Federal Court
Louisiana family services agency hit with class action over 'overwhelmed' foster-care system
A federal class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 4,000 Louisiana foster children, alleging that the state’s Department of Children and Family Services operates under overwhelming caseloads and fails to protect kids from mental and physical harm.
Attorneys & Judges
Lawyer in hot water over insurance claims deserved a hearing, Fifth Circuit rules
State AG
AGs urge federal court to review EPA’s new tailpipe emissions rules
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is leading a group of 25 states calling on a federal appeals court to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule on car tailpipes.
From WV Record
Morrisey, other AGs: DOJ must reconsider ‘red flag’ gun law hub
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and other Republican AGs say a new hub created by the U.S. Department of Justice “pushes for the more aggressive use of so-called ‘red flag’ gun laws.”
Two words are usually enough to keep uninvited visitors off private property: “No trespassing.” But game wardens ignore the signs that mark the perimeter of Tom Manuel’s timberland in East Felicia Parish, Louisiana.
LSU’s Hispanic Law Students Association highlighted during Hispanic Heritage month
LSU Law School is shining a spotlight on its Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) for their efforts in fostering inclusivity and connections among students. The association has organized a series of events to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th.
Louisiana law degrees ranked fifth best in nation for return on investment
A law degree in Louisiana offers graduate students the fifth best return on investment among the 50 states, based on criteria such as tuition costs, job prospects, cost of living and potential future earnings, a new study concludes.
Federal Court
United States of America sues Jamie Harris for defaulting on a Small Business Administration loan
The United States of America has filed a lawsuit against Jamie Harris in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Court
BNSF Railway Company sues Dean Arlyn Goehring Jr. and Sparhawk Trucking Inc. for damages from a collision
In the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, BNSF Railway Company has filed a lawsuit against Dean Arlyn Goehring Jr. and Sparhawk Trucking Inc.
Federal Court
Tanisha Smith sues Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority for violation of Family Medical Leave Act
Tanisha Smith has filed a lawsuit against Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority and JeffCare in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Court
Phyllis sues BP Exploration & Production for negligence in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill clean-up operations
Phyllis Jackson, individually and as the personal representative of the estate of Samuel Steve Jackson, has filed a lawsuit against BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and BP America Production Company in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Court
Jacques Mader sues CPG Catering, LLC for wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Jacques Mader, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, has filed a lawsuit against CPG Catering, LLC (doing business as Gallagher’s Grill and Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant & Bar) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Court
Cynthia Wilson sues Family Dollar Stores for slip and fall accident at their store
In the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, a lawsuit has been filed by Cynthia Wilson against Family Dollar Stores of Louisiana, LLC; Family Dollar, Inc.; and Family Dollar Services, LLC.
Federal Court
United States of America sues Dorothy Braxton for failure to repay debt
The United States of America has filed a lawsuit against Dorothy Braxton in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal Court
Transgender teacher accuses Caddo school board of discrimination
A transgender teacher is accusing the Caddo Parish School Board of discrimination.
Federal Court
Tile company accuses employee of misappropriating trade secrets, confidential info
A tile company has sued an employee it claims has misappropriating trade secrets and confidential information for his own benefit and that of his company.
New Orleans council freezes legal budget pending review of civil litigation issues
The New Orleans City Council has moved to temporarily escrow the city Law Department’s operating budget, suggesting that the number of civil actions filed by the department may be excessive and that the council is not being consulted about legal filings.
Louisiana Board of Pardons at center of legal battle over clemency for death-row inmates
An East Baton Rouge court last week disqualified a New Orleans law firm from representing the Louisiana Board of Pardons as a result of conflict-of-interest allegations in an ongoing legal dispute over an effort to grant clemency to death-row inmates.
Louisiana legal system concerns highlighted during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week
Tort reform advocates highlighted their concerns about Louisiana’s legal climate during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week beginning on Oct. 2, with grassroots groups trying to drum up support for legal reforms in the governor’s race and among voters around the state.
