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Federal Appeals Court Rules Iowa’s “Ag Gag” Laws Constitutional, Clearing the Path for Enforcement

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DES MOINES, Iowa — A federal appeals court has ruled that two of Iowa’s “ag gag” laws, which impose penalties on individuals who trespass on agricultural property with the intention of causing financial harm, are constitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit announced its rulings on Monday, reversing a lower court decision in both cases. A third lawsuit is still pending. The rulings suggest that these state laws may soon become enforceable. However, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs expressed confidence that opponents would prevail upon appeal to the U.S. Supreme … Read more

Kansas Jury Awards $11 Million to Paralyzed Man in Kubota Skid Steer Lawsuit

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TOPEKA, Kansas — A Kansas jury has awarded over $11 million to a man who was paralyzed after his shoulder became caught in a grapple attachment while riding on the front of a Kubota skid steer. Kolton Kincaid, who was 17 years old at the time and working part-time for a farm service company, filed a lawsuit against Kubota Tractor Corp. in 2013, claiming that there was no warning sticker on the skid steer regarding the danger. Court records reveal that the incident occurred when Kincaid was riding on the outside of the skid steer … Read more

Former Edmonton Lawyer Who Killed Teenage Girl in Drunk Driving Incident Officially Disbarred

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Edmonton, Alberta – A former corporate lawyer, Shane Stevenson, has been disbarred after causing the death of a teenage girl in a drunk driving incident. The Law Society of Alberta announced on Tuesday that it has accepted Stevenson’s resignation. Stevenson, who previously worked as an energy lawyer at global law firm Dentons, had not practiced law since April 2018 when he fatally struck 16-year-old Chloe Wiwchar while driving under the influence of alcohol. Stevenson’s resignation came as he was facing a law society disciplinary hearing following a three-and-a-half year prison sentence for drunk driving causing … Read more

Guild Mortgage Seeks $10.7 Million in Lawsuit Against Former Employees Accused of Poaching

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Mortgage lender Guild Mortgage has filed a petition in a district court in Washington to confirm a $10.7 million arbitration award against three former employees accused of poaching. The employees, Christopher Flowers, Cory Flynn, and Lisa Jolliffe, allegedly diverted Guild’s customers and employees when they joined rival company CrossCountry Mortgage. Guild claims the group stole significant amounts of information, recruited its employees, and created confusion among its customers. The lender has asserted claims for breach of contract, fraud, unfair competition, and tortious interference. The case began in August 2021 when Guild filed … Read more