Elizabeth Cabraser, a titan in the field of plaintiffs’ law, has become a defining figure in mass tort litigation. Her journey began in the late 1970s when she joined Robert Lieff’s small Northern California practice as a clerk fresh out of law school. Originally tasked with helping Lieff close his practice so he could retire,…
In a recent development, President Donald Trump has put forward nominations to fill the last two open seats on the D.C. Court of Appeals. These appointments to the District of Columbia’s highest court mark a significant move in shaping the judiciary within the nation’s capital. The D.C. Court of Appeals plays a pivotal role as…
The dean of UC Berkeley’s law school recently addressed a gathering of legal professionals and artists, asserting that the United States is currently experiencing a significant threat to its constitutional foundations, particularly the First Amendment and freedom of speech. Drawing comparisons to the infamous McCarthy era, he suggested that the challenges posed during President Donald…
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. has initiated legal action against Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds, alleging malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. This lawsuit follows Small’s acquittal on child abuse charges, which he contends were politically motivated attempts to remove him from office. In December 2025, a jury found Mayor Small not guilty…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its legal battle to access Arizona’s statewide voter registration list by appealing a lower court decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This appeal arises after U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich dismissed the DOJ’s initial case against Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes….
The legal landscape in Rhode Island has become increasingly contentious as the United States Department of Justice intervened in a case involving a judge’s order on transgender inmate records. The order, issued by Judge Mary McElroy, mandates the state to provide records that include information about the treatment and housing of transgender inmates to the…
Linda Dardarian’s reputation as a leading figure in the plaintiffs bar is reinforced by the respect she commands even from those she opposes. Kevin McLaughlin, city attorney for Oakland, California, finds himself on the other side of a substantial disability rights case involving Dardarian. Despite the $150 million impact on his municipality, McLaughlin acknowledges that…
In a recent development, Texas lawyers have come under scrutiny for misrepresenting case law related to a school district’s hair length policy. The Fifth Circuit Court criticized the attorneys for the plaintiffs, who were representing Native American students challenging the school district’s grooming rules. According to the court, the lawyers failed to properly cite relevant…
Traevena Byrd, an accomplished legal executive, is set to take on the role of General Counsel at George Washington University (GW) this summer, transitioning from her current position as Vice President and General Counsel at American University. GW, recognized as the largest private university in Washington, D.C., is poised to benefit from Byrd’s extensive experience…
The U.S. Supreme Court has permitted Alabama to implement a congressional map anticipated to benefit Republican candidates in the midterms, issuing its decision amid dissent from its three liberal justices. The decision, detailed in an unsigned order, is expected to remove a district represented by a Black Democrat, thereby likely favoring six Republican congressional seats…
In a recent decision with far-reaching implications for electoral law, the United States Supreme Court authorized Alabama to proceed with a congressional map previously deemed racially discriminatory by lower courts. This ruling permits the state to use the map in the 2026 elections, marking a significant legal turn in a contentious case that has wound…
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved forward with an appeal in a contentious legal battle over access to Massachusetts voter data, highlighted by the recent filing of a Notice of Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. This development follows the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s refusal…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently cleared the way for Texas to enforce Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), enabling state officials to arrest individuals suspected of unauthorized entry into the country. This decision follows a contentious legal history, lifting a district court injunction that previously blocked the law’s implementation. The Fifth…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced its intention to comply with a federal judge’s order that temporarily halts the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. This decision, though aligned with the court order, comes amidst the DOJ’s disagreement with the ruling. The fund, initially established to enable proactive measures against perceived threats of misusing government…
The Supreme Court’s recent actions have led to significant developments in two pivotal cases—the review of a death-row inmate’s trial and the acceptance of a new case regarding the First Step Act. The decisions were revealed in conjunction with the court’s orders from its May 28 conference. In the matter of the death-row inmate, Gary…
The Louisiana Senate recently advanced a measure with considerable implications for homelessness enforcement, drawing attention from across the state and nation. House Bill 211, approved by the Senate, seeks to impose new restrictions on public camping and establish court-supervised programs aimed at aiding individuals experiencing homelessness. This legislative initiative has incited a significant debate among…
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law a controversial new congressional map that dismantles one of the state’s majority-Black districts, shifting the political landscape significantly. The legislation, Senate Bill 121, effectively removes Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, consolidating the state’s political configuration to five Republican-leaning seats and one Democratic-leaning seat in New Orleans. This…
Phillips Black Inc., Hogan Lovells, and Watkins & Eager PLLC headlined Law360’s Legal Lions of the Week following a notable decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. This involved a Black Mississippi death row prisoner whose case centered on alleged racial discrimination during jury selection. The Court’s decision to grant habeas corpus relief marked a consequential…
Civil rights luminary Clarence B. Jones, who served as a speechwriter and personal counsel to Martin Luther King Jr., has passed away at the age of 95. According to his family, Jones died in an assisted living facility in Cupertino, California. His contributions continue to resonate in today’s struggles for equality, influencing legal discourse and…
The recent proceedings in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have stirred discussions regarding the distinction between gender bias and sexual harassment in the workplace. The case in question involves an ex-partner’s allegations against law firm Thompson Hine, claiming that a “frat boy” culture permeated her work environment. This cultural backdrop, she…
In a significant development for employment law and corporate accountability, Tesla’s attempt to dismiss a racial discrimination lawsuit has been thwarted by a California judge. This decision allows the case, brought by the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), to advance towards trial, currently slated for July 20. The lawsuit alleges persistent racial discrimination at Tesla’s…
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) recently urged an Alabama federal court to dismiss an indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that alleges the organization paid informants linked to extremist groups to incite racial tensions. According to the SPLC, the accusations represent a baseless “retributive campaign” aimed at undermining its work in combating…
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has taken decisive legal action, seeking the dismissal of charges that it deems as “vindictive.” This move comes amid ongoing legal battles that highlight issues of prosecutorial conduct and the boundaries of lawful protest activities. According to Bloomberg Law, the SPLC argues that the charges are an attempt to…
In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has paused the use of administrative warrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to enter private properties. The decision, disclosed by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, was communicated to a Democratic senator earlier this month. This pause follows the controversial policy implemented last year that…
A legal battle with potential implications for the judicial workplace has reached the United States Supreme Court. A former public defender is suing the federal judiciary, alleging a pervasive problem of sexual harassment within an environment described as a “uniquely insulated institution.” The case underscores broader concerns regarding the lack of basic workplace protections for…