Top Legal News
What's Next for Wolf Block After Second Failed Merger Attempt?
Now that Wolf Block and Akerman Senterfitt have announced that merger talks are off, there's speculation as to what killed the talks and what's next for Wolf Block. The more than $426 million deal was called off, according to Wolf Block Chairman Mark Alderman, due to about $10 million each in insurance work for both firms -- but not everyone believes that's the full story. As for what's next, Alderman says that in February the firm will refocus on its strategic plan, which could still mean a merger. More »
Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Alleging Cancer Risk From Cell Phone Use
In a major victory for cellular phone manufacturers and service providers, a federal judge has dismissed a consumer class action suit that accused the companies of conspiring to hide evidence that the radio frequency emissions from cell phones pose biological hazards including the risk of brain cancer. The judge concluded that the suit is pre-empted by federal law because the Federal Communications Commission has the exclusive power to set the standards for radio frequency radiation in cell phones. More »
Culvahouse Emerges From O'Melveny Fray
O'Melveny & Myers' policy committee has selected Arthur Culvahouse to lead the firm for another four-year term, according to a Thursday morning e-mail to the partnership. Current and former partners expect the selection to be ratified, despite Culvahouse not winning a majority of support in the informal survey. When he was first elected chairman in 2000, Culvahouse faced a similarly swamped field, but was re-elected without opposition in 2004. More »
Tax Attorney Charged in Prostitution Case
The Manhattan DA's office on Thursday announced the indictment of a tax lawyer for allegedly promoting prostitution. Prosecutors claim solo practitioner Louis Posner and his wife ran an unlicensed strip club at which dancers offered to have paid sex with customers, including undercover police officers. The Posners also allegedly falsified business records and used sham corporations to cover up their illegal activities. More »
If a Scratch-Off Is a Rip-Off, Litigation May Be the Prize
If your scratch-off is a rip-off, prepare to pay up. A host of lawsuits have been filed by disgruntled lottery and sweepstakes consumers, including a business professor who is suing the Virginia Lottery for allegedly selling roughly $85 million in defective scratch-offs where the top prizes had already been claimed. Similar lawsuits are pending in four other states. Private attorneys are warning companies that want to use lottery tickets as a way to boost sales to beware of botched-up games. More »
Judge Tentatively Refuses to Dismiss Internet Suicide Case
A federal judge has tentatively rejected two motions to dismiss charges against a woman in a MySpace hoax that allegedly led to a 13-year-old girl's suicide and said he will consider a third motion to dismiss. The government wants to prosecute Lori Drew under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which has never before been used in connection with a Web site's terms of service prohibiting misrepresentation by users setting up new accounts. The statute has mainly been used for crimes like computer hacking. More »
$10 Million Settlement Reached in Class Action Over Overtime, Work-Break Pay
Fastenal Co. says it will pay a $10 million class action settlement to former employees who sued the company last year for unpaid overtime wages and work-break pay. According to estimates made by an attorney for the plaintiffs, more than 2,000 current and former employees of the Minnesota-based industrial supplies seller may have been entitled to back pay from as far back as 2003. More »
In Possible First for Texas, Woman Sues Over Predatory Lending
Alpha Mortgage USA and American Home Mortgage Servicing engaged in a racially targeted predatory lending practice called "reverse redlining," according to a lawsuit filed in federal court by a black suburban Houston woman. The woman alleges she refinanced the adjustable rate mortgage on her family's first home purchase, only to be victimized by a loan with onerous terms because of her skin color. The lawsuit may be the first of its kind in Texas. More »
Lawyer Pleads Guilty in $35 Million Foreclosure Fraud Scheme
A lawyer has pleaded guilty in what prosecutors have described as a $35 million dollar scheme to defraud homeowners facing foreclosure. Authorities say the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud occurred while Richard Allison did legal work for companies that offered services to homeowners in financial trouble. More »
Nigeria: EFCC - Fear Grips Osun Lawmakers
FEAR of the unknown yesterday gripped all the 26 Osun lawmakers as they departed Abuja to honour the invitation of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is probing the lawmakers over their alleged role in the N150million constituency project fund. More »