John O'Brien News
Attorney: Tax break would create more litigation, partnership with feds
Williams HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia defense attorney says a possible trial lawyer tax break that has attracted the attention of 25 U.S. senators would make the federal government partners with plaintiffs attorneys.
Report probes state SC spending
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The firm of heavyweight Alabama plaintiffs attorney Jere Beasley gave more than $600,000 to a candidate for the state Supreme Court in 2008 without appearing on a list of her contributors, a recent report shows.
States respond to motion to dismiss health care challenge
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum PENSACOLA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The 21 states challenging federal health care reform say Congress isn't regulating interstate commerce, it is forcing it.
Trial lawyer tax break attracts attention of two dozen senators
Thune WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - One-quarter of the U.S. Senate has expressed concern that the U.S. Department of the Treasury may be planning to issue an order giving trial lawyers tax breaks on contingency fee lawsuits.
Contingency fees OK for public suits, Calif. SC decides
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court has decided its stance on contingency fee agreements between public entities and private attorneys should be loosened.
Cordray wants his lawyers to be lead counsel in BP suit
Cordray LAFAYETTE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray wants the private lawyers representing Ohio pension funds to be named lead counsel in a class action lawsuit against BP.
Financial reform passes
Miller WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A group of Democratic state attorneys general are excited that President Barack Obama signed federal financial reform legislation into law Wednesday.
Only 1 percent of plaintiffs offer evidence in Texas silica MDL
Halbach HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - Only 54 plaintiffs out of more than 5,000 in a silicosis multidistrict litigation court responded to a request for information that would have satisfied medical requirements and allowed their lawsuits to proceed.
Treasury not commenting on trial lawyer tax break
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - While some are reacting to news that trial lawyers may soon receive a tax break, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is not commenting.
Sources: Trial lawyers expect tax break from Treasury Department
VANCOUVER, Canada (Legal Newsline) - The nation's trial lawyer group, the American Association for Justice, revealed Tuesday that it expects the U.S. Department of Treasury to soon give its members a tax break on contingency fee lawsuits.
Group intends to sue over Happy Meal toys
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A watchdog group says it intends to sue McDonald's if the fast-food chain refuses to stop giving away toys with its Happy Meals.
Business group never behind La. Senate's contingency bill
Chaisson BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - A Louisiana business group says it refused to support the Senate version of a bill that would have allowed the Louisiana attorney general to hire private attorneys to sue BP on a contingency fee.
Texas to Obama's EPA: Leave us alone
Abbott NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to reject a regulatory program the state put in place after submitting it for approval 14 years ago.
McConnell hearing pushed back
McConnell WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiffs attorney Jack McConnell will have to wait a few days before the Senate Judiciary Committee debates his nomination to a federal judgeship.
La. contingency fee bill introduced after oil spill
Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - The BP oil spill might play a role in changing the way the Louisiana attorney general does business.
In wake of BP spill, AG Hood pleads for rules change
Hood WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood urged members of the House Judiciary Committee to keep lawsuits, including a potential one over the BP oil spill, out of federal court Thursday.
Study finds New Jersey a tough place for defendants
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey and New York are the two states with the highest combination of tort costs and risk, according to a study published by free-market think tank Pacific Research Institute.
Campaign disclosure bill moves to House
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama is happy legislation is moving forward that would strengthen current disclosure requirements by businesses spending on campaigns.
Duke prof: Obama showing 'anti-capitalist bias'
Obama DURHAM, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama's fight to regulate automobile dealers like banks could lead to broken knees, a Duke University professor joked Wednesday.
Obama: Regulate auto dealers like banks
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama says auto dealerships should be subject to the same oversight he is proposing for banks and other lenders in his financial reform package.