News from 2014
Fifth Circuit grants Native Americans religious freedom to obtain permits for eagle feathers
NEW ORLEANS – In a ruling that relies heavily on the Supreme Court’s recent decision in favor of Hobby Lobby’s religious freedom, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed and remanded a district court’s decision to prohibit certain Native Americans from acquiring eagle feathers for religious ceremonies.
La. asbestos attorneys want clients’ info to remain sealed in Garlock case
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The first motion to seal in the Garlock Sealing Technologies bankruptcy proceeding was filed on Thursday by Louisiana asbestos attorneys, exactly one week before the deadline.
Texas Attorney General secures asset freeze, temporary injunction against two South Texas pool construction companies
MCALLEN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott charged McAllen-based RGV Flamingo Pools International Ltd., Pool Sharks LLC and owner Dennis Gomez with multiple violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Personnel File: Nine Provost Umphrey lawyers named Texas Super Lawyers
Nine lawyers from Provost Umphrey Law Firm have been selected to the 2014 Texas Super Lawyers List along with three young attorneys named as Rising Stars.
BP didn’t know what Juneau knew
In the birthplace of Huey Long and Edwin Edwards, you have to expect corruption on a grand scale. Even in Louisiana, however, the shenanigans associated with the BP oil spill settlement smell like a putrid swamp.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
BEAUMONT DIVISION
Circus goer files suit after being knocked to the ground by clown
NEW ORLEANS – A circus attendee has filed suit after a clown, employed by the circus, bumped into her causing her to fall and suffer serious injuries.
BP spokesman tells environmental journalists they got it wrong
NEW ORLEANS – In a speech given to the Society for Environmental Journalists on Sept. 3, BP spokesman Geoff Morrell told the group that he was discouraged by speculative reporting that took place during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill regarding the impact the spill would have on the environment.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Aug. 25-29, 2014
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.
Study finds patent cases reach record high, but law professor says numbers are ‘misleading’
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – According to a recent study on patent litigation, the number of U.S. patent cases filed increased in 2013.
Texas tort reform group endorses SC Justice Jeff Boyd
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – On Thursday, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed the election of Justice Jeff Boyd to the Supreme Court of Texas.
Equipment rental company wants customer to pay up
An equipment rental company is suing a repeat client who they claim would return equipment but never pay the bill.
International Paper accused of fraud and slander
A Jefferson County company is accusing International Paper of fraud and slander. Signature Associates, Signature Special Services and Signature Industrial Services of Beaumont filed a complaint against Tennessee-based International Paper Co., Greg Bennett and Alliance Engineers & Project Consultants of Beaumont on Aug. 8 in Jefferson County District Court.
Tractor-trailer owner accused of negligence for faulty brake light
The owner of a tractor-trailer is being asked to pay more than $1 million for a crash allegedly caused by a faulty brake light.Rojaramani Bai Thronagiri Basisthagorata, also known as Roja Thronagiri, individually and as guardian of the estate of Rama Bhoopal Reddy Jammuladinne and as next friend of minors Meghana Reddy Jammuladinne and Kirthi Reddy Jammuladinne, filed a lawsuit against BTS Logistics,
Enbridge Energy accused of discrimination
A former Enbridge Energy employee alleges she was discriminated against because she is an African-American female. Kenya Thompson filed the discrimination complaint against Enbridge Employee Services Inc. of Houston, Enbridge Energy Partners, Enbridge Energy Co. Inc. and Enbridge Energy LP on Aug. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas. Kenya Thompson says she is an African-American
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services sued over claims of discrimination against employee
A Texas woman is suing over claims she was discriminated against in her employment with a state agency.Yolanda F. Douglas filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, citing discrimination. According to the complaint, Douglas was employed by the defendant, known as DARS, as a management support
Jefferson County 60th District Court: Docket for November 2014
JOHN SCHIWART ET AL V. SHARIQ AHMAD
Beaumont man accused of causing crash in Port Arthur
A Beaumont man is accused of ramming into the side of a pickup truck and causing serious injuries to its passenger.Penny Cade filed the complaint against Jim Crawford Jr. on Aug. 12 in Jefferson County District Court. Cade says she was a passenger in a Dodge Ram pickup truck going west on state Highway 73 in Port Arthur on Sept. 12, 2012. She says Crawford, driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck, slammed
Couple accused of failing to pay for Beaumont home
A couple is accused of defaulting on an agreement to buy the Beaumont home they lived in for more than a year.Estella M. Wendt filed a complaint against Miguel A. Lopez and Erica Lopez on Aug. 12 in Jefferson County District Court. On Dec. 16, 2011, Wendt says she executed and delivered to the Lopezes a deed "purporting to convey" a piece of property on Evalon Street in Beaumont. According to the complaint,