USA Archive - Law Commentary

Woman in a red blazer and glasses speaks at a podium with a microphone, American flag visible in the background.

Sarah Palin Requests Federal Judge to Keep Videos and Other Documents From Jurors in Defamation Suit Against New York Times

Former GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin filed a lawsuit against the New York Times in 2017, alleging defamation over a published piece she said blamed her for a 2011 shooting in Arizona. The case will be brought to trial in a few weeks, despite the numerous attempts by the New... Read More about Sarah Palin Requests Federal Judge to Keep Videos and Other Documents From Jurors in Defamation Suit Against New York Times

Prince Andrew walking in a formal setting, accompanied by others.

Judge Will Not Dismiss Sexual Abuse Lawsuit against Prince Andrew

As Queen Elizabeth prepares to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next month, there is one thing that England’s longest-reigning-monarch will not be celebrating. Her youngest son, Prince Andrew, will have to face civil charges of sexual assault because a federal judge refused to dismiss charges against him by a woman who... Read More about Judge Will Not Dismiss Sexual Abuse Lawsuit against Prince Andrew

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Nike Sues Lululemon for Alleged Patent Infringement in Hot-Ticket Item The Mirror

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but in court, how you create the image is about to be on trial. A fight over the hottest new fitness tool, Lululemon’s The Mirror, is now heading to the US District Court in Manhattan, as powerhouse fitness firm Nike sues Lululemon... Read More about Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Nike Sues Lululemon for Alleged Patent Infringement in Hot-Ticket Item The Mirror

A group of individuals attempting to breach the Capitol building during the January 6 riots, showcasing various actions of climbing and navigating the structure.

Feds Consider Mobster Racketeering Laws to Prosecute Broader Scope of Illegal Activities by Far-Right Groups Including Proud Boys and Oath Keepers

Federal prosecutors are brushing off the famous mob-centric laws from decades ago and handily repurposing them in new ways for new offenses. Armed with RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act passed into law in 1970, Feds are now discussing using these statutes to charge Capitol Hill Rioters. Under... Read More about Feds Consider Mobster Racketeering Laws to Prosecute Broader Scope of Illegal Activities by Far-Right Groups Including Proud Boys and Oath Keepers

Entrance of a Tyson Foods plant with a person walking through the gates during rainy weather.

Lawsuits Over COVID-19 Deaths at Tyson Foods Plant Must Be Heard in Iowa State Court

No one disputes that four employees at Tyson Foods’ pork production plant in Waterloo, Iowa died of COVID-19 in 2020. But did they contract the deadly disease at work due to Tyson’s gross negligence? And will it be up to an Iowa state court or a federal court to decide?... Read More about Lawsuits Over COVID-19 Deaths at Tyson Foods Plant Must Be Heard in Iowa State Court

Image of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the convicted Boston Marathon bomber.

Judge OK’s Boston Bomber’s Stimulus Payment to Go to Victims

A U.S. District Judge has granted a request made by federal prosecutors to claim funds in an inmate trust fund account controlled by accused Boston bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. According to the request, stimulus payments made to Tsarnaev will be collected and paid out to victims. Massachusetts Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel... Read More about Judge OK’s Boston Bomber’s Stimulus Payment to Go to Victims

A man wearing a mask works at a weaving loom, highlighting the impact of trade policies on the textile industry in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, Mali, and Guinea Pulled From Duty-Free Trade Program Over Human Rights Abuse and Illegal Changes in Government

Earlier this week, the Biden administration followed through with a threat to kick three countries out of a duty-free program for sub-Saharan African countries. Ethiopia, Mali, and Guinea were all found to violate the trade agreement for “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.” The African Growth and Opportunity Act... Read More about Ethiopia, Mali, and Guinea Pulled From Duty-Free Trade Program Over Human Rights Abuse and Illegal Changes in Government

Sister of Slain Officer Sues Facebook’s Meta for Wrongful Death

The sister of a slain federal security guard is suing Facebook’s parent company, Meta, over its part in helping radicalize the two men who shot and killed her brother. David Patrick Underwood and his partner were guarding a federal building in Oakland on May 29, 2020, while nearby riots prompted... Read More about Sister of Slain Officer Sues Facebook’s Meta for Wrongful Death

Protesters holding signs demanding accountability from ERCOT executives during a demonstration related to the 2021 Winter Storm losses in Texas.

Insurance Companies Sue Texas Power Grid Operator and Others Over 2021 Winter Storm Losses

Over 100 insurance companies have filed a joint lawsuit against the Texas power grid operator and power generating companies behind the electric grid failure following the devastating 2021 Winter Storm Uri. The historic storm resulted in over half a million insurance claims and roughly $10.3 billion in insured Texas losses.... Read More about Insurance Companies Sue Texas Power Grid Operator and Others Over 2021 Winter Storm Losses

Georgetown University Law Center building exterior with signage.

Bombshell Lawsuit Accuses 16 Top Universities of Financial Aid Conspiracy

A bombshell lawsuit accuses some of the nation’s top universities of operating in a cartel-like fashion, favoring students from wealthy and privileged backgrounds and artificially inflating the cost of attendance for financial aid recipients. The lawsuit was filed by five undergrad students in Chicago federal court. At the heart of... Read More about Bombshell Lawsuit Accuses 16 Top Universities of Financial Aid Conspiracy

Playground and school building with a colorful slide and murals in the background.

Million-Dollar Playground Injury Lawsuit Award Overturned Because Teacher Was Supervising

If one kindergarten child trips another on a school playground, should the injured student be entitled to a $1.25 million award? Not if the activity was supervised by a teacher, the California Court of Appeal said as it reversed the judgment of the trial court. It seems that six years... Read More about Million-Dollar Playground Injury Lawsuit Award Overturned Because Teacher Was Supervising

A researcher injecting genetic material into a ripe tomato in a lab setting.

New Labels Will Tell Consumers What Foods Are Genetically Modified

Attention consumers: The United States Department of Agriculture rang in the New Year with new, mandated food labels. Starting January 1, 2022, “GMO” and “GE” are out and “bioengineered” is in. Back in the 1970’s scientists began experimenting with ways to introduce more desirable characteristics into plants and animals. In... Read More about New Labels Will Tell Consumers What Foods Are Genetically Modified

Virginia Senator Louise Lucas during a discussion or meeting.

Virginia Senator to Receive $300K Settlement Following Protest Lawsuit

A Virginia state senator will receive $300,000 as part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit she filed following felony charges that were brought against her after a 2020 protest. Virginia senator Louise Lucas was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and injury to a monument in excess of... Read More about Virginia Senator to Receive $300K Settlement Following Protest Lawsuit

Emergency officials assess damage and discuss next steps after a deadly fire at a Bronx apartment complex.

Deadly Bronx Fire Likely Caused By Space Heater

Authorities have indicated that a space heater may be to blame for the five-alarm fire that broke out in a Brooklyn 19-story apartment complex Sunday morning. Authorities are also investigating whether a lack of proper safety measures played a role in the horrific events. The fire broke out on Sunday... Read More about Deadly Bronx Fire Likely Caused By Space Heater

David Schottenstein posing at a promotional event.

David Schottenstein, Member of Prominent Retail Family, to Plead Guilty of Insider Trading

David Schottenstein, a member of the prominent Schottenstein retail family, is expected to plead guilty to charges of insider trading early next month. Schottenstein, the grandson of retail tycoon Jay Schottenstein, is facing allegations of using his family connections to procure illegal stock trading tips. The Schottenstein family is made... Read More about David Schottenstein, Member of Prominent Retail Family, to Plead Guilty of Insider Trading