Chris Rizo News
Congressman seeks GAO probe of asbestos trusts
Smith WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, the leading Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, on Thursday asked the director of the Government Accountability Office to investigate the secrecy behind trusts created to pay asbestos-related claims against bankrupt companies.
Legal reformers want to derail lawsuit lending bill
Hoffman SPRINGFIELD (Legal Newsline)—Legal reformers in Illinois say they are counting on the state House of Representatives to quash a bill they say would help trial lawyers file more lawsuits.
Survey: Madison County courts among the most unfair in the nation
Rickard Madison County is one of the most unfair state court jurisdictions in the nation, a survey of top corporate lawyers and business executives indicates.
Murnane: Illinois med-mal caps bill likely to die
Murnane SPRINGFIELD (Legal Newsline)-Illinois lawmakers will not likely give voters the opportunity -- at least this year -- to allow the General Assembly to adopt caps on medical malpractice awards, a leading tort reform advocate said.
Durbin gets big bucks from trial lawyers
Durbin WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team, has raked in big bucks this year from trial lawyers and their political action committees, campaign finance disclosures indicate.
U.S. SC ruling could limit forum shopping by trial lawyers
Murnane WASHINGTON - A U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week could put a damper on the trial lawyer practice of filing lawsuits, particularly class actions, in vaguely related jurisdictions where judges are seen as plaintiff-friendly.
Pawlenty calls for medical malpractice reform
Pawlenty ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-Changing the way medical malpractice cases are handled would be a "commonsense" way to help bring down skyrocketing U.S. health care costs, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said.
Tobacco companies seek Supreme Court review of racketeering verdict
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON - Three major tobacco companies are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a racketeering verdict against cigarette makers over the marketing of so-called light cigarettes.
Report: Illinois faces worst pension funding gap among states
WASHINGTON - U.S. states have a collective funding gap of at least $1 trillion to provide the retirement benefits they have promised to public-sector employees, a national report issued Thursday said.
Illinois AG would be state's No. 2 under proposed change
Jason Plummer SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan would be second in line to succeed the governor under a proposal by the Democrat's powerful father, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
State AGs predict uptick in home foreclosures this year
WASHINGTON - The nation's foreclosure crisis is worsening despite federal efforts to help Americans save their homes, a dozen state attorneys general said Wednesday.
Democrats could have tough electoral road ahead
Murnane WASHINGTON - In an epic political upset Tuesday night, a Republican won the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by liberal icon Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts - something that political observers say could signal danger for Democrats nationally.
Trial bar seeks to expand liability, end arbitration clauses
Tarricone WASHINGTON - The national trial lawyers group outlined its 2010 legislative agenda Monday, announcing that the group plans to take aim at mandatory arbitration clauses and push to expand civil liability, among other initiatives.
Madigan urges high court to reject effort to close Chicago locks
Madigan SPRINGFIELD - The U.S. Supreme Court should reject a multistate request to close the locks that connect Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Tuesday.
AG Madigan decries mortgage broker kickbacks
Madigan SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is among 15 state attorneys general asking the Federal Reserve to eliminate certain financial incentives for loan officers and mortgage brokers.
Madigan has FOIA enforcer in place
Madigan SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has tapped a senior aide to see to it that provisions of the state's Freedom of Information Act are followed by public agencies.
U.S. trial bar still searching for its next leader
WASHINGTON - The nation's trial lawyer group is still looking for a new leader, or so an Internet posting by a leading executive recruitment firm indicates.
CBO stands by estimate tort reform will save taxpayers billions
Elmendorf WASHINGTON - The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says it stands by its analysis that medial malpractice limits would save American taxpayers billions of dollars.
Poll: Americans divided over which party would fix health care
Reid (D) WASHINGTON - Americans are divided on whether to trust Democrats or Republicans to overhaul the nation's health care system, which critics say is fraught with waste and lawsuit abuse, a national poll indicates.
Obama: Senate to pass health care bill this month
Obama (D) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate will pass its health care overhaul bill this month, President Barack Obama said Sunday evening.