Perhaps the biggest challenge facing the United States today is the issue of money in politics. Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Citizens United and McCutcheon cases, the money has flowed from all kinds …
Continue ReadingPublic Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year 2018
Public Justice’s Trial Lawyer of the Year award always takes me to interesting places to meet interesting people who have worked on important legal cases. This year was no different. And for the first time …
Continue ReadingCalifornia v. Atlantic Richfield – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Winner
Sometime in the 19th century, the medical community became aware of the damage that lead paint can cause to the developing brains of children. That did not stop paint companies from promoting and selling lead-based …
Continue ReadingIn re: Toyota – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee
As early as 2002, Toyota owners had complained of problems with sudden acceleration that resulted in accidents and injuries. Toyota had initially blamed drivers, then floor mats, and finally “sticky pedals,” while concealing the real …
Continue ReadingNew Hampshire v. Hess Corporation et al – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee – Jessica Grant
For more than twenty years, oil companies in the United Sates have added Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) to gasoline. MTBE can increase the octane number of gasoline. But it is also a known carcinogen …
Continue ReadingMelton v. General Motors – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee – Lance Cooper
In March 2010 Brooke Melton took her Chevy Cobalt in to the dealership because the car had lost power while she was driving it. The dealership looked at the car and found nothing wrong with …
Continue ReadingBookout v. Toyota – Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee
In September 2007 Jean Bookout was driving her Toyota Camry as her best friend Barbara Schwartz rode in the passenger seat. As the car exited a highway in Oklahoma, it accelerated unexpectedly, causing an accident in which Jean Bookout …
Continue ReadingPublic Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award
Public Justice, a D.C.-based nonprofit, works to “right wrongs” through public interest litigation. Each year the organization nominates five attorneys from across the country for their work in furthering public justice. This years’ nominees argued …
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