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Court throws out Chiquita terror payment claims
Attorney News |
2014/07/28 13:36
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A divided federal appeals court on Thursday threw out claims potentially worth billions of dollars against produce giant Chiquita Brands International made by relatives of thousands of Colombians killed during years of bloody civil war.
A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that federal courts have no jurisdiction over the Colombian claims. The lawsuits accused Chiquita of assisting in the killings by paying $1.7 million to a violent right-wing paramilitary group known as the AUC, the Spanish acronym for United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.
Chiquita, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly operated large banana plantations in Colombia through its Banadex subsidiary. Chiquita insists it was the victim of extortion and was forced to pay the AUC or face violence directed at its employees and assets in Colombia.
The majority cited a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Kiobel vs. Royal Dutch Petroleum that imposed limits on attempts by foreigners to use U.S. courts to seek damages against corporations for human rights abuses abroad. Chiquita had insisted that ruling meant the Colombians' lawsuit had to be tossed out.
"We are gratified that the U.S. Court of Appeals has now agreed with us and the claims have been dismissed," said Chiquita spokesman Ed Loyd in an email statement. "The decision reinforces what Chiquita has maintained from the beginning — that Chiquita is not responsible for the tragic violence that has plagued Colombia."
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2 ag-gag laws facing federal court challenges
Attorney News |
2014/07/21 16:00
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The years-long fight between farm organizations and animal rights activists over laws prohibiting secretly filmed documentation of animal abuse is moving from state legislatures to federal courts as laws in Utah and Idaho face constitutional challenges.
Half of U.S. states have attempted to pass so-called ag-gag laws, but only seven have been successful. Among them are Idaho, where this year's law says unauthorized recording is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, and Utah, whose 2012 law makes it a crime to provide false information to gain access to a farm. Both states now face separate but similarly worded lawsuits that say the measures violate federal statutes offering whistleblower protections and free-speech guarantees.
Farm organizations and livestock producers say ag-gag laws are aimed at protecting their homes and businesses from intruders, and some plan to use social media to assure the public they have nothing to hide. But animal rights groups, free-speech activists and investigative journalists want to throw out the laws because they say the secrecy puts consumers at higher risk of food safety problems and animals at higher risk of abuse.
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Montana court sends wind farm clash to California
Attorney News |
2014/07/21 16:00
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A dispute over a Montana wind farm's potential to harm nearby nesting eagles and other birds should be heard in California, the Montana Supreme Court said Friday, in an opinion that deals a legal setback to the project's developers.
The legal row over the Rim Rock wind farm near Cut Bank began last year, when San Diego Gas & Electric accused developer NaturEner of concealing the possibility that eagles and other birds could be harmed by the 126-turbine project.
NaturEner, whose parent company is based in Spain, filed a competing lawsuit in Montana. Its attorneys alleged SDG&E was trying to get out of an unfavorable contract and using the eagle issue as an excuse.
The Rim Rock wind farm is near an area with seven golden eagle nests and Montana's densest concentration of ferruginous hawks. Under federal law, a take permit is required for activities that could injure, kill or otherwise harm protected birds such as eagles.
SDG&E alleges federal officials recommended to NaturEner that the wind farm needed such a permit. NaturEner has denied the claim.
Montana District Judge Brenda Gilbert ruled in May that the case should be heard in Montana because of Rim Rock's importance to the economies of Glacier and Toole counties. She also issued an injunction requiring the utility to pay NaturEner nearly $2 million a month. |
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Houston Texas Personal Injury Lawyers - Salazar Firm
Attorney News |
2014/07/15 13:38
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Accidents are always occurring, and this means that personal injuries of all kinds, including automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, defective product accidents, medical malpractice, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death, are happening every day. When victims or the families of victims contact the Salazar Law Firm, they are extremely traumatized and looking for someone who will bring justice to the situation. Often they or their loved one’s have been hurt because of another’s negligence or carelessness. We aggressively pursue compensation from these responsible parties to get our clients their deserved compensation.
You can find pages on our website that provide details on the following Personal Injury subcategories:
18-Wheeler Accidents
Auto Accidents & Insurance Claims
Catastrophic Injury
Class Actions
Motorcycle Accidents
Product Liability
Wrongful Death
Personal injuries are extremely stressful for victims and their families. Both victims with major and minor injuries are going to have many questions when trying to get compensation for their accident. Our attorneys can guide you during this difficult time and hold the right parties responsible for damages done to you. Call today to set up a free consultation with our Houston personal injury team. |
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Rita White - Canton Criminal Lawyer Services
Attorney News |
2014/05/20 11:57
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Our criminal defense lawyers handle all types of criminal law cases, including but not limited to:
Drug crimes
Violent crimes
Sex crimes
White collar crimes
Juvenile crimes
DUI
Whether you're facing a traffic infraction or federal crime arrest, we are prepared to litigate your case. Our attorneys will serve and offer you ongoing support. You will receive a fair trial and your defense will be presented as strongly as possible. Our legal team will do all of the following to ensure your fair trial:
Carefully investigate your case to uncover evidence
Interview all parties involved, including police
Bring in witnesses, when appropriate, to testify on your behalf
Present you with defense options to help you combat your charges
Negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges or sentence reduced, if possible
If you've been recently charged with a crime, turn to the Law Office of Rita O. White for your Canton Criminal Lawyer Service needs. |
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Fred Meissner - Phoenix, Arizona Tax Lawyer Services
Attorney News |
2014/05/16 14:58
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With our extensive experience, we help private company clients and small businesses determine the structure of their new enterprise in a way that allows them to achieve their goal while reducing costs and minimizing tax burden. We counsel and form the following:
- Incorporating business entities
- Corporation-shareholder transactions (including dividends and redemptions)
- Employment and deferred compensatory arrangements (including stock options, severance plans and equity incentive arrangements)
- Tax favorable alternatives for entity liquidation and dissolution
We also provide tax planning services and advise on certain tax aspects, including but not limited to:
- Taxable and tax-free reorganizations
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate divisional transactions (including spin-offs and split-ups of corporate lines of businesses or assets)
- Real estate transactions
- Bankruptcy and insolvency workouts for financially-troubled businesses
- Tax-oriented limited partnership or LLC offerings
- Litigation settlement awards
We charge reasonable fees and offer free initial consultations.Contact the Law Offices of Frederick W. Meissner for all your tax service needs.
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