USA Archive - Law Commentary

Priscilla Presley and her granddaughters, Riley Keough and a sibling, attend an event, dressed in formal black attire.

Priscilla Presley Reaches Settlement Over Late Daughter’s Trust That Named Her Granddaughter, Riley Keough, as Beneficiary

The famous: they’re just like us, and love to fight in court. With the Elvis Presley legacy at stake, Priscilla Presley petitioned the court in January to overturn her late daughter’s trust. Now, Ms. Presley has reached a settlement agreement in her petition challenging her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley’s,... Read More about Priscilla Presley Reaches Settlement Over Late Daughter’s Trust That Named Her Granddaughter, Riley Keough, as Beneficiary

A woman with gray hair and glasses, appearing emotional with her hands clasped in front of her mouth, sits in a courtroom setting.

Appeals Court Orders Parole for Manson Family Member Despite Governor’s Denial

When she was 19, Leslie Van Houten became a member of the notorious Manson Family. After a year of living under the drug-fueled and manipulative influence of their cult leader, she and three other Family members murdered Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. She was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder... Read More about Appeals Court Orders Parole for Manson Family Member Despite Governor’s Denial

Tennessee state legislature in session, with lawmakers discussing health benefits policies.

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Tennessee Health Benefits Program Discriminates Against Transgender Individuals

A federal lawsuit brought forward by a worker for the state of Tennessee and a former special education teacher accuses the state’s health benefit program of discriminating against transgender individuals. The lawsuit was filed by Gerda Zinner, 30, and Story VanNess, 38 on May 24, 2023. Both plaintiffs take issue... Read More about Federal Lawsuit Alleges Tennessee Health Benefits Program Discriminates Against Transgender Individuals

Arby’s restaurant sign against a blue sky with clouds.

Family of Woman Locked in Arby’s Freezer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Arby’s parent company, Turbo Restaurant LLC, and the franchise owners of the New Iberia Arby’s restaurant after their loved one passed away while locked in the restaurant's commercial walk-in freezer. Sixzty-three-year-old Nguyet Le was assigned to work as a temporary manager... Read More about Family of Woman Locked in Arby’s Freezer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Crowd gathered near the site of an apartment building collapse in Davenport, Iowa, holding a sign that reads "Davenport deserves better."

At Least Two Residents Still Missing After Iowa Apartment Collapse

Four days after a six-story Davenport, Iowa, apartment building collapsed, authorities continue to search for potential survivors while weighing when and how they will demolish the building. The May 28 collapse took down a main portion of the building's interior apartment complexes. And although city officials have not announced any... Read More about At Least Two Residents Still Missing After Iowa Apartment Collapse

Document titled "Employee Termination" with glasses and a pen resting on it.

Fired Employee Can’t Collect Unpaid Wages Due to His Profit-Sharing Compensation

In most cases, a fired employee can collect wages for work performed prior to termination. But if that employee is enrolled in the company’s profit-sharing plan, no payment needs to be made. An appeal by a scientist at Mad Science Laboratories affirmed the trial court’s decision that the man will... Read More about Fired Employee Can’t Collect Unpaid Wages Due to His Profit-Sharing Compensation

A young woman sitting on grass with a graduation sash featuring the Mexican flag on one side and the American flag on the other, smiling at the camera.

Colorado High Schooler Defied Ruling That Banned Her Mexican Heritage Sash at Graduation

A Colorado school district told a high school senior that she could not wear a sash that displayed both the Mexican and American flags to her graduation. She sued. A federal judge agreed with the school district. On May 27, she wore it anyway. And no one tried to stop... Read More about Colorado High Schooler Defied Ruling That Banned Her Mexican Heritage Sash at Graduation

Exterior view of a Wells Fargo branch building.

Wells Fargo Agrees to $1 Billion Settlement in Shareholder Class Action

Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to end a shareholder class action connected to the financial institution’s fake account scandals. The settlement aims to resolve claims that Wells Fargo defrauded shareholders by overstating how much progress it had made toward fixing the unlawful practices... Read More about Wells Fargo Agrees to $1 Billion Settlement in Shareholder Class Action

A person using a mobile phone receiving a call labeled "Marketing Corp" while sitting at a desk with a laptop.

49 Attorneys General Sue Major Robocall Company

It’s 6:00 in the morning. Your phone rings and wakes you up. You answer it because you think anyone who calls you at that hour needs to speak with you urgently about something important. The caller, however, asks you if you want to buy a new warranty on your car. ... Read More about 49 Attorneys General Sue Major Robocall Company

Pork products being processed in a meatpacking facility, with workers in protective attire in the background.

Supreme Court OKs California’s Ban on Importing Cruelly Raised Pork Products

Voters enacted a ballot proposition called Californians Against Cruelty, Cages and Fraud with 63% of the vote in 2018. It requires all “veal calves, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens” to be housed in cage-free environments with adequate floor space that allows them to “lie down, stand up, fully extend (their)... Read More about Supreme Court OKs California’s Ban on Importing Cruelly Raised Pork Products

Art gallery showcasing Andy Warhol's iconic portraits of Marilyn Monroe.

Supreme Court Rules 2016 Warhol Images of Prince Violated Copyright Laws, Planting Seeds for an Upcoming Onslaught of AI Artwork

The Supreme Court ruled that the 2016 publication of an Andy Warhol illustration of Prince violated photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s copyright. The copyright violation was against the Andy Warhol Foundation (AWL). The Warhol/Prince copyright case focused on “fair use” in copyright law, which allows the licensed usage of copyrighted artwork (or... Read More about Supreme Court Rules 2016 Warhol Images of Prince Violated Copyright Laws, Planting Seeds for an Upcoming Onslaught of AI Artwork

Statue of Father Junipero Serra outside a historic building, with a woman taking a photograph.

City May Remove Statue of Controversial Priest Father Junipero Serra

Saint Junipero Serra, a Catholic priest of Spanish descent, was known as the “Father of California Missions.” As a result of his leadership, throughout the 18th century, missions spanned the area then known as New Spain, which was then part of Mexico. The City of Ventura, like other municipalities, honored... Read More about City May Remove Statue of Controversial Priest Father Junipero Serra

McDonald’s Liable for Child’s Burns From Hot Chicken McNuggets

Back in 1994, McDonald’s lost a products liability case after a 79-year-old woman spilled coffee in her lap and suffered second-degree burns. The case, which originally was set to cost the fast food giant $2.7 million, sparked a national debate about frivolous lawsuits and the need for tort reform. The... Read More about McDonald’s Liable for Child’s Burns From Hot Chicken McNuggets

Flag depicting "Immigration Title 42" in front of a government building.

Title 42 Has Expired: What’s Next for U.S. Immigration?

Last week, the Trump-era immigration policy known as Title 42 expired, potentially opening the door to a new wave of immigration to the United States. The Biden administration has worked to impose new policies aimed at easing the burden on the immigration system, measures which have provoked criticism on both... Read More about Title 42 Has Expired: What’s Next for U.S. Immigration?

A couple posing for a selfie near the water, smiling together.

SC Widow Files Lawsuit After His New Bride Is Killed by a Drunk Driver

A South Carolina widower has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a drunk driver and several establishments after his bride was killed just minutes after the couple left their wedding ceremony. On April 28th, Aric Hutchinson was leaving the venue of his wedding reception at Folly Beach with his new... Read More about SC Widow Files Lawsuit After His New Bride Is Killed by a Drunk Driver