This week, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a ruling that California’s death penalty is unconstitutional. Read Courtney Minick’s analysis of the opinion on Justia’s Verdict: Federal Judge Strikes Down California Death Penalty: What This Could Mean for California. Texas Div., Sons…
Articles Posted in Legal News
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the much-anticipated case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (formerly Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., consolidated with Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Burwell and Autocam Corp. v. Burwell). In a 5-4 opinion by Justice Samuel Alito, the Court held that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act…
Scialabba v. de Osorio, US Supreme Court (6/9/14) Immigration Law Qualifying U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may petition for family members to obtain immigrant visas. A sponsored individual (principal beneficiary) is placed into a “family preference” category based on relationship to the petitioner, 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(1)–(4). The principal…
Makowski v. Granholm, Michigan Supreme Court (6/3/14) Constitutional Law, Criminal Law Plaintiff-appellant Matthew Makowski filed an action in the Court of Claims against the Governor and the Secretary of State, seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to reverse then-Governor Jennifer Granholm's decision to revoke her commutation of plaintiff's nonparolable…
Robinson v. Legro, Colorado Supreme Court (5/27/14) Injury Law A bicyclist was attacked by two ranch dogs herding sheep while participating in a mountain bike race. The cyclist and dogs were on federally owned land on which the attack took place, subject to a sheep grazing permit and a recreational…
Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., US Supreme Court (5/19/14) Civil Procedure, Copyright, Entertainment & Sports Law The Copyright Act protects works published before 1978 for 28 years, renewable for up to 67 years, 17 U.S.C. 304(a). An author’s heirs inherit renewal rights. If an author who has assigned rights dies before…
Bain, et al. v. MJJ Productions, Inc., et al., US DC Cir. (05/13/14) Civil Procedure Raymone Bain and her firm filed suit against Michael Jackson and his production company, MJJ Productions, Inc., claiming to be owed substantial sums for various services rendered. Defendants moved to dismiss, relying principally on a…
Town of Greece v. Galloway, United States Supreme Court (5/5/14) Constitutional Law, Government & Administrative Law Since 1999, Greece, New York has opened monthly town board meetings with a roll call, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer by a local clergy member. While the prayer program is…
Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest legal organization in the United States committed to achieving full civil equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, as well as those living with HIV. It is a nonprofit organization that aims to achieve positive change within these diverse communities through…
Envtl. Prot. Agency v. EME Homer City Generation, L. P., United States Supreme Court (4/29/14) Environmental Law, Government & Administrative Law The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for pollutants at levels that will protect public health, 42 U.S.C. 7408. Once EPA establishes NAAQS, it…