The Justice Department’s bankruptcy watchdog has requested that Jackson Walker LLC be penalized for purportedly contravening bankruptcy code. The law firm failed to declare a lengthy romantic relationship between an attorney and a judge overseeing multiple of its cases, according to the watchdog’s claims. This request was submitted to the US Bankruptcy Court for the…
In a significant legal decision arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Eighth District Court of Appeals in Texas has ruled that an emergency order related to the pandemic cannot be used to extend a deadline to file a civil lawsuit. This marks a clear victory for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center who were…
In the ongoing legal case surrounding the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy settlement, US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has issued a stay order, in effect pausing proceedings. The order was provided in response to objections from appellants – 67 victims of sexual abuse – who regard the terms of the $2.46 billion settlement…
Former US President Donald Trump has appealed to the US Supreme Court, seeking its intervention in a decision by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. The DC Circuit had denied Trump’s assertion of “absolute” presidential immunity from criminal prosecution in the federal 2020 election interference case. Trump also requested the court to…
In a recent turn of events, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government can face lawsuits for failing to correct erroneous information appearing on consumer credit reports. This news implicates a significant shift in the legal landscape of credit reporting and challenges the conventional belief of government immunity. This unanimous decision came…
Former bankruptcy judge David R. Jones, who is facing a civil suit relating to undisclosed professional relationships, has reached out to the McKool Smith law firm for representation. The lawsuit claims that Jones did not properly disclose a relationship with a local attorney while presiding over a case. Previously, Jones had tried on his own…
Over fifty years ago, Congress enacted the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to fight against organized crime, from the mafia to minor money laundering schemes. This act allows not only for criminal penalties for violations, but also permits private individuals to file civil lawsuits as a result of the defendant’s “racketeering activity,” if…
US Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) filed a motion on Wednesday, calling on US District Judge Sidney Stein to dismiss charges alleging that he conspired to act as a foreign agent of Egypt. The charges arose from an indictment last October, accusing Menendez of endorsing the interests of several businessmen and the Egyptian government in return…
Human rights activist and the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Nadia Murad, along with Yazidi-Americans, recently filed a civil lawsuit against the French industrial conglomerate Lafarge. The lawsuit was lodged in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The allegations are presented under the civil provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, with…
The issue of presidential immunity against civil lawsuits is once again in the spotlight after a federal appeals court ruled that former President Donald Trump is not currently entitled to absolute immunity against civil lawsuits. These lawsuits are seeking to hold him responsible for the violence that occurred at the US Capitol during the attack…
An intriguing development in the legal fraternity has come to light, where a former bankruptcy judge has reportedly sought the help of the Justice Department to defend him in a civil lawsuit. The dispute, which appears to cross personal and professional boundaries, alleges nondisclosure of a relationship between the judge and a local attorney, a…
German federal authorities recently targeted members and supporters of Hamas and Samidoun — Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, in a string of property raids. The German Federal Ministry of the Interior spearheaded the operation which resulted in the sweep of 16 properties. During the course of the operation, various materials including mobile phones, laptops, data carriers,…
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of an alliance of top law firms including Baker McKenzie, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Allen & Overy, in a case against the UK government’s contentious Rwanda deportation policy. This decision affirms that the ruling by the Court of Appeal against the government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to…
The second week of November 2023 was a period of adjournment for the North Carolina General Assembly, with sessions set to resume on Wednesday, November 19. This break provides lawmakers an opportunity to reevaluate any remaining conference reports, gubernatorial vetoes, or other items denoted in the adjournment resolution. Among the key points of consideration during…
In a recent legal development, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has lodged a civil lawsuit against SolarWinds and its Chief Information Security Officer, alleged to be involved in fraud and failures in disclosure controls. The legal action brings to light the crucial implications for public companies and their directors and officers, in their…
On November 9, 2023, Cinfed Federal Credit Union (Cinfed CU) reported a significant data breach affecting approximately 58,000 individuals to the Attorney General of Maine. The breach, as indicated in the notice, is thought to have been executed by an unauthorized party who was able to gain access to sections of the company’s computer system….
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that it has initiated a pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington’s police department (LPD). The probe will look into the LPD’s “use of force and its stops, searches and arrests” to determine if there are systemic violations of the Constitution and federal law….
In 2022, tort lawsuits dwindled to one of the lowest levels seen in the past decade. Nonetheless, recent trends suggest an impending resurgence. This information is gleaned from The 2023 Torts Litigation Report conducted by Lex Machina, a division of LexisNexis, which provides a comprehensive exploration of this legal landscape. The statistics unveiled in the…
Ivanka Trump, daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has been ordered by a New York judge to testify in her father’s ongoing civil trial. The lawsuit, which involves a substantial claim of $250 million, revolves around allegations of civil fraud against Donald Trump and his widespread real estate empire. Details about Ivanka Trump’s required…
In an eye-opening turn of events, recent findings revealed that a significant percentage of in-house counsel are seemingly dissatisfied in their roles. According to a recently released survey, a majority of these professionals expressed their discontent, with two-thirds of participants indicating that they were either seeking or were receptive to new job opportunities. Within the…
Legal professionals focused on civil litigation, particularly those concerned with complexities of firearm law, may find a great benefit in an upcoming Continuing Legal Education (CLE) webinar. Offered by Perrin Conferences, LLC, the complimentary webinar is set to take place on October 25th, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm ET. More information is available at…
As general awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has risen in recent years, so too have the corresponding legal implications. Courts have seen an upswing in civil lawsuits claiming false and misleading advertising in marketing statements for consumer products, according to recent reports. This trend has been particularly noticeable in lawsuits filed in 2021…
In a complex legal tug-of-war, a California attorney has taken legal action concerning the disbursement of a $6.15 million fee agreement. The case emerged from the state court’s civil lawsuit docket and underlines the intricate, and sometimes contentious, aspects of legal fee allocations. While specific information is limited, the case warrants attention given its high…
The process of a trial implies careful scrutiny to discern the right from the wrong, and this concept is being put to test in multiple legal cases this week. The former U.S president, Donald Trump, for one, has not been immune to legal issues. His financial practices under scrutiny, a judge recently ruled that Trump…
The rise of the metaverse presents unique and complex legal challenges. As individuals and corporations venture more deeply into these digital territories, real-world disputes are increasingly emerging in the realm of the virtual. It is becoming clear that the laws governing these environments are firmly rooted in those of our physical world. Private civil laws…