USA Archive - Law Commentary

A young boy stands in front of a door wearing a T-shirt that reads, "There are only two genders."

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Student's Free Speech Claim Over "Two Genders" T-Shirt

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Massachusetts public middle school did not violate a student's First Amendment rights by requiring him to stop wearing a T-shirt that stated, "There are only two genders." The decision, issued on Sunday by the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, sided... Read More about Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Student's Free Speech Claim Over "Two Genders" T-Shirt

Signage for American Airlines illuminated at night.

Eight Black Men Say They Were Discriminated Against When American Airlines Removed Them From Flight

A new lawsuit is accusing American Airlines of “blatant and egregious racial discrimination” after eight African Americans were removed from a flight last January for seemingly no legitimate reason. The lawsuit, which was filed late last month in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, names... Read More about Eight Black Men Say They Were Discriminated Against When American Airlines Removed Them From Flight

A scene from the Netflix series "Baby Reindeer" featuring two characters interacting at a bar.

Netflix Faces $120 Million Lawsuit Over Defamation Claims in 'Baby Reindeer'

Netflix is facing a legal challenge following a defamation lawsuit filed by Fiona Harvey. In the lawsuit, Harvey alleges that she was falsely depicted as a dangerous stalker in the streaming service's series Baby Reindeer. The lawsuit, initiated on Thursday in a California federal court, demands at least $120 million... Read More about Netflix Faces $120 Million Lawsuit Over Defamation Claims in 'Baby Reindeer'

Two men standing in a vineyard, one holding a box of grapes and the other holding a glass, smiling at each other.

Supreme Court Decision Impacts Estate Tax Strategies for Family Businesses

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a ruling that will significantly influence how estate lawyers manage succession planning for family businesses. The case, Connelly v. United States, involved the estate of Michael Connelly and its dispute with the IRS over the inclusion of life insurance payouts in the valuation of... Read More about Supreme Court Decision Impacts Estate Tax Strategies for Family Businesses

Kendrick Lamar performing on stage with a microphone in hand, surrounded by smoke and dramatic lighting.

Connecticut School District Settles Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" Video

A Connecticut school district has reached a settlement in a lawsuit concerning the use of Kendrick Lamar's 2015 track "Alright" in a classroom setting. The $100,000 settlement, approved by Vernon council members, addresses claims made by a student's family regarding emotional distress caused by the music video shown during a... Read More about Connecticut School District Settles Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" Video

Senate leaders discuss the Right to Contraception Act outside the Capitol, advocating for federal protections for contraceptive access.

Senate Republicans Block Bill Aimed to Protect Federal Access to Contraception

Senate Republicans blocked a significant piece of legislation on Wednesday (June 8th), aimed at safeguarding women's access to contraception nationwide. The bill, known as the Right to Contraception Act, was designed by Democrats to ensure federal protections for individuals seeking to purchase and use contraceptives, as well as for healthcare... Read More about Senate Republicans Block Bill Aimed to Protect Federal Access to Contraception

Utah Sues TikTok Over Claims the App Exploits Young Users in “Virtual Strip Club”

TikTok is facing another lawsuit, this time from the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, that alleges that the popular video-sharing app "created a virtual strip club" that made it possible for young users to be sexually exploited. The complaint argues that adults on the app were allowed to send virtual... Read More about Utah Sues TikTok Over Claims the App Exploits Young Users in “Virtual Strip Club”

An empty courtroom with wooden benches and a judge's bench in the background.

Sex Trafficking Victims Must Wait for Criminal Trial Results Before They Can Sue for Civil Damages

The U.S. Congress reauthorized the Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) in 2022. It “reauthorizes, updates, and expands” federal programs and efforts to address domestic trafficking” to better serve victims. Even the new Act, however, cannot offer immediate help or give the women in a civil lawsuit (Does 1-10)... Read More about Sex Trafficking Victims Must Wait for Criminal Trial Results Before They Can Sue for Civil Damages

A group of individuals moving along a dusty path at night, illuminated by bright lights in the background.

Biden Administration Implements New Asylum Ban

The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that it will implement a new asylum ban aimed at curbing the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The ban, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday will block migrants from claiming asylum if they cross the border illegally until... Read More about Biden Administration Implements New Asylum Ban

A hand holding keys prepares to unlock a prison gate, leading to a hallway.

Delaware Prisons Face New Lawsuit for Violating the Rights of Special Education Students

A joint effort lawsuit has been filed against the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and the Adult and Prison Education Resources workgroup (APER) over allegations that correctional facilities in the state are violating federal and state laws because they are not providing special education and related services to students with... Read More about Delaware Prisons Face New Lawsuit for Violating the Rights of Special Education Students

A row of jury seats in a courtroom, showing wooden walls and blinds.

It’s Not Inherently Prejudicial for Jurors to Notice Defendant’s Ankle Monitor

A woman convicted of methamphetamine trafficking appealed her conviction by claiming that her electronic ankle monitor kept making audible beeping alerts during jury selection, thus telling the jury that she was “subject to government restraint.” She said the monitor’s noise prejudiced members of the jury against her. After she was... Read More about It’s Not Inherently Prejudicial for Jurors to Notice Defendant’s Ankle Monitor

Gypsy Rose Blanchard at an event, smiling for the camera.

Gypsy Rose Files Lawsuit Against True Crime Blogger Alleging Fraud and Defamation

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who gained national attention for her involvement in the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, is now taking legal action against blogger April Johns, also known as Franchesca or "Fancy" Macelli. Blanchard alleges fraud, breach of contract, and defamation in a lawsuit filed against Johns in... Read More about Gypsy Rose Files Lawsuit Against True Crime Blogger Alleging Fraud and Defamation

Bottles of Johnson's baby powder on display.

Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $260 Million in Talc-Asbestos Case

A jury in the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in Portland has awarded $260 million to Kyung Lee, an Oregon woman who claimed that Johnson & Johnson's talc powder caused her to develop mesothelioma, a lethal cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The verdict, delivered on Monday, comprises $60 million in... Read More about Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $260 Million in Talc-Asbestos Case

Image of Kanye West wearing a black hooded jacket, seated against a backdrop of blurred clothing items.

Kanye West Sued for Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination by Former Assistant

Kanye West is facing a lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta. The lawsuit, which includes claims of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and a hostile work environment, was filed on Monday, June 3, in a Los Angeles court. Pisciotta, a 35-year-old former OnlyFans content creator, was... Read More about Kanye West Sued for Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination by Former Assistant

Package of Florentine cookies with label highlighting missing peanut allergen information.

Stew Leonard’s Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Mislabeled Cookie

Regional supermarket chain Stew Leonard's is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a customer died from a food allergy because she ate a cookie that was improperly labeled. The new lawsuit was filed in Superior Court in Waterbury, Connecticut, by the family of the customer, Órla Baxendale, and accuses the... Read More about Stew Leonard’s Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Mislabeled Cookie