States

Mental health law becomes this law prof and author’s focus after walking ‘Through the Fire’

The most dangerous moments of Fredrick Vars’ life guided his career path. Just days after he’d won his first jury trial representing a union member suing the union for retaliation, he experienced his first psychotic episode. Though he had dealt with depression much of his life, he’d later be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Jun 17, 2026 3:01 PM CDT

Former businessman extradited and charged in alleged ‘execution-style’ murders of lawyer and ex-employee

A former Los Angeles businessman has been charged with the alleged murders of a lawyer and a former employee after he was extradited from Montenegro to the United States, authorities reported Monday. He is suspected in a third murder in Las Vegas.

Jun 17, 2026 11:40 AM CDT

After more than 200 years, Connecticut nominates Black woman to state supreme court

For the first time, a Black woman has been nominated to the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Jun 17, 2026 11:02 AM CDT

DOJ sues New Mexico Supreme Court, bar examiners board over refusal to admit military spouse

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the New Mexico Supreme Court and the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners over alleged violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which grants service members and military spouses portability of their professional licenses.

Jun 17, 2026 10:31 AM CDT

Federal judge denies SCOTUSblog founder Tom Goldstein’s bid for acquittal, new trial

A federal judge has denied SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein’s bid for an acquittal or a new trial, rejecting claims that issues with jury instructions and excluded evidence tainted his tax evasion and mortgage fraud case, Law360 reports.

Jun 17, 2026 10:04 AM CDT

Suspended judge gets jail time for money laundering campaign funds

A suspended judge in Fort Bend County, Texas, was sentenced Tuesday to 180 days in jail, 200 hours of community service and five years of probation after being found guilty of money laundering in March.

Jun 17, 2026 9:48 AM CDT

SCOTUS declines to hear appeal of oldest active federal judge’s suspension

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from a 98-year-old judge—who’s also the oldest active federal judge—of an order suspending her from her duties.

Jun 16, 2026 2:24 PM CDT

Tyra Banks sues Netflix for alleged defamation over ‘America’s Next Top Model’ documentary

Model, actress and TV host Tyra Banks has sued Netflix for alleged defamation for airing a documentary earlier this year on her America’s Next Top Model reality TV show that she said contains a “false narrative” suggesting that a young woman on the program was sexually assaulted without consequence.

Jun 16, 2026 1:15 PM CDT

State attorneys general open investigation into OpenAI, company says

Several state attorneys general have opened an investigation into OpenAI, the creator of the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT.

Jun 16, 2026 9:43 AM CDT

Blake Lively can seek legal fees against Justin Baldoni in defamation case but no damages, judge rules

Actress Blake Lively can recover legal fees from actor Justin Baldoni, but a New York federal judge found an issue of first impression that bars her from recovering treble and punitive damages under a new state law.

Jun 15, 2026 11:46 AM CDT

Hawaii Supreme Court will hear case seeking freedom for elephants

The Hawaii Supreme Court will determine whether two wild-born Asian elephants that have lived at the Honolulu Zoo for decades can be legally held in confinement.

Jun 15, 2026 11:19 AM CDT

Judge disciplined for casting ‘public discredit on the judiciary’ on YouTube and in court

The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a public warning for a Texas judge, in part because of public comments that she made through her court’s YouTube channel.

Jun 15, 2026 10:16 AM CDT

Things are cookin’ good for lawyer selected to compete on Food Network show

A New York lawyer who honed her kitchen skills and wrote a popular cookbook during the COVID-19 pandemic was selected to compete on a TV show on the Food Network.

Jun 15, 2026 9:37 AM CDT

Judge denies last-ditch Kennedy Center bid to delay removing Trump’s name

A federal judge Friday denied the Kennedy Center’s last-ditch motion to delay removing President Donald Trump’s name from the performing arts venue, as crews erected scaffolding next to the building less than 12 hours before the court-ordered deadline to do so.

Jun 12, 2026 3:42 PM CDT

Federal judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s $1.8B payout fund

A federal judge on Friday indefinitely blocked President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion payout fund, which is still being challenged in court despite Justice Department officials claiming the effort is not moving forward.

Jun 12, 2026 1:59 PM CDT