John O'Brien News
U.S. SC: Securities suit against Merck filed timely
Breyer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit filed by investors in Merck & Co. may proceed, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
W. Va. mine tragedy ad may result in ethics charge
Underwood CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- The law firm that ran advertisements in the wake of the recent West Virginia mine tragedy is expecting an ethics complaint.
Valero settles with group of AGs
SAN ANTONIO (Legal Newsline) - Gas station chain Valero has reached a settlement with 38 states and is implementing procedures the states say will curb tobacco sales to minors.
Federal jury finds fraud on part of asbestos lawyers
NATCHEZ, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A federal jury decided Monday that two Mississippi lawyers committed fraud against a railroad company they sued in a pair of asbestos lawsuits.
Duke prof says AG Cuomo helped cause financial crisis
Cuomo DURHAM, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The way Duke University professor and former North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Michael Munger sees it, there can be only two reasons New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is suing Bank of America -- and neither of them are good.
ATRA releases study, calls for outside counsel reform
Abbott WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The American Tort Reform Association says the country's state attorneys general have the opportunity to reform the way they handle contracts with private law firms.
Manhattan Institute probes lobbying efforts of lawyers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The Manhattan Institute's latest edition in its "Trial Lawyers, Inc.," series explores the effect the plaintiffs bar has on lawmakers at the state level and in Washington, D.C.
Briefs accepted in asbestos lawsuit fraud appeal
Peirce WHEELING, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Despite an asbestos firm's wishes, a federal appellate court will allow several groups to file amicus briefs in a lawsuit against it.
McDonnell delivers GOP response to Obama
McDonnell RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - In response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Wednesday night, former Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell told the country that eliminating meritless lawsuits should be a key part of health care reform.
Groups line up to support CSX asbestos appeal
Peirce RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - CSX Transportation's appeal in a case alleging a Pittsburgh law firm conspired with a radiologist to fabricate an asbestos exposure claim is drawing attention from tort reform groups and asbestos expert witnesses.
U.S. SC overturns campaign spending law, infuriates Obama
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court decided Wednesday that businesses may spend their money to support or oppose candidates in federal elections.
Annual lead paint report released
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The companies involved in lead paint litigation have published their annual review of the legal battles they are facing.
State AGs, supreme courts don't go unnoticed in Hellholes report
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Several state attorneys general and state supreme courts were put under the microscope by the American Tort Reform Foundation in its annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, released Dec. 15.
South Florida the top 'Judicial Hellhole'
ATRF President Sherman Joyce WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - South Florida is again the country's most plaintiffs-friendly jurisdiction, according to the American Tort Reform Foundation's annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, released Dec. 15.
Scruggs prosecutors recognized
Dawson WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Department of Justice has recognized two of the prosecutors who worked on the judicial bribery scandal involving famed plaintiffs attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Poll shows desire for tort reform in health care package
Dean WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A majority of Americans say tort reform measures should be taken to drive down healthcare costs, a new poll shows.
Scruggs' judge gets 18 months
DeLaughter ABERDEEN, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Former Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter received an 18-month prison sentence Friday, becoming the latest Mississippi legal figure to be punished for his role in a judicial bribery scheme.
Frank: Agency needed to regulate financial industry
Frank WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, who introduced a consumer protection bill affecting state attorneys general, told a House committee Wednesday that the Federal Reserve should not be trusted to have consumers' best interest in mind.
Dean: Lawmakers scared to tick off trial bar
Dean WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Darren McKinney, spokesman for the American Tort Reform Association, concluded Monday that former Presidential candidate Howard Dean is a man with a history of speaking his mind.
Attorney bringing AG focus to ABA meeting
Taylor CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The chair of the American Bar Association's subcommittee on state attorneys general will discuss multi-state actions with a pair of AGs when the ABA meets for its annual gathering July 31.