Michael Carroll News
Louisiana's high court sides with landowners in oil pipeline litigation
A recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision could cause oil and gas pipeline companies to be more cautious in exercising eminent domain rights when constructing pipelines in the state, according to an attorney who represented three plaintiffs in the litigation.
Louisiana business groups urge governor to end federal jobless assistance payments
A coalition of Louisiana business groups is urging the governor to end Louisiana’s participation in the federal COVID-19 supplemental unemployment assistance program because thousands of jobs are currently going unfilled.
Two Louisiana bills that would expand worker rights seen as boon for trial attorneys
A Louisiana business group is urging state lawmakers to oppose two bills relating to worker rights that critics say would create new venues for civil lawsuits and add to burdens facing small businesses.
State's high court OKs new rules to help root out misleading attorney ads
The Louisiana Supreme Court has adopted new rules on attorney advertising in an attempt to make such commercial messaging more transparent and to root out false or misleading ads.
Louisianans want legal settlement funds dedicated to coastal restoration, poll finds
More than 70 percent of Louisiana residents oppose diverting funds from coastal erosion lawsuits filed against energy companies for purposes unrelated to marshland restoration, according to a new survey.
Louisiana Senate to reconsider bill allowing social media firms to be sued for editing content
A Senate bill that would allow Louisianans the right to sue social media companies that delete or censor their religious or political speech will be reconsidered next week after falling short during a floor vote earlier this month.
Louisiana crawfish industry accused of lowballing wages in federal lawsuit
The federal government’s rules to determine how much temporary foreign workers should be paid in Louisiana’s crawfish-processing industry violates an appeals court decision and is depressing wages for U.S. workers, according to a new lawsuit.
Federal class-action lawsuit alleges LSU ignored sexual assault complaints
Seven women who have publicly accused administrators at Louisiana State University of failing to respond to complaints of sexual harassment and sexual assault have filed a federal lawsuit against the university, alleging discrimination and Title IX violations.
Bill to expand Louisiana Supreme Court passes state Senate
The number of justices on the Louisiana Supreme Court would increase from seven to nine under a bill that easily passed the state Senate last week.
Bill to end concealed carry permit requirement passes Louisiana Senate
A bill that would allow the carrying of concealed firearms without a permit passed the Louisiana Senate this week on a vote of 27-11 in spite of public safety concerns raised by law enforcement.
Bill would designate Louisiana 'fossil fuel sanctuary' to cap federal environmental policies
A bill has been introduced in the House Natural Resources Committee that would declare Louisiana a “fossil fuel sanctuary state” to preempt federal environmental rules and regulations that could hurt the state’s oil and gas industry.
Louisiana bar exam to be administered online in July due to COVID-19 concerns
For the second year in a row, Louisiana’s bar exam will be administered remotely due to continuing health risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Jefferson Parish school officials, family to seek settlement in BB gun suspension case
The Jefferson Parish School Board and the family of a fourth-grader who was suspended for briefly moving a BB gun last year during an online class will take part in settlement talks in May to resolve a federal lawsuit.
Civil litigation, insurance costs among top farmer concerns, Louisiana commissioner says
Civil litigation issues remain a top concern for farmers in Louisiana, especially as the prospect of coronavirus-related class-action lawsuits looms, the state’s agriculture and forestry commissioner said.
Cities association not taking stance on Louisiana sales tax reform plan
An association of cities has taken a neutral stance on a reform bill designed to streamline Louisiana’s complex sales and use tax system and simplify compliance rules for businesses.
Louisiana lawmaker optimistic about marijuana legalization bill amid rising public support
Rising support for recreational marijuana use in Louisiana could push state lawmakers to pass a bill this session that would pave the way for parish-by-parish votes on legalization, according to the bill’s author.
Inadequate medical care contributed to Louisiana inmate injuries, deaths, judge finds
Inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) in Angola have suffered needless injuries and deaths as a result of unconstitutional, inadequate medical care, a federal judge said in an opinion in a class-action lawsuit.
Louisiana lawmakers urged to use future sports betting funds for early childhood learning
Early childhood education advocates are urging the state legislature to dedicate potentially tens of millions of dollars in future revenues from sports betting in Louisiana to better prepare children under 3 years old for success later in life.
Louisiana energy industry concerns echoed in lawsuit to overturn Biden order
An association of Louisiana energy producers has echoed criticisms of President Biden’s ban on new oil and gas leases spelled out in a 13-state lawsuit spearheaded by Louisiana’s attorney general.
LSU on defensive in wake of release of sexual harassment review
Louisiana State University officials received scathing criticism from state lawmakers and advocacy groups after the release of a law firm’s detailed report on the university system’s failures to respond to sexual misconduct reports in recent years.