Civil Law

Illinois Federal Court Dismisses One False Advertising Suit Based on Malic Acid, While Sustaining Another

A pair of malic acid decisions recently issued by Judge Coleman in the Northern District Court of Illinois reaffirmed that the statements “natural flavors with other natural flavors” and “no artificial flavors” receive different treatment under state false advertising laws, at least in that district.

In Boss v. Kraft Heinz Co., the plaintiffs alleged that Kraft Heinz’s MiO water-flavoring products contained synthetic malic acid, rendering false and misleading the claim “natural flavors with other natural flavors” on the products’ … Read the rest

Supreme Court

One police officer opens a car door, and another looks inside. Did they search without a warrant?

One police officer opens a car door, and another looks inside. Did they search without a warrant?

Share

The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

A police officer who opens a car door and looks inside, without permission, probable cause, or a search warrant, violates the Fourth Amendment’s ban on “unreasonable searches.” This week, we highlight cert petitions that ask the court to consider, among other things, whether two officers likewise commit a search when … Read the rest

Criminal Law

Trump v. Cohen Is Another Lawsuit About The Plaintiff-In-Chief Weaponizing Civil Litigation

On Wednesday former president Donald Trump sued his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen for more than $ 500 million in a federal court in Miami. The civil lawsuit accuses Cohen of violating his attorney-client relationship by testifying as a key witness before a Manhattan grand jury, revealing “confidences” and “spreading falsehoods” which resulted in Trump being charged on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Looking backwards from 2023 to 1973, Trump has been involved in more than 4.000 … Read the rest

Supreme Court

Another federal agency challenges adverse ruling by 5th Circuit

Another federal agency challenges adverse ruling by 5th Circuit

Share

The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

Next term the justices will hear the government’s appeal of a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that found the funding mechanism for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau unconstitutional. This week, we highlight cert petitions that ask the court to consider, among other things, whether … Read the rest

Supreme Court

Another gun case waits in the wings

Another gun case waits in the wings

Share

The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

On Thursday, the court issued its first major ruling on the Second Amendment in over a decade, striking down a New York gun regulation and holding that the right to bear arms extends outside the home. Fourteen years earlier, the court’s modern jurisprudence on guns began with the decision in … Read the rest

Supreme Court

Another follow-up from McGirt v. Oklahoma and a copyright dispute over an Icelandic song

Another follow-up from <em>McGirt v. Oklahoma</em> and a copyright dispute over an Icelandic song

Share

This week we highlight cert petitions that ask the Supreme Court to consider, among other things, the requirements for defendants to prove “Indian” status under the Major Crimes Act and the proper test for when two songs (here, “Soknudur” and “You Raise Me Up”) are substantially similar for copyright claims.

The requirements for “Indian” status under the Major Crimes Act

Oklahoma v. Wadkins presents the justices with the latest in a series of cases emerging out of their 2020 … Read the rest

Civil Law

One death confirmed, another under investigation in Pennsylvania hepatitis A outbreak; officials name restaurant

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health in Pennsylvania announced today the temporary closure of Gino’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in West Norriton in relation to a deadly hepatitis A virus outbreak.

County officials say the restaurant will be closed until further notice while the investigation continues.

Authorities believe the outbreak began in late November, and current data suggests that the outbreak “no longer presents a risk.” However, officials are continuing to look into the situation.

Per standard public health protocols, the county … Read the rest