Cases

Johnson & Johnson Seeks Removal of Leading Plaintiff Firm from Talc Cases Due to Previous Association with Its Former Lawyer

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NEW YORK (AP) — Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is requesting the removal of a prominent plaintiff firm from talc cases due to its previous collaboration with the firm’s former lawyer. J&J argues that the firm’s involvement in these cases poses a conflict of interest. J&J has asked a federal judge in New York for the disqualification of Weitz & Luxenberg, a national plaintiff firm. According to court documents, J&J claims that Weitz & Luxenberg’s former attorney had previously worked for the company on talc-related matters. The attorney allegedly gained confidential and privileged information during his … Read more

The Moral Complexities of Patient Autonomy: Examining the Ethical Dilemma in End-of-Life Treatment for Mental Illness and Death Row Cases

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Austin, Texas – Mental health providers face an ethical dilemma when their patients express a desire to forego treatment and enter palliative care. The issue was explored in an article published in The New York Times Magazine, which profiled Naomi, a woman afflicted by anorexia nervosa and who has had no success with traditional interventions. While Naomi is deemed competent to make decisions about her care, the question arises of whether different rules should apply to mentally ill individuals compared to those with physical illnesses. The article highlights the complexity of this moral dilemma without … Read more

Former Police Officer Charged with Child Pornography Enlists New York Attorney from High-Profile Cases; Comparison to Fake Heiress ‘Inventing Anna’ Made

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Smyrna, Delaware – Former police officer Michael Anthony Kealty, who is facing charges of distributing and possessing child pornography, has had the deadline for his indictment extended by federal prosecutors. Kealty, who has been in custody since his arrest in October, has retained New York Attorney Todd Spodek, known for his involvement in high-profile cases, including that of Anna Sorokin, the fake heiress who inspired the Netflix series “Inventing Anna.” Spodek has also represented law enforcement officers facing charges, such as the Paterson, New Jersey officers accused of using excessive force. The defense attorney emphasized … Read more

Threat to Hong Kongers’ Right to Legal Counsel: Troubling Cases Highlight Erosion of Constitutional Safeguards

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HONG KONG (AP) — Recent developments in Hong Kong suggest that the right to access legal counsel is being eroded in the national security sector of the police force. The erosion of this important right, guaranteed by the Bill of Rights Ordinance and the Basic Law, is a cause for concern. According to Article 11 (2) (b) of the Bill of Rights Ordinance, individuals charged with a criminal offense have the right to adequate time and facilities for their defense and to communicate with their chosen counsel. Similarly, Article 35 of the Basic Law states … Read more