has more than $7 million in campaign cash, raising speculation that the Republican might be considering a run for higher office.
Merck agrees to $58 million multi-state Vioxx settlement
Greg Abbott DALLAS(Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Tuesday reached a $58 million settlement with Merck & Co. Inc., capping three years of litigation by 29 state attorneys general.
Group blasts Texas Supreme Court for unsigned opinions
AUSTIN(Legal Newsline)-A bevy of opinions issued last year by the Texas Supreme Court were written anonymously, so voters have no way of knowing where particular justices stand on many cases, a watchdog group says.
Toyota loses $4.3 million patent appeal for hybrid technology
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday affirmed a $4.3 million award against Toyota Motor Corp. for using another company's patented technology in its hybrid vehicles.
Check 'n Go settles case over its records handling
Greg Abbott AUSTIN(Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Thursday, May 8, reached an agreement with one of the Lone State's largest payday lenders over claims the company recklessly disposed of consumers' financial information.
Oklahoma tort reform bill stalls
Rex Duncan OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Legal Newsline)-Oklahoma state lawmakers have jettisoned a rewrite to a comprehensive tort overhaul amid a tepid political climate.
Louisiana AG staying on the political sidelines
Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell BATON ROUGE(Legal Newsline)- Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell says he will leave others to campaign for their favorite presidential hopeful, noting he "likes" them all.
Abbott calls for 'one strike' law for strip clubs
Greg Abbott DALLAS (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Tuesday called for a "one strike and you're out" law for sexually oriented businesses, including adult bookstores and strip clubs.
Web site boasts quick lawsuits
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A new Internet site that touts itself as a platform to "simplify the lawsuit process" is drawing criticism from legal reformers who say SueEasy is seeking to make the nation even more litigious than it is already.
Katrina's flood damage is excluded, Louisiana SC rules
Louisiana Supreme Court BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously ruled that homeowners insurance policies do not have to cover damages caused by levee breaches in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Texas AG asked for opinion on mental health parity law
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has been asked for a legal opinion on whether a group health plan is required to provide the same number of outpatient visits for mental illnesses and physical illnesses.