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Earlier this month, California Superior Court Judge James P. Kleinberg issued his Statement of Decision in The People of the State of California v. Atlantic Richfield, et al.

In a two-to-one decision, Judge Davis and Judge Dennis wrote a 48-page opinion that confirmed the actions by Judge Barbier in certifying the settlement as a class under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In the opinion, the 5th Circuit addressed the constitutional issues that had been raised concerning the causation provisions of the settlement agreement.

On December 10th the United Nations and the world will celebrate the 63rd annual Human Rights Day. Motley Rice recognizes this annual celebration that commemorates the adoption by the United Nations in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A Supreme Court affirmation of the Fifth Circuit decision in Roland likely will mean that we will see more Ponzi-related class claims brought under state law.

In July 2013, the U.S. Senate designated September as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month. This new annual month focus brings awareness for individuals that suffer from the effects of spinal cord injuries and allows for further education, injury prevention and an understanding of the importance of medical treatment and spinal cord research.

More than two years have passed since the launch of a new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblower program established by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act – a program that offers a bounty of 10 to 30 percent of recovered sanctions to whistleblowers that significantly assist an SEC investigation, along with increased protections from employer retaliation. Since that time, the SEC has issued only two awards to whistleblowers.

On Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, an 80-year ban on general solicitation will be lifted, allowing companies to advertise private securities offerings to investors of all kinds without having to register the offering with the SEC or any state so long as certain requirements are met.

As American citizens spent yesterday honoring the memory of the brave souls who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it was very disheartening and outright offensive that BP sought to use Sept. 11th to again attack our judicial system.

It is vitally important that everyone help to spread the word about the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund deadline to insure maximum participation by first responders and other volunteers that are eligible.

The easiest answer to that question is also the simplest: If you haven’t heard of the airline you are about to book, perhaps it’s better to step back and search for an airline you HAVE heard of. However, there are some places where you simply can’t get on a main-line carrier from a developed nation.