John O'Brien News
Same day, different verdicts: Why do some juries think there is asbestos in talcum powder and others don't?
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Judges continue to play a crucial role in the sprawling, possibly multibillion-dollar talcum powder litigation facing Johnson & Johnson by choosing how jurors will view the plaintiffs’ key expert.
'Easy grandstanding': Congress backs trial lawyers' effort to condemn chemicals, win lawsuits while science debated
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – As Congress vilifies chemicals known as PFAS, some question whether the research upon which lawmakers – and trial lawyers – are relying shows that anyone has actually been harmed by them.
A dissident emerges in Pennsylvania's opioid litigation: Lehigh Co. claims its case has been highjacked
The fight for control of Pennsylvania’s opioid litigation is not over, as Lehigh County is not happy that its case has been grouped in with more than 30 others and that lawyers it previously rejected have been tasked with overseeing the proceedings.
Blame the criminals, pharmacies facing opioid lawsuits say
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – Large pharmacy chains are asking why they are being sued by hundreds of cities and counties over the opioid crisis instead of the criminals who pushed drugs to addicts.
States against climate change lawsuits ask for dismissal of NYC's
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The top lawyers of 15 states are again asking a federal judge to reject the legal strategy used by public officials and the private attorneys with whom they’ve teamed to sue the energy industry over alleged effects of climate change.
Plaintiffs firm represented whistleblower in secret to avoid paying referral fee from multimillion-dollar case, lawsuit claims
PHILADELPHIA – A Texas personal injury law firm claims it is owed part of $16 million awarded to a corporate whistleblower because colleagues effectively poached the client and represented him in secret.
As Boulder sues, 15 states - including Colorado - oppose global warming lawsuits
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two days after local officials in the Boulder, Colo., area filed a lawsuit that attempts to hold large energy companies liable for the alleged effects of global warming, the state’s top lawyer showed that she disagrees with their legal argument by voicing her opposition to similar lawsuits in California.
Exxon-funded analysis criticizes study that claimed company misled public about climate change
FORT WORTH, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Harvard professors who say their analysis proves ExxonMobil misled the public about climate change were obviously biased, a colleague says, and the company says that data shouldn't be used to help a “corrupt enterprise” of private lawyers and California officials suing the energy sector.
Exxon prepares to sue Calif. cities, says they contradict themselves on climate change
FORT WORTH, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Some government officials in California are hypocrites pushing a political agenda that involves using private lawyers to sue and demonize ExxonMobil, the company is now arguing in a Texas state court.
CFPB's new rule 'large gift for class action lawyers'; Court challenges coming
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - As the director of a federal consumer protection agency seemingly fights for his job, he has gone forth with plans to finalize a controversial rule – and a court challenge seems imminent.
Asbestos/class action reform bill passes House of Representatives
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Under threat of a presidential veto, the U.S.
Dallas asbestos firm goes on attack in response to Garlock's RICO suit against it
A Dallas asbestos firm facing a racketeering lawsuit is attempting to turn the tables on its accuser.
Trial lawyers group: RICO claims not appropriate recourse against baseless lawsuits
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – A national association representing the interests of trial lawyers has filed a brief that argues against corporate defendants’ use of racketeering laws in lawsuits against plaintiffs attorneys alleged to have committed fraud.
Fifth Circuit: Whistleblowers didn’t blow whistle properly, entitled to nothing from criminal penalty
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – Two whistleblowers won’t share in a once-$43 million penalty against a husband and wife who have been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding the federal government by submitting false claims at their pain clinics.
Garlock: Asbestos claimants committee obstructing fraud case against Houston lawyers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – Garlock Sealing Technologies, as it pursues a fraud case against asbestos attorneys, has harsh words for a group representing those with claims against the company.
Panel explores attorney fraud, lack of repercussions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Though judges have so far mostly declined to do so, they play a major role in disciplining attorneys who game the asbestos compensation system, a panel told those in attendance at the 2014 Legal Reform Summit.
Canadian honeybee lawsuit quickly attracts critics
WINDSOR, Ontario (Legal Newsline) – Claims made in a recently filed class action lawsuit alleging pesticides are harming Canada’s honeybee population are not true, says an Alberta commercial beekeeper who has seen no ill effects on his colonies.
Law firm’s app block calls, evaluates Telephone Consumer Protection Act claims
STAMFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – A prolific-filing law firm specializing in debt collection harassment cases has helped develop an app that it says could help those who download it make up to $1,500 per robocall or debt collection call.
LNL reporter turned away from N.Y. trial lawyers event featuring Braley
NEW YORK – A New York State Trial Lawyers Association event featuring U.S. Rep. and Senate-hopeful Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, was not open to the media.