Afternoon Briefs: State files 100th lawsuit challenging Trump policies; 2 more firms reverse pay cuts

California files 100th suit against Trump administration California and 21 other states have filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration rule that curtails the scope of environmental reviews conducted to assess the impact of actions by federal agencies. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said it is the 100th suit filed…

Aug 31, 2020 4:45 PM CDT

Michigan agrees to pay $600M to settle Flint water claims; most money allocated to minors

The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $600 million to settle claims by Flint, Michigan, residents and businesses that said they were harmed by lead that leached into the city’s water supply.

Aug 20, 2020 3:45 PM CDT

Lawyer accused of obtaining fraudulent environmental verdict against Chevron is disbarred

Rejecting a referee’s recommendation, a New York appeals court has disbarred an environmental lawyer for obtaining a fraudulent $8.6 billion judgment against Chevron in Ecuador.

Aug 14, 2020 10:56 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Trump sued over census policy excluding immigrants; judge swears in 37 new US citizens

Trump faces federal lawsuit over new policy of excluding immigrants from 2020 census The city of Atlanta, several nonprofit organizations and naturalized citizens sued President Donald Trump on Thursday over his plan to exclude undocumented immigrants in the 2020 census reporting used to calculate states’ seats in the U.S. House…

Jul 24, 2020 4:27 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: BigLaw’s big bankruptcy bucks; polyamorous ties recognized

Some BigLaw firms will earn big bucks in retail bankruptcies Several large law firms will likely earn millions of dollars representing retailers such as Neiman Marcus, J. Crew and J.C. Penney in Chapter 11 bankruptcies. Kirkland & Ellis partners are billing up to $1,845 per hour. (Law.com) Town recognizes polyamorous…

Jul 7, 2020 4:27 PM CDT

Emotional support dog didn’t have priority over tenant with allergies, state supreme court says

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a no-pets building in Iowa City, Iowa, should not have allowed a new tenant to have an emotional support dog after an objection by another tenant with severe allergies.

Jul 2, 2020 11:03 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: PACER gets a redesign; SCOTUS turns down border wall case

PACER is redesigned to be easier to use PACER, the federal judiciary’s website for electronic court filings, has gotten a redesign. The site has new navigational tools, simplified instructions for account registration, and easy-to-use directions for searches. (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts June 26 press release) Supreme Court turns…

Jun 29, 2020 3:51 PM CDT

A love of dolphins sparked lawyer’s 30-year crusade to improve well-being of animals

James F. Gesualdi was only a year into his practice of law in 1989 when a trip to a dolphin sanctuary changed the course of his career—and his entire life. “The practice of animal law, like life itself, is all about raising consciousness,” Gesualdi says.

Jun 1, 2020 12:35 AM CDT

Animal law attorney discusses Netflix’s ‘Tiger King,’ legal issues related to wildlife trafficking

While quarantined with a bout of COVID-19 in her uptown New Orleans home, endangered species protection lawyer Carney Anne Nasser has had plenty to say about the controversy swirling around the Netflix docuseries Tiger King. Nasser talked recently with ABA Journal Legal Affairs Writer Matt Reynolds.

May 14, 2020 8:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Michael Cohen will be released from prison; environmental lawyer gets celebs’ support

Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen will be released from prison because of COVID-19 concerns President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, will be released from prison to home confinement. He is among several prisoners being released from a minimum security prison camp in New York because of concerns about COVID-19. He…

Apr 17, 2020 3:08 PM CDT

How to develop your horse sense with equine law

In this new episode of the Modern Law Library podcast, Julie Fershtman introduces Ashley Alfirevic of ABA Publishing to the world of horse sense and the liabilities of pony rides.

Apr 8, 2020 8:30 AM CDT

ABA House supports animal encounter training for law enforcement

Apr 1, 2020 12:15 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: EPA relaxes pollution rules during COVID-19 crisis; Title IX doesn’t protect trans athletes, DOJ says

EPA relaxes pollution enforcement during coronavirus pandemic The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it would relax enforcement of environmental rules in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EPA said companies should monitor themselves as the agency focuses on “situations that may create an acute risk or imminent threat to…

Mar 27, 2020 4:50 PM CDT

7 ways lawyers can join the fight to curb climate change

There are two paths lawyers can take in response to the crisis. We can mutter, “We’re screwed,” and go back to practicing law and living high-carbon lifestyles. Or we can devote time and resources to help ensure a livable future, says lawyer Matthew Metz.

Feb 27, 2020 10:50 AM CST

Resolution on animal training for police passes; some say such measures aren’t ABA’s ‘core mission’

The importance of providing police officers with comprehensive animal encounter training was addressed in a measure approved by the ABA House of Delegates at the 2020 ABA Midyear Meeting in Austin, Texas, on Monday.

Feb 17, 2020 2:44 PM CST