State Government

Afternoon Briefs: Another state plans remote bar exam in July; Texas AG sues electric company over huge bills

So far, 9 jurisdictions have plan for remote bar exam in July California’s July 2021 bar exam will be remote, the California Supreme Court announced Friday. The first testing day, on July 27, will consist of five one-hour essay questions and a 90-minute performance test, according to the administrative order.…

Mar 2, 2021 4:45 PM CST

Pandemic worsens already-growing debt problem with many legal remedies on hold

While many Americans remain jobless, some companies have increased their collection efforts on old debt as they grapple with less revenue amid the sluggish economy. But with government offices and courts closed, it’s hard for attorneys to move cases along.

Mar 2, 2021 12:52 PM CST

State AG faces impeachment for fatal car crash; ‘his face came through your windshield,’ cop says

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is refusing to resign as lawmakers begin impeachment proceedings against him for a fatal car crash that killed a pedestrian.

Feb 25, 2021 9:45 AM CST

Suits multiply over Texas power outages; is power grid operator protected by sovereign immunity?

Lawsuits are already being filed against the operator of the power grid in Texas over lost lives, property damage and business interruption caused by power outages during the winter storm in February.

Feb 24, 2021 12:11 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyers knock ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome;’ attorney flashes medical pot card

Trump lawyers seek dismissal of impeachment case Lawyers for former President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case against him. Their brief argues that the Senate has no jurisdiction under the Constitution to conduct an impeachment trial of a former president, and Trump’s comments before…

Feb 8, 2021 4:33 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Governor seeks Sidney Powell’s disbarment; ex-Davis Polk associate avoids sanctions

Michigan governor seeks disbarment of election lawyers Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is seeking disbarment of Texas lawyer Sidney Powell and three Michigan lawyers for claims made in unsuccessful lawsuits claiming an election fraud conspiracy. Whitmer alleged in a complaint to the State Bar of Texas that Powell “did not just…

Feb 2, 2021 4:55 PM CST

Elizabeth Greene aims to prevent heart disease and stroke in central Massachusetts

Elizabeth Greene had been practicing with Mirick, O’Connell, DeMallie & Lougee in Worcester, Massachusetts, for two years in 1997 when she heard about a new opportunity. She received an email from a partner who volunteered with the American Heart Association but was moving on to other projects. He told her the organization wanted to rekindle its presence in central Massachusetts and needed someone’s help.

Feb 2, 2021 9:56 AM CST

Firm hired by state AG to investigate gay lawyer’s bias claim is protected from suit, court says

Updated: The Washington Supreme Court has ruled for a law firm contending that it was protected from lawsuit by a lawyer who claimed that its investigation into his bias claim was negligent.

Jan 29, 2021 2:04 PM CST

New York attorney general sues over NYPD’s alleged use of ‘excessive force’ against protesters

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that the New York City Police Department used "excessive force" against peaceful racial justice protesters last year.

Jan 15, 2021 12:44 PM CST

Former Michigan governor is charged in Flint water crisis; is conviction a longshot?

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect in decisions that caused lead to contaminate the water supply for Flint, Michigan.

Jan 14, 2021 9:25 AM CST

Former prosecutor faces felony misconduct charges related to alleged inappropriate relationship

A former Michigan state prosecutor will be charged with two counts of felony misconduct in office after allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a victim in a criminal sexual conduct case.

Dec 18, 2020 11:39 AM CST

Texas AG asks SCOTUS to overturn election results in 4 states via its original petition

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to accept a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the election results in the battleground states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Dec 8, 2020 11:35 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Student loan reprieve extended; did Giuliani infect state lawmakers?

One more month of student loan forbearance announced by Education Department Student loan forbearance has been extended through Jan. 31, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. The offering started in March as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. In August, President Donald Trump directed the…

Dec 7, 2020 4:37 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Several states pause jury trials; suit accuses Texas AG of whistleblower retaliation

Several states stop jury trials A surge in COVID-19 cases has led several states to suspend jury trials. They include New York, Maryland, Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming. (The Daily Docket) Suit accuses Texas AG of abusing his office A Nov. 12 lawsuit accuses Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of…

Nov 16, 2020 4:38 PM CST

Formerly incarcerated lawyer wins state legislature race

Tarra Simmons, an attorney who in 2017 faced bar admissions challenges due to a felony record, was elected on Tuesday to the Washington state legislature.

Nov 5, 2020 10:40 AM CST