Judge

Federal Judge Denies SEC’s Bid to Regulate Corporate Cybersecurity in Landmark SolarWinds Case

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NEW YORK — In a landmark decision, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) attempt to regulate corporate cybersecurity practices, settling a significant lawsuit centered around the extensive SolarWinds cyberattack. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer concluded that the current statutory framework provides the SEC authority only over financial controls, not the broader scope of internal cybersecurity measures. This ruling came amid fears from various business sectors concerned about potential penalties from the SEC following breaches, particularly those executed by sophisticated hacking groups. Companies worried that stringent regulatory oversight … Read more

Alaska Judge Resigns Amid Scandal Involving Inappropriate Relationships and Undisclosed Conflicts in Criminal Cases

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Anchorage, Alaska – A federal judge in Alaska has resigned following an intense judicial investigation that revealed his involvement in misconduct with his staff and ongoing attorneys, some of whom were part of cases he adjudicated. Former U.S. District Court Judge Joshua Kindred’s conduct has raised serious questions about conflicts of interest in the judicial process. Kindred, appointed by former President Donald Trump in early 2020, stepped down earlier this month under the directives of the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit Court. Additional steps are being taken as the Judicial Conference of the United … Read more

Federal Judge Dismisses Disney Park Pass Class Action, Citing Refund Options for Platinum Pass Holders Amid Pandemic Restrictions

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ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal judge in Florida recently dismissed a class action lawsuit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which alleged that the company unfairly restricted access for its highest-tier annual pass holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling clarified that affected consumers had options they declined to pursue, including the opportunity to cancel their passes for a refund. The plaintiffs, two patrons of the popular theme parks, argued their Platinum Passes did not provide the value promised due to imposed reservation systems and other limitations during the outbreak. However, the judge countered that … Read more

Federal Judge Orders Discovery in Challenge to Alabama’s Minority Representation Law on State Board

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A federal judge has ordered further examination of a contentious legal battle surrounding a 1989 Alabama law which mandates minority representation on the state’s Real Estate Appraisers Board. The statute’s requirement that two out of nine board members be from minority racial groups was not defended by the Alabama governor’s office. However, the requirement for the board’s composition to mirror the state’s diverse demographic in terms of race, gender, and economic status continues to be litigated. U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker dismissed one part of the lawsuit—entering into a broader examination … Read more