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Philip Morris Takes Case to Supreme Court
Headline Legal News |
2010/02/19 10:01
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| pCigarette maker Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc., asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a landmark ruling that found the tobacco industry violated federal racketeering laws for deceiving the public about the dangers of smoking. /ppThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last year affirmed most remedies that a trial judge imposed against tobacco companies in 2006, which included restrictions on tobacco marketing and a requirement that the industry make corrective public statements about the health effects and addictiveness of smoking. /ppThe appeals court ruled unanimously that there was ample evidence to conclude that the tobacco industry intended to deceive the public about the dangers of smoking. The court also said the government had adequately proved that the tobacco industry was likely to commit future violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, unless restrictions were imposed. /ppPhilip Morris, whose top brand is Marlboro, said the government is perverting the understanding of the racketeering law. /ppAbsent further review, the government will henceforth be free to pervert RICO into a device for evading the legislative process, penalizing and chilling public debate on scientific matters, and constraining constitutionally protected speech through vague and sweeping injunctions, Philip Morris said in its appeal. /ppOther companies targeted by the government include Camel-cigarette maker R.J. Reynolds, a unit of Reynolds American Inc., and Lorillard Inc. They are expected to file appeals to the Supreme Court./p |
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Calif. court reverses $6.2M firefighter judgment
Court Press News |
2010/02/18 10:01
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| pA California appellate court on Thursday reversed a $6.2 million verdict against the city of Los Angeles in a discrimination lawsuit filed by a black lesbian firefighter. /ppThe 2nd District Court of Appeal issued its decision in the case brought by Brenda Lee of Mission Hills, who sued the city alleging the fire department discriminated against her based on her race, gender and sexual orientation and refused to transfer her after she complained of harassment. /ppLee claimed her superiors yelled and made derogatory comments about her and put her through grueling drills without proper safety precautions. She also claimed someone put urine in her mouthwash. /ppThe 2007 jury payout was the largest in a string of settlements in cases that alleged discrimination and retaliation against women and minorities within the Los Angeles Fire Department. The cases have cost taxpayers more than $15 million since 2005. /p |
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Toyota faces Prius class-action lawsuit
Law News |
2010/02/16 08:56
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pThe public relations nightmare for Toyota continues. The company has been plagued with recall after recall. After its most recent announcement, the company faces a class-action lawsuit. On Feb. 9, Toyota announced that the 2010 Toyota Prius, which was previously exempt from recalls, was now being recalled because of a problem with the brake system./ppAt the same time, Toyota announced that the all-new Lexus HS 250h hybrid was also being recalled due to a similar brake issue. Embedded in that same announcement was a note that about 7,300 2010-model Toyota Camrys were also being recalled due to a completely unrelated issue.
Two days later, Alabama law firm Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis amp; Miles, P.C. announced that they were pursuing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of more than 500,000 Toyota Prius and Lexus hybrid owners.
According to Dan Miles, head of the law firm’s consumer fraud and class action department, Toyota knew about the braking system defect well in advance of the official recall./p |
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Man accused in attorney death in court
Legal World News |
2010/02/16 08:55
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pThe man accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend - defense attorney Margaret Allen - and killing a witness in the case will make his first court appearance at 2 p.m. today in Butler County Common Pleas Court./ppCalvin McKelton, 32, will be arraigned on an 11-count indictment charging him with aggravated murder, murder, two counts of felonious assault, abuse of a corpse, intimidation of a witness, tampering with evidence, aggravated robbery, aggravated arson and two charges of domestic violence.
Allen’s body was found at Schmidt Field in Cincinnati’s East End in July 2008./ppProsecutors are expected to release more details about the case today, including information about the dead witness./ppMcKelton was arrested Friday afternoon near Lexington Avenue and Reading Road in Avondale by the U.S. Marshals’ Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team. He faces the death penalty if convicted./p |
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The Law of Diversity: Adorno Yoss Law Firm
Legal Business |
2010/02/16 08:55
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| pAt the law firm of Adorno amp; Yoss, diversity is not an afterthought, nor is it a marketing ploy to gain new business./ppNo, diversity -- doing business with and hiring minorities -- is front and center at Adorno amp; Yoss, the largest minority-owned law firm in the nation. With about 300 lawyers in 20 offices around the country, and a Fortune 200 client list, the Florida-based law firm has emerged as one of the premier law offices in the nation. The company, which has two offices in Latin America, is also a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council./ppWe are seeing what is happening with the population in this country, said Florida-based Henry Adorno, CEO and co-founder of Adorno amp; Yoss. Being able to understand that and being able to communicate with our clients gives us the competitive advantage./p |
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