Legal News Blog

Dallas Lawsuits Question Labor Demands of Email and Cellphones

2009-08-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

The current and former T-Mobile employees say they were required to use company-issued smart phones to respond to work-related messages, including customer complaints, after hours without pay, said Weinberg Law Firm, Labor Lawyer Dallas. When the workers reported the hours to management of the cellphone company, the lawsuit says, the employees were told nothing could be done and they should expect to work extra hours as part of T-Mobile's "standard business practices."

Judge denies challenge to Los Angeles DUI breath-test results

2009-08-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Breath-test results will stand in the cases of 56 suspected drunken drivers in Brevard County who questioned the validity of the machines used to gather the evidence.
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A ruling released today by a panel of eight Brevard County judges rejected their request to throw out breath-test results in their cases on grounds that the machine used to obtain them, the Intoxilyzer 8000, is not approved for use in Los Angeles, said Michael Bialys, Los Angeles DUI lawyer.

Fourteen lawyers who led the court challenge said there was evidence that there were machines being used with varying parts. It's important that the specific parts approved by the federal government are installed in each machine because the way in which the devices measure molecules is precise, they said.

Porch catastrophic injury: New York says it's up to you

2009-08-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

The effort to fix many of the 500 dangerous porches was delayed by a backlog in inspections, landlord resistance and a bogged-down Cook County Housing Court system. With most of those problems now fixed, McCaffrey said the once high-priority list of porch addresses "hadn't been maintained or updated for several years. It took us a while to find it."

Noting the city's stretched manpower, McCaffrey defended the current inspection regimen, saying it's up to building owners and tenants to be vigilant, said John Q. Kelly, a New York catastrophic injury lawyer.

Northrop Grumman-TRW whistle-blower case settle

2009-08-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

In one of the nation's largest settlements in a whistle-blower case, Northrop Grumman Corp. has agreed to pay the whistleblower lawyer Los Angeles $325 million to resolve claims that TRW, which it acquired in 2002, provided defective parts for a spy satellite program in the 1990s.

But in an unusual twist, the federal government also announced Thursday that it had settled a separate, long-running dispute with Northrop and agreed to pay the aerospace company $325 million -- essentially meaning that no money will change hands.

Kirkland & Ellis adds Nash to bankruptcy practice

2009-08-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Tribune staff
3:06 PM CDT, August 4, 2009

Looking to enhance its growing restructuring practice, Kirkland & Ellis has hired away Patrick J. Nash Jr. away from rival Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

The 37-year-old Nash joined Kirkland this week as a partner in the firm's Chicago office. Nash has been practicing law for 13 years and spent the last nine at Skadden.

The firms are fierce competitors. Nash will bring experience that has included representation of several companies in recent Chapter 11 restructurings, one of the few hot areas in the legal profession of late litigation lawyer Chicago.

"With experience representing debtors, investors and lenders, and a litigation background, Pat will integrate seamlessly with our practice," said James Sprayregen, a partner in Kirland's restructuring practice in the Chicago office.

Phoenix Mercury's Taurasi faces extreme DUI charge

2009-08-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

PHOENIX -- Mercury star Diana Taurasi faces three drunken driving related charges, including extreme DUI, for a July 2 incident in which she also was cited for speeding.

A Phoenix police report released Tuesday shows Taurasi's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 percent, or more than twice the Arizona legal limit of 0.08 percent.

The 27-year-old guard was cited hours after she scored 22 points in the Mercury's 93-81 victory over the Seattle Storm.

Taurasi pleaded not guilty to the DUI charges and not responsible to the speeding citation.

A police officer who stopped Tauarsi's vehicle after seeing it drift outside a traffic lane near downtown Phoenix claims she was driving nearly 20 mph over the 35 mph limit.

Her next scheduled court date is July 22.

"We're aware of the recent reports in regards to the situation with Diana Taurasi," the Mercury said in a statement. "Our organization takes these matters very seriously. We have discussed the matter internally and determined that until all the facts are known to us, it would be inappropriate to announce a particular course of action."

Hire a DUI Lawyer Pittsburgh

First published on July 15, 2009 at 12:00 am

California Railroad Lawyers Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP

2009-07-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

California railroad injury law firm Ringler Kearney Alavarez LLP have established themselves as a premier law firm by providing clients with consistently excellent service. They pride themselves on their intellect, creativity and tenacity.

These Los Angeles class action lawyers have achieved victories in over 100 trials with total verdicts in excess of $250 million.

Ringler Kearney Alvarez LLP achieves their verdicts by utilizing their substantial financial resources to obtain the best result possible for each of their clients. This LA train accident specialist law firm fights tirelessly for their clients, no matter the cost and no matter the foe.

NY Medical Malpractice Lawyer John Q. Kelly

2009-01-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

New York Medical Malpractice Attorney John Q. Kelly is pleased to announce the launch of his new website for The Kelly Group P.C.

