The Louisiana Record News
Professor Kenya Smith to join LSU Law faculty at the start of the Fall 2024 semester
With 25 years of experience as an educator, executive, and attorney, Professor Kenya Smith will join the LSU Law faculty at the start of the Fall 2024 semester.
Woman sues major retailer for racial profiling
Venessa Carter has filed a lawsuit against Dillard’s Inc., alleging racial profiling during a shopping trip at their Baton Rouge location. The complaint details how an employee falsely accused her of theft due to her race, causing significant emotional distress and damage to her reputation.
Documentary filmmaker sues FDA over alleged FOIA violations
Kohl Harrington is suing the Food and Drug Administration over alleged non-compliance with multiple Freedom of Information Act requests related to his investigation into pet food industry regulations. The filmmaker seeks court intervention to compel the FDA to release requested documents promptly.
Government sues tax preparer over alleged fraudulent practices
The United States government has filed a lawsuit against Christopher Coburn for alleged fraudulent tax preparation practices dating back several years. The complaint details numerous instances where Coburn fabricated information on client tax returns resulting in significant financial losses for both his clients and the U.S Treasury.
Federal lawsuit challenges Louisiana's new law mandating Ten Commandments displays in classrooms
The ACLU of Louisiana and other groups supporting the separation of church and state filed a federal lawsuit this week challenging a just-signed state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public-school classrooms.
Fifth Circuit says sales tax battle between Baton Rouge and casino-hotel owners must be fought in state court
NEW ORLEANS – A federal appeals court has decreed that owners of two casinos with attached hotels in Louisiana have to square off with the City of Baton Rouge over sales taxes on complimentary hotel rooms in their establishments in state court, as opposed to federal court.
Federal Judge Sides with Louisiana and Mississippi to Protect Strong Accommodations for Pregnant Workers
A federal judge has sided with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch issuing a preliminary injunction against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) attempt to hijack the protections of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Fifth Circuit finds attorney-client privilege extended to LSU sexual misconduct investigation records
NEW ORLEANS – A trio of federal appellate judges has ruled that Louisiana State University did not break the law when it kept records related to a sexual misconduct investigation against its former football coach, Les Miles, off-campus, finding that the documents were covered by attorney-client privilege.
Congratulations John F. Mcdermott
Recently, Taylor Porter Partner John McDermott was awarded Board Member of the Year of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana.
Attorney General Murrill’s Office arrests former president of parents club in Madisonville for embezzling over $60,000
Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Office arrested a Covington woman for allegedly embezzling more than $60,000.
Louisiana firms face dismissal motion in dispute over Hurricane Maria claims
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Louisiana lawyers were late to get to court to litigate a fee-splitting agreement that went sideways, their former business partners claim.
Court of Appeals grants partial reduction in damages to former student facing abuse and his parents
NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana state appeals court has partially reversed a $450,000 damages award, initially granted to a minor student and his parents in litigation brought against their school board – which broke promises it made to not have the minor student continue riding the school bus with his physical abuser.
Louisiana governor vetoes bill aimed at moderating medical damages calculations in civil suits
Louisiana’s insurance commissioner is calling for a special legislative session on legal reforms in the wake of Gov. Jeff Landry vetoing a bill favored by business groups that would have clarified medical payment amounts used to determine civil damages awards.
Just before civil rights suit trial, judge throws out motion to exclude doctor's testimony about plaintiff's brain injury
NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana federal judge has thrown out a motion in limine which sought to exclude testimony from a doctor concerning a traumatic brain injury a plaintiff allegedly sustained, during her 2022 encounter with a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Deputy.
Louisiana federal courts outpace the nation in litigated insurance claims, new report says
Federal court districts in Louisiana have led the nation in processing litigated property insurance claims in recent years, with about one-third of such claims being filed in the Western District and Eastern District of Louisiana, a new study found.
Helicopter Pilot Sues Former Employer Over Retaliation After Whistleblowing on Unsafe Practices
A helicopter pilot has sued his former employer for alleged retaliation after reporting unsafe flying practices influenced by external pressures from a government agency. The plaintiff seeks significant damages for lost wages and emotional distress among other claims.
Former Clean-Up Worker’s Family Sues BP Over Fatal Health Issues Linked to Deepwater Horizon Spill
A new lawsuit filed in Louisiana alleges that exposure to toxic substances during clean-up efforts following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill led to severe health issues and eventual death of a worker involved in those efforts. The family seeks compensatory damages from BP Exploration & Production Inc., and BP America Production Company for their alleged negligence in handling the disaster’s aftermath.
Mother Sues Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Over Son's Fatal Shooting
Mallory Woodfork has filed a federal lawsuit against the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and several deputies for allegedly using excessive force resulting in her son’s death on June 6, 2023. The suit seeks $5 million in damages and calls for policy changes within JPSO to prevent future incidents of this nature.
Registered Nurse Sues Major Healthcare Organization Over Disability Discrimination
Michelle DiGiacomo has filed a lawsuit against Ochsner Clinic Foundation alleging disability discrimination and wrongful termination under ADA and Title VII laws. The case highlights multiple instances where she faced undue hardships compared to non-disabled colleagues leading up to her resignation in March 2024.
Maritime worker sues multiple shipping companies over severe injuries
Joseph Patterson has filed a lawsuit against several shipping companies claiming severe injuries caused by their negligence during cargo operations aboard M/V Western London last year in Louisiana waters.