USA Archive - Law Commentary

Joe Biden waving while exiting a vehicle, wearing a suit and mask.

Biden Names Former Law Clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito Jr. As His White House Counsel

Though the transition into the white house continues to be a slow and at times a tense one, that hasn't stopped President-Elect Biden from assembling his cabinet. According to Biden's White House transition website, he has just named Dana Remus as his White House counsel. Who is Dana Remus? Dana... Read More about Biden Names Former Law Clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito Jr. As His White House Counsel

Stacks of pink Nature's Domain dog food bags on a store shelf.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Costco and Diamond Pet Foods Inc. for Value of $5,000,000.

Aggregated claims of over 100 proposed class members sue for alleged “Gluten-Free” Mistaken Claim on Dog Food A class-action suit on behalf of “Plaintiff," representing a class of over 100 consumers, was filed against Costco Wholesale Corporation and Schell & Kampeter, Inc. d/b/a/ Diamond Pet Foods Inc, in the U.S.... Read More about Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Costco and Diamond Pet Foods Inc. for Value of $5,000,000.

Protesters holding a banner that reads "DACA SÍ, TRUMP NO" during a demonstration advocating for the DACA program.

Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on DACA

In a victory for Dreamers, their families, and hundreds of thousands of undocumented youths across the U.S., a federal court on November 14 struck down the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis granted plaintiffs’ motion... Read More about Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on DACA

A person wearing a mask reading an eviction notice while standing at a doorway.

Boulder, CO Votes in Favor of Free Legal Representation for Tenants Facing Eviction in Court

The pandemic has undoubtedly been the catalyst for a renter's crisis around the nation, and this past election, the state of Colorado voted on a ballot initiative to ease the burden of those struggling to pay their rent. The measure, No Eviction Without Representation (NEWR), sailed to victory with a... Read More about Boulder, CO Votes in Favor of Free Legal Representation for Tenants Facing Eviction in Court

Tweet from Daniel Ravicher discussing his employment status and refusal to censor his speech.

Professor at the University of Miami School of Law is in Hot Water after String of Racially Insensitive Tweets

Daniel Ravicher, a law professor at the University of Miami, is at odds with the school over his employment status. According to Ravicher, he has lost his teaching position because of opinions he shared on Twitter. Ravicher explains via a Twitter update, "I've been fired because I refuse to censor... Read More about Professor at the University of Miami School of Law is in Hot Water after String of Racially Insensitive Tweets

Bottle of OxyContin medication on a pharmacy shelf, labeled as containing 40 mg extended-release tablets.

Purdue Pharma $8B Settlement Approved

A judge accepted Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy claims on November 17, 2020 allowing the company to restructure and pay out their $8.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice. Purdue Pharma developed the addictive opioid OxyContin in the 1990’s and has been mired in lawsuits ever since. The DOJ presented evidence... Read More about Purdue Pharma $8B Settlement Approved

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaking during a press conference regarding the hand recount of the presidential election results.

Georgia Completes Hand Recount of Presidential Election Results

The Associated Press has called elections since the mid-1800s. The respected group named Joe Biden the President-elect on Saturday, November 7, after he secured more than the required 270 votes from the Electoral College, despite counts persisting in parts of the country. However, the AP typically avoids calling states when... Read More about Georgia Completes Hand Recount of Presidential Election Results

Rudy Giuliani speaking at a press conference with Trump campaign signage in the background.

Giuliani Joins Election Case Seeking to Delay Pennsylvania Results

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, Rudy Giuliani entered a courtroom for the first time since 1992 to attempt to prove that re-election was stolen from President Trump. His antics in the courtroom call his abilities into question, as he mistook one judge for another, was active on his Twitter account... Read More about Giuliani Joins Election Case Seeking to Delay Pennsylvania Results

Signage of Rolls-Royce displayed on a brick wall, emphasizing the company's branding.

$135,000 Settlement in Rolls-Royce Labor Discrimination Case

Twenty-six women applied for machine operator positions at Rolls-Royce’s Prince George, Virginia facility in 2017. They were not hired. Now, Rolls-Royce will be paying them $135,000 in back wages plus interest and will give four of the women jobs at the plant, with seniority from the date they were denied... Read More about $135,000 Settlement in Rolls-Royce Labor Discrimination Case

Workers processing meat in a facility, wearing protective gear.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit against Tyson includes Allegations Plant Managers took Bets for Cash Payout on How Many Workers Would Get Virus

A lawsuit has been filed by the son of a Tyson employee, Isidro Fernandez, who succumbed to Covid-19 and died of the illness. Fernandez worked at the Tyson’s Waterloo, Iowa facility and died on April 26. Fernandez’ son alleges in his lawsuit that Tyson allowed “dangerous and unhygienic conditions and... Read More about Wrongful Death Lawsuit against Tyson includes Allegations Plant Managers took Bets for Cash Payout on How Many Workers Would Get Virus

Sign on the exterior of the U.S. Department of Justice building, with an American flag in the background.

Department of Justice Lawyer Argues the US can Target/Kill American Citizens in Cases of National Security without Review

Two journalists lost their appeal against the US Government on Monday, after alleging they were on a ‘kill list’ while working in Syria. US citizen and journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem had filed a lawsuit with a second plaintiff, journalist Ahmad Muaffaq Zaidan, a Pakistani-Syrian, against the US Government alleging targeted... Read More about Department of Justice Lawyer Argues the US can Target/Kill American Citizens in Cases of National Security without Review

A group of Army veterans in military uniforms saluting.

Army Agrees to Settle Veterans’ Class Action Suit; 50,000 Army Veterans May Receive Upgrade Benefit from New Agreement

New Class Action Settlement Offers Army Vets Greatly Expanded Access to Benefits A sweeping settlement in a class-action lawsuit launched three years ago in the US District Court for Connecticut between the US Army and thousands of post-9/11 veterans has been made official. This resolution will impact tens of thousands... Read More about Army Agrees to Settle Veterans’ Class Action Suit; 50,000 Army Veterans May Receive Upgrade Benefit from New Agreement

The exterior of the Theodore Roosevelt Building, home to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, located at 1900 E Street, NW.

The National Treasury Employees Union sues over executive order on career service reclassification

On October 26, 2020, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) sued President Donald Trump’s administration in federal court over an executive order which reclassifies a large number of federal employees. Specifically, the executive order signed October 21, 2020, reclassifies certain federal employees previously considered to be “competitive service” employees as... Read More about The National Treasury Employees Union sues over executive order on career service reclassification

A crowd of protesters holding signs demanding justice for Alton Sterling and opposing police brutality during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.

Fifth Circuit Decision Vacated In Sterling Protest Case

On Monday, November 2, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States vacated the Fifth Circuit Court’s decision that said a protest organizer could be sued for injuries inflicted by someone else during the protest. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented without a written explanation. In response to the 2016 police officer-involved... Read More about Fifth Circuit Decision Vacated In Sterling Protest Case

A waitress wearing a mask holds two plates of food in a restaurant setting.

New Year Set to Ring in a Raft of New Employment Laws in California

For better or worse, California is often a bellwether for the rest of the nation when it comes to regulations and laws and how they can potentially affect both commerce and consumers. For businesses with operations in the nation’s most populous state, one with a Gross Domestic Product that alone... Read More about New Year Set to Ring in a Raft of New Employment Laws in California