News from February 2017
Longrunning construction loan lawsuit between Kleinpeter Trace, BancorpSouth settled
BATON ROUGE – After six years, a legal battle related to construction loans in default has been settled.
Court of Appeals rejects Houma oyster operator's request for $3.4 million in oil spill loss
NEW ORLEANS — A Houma oyster processing business that was forced to shut down after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has lost its bid to get more compensation from the BP Economic and Property Damages Settlement fund.
Evangeline Parish ADA resigns amid allegations of misconduct
VILLE PLATTE – Assistant District Attorney Timmy Fontenot resigned last month from his position in the Evangeline Parish District Attorney’s Office.
Trump administration, Congress face obstacles in tax reform in first 100 days, New Orleans-based lawyer says
NEW ORLEANS – President Donald Trump said he will work with Congress to put his proposed tax reform plan in place this year, with the House Ways and Means Committee expected to push a tax reform bill within the first 100 days of the Trump administration, according to a National Law Review article by a New Orleans attorney employed by Jones Walker LLP.
Louisiana indigent defendants’ suit filed by ACLU dismissed by federal judge
NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has said that Louisiana’s system of funding lawyers for indigent defendants is in crisis, but he dismissed a lawsuit asking the state to find a remedy.
Louisiana hires top attorney to defend abortion restriction laws
BATON ROUGE – Attorney General Jeff Landry and Gov. John Bel Edwards have agreed to hire a Washington, D.C. attorney to defend the state against a challenge to its abortion laws.
NAACP lawsuit to create majority-minority judicial district to be heard March 13
BATON ROUGE — The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana on March 13 will hear a Terrebonne Parish NAACP lawsuit seeking to create a majority-minority judicial district system to better represent the blacks and minorities in the parish.
Law professor: Lawsuit in police shooting can pose challenges
NEW ORLEANS — When a woman and her son filed a civil lawsuit in the death of her boyfriend and father of her child, she set herself up for a long legal road, according to one law professional.
Fourth Circuit affirms dismissal of World Trade Center development lawsuit
NEW ORLEANS — A Florida businessman's litigation blocking World Trade Center development appears to be headed to the Louisiana Supreme Court, but the winning bidder's spokesman has claimed validation in a recent appeals-court decision.
St. Tammany attorney suspended for accepting drugs as payment
BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled to suspend St. Tammany attorney James D. Mecca from the practice of law for allegedly accepting drugs as payment of legal services.
New Orleans, RTA agree to update bus stops alleged to be non-ADA compliant
NEW ORLEANS — A settlement agreement approved by a federal court stipulates the city of New Orleans and the Regional Transit Authority will bring more than 2,000 bus stops into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Fishing guide claims he lost clients after being forced to leave coastal waters
NEW ORLEANS — A longtime Grand Isle fishing guide is suing the sheriff of Lafourche Parish and others who forced him to leave tidal water during a guided paid fishing trip.
Federal district court to hear NAACP's minority-judgeship lawsuit
NEW ORLEANS — An NAACP lawsuit alleges that Terrebonne Parish's system of selecting judges violates the U.S. Voting Rights Act, and its aim of creating a minority-based judicial district is to be heard at Louisiana’s federal district court on March 13.
Motorist claims he was injured in accident on I-12
NEW ORLEANS – A Mandeville man alleges he was injured when a truck rear-ended him in Goodbee.
American River Transportation Co. employee alleges he was injured because of tree branch
NEW ORLEANS – A deckhand alleges he was injured by a tree branch that was on a vessel.
Consumer claims Volvo is defective, seeks rescission of sales contract
LAFAYETTE – An Alexandria woman alleges the Volvo she purchased has defects.
Waco Functional Medicine PA claims Heartwise Clinic agreement is invalid
NEW ORLEANS – A Texas operator of a health care and wellness clinic is seeking declaration that an agreement is invalid.
EPA's regional haze rule beaten back by lawsuit
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – After a federal appeals court put a
stay on the Environmental Protection Agency's regional haze regulations
in Texas and Oklahoma, the agency announced last year it was dropping
the issue.
Groundhog Day: Louisiana’s Endless Budget Battle
Well, it's a new year here in Louisiana, but not much has changed. A new year means another budget deficit, which means yet another legislative rumpus over who and or what will foot the bill.
Customer blames Waffle House for injuries
GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish man is suing Waffle House, alleging he consumed a plastic wrap at one of the defendant's restaurants.