Deposition: State agency delegated authority over coastal erosion lawsuits to private attorney
A top Louisiana environmental official farmed out responsibility for enforcing state permitting regulations that underlie ongoing coastal erosion lawsuits to a private attorney, according to a deposition made public through a public-records request.
Louisiana firm says lawyers tried to poach clients on way out the door
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — A law firm alleges two of its former attorneys downloaded client data and attempted to solicit them prior to their resignation.
Louisiana remains least affordable state for car insurance rates, new report finds
Louisiana drivers spend a greater percentage of their incomes on auto insurance than residents of any other state, paying an average annual premium of $3,618, according to a new study from the personal finances website Bankrate.
Louisiana environmental groups sue over EPA decision giving state agency authority over carbon-capture projects
Louisiana environmental groups on Tuesday filed a legal challenge to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s decision making the state the primary regulator of carbon-capture projects planned by the oil and gas industry.
McNeese State University is top Louisiana school in campus free-speech study
McNeese State University in Lake Charles was the only university in Louisiana to receive the highest rating possible from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression for efforts to protect students’ free speech.
Louisiana business groups object to Biden's pause on LNG export permits
The Biden administration late last month announced a temporary pause on pending liquefied natural gas export permits, prompting business groups in Louisiana to call the decision a threat to the state’s LNG production and energy jobs.
Louisiana ranks ninth for compensation paid by states for wrongful convictions, study finds
Louisiana ranks ninth among the 50 states in terms of how much compensation has been paid out to people wrongly convicted of criminal offenses since 1989, according to a new study by a legal funding company.
Lawyer in hot water over insurance claims deserved a hearing, Fifth Circuit rules
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A lawyer who worked at a Houston law firm that has run afoul of the law will get a second chance to show he shouldn't have been suspended for nine months.
Special election in litigated Caddo Parish sheriff's race goes to Democrat
A Democrat was elected Caddo Parish sheriff by six percentage points last weekend in a contest that was closely watched because an appeals court ordered a new election after finding multiple questionable votes were cast in a razor-thin election last fall.
Louisiana bill to help prisoners convicted by non-unanimous juries dies in committee
A Louisiana State Senate panel voted earlier this month to table a bill that would have provided a way for inmates convicted by non-unanimous juries to challenge their sentences after such jury verdicts were designated unconstitutional.
Louisiana Supreme Court finds $10M in asbestos case too much
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The Louisiana Supreme Court cut a $10.5 million jury verdict in an asbestos lawsuit in half, saying an analysis of whether a jury abused its discretion must include an examination of awards in similar cases.
Daughter files suit against Continental Insurance over father's mesothelioma, death
NEW ORLEANS - Cynthia Marsh, as administrator for the estate of Harry F. Marsh, filed a federal lawsuit on Nov. 25 in the Eastern District of Louisiana against the Continental Insurance Company, individually and as successor in interest to the Marine Office of America Corporation.
Kendra Goodman sues Todd Glazer for disrupting school communication
In the case of Kendra Goodman versus Todd Glazer, filed under the court case ID NO. 2023-CA-0502 in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, State of Louisiana, a significant development occurred on April 3, 2024.
BNSF Railway Company sues Dean Arlyn Goehring Jr. and Sparhawk Trucking Inc. for damages from a collision
In the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, BNSF Railway Company has filed a lawsuit against Dean Arlyn Goehring Jr. and Sparhawk Trucking Inc.
New Orleans legal climate results in tort tax of over $3,000 per person annually, study finds
Louisiana loses almost 50,000 jobs annually and struggles with a “tort tax” of $1,200 per resident as a result of excessive civil court costs, according to data released this week by Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch.
Louisiana judge faces disciplinary hearing amid efforts to boost judicial transparency
A recent announcement that a Louisiana district court judge will face a November hearing on unethical conduct during a 2018 election campaign is evidence that the state is making some progress on increasing judicial transparency.