News from June 2024
Plaintiffs firm, sued in California for alleged poaching, fighting insurer to pay fees
NEW ORLEANS – A federal magistrate judge has partially granted and partially denied a motion to compel from a Louisiana law firm litigating with its insurance carrier over who will pay to defend it from a poaching lawsuit in California.
Former Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Renovation Company
AC Haynes has filed a lawsuit against Renovation Pro’s LLC alleging racial discrimination and retaliation during his employment as a carpenter from November 2022 to January 2023. The complaint details instances of racial slurs used by a supervisor and subsequent retaliatory termination after confronting these issues.
Railroad Worker Sues New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission Over Unsafe Working Conditions
Kirkland Hughes has filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission alleging negligence after sustaining severe shoulder injuries due to faulty equipment at work. The case highlights significant safety concerns within the railroad operations managed by NOPB.
Mother Alleges Multiple New Orleans Authorities Negligent in Son's Preventable Death
Rita Gentile has filed a lawsuit against several New Orleans authorities alleging gross negligence leading to her son’s preventable death due to untreated mental illness despite clear signs of distress and repeated interactions with law enforcement agencies.
Former Police Officer Sues City Government Over Disability Discrimination
A former police officer has filed a lawsuit against the City of Hammond alleging disability discrimination and retaliation. The plaintiff claims he was targeted due to his vision and lung-related disabilities and subjected to unwarranted disciplinary actions before being terminated.
Tips from Attorney General Liz Murrill on preventing child hot car deaths
Thursday, June 20 marked the first day of summer, which means temperatures are rising. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wants to ensure that children do not fall victim to hot car deaths.
Louisiana governor signs compromise tort-reform bill to regulate litigation financing
Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a measure into law that will bring a degree of transparency about the involvement of third-party litigation funders in subsidizing civil litigation in Louisiana.
Significant changes to the Local Civil and Criminal Rules
The judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana recently approved significant changes to the Local Civil and Criminal Rules, effective May 7, 2024.
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.