John Sammon News
Senators acquit Paxton in Nate Paul impeachment corruption trial
On Saturday a majority of Texas senators voted that Attorney General Ken Paxton was not guilty of an improper relationship with Austin developer Nate Paul
Closing arguments heard, senators to decide Ken Paxton’s fate in attorney general impeachment trial
The Texas Senate now deliberates on whether to remove Attorney General Ken Paxton
Prosecution rests its case after bank official alleges Paxton attempted to stall foreclosure of Nate Paul properties with rushed midnight COVID opinion
AG Ken Paxton allegedly attempted to ignore a whistleblower law and stall to get reelected prosecution witness said, while defense attorneys claimed whistleblowers were disloyal, deluded.
Senior prosecution staffer says Paxton and Paul like-minded biased against federal officials in AG impeachment trial
A whistleblower in the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton said the AG and developer Nate Paul shared a mutual dislike of federal government officials
Texas Ranger calls Nate Paul a criminal in Ken Paxton impeachment trial, defense attorney says no illegality
A famed Texas ranger in Ken Paxton's impeachment trial called Austin developer Nate Paul a criminal, while defense attorneys said nothing illegal took place
Former Paxton assistant said AG’s Nate Paul involvement a red flag, defense attorney says it’s a coup
Impeachment witnesses in the corruption trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the AG had a conflict of interest with Austin developer Nate Paul, while defense attorneys portrayed them as disloyal
Texas AG Paxton corruption trial kicks off with refusal to toss out charges, not guilty plea by defendant
The opening of the Texas Senate impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton saw motions to dismiss the case denied, while Paxton claimed not guilty.
Texas Court reverses trial court decision against Walgreen’s in prescription highway death
HOUSTON – A panel for the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas on April 16 reversed a trial court judgement in favor of a plaintiff who alleged a negligent prescription filled at a Walgreen’s store resulted in the highway death of his son.
Texas court upholds trial court verdict in alleged influence-peddling contract breach case
BEAUMONT - The Court of Appeals for the Ninth District of Texas on Mar. 19 upheld a trial court’s verdict that Huntsman International Petrochemical Co. was harmed by an employee who allegedly misused his influence in a conflict of interest for profit.
J&J top corporate rep grilled in Oklahoma opioid trial - state focuses on 'Norman' poppy strain
NORMAN (Legal Newsline) – A corporate spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson and its drug subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals on Thursday faced questioning by lawyers for the State of Oklahoma who attempted to link the company’s quest for profits to an opioid epidemic in the state.
Father recounts loss of son in Oklahoma Johnson & Johnson opioid trial
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Fighting back tears, a father who lost his son to an opioid overdose recounted the nightmare during testimony in a trial alleging that Johnson & Johnson flooded the state with addictive drugs for profit.
Opening remarks in opioid case against Johnson & Johnson alleges greed created drug epidemic
NORMAN, Okla. (Legal Newsline) – Opening arguments began Tuesday in a first-ever trial in attempt to hold drug manufacturers accountable for an opioid over-dose crisis, accusing Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary company Janssen Pharmaceuticals of providing medications for profit that destroyed thousands of lives.
J&J says talc lawyers are playing the 'race card' in latest try at giant verdict
Opening arguments began Monday in the lawsuit launched by a man claiming that asbestos-tainted baby powder made by Johnson & Johnson caused him to develop mesothelioma.
Corn case attorney says $150 million fee is justified
SAN ANTONIO – Texas attorney Mikal C. Watts said his attempt to garner at least $150 million in attorney fees from a $1.5 billion court settlement against Switzerland-based Syngenta AG, a global agribusiness chemical company accused of damaging U.S. farmers with genetically altered corn, is justified.
Whistleblower's lawyer asking for more than $400K from $10.6M judgment against BestCare Laboratory Services
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – A whistleblower who brought suit resulting in a $10.6 million partial judgment against a medical laboratory for allegedly charging false mileage fees to pick up medical specimens is seeking $424,370 in attorney fees, which includes $4,335 in out-of-pocket expenses.
Jurors pound Johnson & Johnson with $4.69 billion judgment; Company vows to appeal
ST. LOUIS – Jurors on July 12 handed Johnson & Johnson a body-blow, levying a total $4.14 billion in punitive damages and $550 million in compensatory damages to 22 women who claimed its talcum powder contained asbestos that caused them to develop ovarian cancer.
Court declines to grant enhanced damages in Motorola patent infringement ruling
MARSHALL – The Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas on Dec. 8 denied enhanced damage awards for Saint Lawrence Communications (SLC) in a dispute with competitor Motorola Mobility LLC, but did award product royalties and related court costs for patent infringement by Motorola.
Conditional settlement reached on suit between Stryker Corp. and Zimmer Biomet Holdings
HOUSTON – A settlement agreement on Nov. 28 was reached in a lawsuit between Howmedica Osteonics Corp., a subsidiary of Stryker Corp., makers of orthopedic implant devices, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., in which Biomet was accused of engaging in unfair competition, improper use of trade secrets and improper solicitation of Stryker customers.
14th Court of Appeals reverses trial court judgment in fraud allegation against financial adviser
HOUSTON – The Texas 14th Court of Appeals reversed an earlier trial court judgment that disregarded allegations made by the owner of a San Antonio-based real estate business who accused his financial adviser of fraud.
HomeAway asks court to dismiss lawsuit over traveler fee
AUSTIN – The Austin Division of the Western District of Texas is being asked to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by property owner plaintiffs who alleged the imposition of a new traveler fee by a company that makes short-term rental properties available for travelers on the Web was a breach of contract and represented fraud and unjust enrichment.