Civil Law

State AG Updates: March 31-April 6, 2022

Each week, Crowell & Moring’s State Attorneys General team highlights significant actions that State AGs have taken. Here are this week’s updates.

Multistate

  • A multistate coalition of 23 attorneys general led by New York Attorney General James and California Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to restore access to Title X federal funding for family planning services. The Biden-Harris administration is attempting to
… Read the rest
Civil Law

Employee Terminations: Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Firing an employee can be much like breaking up with a significant other– stressful, messy, and awkward. No one wants to be the “bad guy,” and oftentimes it feels kinder to sugarcoat the facts rather than telling an employee the real reason for termination. But those good intentions may land employers in hot water.

A recent case serves as a potent reminder that an employer should always give the real reason or reasons for termination. As a result of failing … Read the rest

Supreme Court

With three conservatives dissenting, court declines to intervene on behalf of Air Force officer who won’t get vaccinated

With three conservatives dissenting, court declines to intervene on behalf of Air Force officer who won’t get vaccinated

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The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a plea from a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve to block the Air Force from disciplining him because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Three justices – Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch – indicated that they would have granted the request and allowed him to continue to serve while his appeal continues.

The case, Dunn v. Austin, was brought by Lt. Col. Jonathan Dunn, an Air Force … Read the rest

Supreme Court

COVID-related postponements and prosecutorial delays under the Speedy Trial Act

COVID-related postponements and prosecutorial delays under the Speedy Trial Act

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This week we highlight cert petitions that ask the Supreme Court to consider, among other things, claims from two criminal defendants under the Speedy Trial, which dictates timeframes for different stages of criminal prosecutions.  

Under the Speedy Trial Act, the government must file an indictment within 30 days of arresting someone, and the trial must begin within 70 days of the indictment. If the government fails to meet these deadlines, the defendant can move to dismiss the indictment. … Read the rest

Civil Law

FERC Approves Civil Penalties for Alleged Violations of CAISO and PJM Market Rules

On March 28, 2022 and March 29, 2022, FERC issued two orders approving stipulation and consent agreements between FERC’s Office of Enforcement and Dynergy Marketing and Trade, LLC (“Dynergy”) and Constellation NewEnergy Inc. (“Constellation”), respectively. Among other things, Dynergy agreed to pay a $ 450,000 civil penalty for alleged violations of PJM Interconnection LLC (“PJM”) capacity tariff requirements and Constellation agreed to pay a $ 2.4 million civil penalty for alleged violations of California Independent System Operator (“CAISO”) resource adequacy … Read the rest

Supreme Court

The morning read for Thursday, April 14

The morning read for Thursday, April 14

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Each weekday, we select a short list of news articles, commentary, and other noteworthy links related to the Supreme Court. To suggest a piece for us to consider, email us at roundup@scotusblog.com.

Here’s the Thursday morning read:

  • Thoughts on Vega v. Tekoh, the Pending Miranda Case Before SCOTUS: The Precedent Question (Orin S. Kerr, The Volokh Conspiracy)
  • Religious Freedom in Prisons and the Military (Michael C. Dorf, Verdict)
  • A new Supreme Court case makes George W. Bush look like
… Read the rest
Supreme Court

The Shakespeare docket: Breyer hears argument on tricks, trysts, and defamation

The Shakespeare docket: Breyer hears argument on tricks, trysts, and defamation

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Presiding over the Corte Suprema di Cassazione on Monday night, Justice Stephen Breyer took the bench for his last case as a 16th century judge before his planned retirement this summer. The spring mock trial at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, “A Hero Defamed? Much Ado About Margaret,” brought before his court a challenge between maid and mistress.

The plaintiff, Hero, was the governor’s daughter on a seaside city in Sicily, and she was engaged to marry the young soldier … Read the rest