Jessica M. Karmasek News
U.S. SC to hear arguments in contraceptive mandate cases
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments from two companies that say they should be able to claim religious exemptions from the federal health care law’s contraceptive mandate.
U.S. Senate changes filibuster rules
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — In response to the GOP’s obstruction of President Barack Obama’s nominees, the U.S. Senate changed its rules Thursday.
Attorney files to run for Texas AG as Democrat
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — Attorney Sam Houston officially filed his papers to run for Texas attorney general Thursday.
Texas State Troopers Association sues AG in federal court
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — The Texas State Troopers Association filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Greg Abbott in federal court last week, arguing the state’s top lawyer is intimidating and discriminating against the nonprofit.
Lawsuit abuse bill passes U.S. House
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of frivolous lawsuits plaguing the nation’s legal system.
AGs urge Senate to block D.C. Circuit nominees, pass Court Efficiency Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The attorneys general of seven states are putting pressure on the U.S. Senate to stop President Barack Obama from “politicizing” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Airline CEO, Fla. AG meet to discuss proposed merger
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi met Friday with the chairman and CEO of one of the airlines at the center of a federal lawsuit over the proposed American Airlines and US Airways merger.
Mayors ask U.S. AG to settle lawsuit over airline merger
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The mayors of seven major cities sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder this week, asking him to settle the lawsuit over the proposed American Airlines and US Airways merger.
Judiciary: $51 million in additional funds inadequate
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The $51 million in additional funding the nation’s federal courts will receive under a deal reached by Congress late Wednesday still isn’t enough, some federal judges argue.
U.S. SC to hear challenge to EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to
Shutdown delays vote on D.C. Circuit nominee, others
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The government shutdown has delayed a committee vote on Robert Leon Wilkins, President Barack Obama’s third nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Longtime DOJ lawyer becomes first openly gay judge to serve on a federal appeals court
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Todd Hughes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Perry appoints appeals court judge to Texas SC
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Jeff Brown to the Texas Supreme Court.
House panel approves bill aimed at reducing frivolous lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of frivolous lawsuits plaguing the nation’s legal system.
Survey: Doctors believe Texas’ professional liability climate has improved
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — Doctors believe Texas’ professional liability climate has improved in the last 10 years, according to a survey by the Texas Medical Association.
Report: Texas AG candidate says state could be ‘independent’
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — Barry Smitherman, a GOP candidate for Texas attorney general, raised some eyebrows for comments made last week regarding the state’s potential to become independent.
Texas SC: Insurer must pay homebuilder for costs of voluntary remediation
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — The Texas Supreme Court last week upheld a jury verdict requiring an insurer to pay more than $6 million in costs to a homebuilder that voluntarily replaced defective imitation stucco siding in hundreds of houses.
Texas GOP senators seeking applicants for federal judicial vacancies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Texas Republicans, announced this week they are accepting applications for six federal judicial vacancies in the state.
Texas lawmaker makes bid for AG official
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — Texas lawmaker Dan Branch made his bid for state attorney general official this week.
BP plaintiffs lawyer once represented Scruggs
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- One of the lawyers representing a group of class action plaintiffs against oil giant BP also helped represent disgraced Mississippi attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs.