A Boy and His Dog was a mid-1970’s science fiction movie set in the rubble of the U.S. destroyed by nuclear war. It features a young Don Johnson and his telepathic dog. The title is fetching. The film–while flawed and violent–is darkly comic and memorable. I’m reminded of the… Continue Reading →
This is an update on our case, Bixby v. KBR, U.S. District Court Case No. CV 09-632-PK (D. Or.). In the case, soldiers serving in the Oregon National Guard claim that KBR defendants are responsible for their exposures to hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing toxic chemical. The soldiers claim that KBR… Continue Reading →
It’s official. Justice Stevens announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court effective the end of this term. Court watchers have been speculating for a while that this would happen. Here is one of many news reports. I’m taken by this quote from the linked MSNBC report… Continue Reading →
For those of us in the trenches representing consumers in class actions, it’s always nice to find good information resources in the law blog world. I’ve stopped by the Complex Litigator a few times. I only caught this post on a consumer class against Wells Fargo because… Continue Reading →
Sex abuse is one of those challenging areas where lawyers have to tread. I have handled several civil cases for sex abuse victims over the years. They’re tough. The victims lives are often trashed. The amount of denial and levels to which some will go to protect predators is horrifying. Continue Reading →
I haven’t seen the complaint yet, but multiple media reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Justice filed a False Claims Act case against KBR, Inc. and its subcontractors over allegedly improper bills for security in Iraq. Here is the CNN report. I’m taken… Continue Reading →
Here is a disturbing CNN report on threats of violence and acts of vandalism triggered by heated rhetoric of the health care reform debate. I have to say that I’m especially troubled by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and his smug admission that this is all melodrama. Thanks,… Continue Reading →
The Hank Skinner execution is slated to take place today in Texas. My criminal defense pals who frequent Twitter pointed out the problem with this case. Most notably, there hasn’t been DNA testing of evidence in the DA’s possession. Interestingly, by pushing forward without DNA testing the State of… Continue Reading →
It took less than 24 hours for various states’ attorneys general to start the saber rattling. Apparently, at least 10 states are lining up to litigate constitutional challenges to the historic passage of health care reform. The talking points memo was apparently released early. My understanding from a casual… Continue Reading →
Our toxic exposure case for Oregon National Guard vets exposed to sodium dichromate at the Qarmat Ali facility in Iraq continues. The case is against Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) and its various offshoots. Background: Link to NBC Nightly News story and reflections on the case here. … Continue Reading →