U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Texas Law Mandating Age Verification on Porn Sites, Enhancing Child Protection

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law mandating age verification for users accessing pornography, allowing the measure to remain in effect. In a ruling delivered on June 27, the Court voted 6-3, asserting that Texas has the right to implement such regulations to protect children from exposure to explicit material. Justice Clarence Thomas, who authored the majority opinion, emphasized that allowing minors to access sexual content online without age verification poses significant risks. He noted that unlike a retail clerk, a website operator cannot visually assess a user’s age. The ruling … Read more

Veteran Litigator Kurt Weaver Joins Chicago’s Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Enhancing Expertise in Mass Tort and Product Liability Cases

CHICAGO — Kurt Weaver, a prominent litigator with over 30 years of expertise in defending complex product liability and mass tort cases, has joined the Chicago office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a partner. His extensive experience includes multidistrict litigation and significant commercial disputes. Weaver’s practice spans multiple sectors, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and consumer goods. In the past seven years alone, he has successfully led 13 complex product liability cases to jury verdicts and served as lead counsel in notable multidistrict litigations. His legal skill set further encompasses advising clients on both … Read more

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Enacts 12 New Laws, Enhancing Public Safety and Streamlining Legal Processes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a series of new laws aimed at addressing various societal issues, from legal reforms to public safety enhancements. On Thursday, he signed 12 bills into law that cover a broad range of topics, including tougher penalties for specific crimes and the establishment of a new alert system for missing children with autism. Several of these laws will take effect on July 1, alongside more than 70 other pieces of legislation. Among the new laws is House Bill 383, which allows law enforcement officers, correctional staff, and … Read more

Washington Enacts Sweeping Reforms to Strengthen Animal Cruelty Laws, Enhancing Protection and Accountability

Olympia, Wash. — Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1149 into law on Monday, enhancing the legal framework surrounding animal cruelty and fighting in Washington. The new legislation arrives at a crucial time, aiming to strengthen accountability and improve enforcement across the state. This bill, developed in collaboration with Pasado’s Safe Haven, marks one of the most significant reforms in animal cruelty policy in over a decade. It expands the criteria for what constitutes animal cruelty and fighting, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to protecting animals from abuse. Kirsten Gregory, Legislative Affairs Director and General … Read more