Lawyer who sued Big Lots over coffee labeling has ‘dubious modus operandi,’ federal judge says

A lawyer who alleged that retail chain company Big Lots used labeling that inflated the number of servings in cans of its Fresh Finds coffee had made a similar claim in a prior tossed lawsuit that was “indistinguishable” from the new case “but for a new plaintiff and heading,” according to a federal judge in Florida.

Jul 9, 2024 9:28 AM CDT

Did FDA engage in unfair ‘regulatory switcheroos’ when rejecting flavored vapes? SCOTUS will decide

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s refusal to approve the marketing of new flavored vaping products.

Jul 2, 2024 2:38 PM CDT

Federal judge halts disaster aid program for minority farmers

A federal judge in Texas has blocked an Agriculture Department disaster relief program from giving preferences to minority and female farmers, siding with a group of plaintiffs who allege that the program illegally discriminates against White male farmers.

Jun 11, 2024 12:25 PM CDT

Juror excused after mystery woman left bag of cash at her home and explained why

A 23-year-old juror in a charity fraud trial was excused Monday after a woman dressed in black visited her home Sunday evening with a Hallmark gift bag containing about $120,000 cash.

Jun 4, 2024 11:05 AM CDT

Are tacos and burritos sandwiches? A judge in Indiana ruled yes

Are tacos considered sandwiches? According to one judge in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the answer is yes. And he says burritos are sandwiches, too.

May 16, 2024 10:00 AM CDT

Animal rights groups target laws that penalize unauthorized workplace videos

Animal rights groups are going to court to fight “ag-gag” laws, which punish would-be whistleblowers who record activity on farms and at animal procession facilities.

Apr 1, 2024 12:50 AM CDT

Florida can’t enforce law blocking real estate purchases by Chinese citizens against 2 plaintiffs, court rules

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Florida law barring real estate purchases by Chinese citizens can’t be enforced against two plaintiffs while their court challenge continues.

Feb 6, 2024 1:05 PM CST

ABA achieves lobbying successes despite tumultuous session of 118th Congress

Despite the political highs and lows of the first session of the 118th Congress, the ABA worked hard to advance policy issues of interest to our members and saw progress.

Jan 18, 2024 1:55 PM CST

Animal Legal Defense Fund fails to persuade 8th Circuit that ‘ag-gag’ laws violate First Amendment

A federal appeals court has upheld two “ag-gag” laws in Iowa in a First Amendment challenge by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other animal welfare groups.

Jan 9, 2024 12:37 PM CST

‘Dobbs is an indictment of women,’ past ABA president tells House in emotional testimony

It’s been more than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, but members of the House of Delegates continued to discuss wide-ranging issues that stem from the landmark decision at the ABA Annual Meeting on Monday.

Aug 7, 2023 6:57 PM CDT

Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza and Crunchwraps don’t look like advertising photos, suit claims

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Taco Bell violated a state law preventing deceptive trade practices by selling food that doesn’t live up to the ingredient-filled menu items portrayed in its advertising.

Aug 1, 2023 3:39 PM CDT

Thumbs-up emoji constituted acceptance of texted contract, Canadian judge rules

A Canadian judge has ruled a farmer’s thumbs-up emoji constituted approval of a contract texted to him by a grain buyer.

Jul 13, 2023 9:00 AM CDT

‘Gruyere’ is generic description of cheese that isn’t eligible for certification mark, appeals court says

The term “gruyere” is a generic description of cheese and can’t be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a certification mark denoting the region where the cheese is produced, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Mar 9, 2023 8:59 AM CST

8th Circuit upholds food-safety law in suit by pastor who gave bologna sandwiches to homeless people

A pastor and his assistant who were ticketed but not prosecuted for handing out bologna sandwiches to homeless people have lost their First Amendment lawsuit against the city of St. Louis.

Oct 19, 2022 9:05 AM CDT

Lawyer pleads guilty in scheme to defraud program intended to benefit farmers subjected to discrimination

A lawyer in Little Rock, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud Thursday for his involvement in a scheme to file false claims of discrimination in a program intended to benefit farmers.

Aug 8, 2022 8:40 AM CDT