Decide

Missouri Legislator Proposes Letting Juries Solely Decide Death Penalty for Convicted Murderers

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JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – A proposed bill in Missouri is seeking to change the way the death penalty is implemented in the state. Currently, if a jury cannot come to a unanimous decision on a prison sentence for someone convicted of first-degree murder, the trial judge has the authority to decide whether the person should be sentenced to death. However, Representative Bishop Davidson, a Republican from Republic, is sponsoring a bill that would only allow juries to make this decision, excluding the role of the judge. The bill aims to address concerns about the fairness … Read more

The Supreme Court to Decide on Insurer Participation in Bankruptcies, Potentially Impacting the Surge in Mass Tort Lawsuits

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New York, NY – A case coming before the U.S. Supreme Court this term may have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s mass tort lawsuits. The issue at hand is whether insurers should be allowed to participate in bankruptcies where tort claims are involved. Currently, debtors and creditors have the right to participate, but insurers are often left out. The question is whether insurers, who play a role in defending tort cases, should be considered “party-in-interest” and have a say in the bankruptcy process. The Supreme Court will weigh in on this issue in the case … Read more

Supreme Court to Decide on Unconventional Bankruptcy Maneuver in Public Harms Litigation

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Washington, D.C. – In an era of unprecedented civil procedure tactics, corporations facing public harm litigation are increasingly turning to bankruptcy court as an alternative to traditional civil litigation. From the Catholic Diocese and Boy Scouts in abuse cases to Johnson & Johnson’s talc litigation, corporations are leveraging bankruptcy’s special powers to address pending claims that traditional tort litigation has failed to resolve efficiently. The Supreme Court is set to hear Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy deal, which raises questions about the effectiveness of using bankruptcy court in resolving public health crises and whether it circumvents the … Read more

Higher Court to Decide Fate of Controversial Chicago Ballot Referendum on Funding for the Unhoused

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Chicago, IL – The legal battle over a ballot referendum aimed at providing funding for the unhoused population is escalating as the case moves to a higher court. Last Friday, a circuit court judge declared the question unconstitutional, but the city is now seeking to overturn that ruling. The dispute centers around the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which has faced opposition from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). BOMA filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Elections to remove the referendum from the ballot. The three-part referendum asks voters to consider increasing the … Read more