News

12 Attorneys Appeal Ruling in Ethics Case

Texarkana-based attorney John Goodson and 11 lawyers who work with him on class-action lawsuits have appealed a federal judge’s ruling that they broke ethics rules and abused the court system. Their appeal questions whether their conduct violated those rules and whether Chief U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III abused his discretion in reprimanding five of the lawyers, according to documents …


Did Ed Sheeran Copy Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On? Singer Faces New Copyright Battle

The lawsuit, which asks for damages to be assessed at a jury trial, argues that the harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic elements central to “Let’s Get It On” formed the structure of Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. “The Defendants copied the ‘heart’ of ‘Let’s’ and repeated it continuously throughout ‘Thinking,'” the lawsuit said. “The melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic compositions of …


Some 911 Fees Go Unpaid by Phone Companies, Lawsuit Says

Local officials in several states have filed dozens of lawsuits saying phone companies, such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., are doling out discounts to businesses at the expense of 911 emergency services. Telecom operators are required by local laws to charge a 911 fee, typically about $1 for each phone line to support local 911 dispatch centers, including salaries, training and …


Businessman William Parfet Will Contest Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

An attorney for William U. Parfet says the Kalamazoo businessman plans to contest a sexual harassment and wrongful discharge lawsuit filed against him in federal court. “Mr. Parfet will be presenting a vigorous defense to this lawsuit,” attorney Nancy Abell said when asked by the Kalamazoo Gazette about the lawsuit. Parfet, an heir to Upjohn Co. founder W.E.


Hall of Fame Refund Policy Mentions Tickets only

If customers who incurred unnecessary expenses to attend the NFL game in Canton that wasn’t played in Canton (or anywhere else) on Sunday night want to be reimbursed for those expenses, they’ll have to hire a lawyer. The Hall of Fame has posted at its website the procedures for obtaining a refund, and the policy refers only to the price of the tickets. The window for obtaining refunds will be …


Failed Madigan Challenger Files Defamation Lawsuit

The man who challenged Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and lost in the Democratic primary this year has filed a federal lawsuit against Madigan, accusing him of fraud and defamation. “Madigan is not going to get away with this,” Jason Gonzales said. He got about 27 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary this past March, versus 65 percent for Madigan.


Family of Man Who Died at Mental Health Facility Files Federal Lawsuit

Family members of a Milwaukee man who died at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex in Wauwatosa four years ago have filed a federal lawsuit. The Milwaukee County district attorney rules that the death of a patient at the county mental health complex was not criminal. Brandon Johnson died at the facility in October 2012.



Reddit User Threatens Suicide Squad Lawsuit for False Joker Advertising

Warner Bros. had a big weekend at the box office as Suicide Squad broke records with $135.1 million, shattering the August debut set by Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy ($94.3 million) two years ago. Regardless of its commercial success, the movie was not a hit with critics, and apparently not with an unnamed fan in the U.K., who is filing a lawsuit against Warner Bros. for “false …