The website can be viewed at http://www.kellygrouppc.com and features notable cases and clients of Mr. Kelly.

About John Q. Kelly
One of the most renowned litigators in the country, Mr. Kelly has a proven track record in complex civil and corporate litigation nationwide.

His clients include some of the most widely publicized victims in recent times, including:

- Estate of Nicole Brown Simpson
- Parents of Natalee Holloway
- Estate of Kathleen Savio, ex-wife of Drew Peterson
- Estate of Heiress Anne Scripps Douglas
- Former Yankee great Joe Pepitone

Chatsworth Train Disaster Lawyers

2008-09-26T13:33:00.001-07:00

www.rkallp.com

FOX 11 Interviews Jerome Ringler about Metrolink Train Crash

2008-09-18T11:46:00.003-07:00

Metrolink Accident Attorney Jerome Ringler

2008-09-18T11:46:00.001-07:00

Special Message for Victims of Chatsworth Metrolink Disaster

On September 12, 2008, an unprecedented tragedy occurred in Chatsworth, California when Metrolink Train #111 struck a Union Pacific freight train which was traveling on the same tracks. Our hearts go out to the victims. But this tragedy should not have happened. It happened because of human error on the part of Metrolink employees. Unfortunately, as the lawyers of RKA know well, human error by railroad engineers is not at all unique as a cause of commuter rail disasters.

Jerome L. Ringler has greater experience in representing victims of commuter rail and fright train disasters than any other lawyer in the State of California, if not the country. He has served as lead counsel in every one of the largest commuter rail disasters which have occurred in Southern California in the past 10 years.

In the Placentia Commuter Rail Disaster of 2003, Mr. Ringler was appointed by the Court as lead counsel for all of the Plaintiffs. He was requested by all of the lawyers representing individuals injured or killed in that incident to try the first case. That case resulted in the largest verdict for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ever rendered by a jury in the United States. That verdict, which was for $9 million, is detailed below in the multimedia section.

In the Burbank Commuter Rail Disaster, which also occurred in 2003, Mr. Ringler was again appointed by the Court to serve as lead counsel. In that capacity he was given the responsibility to try the entire liability (i.e., fault) case for all of the victims. In other words, every one of the dozens of lawyers who represented individual victims in that disaster trusted Mr. Ringler to try the liability phase for them, knowing that their clients would only recover if Mr. Ringler was successful. He was. In fact, Mr. Ringler not only obtained a favorable verdict for all of the plaintiffs, he obtained a $12 million verdict for his own client as well. This verdict was the largest in the State of California for a person with the type of injuries Mr. Ringler's client had suffered. This verdict is detailed below in the multimedia section.

Mr. Ringler is currently lead counsel for all plaintiffs in the Glendale Metrolink Derailment Disaster of 2005. This incident was, before September 12, 2008, the largest Metrolink disaster in history. Interestingly, in that case (which involves 11 deaths and dozens of serious injuries), Mr. Ringler has, against all odds, developed testimony proving that, even though a mentally-ill person placed a jeep across the tracks that the Metrolink train was traveling upon, human error on the part of the Metrolink engineer prevented him from stopping the train before hitting the jeep, which caused the train to derail. In other words, while the jeep certainly never should have been on the tracks, the Metrolink engineer would have been able to stop the train before ever striking the jeep had he only been paying proper attention. That case is scheduled to go to trial on June 8, 2009, with Mr. Ringler as lead counsel.

The verdicts detailed on this page all relate to railroad litigation. However, Mr. Ringler has achieved enormous, record-breaking monetary awards across California in a variety of complex areas. Those accomplishments are detailed elsewhere in this website. To see them, click here.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death as a result of the horrific Chatsworth Metrolink Disaster, we are available to discuss your rights with you confidentially and at no charge.

Please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Ask for Mr. Ringler,or any of his partners, at (213) 473-1900.

www.rkallp.com

Roth Law Group Announced as Featured Law Firm

2008-06-13T14:06:00.001-07:00

The Roth Law Group has been named a Breaking Legal News Featured Law Firm for its outstanding achievements in Business law and contract law in the Chicago area. Below is a little bit about the firm.

About Roth Law:
Business owners know that it takes hard work and dedication to make it in today's competitive marketplace. And choosing a law firm that understands the needs of small business is essential if you want to get a leg-up on the competition. You expect that your law firm will provide you with practical solutions and attentive individualized service. At the Chicago-based business law firm of the Roth Law Group, that's what you get.

At the Roth Law Group, we understand the concerns of small business owners like you and we have experience working in industries ranging from construction to chemical manufacturing. Our lawyers know that you need to remain focused on business and legal issues often detract from this goal. When the Roth Law Group represents you, we concentrate our efforts on resolving matters efficiently and economically and seek to reach the best business outcome in the least amount of time whenever practical. From contract negotiations to commercial litigation, we offer a full-range of business legal services specifically tailored to meet your needs.

