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In a year of mixed court rulings in the field of human rights and anti-terrorism law, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia delivered a well-earned bright spot recently. The Court upheld the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Final Rule enforcing Dodd-Frank Section 1502.

The victims of the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash were probably stunned to learn that, unlike U.S. pilots, foreign airline pilots who crash a plane on U.S. soil do not have to be drug or alcohol tested.

In the course of 30 years of practicing law I have never seen a corporate defendant backpedal on an agreed-to settlement to the extent BP is attempting to do in the Deepwater Horizon Economic and Property Damages Class Action Settlement. BP still doesn’t understand the law or the facts of this case.

Victims of air disasters must be very mindful of statutes of limitations (SOL) – deadlines by which they must act or some of their claims or rights may be lost. An often overlooked deadline is the deadline by which notice must be given to a city, county or state in which you have a claim. Some deadlines allow only a few months to give notice of a claim.

The rights of victims of an air disaster can be complicated and overwhelming due to many factors, including when international aviation disasters occur. These are some reminders to keep in mind regarding victims’ rights.

Serious injuries and death can easily occur in vacation rentals that have not been properly inspected, maintained or operated. Without proper maintenance and inspection, that inviting pool or hidden gas-powered appliance can suddenly become a silent and deadly killer from carbon monoxide.

One in five employees surveyed was aware of financial manipulation in his/her own company in the last 12 months. Of those asked, 42 percent of board directors and senior managers said that sales or costs had been manipulated at their companies.

There was a rush to pop champagne corks and declare complete victory by corporations facing current or potential litigation under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.

The devastating chemical explosion that occurred last night in West, Tex., at Adair Grain’s DBA West Fertilizer Company plant reminds me of not only the importance of workplace safety but also the tremendous gratitude we owe to first responders such as our communities’ firefighters.

Every asbestos victim’s story is unique and has the ability to inspire. Today, we had the great privilege of helping to share a special story that is building upon the strength of the asbestos community while honoring the life of an honorable man whose mission was to save lives.