Sounding the alarm: One whistleblower’s story

Mar 26, 2020 9:24 AM CDT

The ‘emergency room of law’: Protections are critical for whistleblowers and their lawyers

“The whistleblower often comes to us in pretty bad shape,” attorney Stephen Kohn says. “He’s at risk to be killed [in his profession]. It’s our job to get those bandages on, get him back to health and have him walk out in good condition.”

Mar 26, 2020 9:24 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawsuits challenge shutdown orders; judge ordered to stop hearings

Suits challenging shutdown orders fail in two states Lawsuits challenging shutdown orders in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire have so far been unsuccessful. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Sunday denied a petition challenging the order as applied to gun shops and law firms. The court said the law firm challenge was…

Mar 23, 2020 5:10 PM CDT

Cure or Con? Health products touted on social media are slipping by regulators

Social media offers cheap and targeted advertising that regulators don’t have the time or resources to fully monitor. Deceptive health claims that would land a company in court if made on television or radio are slipping by online.

Feb 1, 2020 1:45 AM CST

Malpractice suit claims BigLaw firm revealed too much information in discovery

A malpractice lawsuit filed against Littler Mendelson claims that the law firm gave too much information to a client’s opponent during discovery in a dispute over overtime pay.

Dec 2, 2019 2:02 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Giuliani considered representing Ukraine prosecutor; US opinion shifts on death penalty

News Roundup

Nov 27, 2019 2:33 PM CST

Suit says Ben & Jerry’s claims of ‘happy cows’ from ‘caring dairy’ program are deceiving consumers

A would-be class action lawsuit says the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company is misleading consumers when it touts its milk and cream come from “happy cows” on "caring dairy" farms.

Nov 25, 2019 1:16 PM CST

Former mortgage-relief law firms ordered to pay $59M for misrepresenting their services

A federal judge in Wisconsin has ordered two defunct mortgage-relief law firms and their attorney principals to pay $59 million in restitution and civil penalties for misrepresenting their services to consumers.

Nov 7, 2019 11:22 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: DOJ opens criminal review of Russia probe; DeVos held in contempt

Department of Justice reportedly opens criminal inquiry into origins of Russia probe The U.S. Department of Justice’s review of the origins of the Russia probe has shifted from an administrative review to a criminal inquiry, according to two anonymous sources who spoke with the New York Times. According to the…

Oct 25, 2019 2:19 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Trump couldn’t be prosecuted even if he shot someone, lawyer argues; Kellogg’s to pay $20M

Sitting president can’t be prosecuted even if he shot someone, Trump lawyer argues A sitting president couldn’t be investigated and prosecuted by New York authorities even if he shot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue, according to William Consovoy, President Donald Trump’s private lawyer. The lawyer made the “temporary…

Oct 23, 2019 4:47 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyer accused of shaking down clients; Taco Bell sued over advertised price

Lawyer accused of shaking down Colombian clients through false promises A Texas lawyer who markets himself as the “DWI Dude” is on trial for allegedly shaking down three Colombian clients by promising them freedom in exchange for about $1.5 million in fees. The lawyer, 62-year-old Jamie Balagia, maintains that he…

Oct 21, 2019 4:11 PM CDT

SCOTUS to review constitutionality of financial watchdog agency

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether the single-director structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau violates the separation of powers.

Oct 21, 2019 12:01 PM CDT

Lawyer sues gin-maker based on obscure 150-year-old law

A class action lawsuit against the maker of Bombay Sapphire gin is based on an obscure Florida law that makes it a felony to sell alcohol containing the spice grains of paradise, which is one of the liquor’s ingredients.

Oct 3, 2019 11:49 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: New win for flag burner in SCOTUS case; Johnson & Johnson seeks mistrial for stricken closing

News Roundup

Sep 11, 2019 4:00 PM CDT

Overruling its own precedent, 7th Circuit curbs FTC’s ability to obtain restitution

The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled that the Federal Trade Commission did not have the authority to seek restitution from fraudsters by invoking a section of its governing law that allows it to obtain injunctions. The decision by the 7th Circuit overturns a 1989 decision…

Aug 23, 2019 10:38 AM CDT