Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Promotes Openness in Courtrooms: 40th Anniversary of Press-Enterprise I Celebrated

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The 40th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Press-Enterprise I is approaching. The ruling, which affirmed the public’s right to observe jury selection during trials, set a high bar for closing courtrooms during the process. The decision, hailed as a victory for press freedom and public access to courtrooms, requires judges to limit closures and provide justification in case of appeals. In Press-Enterprise I, attorney Jim Ward represented The Press-Enterprise, a Riverside-based newspaper, before the Supreme Court in 1984. The case centered around the closure of the courtroom during … Read more

Texas Supreme Court Justice and District Court Candidates Successfully Defend Ballot Positions Amidst Primary Challenges

Houston, Texas – Texas Supreme Court Justice John P. Devine and three candidates vying for district court seats have successfully defended their positions on the March 5 primary ballots. In a highly contested race, Devine, a Republican, faced a challenge from Second Court of Appeals Justice Brian Walker, who is also running for the same seat. Walker’s challenge to Devine’s ballot placement underscores the intensity of the upcoming primary elections in Texas. Both candidates possess extensive legal backgrounds and are actively campaigning to secure their respective positions. Devine’s victory in overcoming this challenge signals his … Read more

Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Case: Supreme Court to Decide on Nondebtor Releases, Shaping Future of Chapter 11 Practice

Indianapolis, Indiana: The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in December in a case involving Purdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical company accused of contributing to the opioid epidemic. The central issue at stake is whether the Bankruptcy Code permits a Chapter 11 plan to provide releases to nondebtor third parties without their consent. This case has garnered significant attention from the public and bankruptcy professionals alike, as it has the potential to bring about significant changes in Chapter 11 bankruptcy practice. Purdue Pharma and its affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Bankruptcy … Read more

Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Boosts Potential Payoff in $30 Million Lawsuit Against Truck Owner’s Insurance Company

Tampa, Florida – A recent ruling by the Florida Supreme Court has potentially increased the compensation for an accident victim involved in a traumatic collision. Randy Willoughby, the victim, initially received a $4 million bad-faith settlement from his auto insurer and later won a $30 million jury verdict against the truck co-owner responsible for the crash. Willoughby’s legal team is now seeking to collect on the judgment through a bad-faith action against the truck owner’s insurance company. The court’s ruling centered around the interpretation of Florida’s collateral source rule. This rule disallows the owners of … Read more