Michael Carroll News
Bar owners lose bid for restraining order against governor's COVID-19 restrictions
Louisiana bar owners have lost a bid for a temporary restraining order against Gov. John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus order banning on-site alcohol consumption at taverns, but they continue to press their case in federal court.
FG officials, opponents reach temporary accord in litigation over plastics project
The company behind a $9.4 billion plastics complex planned for St. James Parish entered into a temporary truce with opposition groups last month as opponents dropped their demand for a preliminary injunction.
LABI urges passage of federal COVID-19 legal protections
Amid stalled negotiations over a new COVID-19 relief bill, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is pressing federal lawmakers to provide coronavirus legal liability protections to businesses and health care professionals.
Louisiana high court ends debate over mandatory judicial retirement age
The Louisiana Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of the state constitution’s requirement that judges retire once they reach age 70 has effectively ended re-election hopes for several veteran justices.
Louisiana Supreme Court justice Hughes sues The Advocate for defamation
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes is suing The Advocate for defamation over the newspaper’s coverage of the justice’s alleged actions in a child custody case in the 1990s.
Appeals court rules Louisiana pipeline company violated landowners' rights
Property rights supporters are claiming a major victory as a result of a recent Louisiana appeals court decision that concluded the Bayou Bridge Pipeline Co. (BBP) violated the law in building a section of pipeline on privately owned land.
Louisiana bar exam requirement waived due to coronavirus
A divided Louisiana Supreme Court this week said it will allow “qualified” candidates for admission to the Louisiana State Bar to practice law without having to take the traditional bar exam.
Governor, attorney general trade insults in debate over coronavirus responses
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry have engaged in a war of words in recent weeks, with each presenting opposing views on the legalities of coronavirus measures.
Businesses sue over Shreveport mayor's mask mandate
Several Shreveport businesses have won a temporary restraining order against Mayor Adrian Perkins’ July 8 mandatory mask order as a result of a lawsuit that alleges Perkins exceeded his authority in issuing the coronavirus decree.
Louisiana loggers hopeful that tort reform will cut down insurance rates
Representatives of Louisiana’s logging industry this week expressed gratitude that Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a major tort-reform bill, saying it would help to bring down insurance rates paid by commercial transport companies.
Governor signs bill providing COVID-19 legal liability to Louisiana school districts, colleges
Gov. John Bel Edwards last week signed legislation that will help to shield school districts and colleges from civil damages resulting from injuries or deaths related to alleged exposure to the coronavirus on campuses.
Landry vows to defend state medical rules in wake of high court's abortion decision
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has vowed to continue to defend the state’s remaining medical regulations governing abortion services in the wake of the June 30 U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Louisiana’s Act 620.
Louisiana tort-reform bill seen as jobs booster
A compromise tort-reform bill sitting on Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk will lift some of the financial burdens that lawsuit abuse places on households and encourage businesses to expand job offerings.
Louisiana lawmakers send revised tort reform plan to governor
The Louisiana legislature this week overwhelmingly passed a revamped tort reform bill that supporters say will improve the state’s legal climate and reduce auto insurance rates in the state.
Gov. Edwards vetoes trio of key tort-reform bills
Gov. John Bel Edwards trounced tort reformers on Friday by vetoing three bills that proponents said would lead to a fairer legal system, lower auto insurance rates and create more accountability for billboard ads that promote “jackpot justice.”
New study adds urgency to Louisiana tort reformers' legislative agenda
Louisiana tort reform advocates are primed to advance their case in the wake of a study showing that frivolous lawsuits and inflated liability awards cost the state nearly 20,000 jobs annually.
Lawsuit excesses cost Louisiana economy $1.9 billion a year, study finds
Excessive civil court costs in Louisiana produce an economic drag on the state equivalent to nearly $413 per taxpayer, according to a study released today by tort reform proponents.
Judicial portrait at Southern University symbolizes career of Jesse N. Stone Jr.
BATON ROUGE – The life of Jesse N. Stone Jr. is chock-full of “firsts” – member of the first graduating class of the Southern University Law Center, the first African-American attorney to set up shop in Shreveport in 1950, the first graduate of Southern University Law to eventually serve as dean, the first African-American assistant state superintendent of education in Louisiana and the first African-American to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court.
State's high court has little tolerance for judicial misconduct, Loyola professor says
NEW ORLEANS – As the cases of two 18th Judicial District judges accused of mishandling proceedings and abusing their powers head to the state Supreme Court for review next month, a Loyola University Law School professor says the state’s system to root out injudicious behavior on the bench is functioning as it should.
Lawsuit over Louisiana state employee health benefits moving forward
BATON ROUGE – A lawsuit filed by state workers and retirees alleging that former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state’s Office of Group Benefits (OGB) made illegal changes to employee health plans is finally about to get a hearing after a round of court appeals by defendants.