American Airlines Sued Over Runway Overshoot

What happens when a plane overshoots a runway, causing a passenger on board severe mental and emotions problems? According to Jewel Thomas, you should get compensation. Thomas is suing American Airlines over an incident in Chicago where an American Airlines plane ran off the runway at O’Hare International Airport. The Boeing 757 was flying cross-country from Seattle to New York and made an emergency landing at O’Hare. She says that she is so traumatized that, despite previously... Continue Reading

American Idol Reject Re-Files Suit for $100M

“If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.” “I met someone the other night who’s 28 years old, and he hasn’t worked a day since he left college because he’s pursuing a dream he’ll never, ever realize: He thinks he’s a great singer. Actually, he’s crap.” -Simon Cowell The hosts of American Idol have been known for this kind of tough criticism. Cowell was, of course, famous for his occasion... Continue Reading

What is Labor Day?

Labor Day is upon us, and in addition to making extended weekend plans and enjoying a day off work, the national holiday is also a time to celebrate the contributions workers have made to building the United States. The holiday, which is the first Monday of September, is marked by closed courts, schools, and workplaces. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the holiday is, “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute ... Continue Reading

Feds Sue Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio

The Department of Justice might say that Sheriff Joe Arpaio is about as easy to negotiate as an Arizona cactus. Discussions over evidence in an on-going civil rights probe of the sheriff’s office have been prickly in the past, but now the DOJ must go to court to get the co-operation it wants. The DOJ is suing for access to documents covering the immigration sweeps and jail operations that Sheriff Joe is known for. This is the first time in the last 30 years that a police or sheriff’s... Continue Reading

Common Law Trade Dress Suit Re French-Press Coffee Maker, Plus, Labor Law, Criminal & Civil Rights Matters

Weber v.Universities Research Ass’n, Inc., 08-1957, concerned a challenge to the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the defendant, in plaintiff’s suit against her former employer for sex discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII.  In affirming, the court held that plaintiff has waived her discrimination and retaliation arguments under the direct method of proof.  Further, the plaintiff has failed to establish a prima facie case of se... Continue Reading

Catholic Student Group’s Civil Rights Suit Againt University, Plus Criminal & Immigration Matters

US v. Lupton, 09-2710, concerned a challenge to a conviction of defendant for corrupt solicitation, wire fraud, and making false statements to government officials for seeking kickbacks in connection with a sale and leaseback of a government owned building.  In affirming, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding expert testimony.  Also, a rational factfinder could readily conclude that defendant had authority to act on behalf of the state and was... Continue Reading

Veteran’s Challenge to TSA’s Refusal to Waive Its Maximum Entry Age Requirement for Federal Air Marshal Position, Plus IP Matters

Morse v. Merit Sys. Prot. Bd., 10-3030, involved a plaintiff’s action claiming that the Transportation Security Administration violated his veterans’ preference rights when it declined to waive its maximum entry age requirement in connection with his application for employment as a Federal Air Marshal.  In affirming the Merit Systems Protection Board’s dismissal for lack of jurisdiction, the court held that the TSA is exempt from section 3330(a) of Title 5, ... Continue Reading

Decisions In Criminal Law Matters

US v. Gentles, 09-1431, concerned a challenge to a conviction of defendant for distributing crack cocaine and a sentence of 64-months’ imprisonment, followed by four years’ supervised release, with a special condition of substance abuse treatment counseling.  In affirming, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial as although prosecutorial misconduct occurred, there is no evidence that it prejudice... Continue Reading

Decisions In Criminal Law Matters

US v. Gentles, 09-1431, concerned a challenge to a conviction of defendant for distributing crack cocaine and a sentence of 64-months’ imprisonment, followed by four years’ supervised release, with a special condition of substance abuse treatment counseling.  In affirming, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial as although prosecutorial misconduct occurred, there is no evidence that it prejudice... Continue Reading

Decisions In Criminal Law Matters

US v. Gentles, 09-1431, concerned a challenge to a conviction of defendant for distributing crack cocaine and a sentence of 64-months’ imprisonment, followed by four years’ supervised release, with a special condition of substance abuse treatment counseling.  In affirming, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial as although prosecutorial misconduct occurred, there is no evidence that it prejudice... Continue Reading