News

News

Texas Attorney General Appeals Court Decision, Seeks to Enforce Law Restricting Drag Performances

by

Austin, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has appealed to a federal appeals court to reverse a judge’s decision and allow the state to enforce a law that would restrict and potentially criminalize drag performances. Paxton filed a 50-page briefing on Tuesday, urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans to review the permanent injunction that was issued against Senate Bill 12 last year. The law was blocked from taking effect in September after five plaintiffs, including drag performer Brigitte Bandit and local drag production company Extragrams, sued Paxton … Read more

Florida Hospital Found Liable for Wrongful Separation of Child and Mother, Hit With $50 Million Verdict

by

St. Petersburg, Florida – In a groundbreaking medical malpractice case, a Florida jury awarded an additional $50 million in damages, bringing the total penalty against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to over a quarter billion dollars. The jury found the hospital liable on all counts, ruling that it wrongfully separated Maya Kowalski from her mother, who tragically took her own life. This case was prominently featured in the popular Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya.” The jury’s decision was based on a range of offenses committed by the hospital. They found that the facility had … Read more

Former Public Defender Seeking Probation in Ethics Case After Arguing for the Benefits of Cocaine

by

ERIE, Pennsylvania – A former assistant public defender in Erie, Pennsylvania, who previously argued that cocaine can have cognitive benefits, is now seeking disciplinary probation in an ethics case. Nathaniel Edmond Strasser, the lawyer in question, had initially represented himself during the proceedings and suggested that low doses of cocaine can positively impact cognitive abilities. However, Strasser has since admitted that his self-representation was inappropriate and deficient. He is now being represented by attorney Philip Friedman. In a recent brief filed with the disciplinary board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Friedman acknowledged that Strasser is … Read more

Longtime North Carolina Judge Announces Transition to Senior Status at Federal Appellate Court, Opening Vacancy

by

RALEIGH, N.C. – Circuit Judge Jim Wynn of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has announced his decision to transition to senior status, reducing his role on the federal appellate court. Having served on the court since 2010, Wynn’s move to senior status will create a vacancy on the 15-member appeals court. Details regarding the specific date of this transition have not yet been disclosed. When judges choose senior status, they can opt for a reduced caseload while still receiving their salary as an annuity. Wynn, a native of Martin County, North Carolina, is … Read more