News from December 2009
Fast food employee claims she was raped by supervisor
More than a year ago, Latoya Cofer, a female cashier at a local McDonald's, claims her male supervisor lured her into a freezer and raped her.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2009
Apple appeals $21 M patent infringement judgment
After Apple was hit with an additional $2.7 million in interest on a $19 million jury verdict in a patent infringement suit, the computer giant has immediately filed a formal appeal.
Legally Speaking: Low Points In Closing Arguments
I've always loved closing arguments � the rhetorical battle for the hearts and minds of the jurors, the "Rashomon"-like war of competing narratives as lawyers blend storytelling and verbal counterpunching.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Dec. 3-7, 2009
Mostyn named president-elect of Texas trial lawyers group
Mostyn Houston attorney Steve Mostyn, who has filed hundreds of suits in Jefferson County against insurance companies over hurricane damage claims, has been named as president-elect of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
Case involving infection from chicken droppings moved to federal court
LUFKIN � An East Texas man who claims he developed a rare disease after chicken droppings from Pilgrim's Pride were used as fertilizer on his property has had the case moved to federal court.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, Dec. 3-7, 2009
Beaumont attorneys want W. Va. malpractice case against them severed
WHEELING, W. Va. � Beaumont lawyers who packaged 15 CSX Transportation workers together as identical injury victims for litigation in West Virginia are now protesting that the same 15 should not be packaged together as identical victims of legal malpractice.
Appeals court orders Novartis patent infringement case transferred out of East Texas
Folsom A federal appeals court has granted a writ of mandamus to the defendant in a patent infringement suit and ordered the case be transferred out of the Eastern District of Texas.
Jefferson County refuses to settle 'frivolous' claims, keeps civil court costs low
While known as a "judicial hellhole" in some tort reform circles, Jefferson County critics might be surprised to learn the county only spent $1.2 million settling civil suits over the last 10 years.
Galveston suits blame anti-depressant for babies' heart defects
GALVESTON � A Houston law firm has filed suits against a pharmaceutical company on behalf of three women who claim one of the defendant's medications caused birth defects in their children.
Longview business man sues city, county for violating his civil rights
MARSHALL � A Longview business owner claims the city and its officials are trying to put him out of business and are deliberately attempting to deprive him of his civil rights.
Coon, Umphrey law firms to host holiday events
Two of Beaumont's most well-known plaintiffs' firms, Provost Umphrey and Brent Coon & Associates, are holding holiday events next week.
Auto product liability suit filed over death in Orange wreck
E. Todd Tracy, the Dallas attorney specializing in automobile product liability cases, has filed a suit in a local court over a man killed in a collision in Orange.
Legends Scholarship honors Buddy Low
Gilbert "Buddy" Low at the Dec. 3 press conference at Lamar University. A partner at one of Beaumont's oldest law firms has been honored through another of Lamar University's Southeast Texas Legends Scholarships.
Elderly woman claiming assault by pastor seeks $25M from church
GALVESTON - An elderly Texas City woman is suing a former pastor of her church for up to $25 million for alleged false imprisonment and sexual assault.
Inmate files slip-and-fall suit against jail
A prisoner in the Jefferson County jail has filed a lawsuit claiming he was injured when he fell at the correctional facility.
Christus vindicated in second trial over woman's fall
Richardson As a medical malpractice trial against Christus St. Elizabeth neared its conclusion on Monday, plaintiff's attorney Mark Sparks told jurors that he believed they had all been drawn together for a meaningful purpose.
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.