Legal
Trump administration defends travel ban in Supreme Court brief
President Donald Trump's administration reiterated arguments defending its temporary travel ban in a filing with the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, repeatedly citing the executive's broad powers to exclude foreigners from the United States. Full Article
Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chief, drops legal team
Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, has tapped a new legal team to represent him as government lawyers examine possible Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, his spokesman Jason Maloni said. Full Article
Taylor Swift gives unvarnished courtroom account of alleged groping
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, known for baring her soul and her grudges in her music, presented an unflinching account under oath and in open court of her allegation that a Colorado DJ groped her while they posed for photos together four years ago. Full Article
Recent Legal News
U.S. government seeks comments for fuel-economy standards review
DETROIT The U.S. government is seeking public comments for a review of tough U.S. vehicle fuel-efficiency standards put in place by the Obama administration, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday.
Uber investor sues to force former CEO Kalanick off board
SAN FRANCISCO Venture capital firm Benchmark Capital is suing former Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick to force him off the board of the ride services company and rescind his ability to fill three board seats, according to the lawsuit.
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules fee on cigarettes unconstitutional
Oklahoma's Supreme Court declared a fee on cigarettes unconstitutional on Thursday, citing faulty lawmaking practices, prompting the state's governor to suggest calling back the legislature to find a solution to replace the lost revenue.
Trump EPA lags behind in environmental enforcement: report
WASHINGTON During the first six months of the Trump presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency has lagged behind three previous administrations in environmental enforcement, collecting 60 percent less in civil penalties from polluters, a report released on Thursday said.
KeystoneXL opponents vow long fight as Nebraska hearing concludes
LINCOLN, Neb. Opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline vowed on Thursday to block construction of the controversial project if Nebraska regulators approve the proposed route later this year.
U.S. judge deals blow to Texas 'sanctuary' city law
AUSTIN, Texas A U.S. district judge in Austin has rejected an effort by Texas to have a law that would punish so-called sanctuary cities be declared constitutional ahead of the measure taking effect next month.
Labor group files complaint against Anbang Insurance
A U.S. labor union group has filed a complaint against Anbang Insurance Group and three of its hotel operators, saying the China-based insurer failed to provide information about its ownership and sources of financing.
Woman fired after being pregnant at wedding may sue NYC synagogue
NEW YORK A Manhattan Jewish congregation known as the oldest in the United States must face a lawsuit claiming it illegally fired a employee after learning she was 19 weeks pregnant when she married, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.
Chipotle closes Dallas restaurant seen in viral rodent video
LOS ANGELES Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc on Thursday said it has closed the Dallas restaurant where a diner shot video of rodents crawling on the restaurant floor that was widely shared on the internet three weeks ago.
Akzo Nobel wins again in court battle with hedge fund Elliott
AMSTERDAM Akzo Nobel does not have to let shareholders vote on whether to dismiss its chairman, a Dutch court ruled on Thursday, handing the paint company another victory in its battle with activist investor Elliott Advisors.
Judge tosses 53 plaintiffs' claims against J&J; over Risperdal
Johnson & Johnson has convinced a federal judge that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling requires the dismissal of claims in Missouri state court by 53 out-of-state plaintiffs over injuries they blame on the antipsychotic drugs Risperdal and Invega. Read more
Supreme Court to hear major case on political boundaries
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the U.S. Constitution limits how far lawmakers can go to redraw voting districts to favor one political party over another in a case that could have huge consequences for American elections. Full Article
Must DOJ lawyers follow state ethics rules? New Mexico asks SCOTUS to decide
In 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the Supreme Court of New Mexico over state ethics rules for lawyers. Like 30 other states, New Mexico had adopted a model American Bar Association rule that subjects prosecutors to disciplinary action if they subpoena lawyers to present evidence about their clients, except in the narrowest of circumstances. The Justice Department claimed the New Mexico rule was interfering with federal grand jury investigations because federal prosecutors