Chris Rizo News
Judge tosses antitrust suit against hurricanes Katrina, Rita insurers
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday against some of the largest U.S. insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina.
U.S. Supreme Court OKs lawsuits over light cigarettes
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Smokers can sue over deceptive marketing of so-called light cigarettes, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.
AG seeks to protect Texans from foreclosure rescue scams
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN (Legal Newsline)- Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Wednesday said he is seeking legislation that would boost his statutory authority to help protect Texans from foreclosure rescue scams.
Supreme Court declines to hear Obama citizenship challenge
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a lawsuit challenging President-elect Barack Obama's qualifications to be president.
Texas SC justice fined $29,000 over ethics violation
Justice Nathan Hecht (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht has been ordered to pay a $29,000 fine for accepting an illegal campaign contribution and failing to report the gift.
Hutchison takes first step towards gubernatorial run
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) AUSTIN �U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Thursday took the first step to run for Texas governor by opening an exploratory committee for a 2010 campaign.
Ethics commission hears complaint against Texas SC justice
Nathan Hecht (R) AUSTIN(Legal Newsline) - The Texas Ethics Commission today is considering a complaint filed last year against state Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht.
Report: Loser-pay rule would curb frivolous lawsuits
Marie Gryphon NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)-Forcing losers in lawsuits to pay the winner would help stem the tide of frivolous lawsuits flooding many U.S. jurisdictions, a report released Tuesday, Dec. 2, said.
Study: Costs of U.S. tort system increases to $252 billion
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The souring U.S. economy is likely to bring a flurry of lawsuit filings, a report says.
Abbott targets human trafficking, pushes for tougher laws
Abbott The state's human trafficking laws need to be strengthened so people are not deprived of their basic human rights, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said.
Spence: Trial lawyers more important than doctors
Gerry Spence SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-Being a trial lawyer is the noblest profession in America, some 500 lawyers who gathered here for the annual Consumer Attorneys of California convention heard from one of the nation's most famed plaintiffs' attorneys.
Tort reformers wary of Obama presidency
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Efforts to restore fairness and balance to the nation's courts could take a step backward if Democrat Barack Obama is elected president today, tort reform advocates said Tuesday.
Commerce Secretary calls for legal reforms
Carlos Gutierrez WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- Enacting legal reforms to encourage investment would help jumpstart the nation's economic recovery, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Wednesday.
Obama citizenship question goes to U.S. Supreme Court
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The former deputy Pennsylvania attorney general who challenged Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's qualifications to be president has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Texas SC justices get nod from leading tort reform group
Wallace Jefferson (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texans for Lawsuit Reform says the three state Supreme Court justices running for re-election deserve another six-year term.
AGs sue to block controversial meatpacking deal
Abbott AUSTIN-Greg Abbott and a group of other state attorneys general are suing to block a Brazilian company's planned acquisition of one of the largest meat-packing companies in the United States.
Texas Supreme Court candidates rake in contributions
Wallace Jefferson (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Candidates for seats on the Texas Supreme Court are raking in campaign cash from likely sources, a judicial watchdog group told Legal Newsline on Monday.
Caldwell: Keep Katrina hospital deaths investigation secret
James "Buddy" Caldwell (D) NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline)-Evidence that former Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti collected as a part of his investigation into deaths at Memorial Medical Center following Hurricane Katrina should remain secret at least for now, the state's new attorney general says.
Abbott signs agreement with Shell to curb youth smoking
Abbott AUSTIN-Shell Oil Products U.S. has signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott aimed at curbing underage smoking.
Lilly settles with 32 states over its Zyprexa marketing
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Eli Lilly and Co. has agreed to pay $62 million to resolve claims with 32 states that it improperly marketed and promoted its top-selling schizophrenia drug.