USA Archive - Law Commentary

Courtroom sketch of a witness testifying during Robert De Niro's former assistant's gender discrimination lawsuit.

Robert De Niro's Former Assistant Wins $1.3M Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Robert De Niro's former assistant has been awarded $1.3 million in damages after she accused De Niro and his company of gender discrimination and retaliation. Graham Chase Robinson filed her lawsuit over four years ago accusing De Niro's company, Canal Productions, of assigning her “stereotypical female job” responsibilities. Her lawsuit... Read More about Robert De Niro's Former Assistant Wins $1.3M Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Bottles of Roundup herbicide displayed on a wooden surface, including a spray bottle and a concentrated liquid form.

California Blocked From Requiring Carcinogen Warning on Roundup Herbicide

The herbicide/weed killer Roundup, which contains the active ingredient glyphosate, has been banned in several countries because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARV) found glyphosate to be “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Concurrently, under California’s Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, Roundup... Read More about California Blocked From Requiring Carcinogen Warning on Roundup Herbicide

A photographer walking down a path wearing camera equipment.

Virginia Photographer Wins the Right to Deny Service to Same-Sex Wedding Celebrations

A Virginia photographer has won the right to refuse to take pictures of same-sex wedding couples following a verdict in a similar but separate case. The decision was affirmed after the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit agreed to a mutual settlement to dismiss the lawsuit. In... Read More about Virginia Photographer Wins the Right to Deny Service to Same-Sex Wedding Celebrations

A man and a woman posing together at a public event, with the woman wearing a red dress and the man in a colorful jacket.

Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Facing Bombshell Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Settles for an Undisclosed Amount

Producer and Music mogul Sean Combs, better known by his stage name P. Diddy, was facing a scathing sexual assault lawsuit filed by his former time girlfriend Casandra Ventura, better known by her stage name, Cassie. The case was quickly settled one day after it was filed in court. Ventura... Read More about Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Facing Bombshell Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Settles for an Undisclosed Amount

A man and woman standing on top of a school bus with a speaker and a sign that reads "SAVE LIVES," advocating for gun reform.

Parents of Parkland School Shooting Victim, Joaquin Oliver, File Human Rights Lawsuit Against U.S. Government

Seventeen-year-old Joaquin Oliver was shot and killed by a classmate in Parkland, Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Today, his parents have filed a first-of-its-kind human rights lawsuit accusing the U.S. government of prioritizing Second Amendment gun rights over their son's right to live. The lawsuit was filed... Read More about Parents of Parkland School Shooting Victim, Joaquin Oliver, File Human Rights Lawsuit Against U.S. Government

A gloved hand holding a small bag of white powder, suggesting illegal drug activity.

Meth Dealer’s Enhanced Sentence Ok’d Since Evidence Showed He Controlled Other Dealers

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court’s ruling that a methamphetamine (meth) dealer properly received an enhanced prison sentence because he was found to be a “leader-or-organizer” of a drug distribution operation in Hawaii. Under the Aggravating and Mitigating Rule Adjustments Primer, which are Guidelines issued... Read More about Meth Dealer’s Enhanced Sentence Ok’d Since Evidence Showed He Controlled Other Dealers

Signage for the Southern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in West Virginia, showing the names of state officials and the facility's administration.

Lawsuit Over West Virginia Jail Conditions Ends in $4M Settlement

West Virginia has agreed to a $4 million settlement to end a class action lawsuit that accused the state of inhumane jail conditions. The lawsuit was filed last year on behalf of current and former inmates of the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia. Late last week, attorney Stephen... Read More about Lawsuit Over West Virginia Jail Conditions Ends in $4M Settlement

A scene from the animated series 'South Park,' featuring the main characters and a lively crowd in the background.

New York Court Narrows Warner Bros. Discovery's Suit Over 'South Park' Streaming Rights

A New York judge has significantly scaled back Warner Bros. Discovery's legal action against Paramount over the popular animated series 'South Park's streaming rights on HBO Max. Justice Margaret Chan ruled that the dispute, which centers on a $500 million licensing agreement, is primarily a contractual matter rather than a... Read More about New York Court Narrows Warner Bros. Discovery's Suit Over 'South Park' Streaming Rights

A police officer searching a vehicle while the driver looks on, amid a traffic stop.

Police Officer’s False Promise Invalidates Consent to Search Defendant’s Car

What constitutes a voluntary search of a car that is pulled over for a traffic violation? The answer to this question determines whether the evidence found during the search can be used by the prosecution or whether it must be suppressed. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Fourth... Read More about Police Officer’s False Promise Invalidates Consent to Search Defendant’s Car

National Association of Realtors Slapped With New Lawsuit Over Anti-competitive High Commissions

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is facing another class action lawsuit over violations of antitrust laws. Along with the NAR, the lawsuit also targets popular real estate brokerage firm Keller Williams Realty. The lawsuit was filed in early November in South Carolina by plaintiff Shauntell Burton. Burton’s lawsuit comes... Read More about National Association of Realtors Slapped With New Lawsuit Over Anti-competitive High Commissions

A man gesturing enthusiastically inside a renovated missile silo, showcasing its interior features.

Nebraska YouTuber Faces Lawsuit After Worker Dies in Missile Silo Renovation

A popular Nebraska YouTuber is facing a federal negligence lawsuit after a man died while working on the YouTuber’s renovated missile silo. The lawsuit was filed in August of this year but was first reported by the Omaha World-Herald earlier this month. Twenty-two-year-old Andrew Flair built a massive YouTube following... Read More about Nebraska YouTuber Faces Lawsuit After Worker Dies in Missile Silo Renovation

A burnt landscape under the freeway, showing damaged vehicles and debris from a pallet-fueled fire.

Struggle and Loss Amid a Pallet-Fueled Inferno Under the Freeway

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, for over ten years, Rudy Serafin, a 49-year-old immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico, operated his business in a unique location – beneath the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles. Alongside fellow entrepreneurs, he carved out a living space amidst the concrete pillars of the interstate.... Read More about Struggle and Loss Amid a Pallet-Fueled Inferno Under the Freeway

An Alaska Airlines plane taking off against a blue sky.

Passengers Aboard Alaska Airlines Flight File Lawsuit After Off-Duty Pilot Allegedly Tried To Crash Plane

Three passengers have filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines after an off-duty pilot attempted to turn off the engine of their plane mid-flight. The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in King County Superior Court in Washington state by San Francisco residents Matthew Doland and Theresa Stelter, along with Kenmore, Washington,... Read More about Passengers Aboard Alaska Airlines Flight File Lawsuit After Off-Duty Pilot Allegedly Tried To Crash Plane

Historic building of The Bakersfield Californian newspaper, surrounded by trees under a clear sky.

Newspaper’s Shield Law Protection Must Yield to Murder Defendant’s Right to a Fair Trial

Just after a man was indicted for murder, he gave a jailhouse interview to a reporter from The Bakersfield Californian, a local paper. In California, journalists are protected by the Shield Law, a part of the State constitution that says the media will not be held in contempt for failing... Read More about Newspaper’s Shield Law Protection Must Yield to Murder Defendant’s Right to a Fair Trial

U.S. Supreme Court building at sunset, showcasing its architectural features.

U.S. Supreme Court Implements First Formal Ethics Code for Justices

On November 13th, the United States Supreme Court introduced its inaugural formal code of conduct for its justices, a response to prolonged external scrutiny and media exposés on undisclosed lavish trips and interactions with affluent individuals. This inaugural nine-page code outlines that justices must avoid allowing external relationships to impact... Read More about U.S. Supreme Court Implements First Formal Ethics Code for Justices