Mike Helenthal News
Workers Compensation Research Institute says Louisiana workers' compensation costs among highest
Louisiana has the highest cost per workers’ compensation claim and the lowest average benefit payment per claim, according to a recent 18-state report by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).
Contract employee says Renaissance RX didn't pay wages
The attorney for a woman suing New Orleans-based UTC Laboratories says she thinks there is solid evidence the company did not pay wages they owed her client.
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New Orleans lifts stun gun ban
While stun guns are now legal for New Orleans residents to carry thanks to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, other non-lethal weapons are still banned in the city.
Xarelto makers win first case, prepare to defend others
The companies defending a lawsuit filed against them for safety concerns over blood-thinning drug Xarelto say their first win in a string of bellwether court cases bolsters their claims the drug is safe and contains proper patient warnings.
Entergy welcomes U.S. attorney as new ethics and compliance head
Kenneth Polite, who was the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana until he resigned on March 24, will now head an ethics office with Entergy, a private sector energy company.
Judge suing judge case is not run-of-the-mill
LAFAYETTE — A legal-ethics expert says a pending case challenging the competency of a federal judge in Louisiana has several components that are outside the norm of a typical civil lawsuit.
United Healthcare's clawback practice common, Louisiana attorney says
HAHNVILLE – The Louisiana attorney who is leading a class-action lawsuit against United Healthcare alleging unfair business practices says the insurance company’s tactics are commonplace in the industry.
Arbitration expert predicts Supreme Court review in Sky Zone decision
NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana Supreme Court decision declining to enforce a waiver contract that a trampoline park required its customers to sign before jumping could still face the test of a U.S. Supreme Court review.
No law prevents suspended judges from other 'public service,' legal ethics expert says
NEW ORLEANS – There are no state laws barring a judge from collecting a check for doing municipal work while serving out the terms of a misconduct suspension, says a legal ethics expert as just such a case is occurring.
Southern University Law professor to lend expertise to Louisiana Budget Project
BATON ROUGE -- Southern University Law Center professor Keith Odinet, whose research focuses on mortgage finance, real estate and consumer financial protection, hopes his experience can help the Louisiana Budget Project (LBP), which recently named him to its board.
'Disability inactive status' for former New Orleans prosecutor meant to protect clients
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Supreme Court recently placed embattled former federal prosecutor Jan Mann on "disability inactive status," which prevents her from furthering practicing law.
Bucking foreclosure ruling won't be easy for investors in Baton Rouge high-rise
BATON ROUGE – Getting a foreclosure ruling overturned is an uphill task, according to Elizabeth Futrell, a bankruptcy attorney for the New Orleans-based Jones Walker law firm.
Louisiana judges are held accountable under Judicial Code
A law professor at Louisiana State University says provisions in the judicial code of conduct could be triggered if allegations against four Louisiana district judges are able to be proven in federal court.
Grand Isle settles in molestation lawsuit in move that attorney says was best for plaintiff
GRAND ISLE – The city of Grand Isle has settled a lawsuit that alleged the mayor and police chief derailed a child molestation investigation to protect a politically connected resident.
Law restricting felons from office expected to go back on La. ballot
NEW ORLEANS -- A voter-approved Constitutional amendment barring felons from running for state and local office for 15 years was again struck down by the Louisiana Supreme Court in May, but the amendment is expected to rise again.
Former Louisiana AG claims immunity, asks for dismissal of retaliation suit
BATON ROUGE–Former Louisiana Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell is using an oft-cited elected official immunity defense to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses him and others of retaliating against a Fourth Judicial Court judge.
5th District DA hopes parish suit to fully fund his office 'evokes a conversation'
LAFAYETTE – Keith Stutes, the district attorney for Louisiana’s fifth district since 2015, said he hopes his lawsuit against the Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) to fully fund his office will start a conversation that leads to a resolution.
Spirit of St. Ignatius bestowed on Loyola-New Orleans’ Locascio
NEW ORLEANS – Kaitlin L. Locascio didn’t seem any different
than any of the other 90 students taking Isabel Medina’s constitutional law
class at Loyola University's Law School in New Orleans.
Loyola-New Orleans’ international law program ranked a ‘best value’
NEW ORLEANS -- The Loyola University New Orleans College of Law was recently recognized for its international master of laws program, which was named one of the “best values” in the country in the recent edition of The International Jurist.