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Prominent Litigator Tom Goldstein Convicted on Majority of Counts in Maryland Tax Trial
1 hour ago•Source: Bloomberg Law News
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Texas judge lets ExxonMobil remarks case against California AG move forward
A federal judge in Texas has allowed a lawsuit accusing California's attorney general of making remarks about ExxonMobil to proceed, clearing a legal hurdle in the dispute over state officials’ statements.
5.335 min•9 hours ago
Supreme Court clears path for GEO detainee-work lawsuit to go to trial
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Epstein Prosecution Veteran Maurene Comey Becomes Partner at NYC Firm
The New York Times•11 hours ago
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High Court Keeps Alive Texas Couple’s Tainted Baby Food Lawsuit Against Whole Foods
The New York Times•1 day ago
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High court to decide fate of Boulder climate liability against oil majors
The Supreme Court will hear Boulder’s climate-liability suit against ExxonMobil and Suncor, marking the first high‑court review of local climate accountability cases. A ruling for the oil companies could preempt state claims and void similar suits, while a decision in Boulder’s favor would bolster climate-liability litigation nationwide. The Court’s ruling will hinge on federal preemption and jurisdiction, with recent EPA rollbacks potentially complicating the legal landscape.
Supreme Court Takes Up Oil Giants' Climate Liability in Boulder Case
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a Boulder, Colorado climate lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor, a case that could reshape how state courts hear dozens of similar actions against fossil-fuel companies over climate damages and consumer fraud allegations—none of which have yet gone to trial.
Louisiana Ten Commandments Display Law Advances in 5th Circuit, Constitutional Questions Remain
The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court’s injunction blocking Louisiana HB 71, allowing the state law requiring Ten Commandments displays in every public classroom to proceed. The court said it is premature to decide whether the displays would violate the Establishment Clause, noting the record lacks concrete facts to assess constitutionality. The decision covers only Louisiana, with related consideration of a Texas case ongoing; the plaintiffs (led by the ACLU and allied groups) will continue challenging the law as the litigation moves forward.
Fifth Circuit Clears Path for Louisiana Classroom Ten Commandments Display
A federal appeals court (the Fifth Circuit) lifted a preliminary injunction blocking Louisiana’s 2024 law that requires Ten Commandments posters in every public classroom and in colleges, allowing enforcement to proceed while the court noted the law’s constitutionality remains undecided since it never went into effect. The posters must be at least 11 by 14 inches and include a three‑paragraph note about the Commandments’ historical role in American education. The ruling does not affect Texas’ similar law. Dissenters warned the policy improperly elevates religion in public schools, while a concurring judge praised it as a tradition‑based expression of faith in the public square.
WA Supreme Court clears path for Amazon negligence lawsuits over online chemical sales
The Washington Supreme Court ruled that families of four youths who died after ingesting sodium nitrite bought online via Amazon can pursue negligence claims, reversing a lower court ruling that would have dismissed the cases. It held that suicide is not automatically a superseding cause under state product-liability law, at least at the early stage of litigation, allowing the suits to proceed toward trial and prompting scrutiny of Amazon's sales practices, warnings, and related recommendations.
Army veteran sues after three-day ICE detention during work commute
George Retes, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran, says ICE detained him for three days during his commute to work in Ventura County without charges, access to an attorney or family, or information about his case, and he has filed a lawsuit against the federal government with the Institute for Justice, accusing the detention of violating his constitutional rights and naming several federal agencies as defendants.
Michigan targets oil giants in antitrust bid to slow clean energy transition
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a federal-state antitrust lawsuit against BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute, accusing a cartel-like conspiracy to delay the adoption of cleaner technologies (solar power and electric vehicles) to protect fossil fuels and keep energy costs high. The complaint frames an antitrust violation rather than climate misinformation, but experts say proving an actual agreement and damages will be challenging and could hinge on discovery; the suit faces potential motions to dismiss and questions of timing. The case echoes other climate lawsuits and comes amid a broader push in Congress for liability shields for oil interests.
Oregon recycling law under constitutional challenge heads to July trial
A federal lawsuit challenges Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (PRMRA); U.S. District Judge Michael Simon granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement for NAW members while the court proceeds, with two main claims set for trial in July and other claims dismissed without prejudice. Oregon’s DEQ says the act remains in effect for others, and NAW contends the ruling still leaves relief possible at trial.
Court blocks California mask ban for federal agents, paving path for revision
A federal judge struck down California’s No Secret Police Act mask ban on federal officers for discriminating by not applying to state police, though she left open a path for a revised law that includes all officers; state lawmakers, led by Sen. Wiener, plan to refile a broader ban while DOJ argued the current ban could cause nationwide enforcement chaos. The ruling paused enforcement against federal agents and reinforced a push for clearer identification rules, with continued political and legal maneuvering from California and federal officials.
Big Tech Faces Landmark Trial Over Claims Social Apps Addict Children
Opening statements kick off a landmark LA County trial accusing Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube of deliberately addicting children, backed by internal emails and studies. TikTok and Snap settled, leaving Meta and YouTube to defend themselves as a bellwether case (KGM) could shape thousands of similar suits. The eight‑week trial may influence whether First Amendment or Section 230 defenses apply to platform liability, with Meta and YouTube denying the charges and highlighting safeguards, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify. Related cases in New Mexico and Oakland, plus rising global policy action, reflect broad scrutiny of how social media affects young users.