For the first time, GOP women join Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON – For the first time in the history of the Senate, Republican women are joining the Judiciary Committee, a powerful panel that processes nominees for the Supreme Court and engages in contentious debates over abortion and immigration. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will be on the committee, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s […]
Senators discuss protecting women from gun violence
Elvin Daniel is helping to raise his sister Zina’s children because she is no longer around to take care of them. “Every happy milestone is now covered in sadness,” he said. “Mother’s Day is now a day to survive, rather than celebrate because we know that Zina isn’t here to watch over her girls. She […]
Sentencing reform bill moves to Senate Floor
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed a bill that would significantly lower mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses and allow judges to use more discretion when determining sentences for non-violent drug offenses. The committee also voted to add two new mandatory minimum sentences for sexual assault crimes. The American Civil Liberties Union supports […]
Senate committee reviews proposals
The airing of concerns is underway on proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, designed to reduce costs and delays. Among the biggest concern witnesses testified about during a congressional hearing Tuesday had to do with proportionality, a change that would narrow the scope of discovery to what is proportional to the needs […]
Senators bicker over state stand your ground laws
WASHINGTON — Trayvon Martin’s mother told a panel of senators Tuesday that state stand your ground self-defense laws do not work and must be amended, reviving the politically charged gun control issue. Democrats who hold majority power in the Senate and are trying to keep it supported Sybrina Fulton’s call. Republicans, led by Sen. Ted […]
Senate hears call for federal sentencing reform
Growing federal prison populations and related costs are not sustainable, according to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, who Wednesday called on his committee to work together to reform the system. “Fiscal responsibility demands it,” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said. “Justice demands it.” Leahy made it clear he believes some offenders deserve […]
Senate committee OKs 3 judicial nominees
WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved three of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees, including one for an influential appeals court, for a full Senate vote. Senators voted 18-0 to move forward with nomination of Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, considered the second most […]
Senators look at antitrust enforcement
Preserving competition is in the best interest of consumers, senators agree, but they question how antitrust laws are enforced. “Vigilant antitrust enforcement means more money in the pockets of American consumers,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., chair of the Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. “It means identifying and preventing com[...]
Holder promises more openness on nat’l security
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder promised the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the Obama administration will share more information with Congress and the American people about national security policies, particularly the government’s use of drone strikes. Holder’s comments came at a hearing where both Democratic and Republican senators said they must have access [&hellip[...]
Senators clash over need to ban assault weapons
WASHINGTON — Recent mass shootings like the massacre of first-graders and staffers at a Connecticut elementary school and the increasing deadliness of assault weapons makes a ban on those firearms more urgent than ever, the Senate author of a proposal to prohibit them said Wednesday. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., made the remark as the Senate […]
Subcommittee focuses on bankruptcy, courts
The Senate Judiciary Committee has created a new subcommittee focused on federal courts and the bankruptcy litigation system. The new Subcommittee on Bankruptcy and the Courts is one of the new subgroups created by splitting up the former Administrative Oversight and the Courts Subcommittee. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., named chairman of the new subcommittee, said […]
Panel splits in advancing Cuomo court nominee
ALBANY — The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of a New York City law professor to the state’s highest court, but only after many Republican senators faulted Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s choice for limited experience as a trial lawyer and judge. Chairman John Bonacic, a Middletown Republican, says he’ll forward Jenny Rivera’s name […]
Case Digests
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Review of another judge’s actions: Opinion 22-153
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Charitable contributions: Opinion 22-150
- Second Circuit – Class action settlement: Moses v. The New York Times Company
- Fourth Department – Breach of contract: Hausrath Landscape Maintenance Inc. v. Caravan Facilities Management LLC
- Second Circuit – New York Child Victim’s Act: Kane v. Mount Pleasant CSD; Coe v. Eastport Union Free School
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Appointing law clerk: Opinion 22-149
- Fourth Department – Bill of particulars: Harris v. Rome Memorial Hospital, et al.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Accusations against co-judge: Opinion 22-148
- Fourth Department – Medicaid: Washington Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Home v. NYS Dept. of Health
- Fourth Department – Criminal possession of a firearm: People v. Wilson
- Fourth Department – Promoting prostitution: People v. Watts
- Second Circuit – Class certification: Arkansas Teachers Retirement System V. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Law News
- Fourth Department affirms $400K judgment in contract dispute
- Could legislation limiting non-compete agreements kick off a new era of workplace disputes?
- Fourth Department affirms decision in NY property dispute
- Greenlight Networks selects Buffalo-based attorney as general counsel
- Barclay Damon hires attorney Matt Smith
- Rochester man sues Geneseo police, alleging false arrest, assault
- The Daily Record’s Power List for Intellectual Property 2023
- NY ethics panel says judges can join NRA