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The Texas Two-Step Bankruptcy Tactic Fails to Provide Desired Relief, Ignites Controversy: A Closer Look

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Austin, Texas – The controversial “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy cases, which involved corporations using the tactic of restructuring and subsequently filing for bankruptcy to delay mass tort liability, have proven to be unsuccessful. Companies such as Best Wall, DBMP, Aldrich Pump/Murray Boiler, and most recently, LTL, have all attempted this strategy without success. These failed attempts have garnered significant attention, with critics including the U.S. Senate expressing strong opposition. The concept of the Texas Two-Step has muddled the discussion surrounding the legitimate interests of both public companies seeking “finality” in resolving claims and plaintiffs who want … Read more

Supreme Court to Review Rulings on Cities’ Ability to Regulate Homelessness in the Western U.S.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to review lower-court rulings that have made it more difficult for cities in the western United States to regulate homelessness. The case stems from the city of Grants Pass, located in southwest Oregon, and has attracted the support of California Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as other Democratic and Republican officials who have struggled with rising housing costs and income inequality. The move by the Supreme Court comes just a day after a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling preventing … Read more

Missouri Jury Awards $745 Million in Lawsuit Over Fatal Nitrous Oxide Incident: Holding Responsible Parties Accountable

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CLAYTON, Mo. – A Missouri jury has awarded $745 million to the parents of Marissa Politte, a young woman who was tragically killed by a driver under the influence of nitrous oxide. The verdict was reached on Friday in the lawsuit brought by Politte’s parents. The incident occurred on October 18, 2020, when Politte was leaving her workplace at the Ballwin Total Access Urgent Care in St. Louis County and was struck by an SUV. During the two-week trial, the focus was on whether the company that distributes nitrous oxide, known as Whip-It!, conspired with … Read more

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Promotes Openness in Courtrooms: 40th Anniversary of Press-Enterprise I Celebrated

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The 40th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Press-Enterprise I is approaching. The ruling, which affirmed the public’s right to observe jury selection during trials, set a high bar for closing courtrooms during the process. The decision, hailed as a victory for press freedom and public access to courtrooms, requires judges to limit closures and provide justification in case of appeals. In Press-Enterprise I, attorney Jim Ward represented The Press-Enterprise, a Riverside-based newspaper, before the Supreme Court in 1984. The case centered around the closure of the courtroom during … Read more