If your small business is in the market for business legal services in Cook County or throughout Illinois, contact the Chicago-based Roth Law Group for a Free Initial Consultation. We offer practical solutions to your small business legal challenges at affordable rates.

A Few Representative Matters

-Obtained six-figure settlement on behalf of an Italian-based Manufacturer of wood veneer products in a breach of contract action against U.S. based distributor.

-Obtained judgment in favor of a Commercial Landscaping Contractor involving breach of contract.

-Negotiated nuisance value settlement on behalf of a Multi-Media Company sued for violation of Non-Compete Agreement, thus avoiding business interruption and an injunction.

-Successfully prosecuted foreclosure and other actions on behalf of a Colorado-based Mortgage Company.

www.rothlawgroup.com

Law Firm to Investigate Minnesota Bridge Collapse

2008-04-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

The state legislature has hired a Minneapolis law firm to help in an investigation of the 35W bridge collapse, according to media reports.

The members of a joint bipartisan bridge investigation committee retained Minneapolis-based Gray Plant Mooty to serve as special counsel. The firm, which is being paid $500,000 to conduct its review, plans to issue a report of its finding in March.

Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, told Minnesota Pulic Radio Wednesday that the investigation aims to uncover why the bridge collapsed, and also how to prevent future transportation problems.

In addition to this and the official investigation from the The National Transportation Safety Board, a private firm is also examining the state's bridge inspection program, and the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor is scrutinizing MnDOT and its expenses. There are also several law firms that have launched similar investigations, MPR reported.

MnDOT is paying a Chicago-based firm that is working with the NTSB's probe $2 million to look into the collapse. Gov. Pawlenty has said that the firm would provide another set of eyes on the investigation.

However, the Star Tribune quoted state Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, who serves as Minority Leader, as saying the legislature's move would duplicate other investigations.

Attorney Wants Criminal Charges Against Insurer

2008-04-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

The lawyer for California teen Nataline Sarkisyan charged today that the only reason Cigna Health Care officials changed their minds and approved a liver transplant for the desperate girl was they knew it was too late and they wouldn't have to pay for it. Sarkisyan, 17, died Thursday just hours after Cigna reversed its decision and approved the procedure it had previously described as "too experimental&and unproven." Now the Sarkisyan family hopes manslaughter or murder charges will be pressed.

Their lawyer, Mark Geragos, says he will refer the case to prosecutors for possible criminal charges against the insurer, Cigna HealthCare.

"All of the doctors there unanimously agreed that she needed and should have that liver transplant. And the only entity, if you will, who said no to that in the middle of that medical decision, was some piece of garbage who decided that making a couple of dollars, or saving them a couple of dollars, was worth more than the 65% chance over six months that she would survive," said Geragos.

"The only reason they approved it is because we had organized a protest in front of Cigna's corporate headquarters& and in the face of public pressure, they did it," he said.

By the time the approval came through Nataline had been on the liver transplant list for two weeks and her condition had deteriorated so badly that it was too late to have the procedure.

"I believe, the corporation knew, powers that be knew, that at that point approving the liver transplant was a 'gimme' because her condition deteriorated to the point where she couldn't receive the liver&she didn't have any chance of either, one, getting a liver or, number two, actually being able to receive it," he says.

Nataline, who was fighting leukemia, developed liver failure after complications from a bone marrow transplant she received from her brother last month.

Despite her already fragile health, Geragos says, "all of the doctors at the University of California Medical Center unanimously agreed that she needed and should have that liver transplant."

More than 6,000 liver transplants are performed in the United States every year, making it one of the most common organ transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Girl in Polygamist Sect Triggers Raid

2008-04-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Court documents say the 16-year-old girl whose call triggered the police raid on a polygamist sect's Texas compound said that her husband beat her.

The San Angelo Standard-Times newspaper is citing the court documents as also saying the girl was the seventh wife of a sect member who is named in an arrest warrant on possible abuse charges.

The newspaper says the girl told authorities at a family violence shelter that her husband hit her in the chest and choked her while another woman held her infant child at the sect's Yearn for Zion Ranch.

Court documents on file Tuesday were the basis for Child Protective Services' request that a judge grant it custody of all 401 children removed from the ranch.

I am getting out of my debt finally, thank goodness.

2007-01-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

I know this sounds like a commercial for Progressive Tax group but they really helped my get out of my tax debt, they reduced what I owed from $29,000 to $1,800, that is such a relief off my shoulders....thank you progressive tax.

www.progressivetaxgroup.com

Some interesting tax information I recently discovered

2007-01-03T15:56:00.001-08:00

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Hey everyone!

2007-01-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

Well my first post isn't going to be very uplifting, I am having some tax issues, and I might have to file bankruptcy, I don't know what to do...I found some places online that are like law firms for tax problems, but who knows which ones you can trust? My dad told me to go to www.progressivetaxgroup.com so maybe I will just do that. Anyways happy new year to everyone!