The Thomas-Rasset trial, discussed below, appears headed to the jury. Below are the jury instructions. Jury Instructions in Thomas-Rasset Copyright Case
A lawyer defending a deposition is well-advised to get it squared away, in advance, as to whether the deponent is a client. It bodes ill for an attorney-client privilege claim when the “client” has denied under oath that she is represented by the attorney. Under such circumstances, it should come as no great surprise that […]
A jury verdict in favor of 3M in a long-fought battle regarding claimed diminished property value due to groundwater contamination (perfluorooactonate, PFOA, a perfluorocarbon chemical used for many years in 3M products). (Pioneer Press coverage here.) The Denny Hecker bankruptcy makes the Strib front page with state investigator raids on offices and home amidst allegations […]
Plaintiff Marlyn Riley had a Cordis Corp. stent implanted in a coronary artery and, apparently, suffered a heart attack two years later when a blood clot formed at the site of the stent. The way the stent functions, it prevents build-up of new tissue on implantation by a slow release of medicine but, in doing […]
U.S. District Court Judge Anne Montgomery has ruled on an electronic discovery issue in a putative class action about materials used in brass plumbing fittings and alleged related property damage. (In re: Zurn Pex Plumbing Products Litigation, MDL No. 08-1958) Apparently the defendant successfully argued, initially, that electronic discovery would be onerous and that it […]
A new trial started today before United States Court Judge Richard Kyle, D. Minn., in a file-sharing case that has gotten nationwide attention. The defendant has new lawyers who’ve made the trip from Texas to go up against the recording companies (along with Minnesota local counsel). The Court ruled on a handful of pretrial motions […]
The Minnesota Supreme Court released its opinion today holding that Instant Runoff Voting as adopted in Minneapolis is not facially invalid under the United States or Minnesota Constitution.
All you wanted to know, and then some, about the Minnesota 2008 Senate Battle.
When the economy dives, frauds come to light (or, in Warren Buffett’s often-quoted more colorful language, “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who’s been swimming naked”). Therefore, today’s published Minnesota Court of Appeals decision broadening the reach of veil piercing beyond a corporation’s shareholders, officers, executives, or employees to reach any […]
Someone (Langlie) gets into a business deal with an old friend, Farr; Farr will contruct a residential home, on spec, which Langlie will fund and the two plan to split the proceeds upon sale of the property. Langlie is to fund the project, with Farr calling him periodically for cash draws to fund construction. Unfortunately […]