Friends in High Places: The recent opening of Justice Potter Stewart's papers at Yale University Library offer some insight on the life of an important "swing vote" who served on the high court from 1958 to 1981, Tony Mauro reports. The papers, Mauro writes, chart the trajectory of long-standing relationships that help identify the powerful place justices occupy in Washington.
Prius Recall Litigation: More than a dozen consumer actions over Toyota's Prius hybrid cars, separate from the multidistrict litigation pending against Toyota over sudden acceleration, could be consolidated before a single judge in the coming weeks, Amanda Bronstad writes. Most of the cases involve allegations that drivers experienced problems stopping or slowing on rough or wet roads in 2010 Prius and Lexus HS 250h hybrids.
Federal Sentencing Review: Marcia Coyle takes a look at the U.S. Justice Department's request that the U.S. Sentencing Commission investigate federal sentencing disparities with special attention to guidelines for fraud and child pornography crimes. The department called for a "comprehensive review" of federal sentencing in its most recent annual report to the commission on June 28. Sentencing experts say it may be something the commission does not want to examine too closely.
Booze Brawl: Trade associations and lobbyists for alcohol manufacturers such as MillerCoors, Anheuser-Busch, Heineken and Diageo are fighting over a bill that would bolster the ability of states to regulate alcohol and make it more difficult to challenge state alcohol laws in court, Carrie Levine reports. The National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America are pushing for the bill. Drink manufacturers want the legislation squelched.
White-Collar's New World: The National Law Journal this week examines the new era of white-collar enforcement in a special report. Three defense veterans--W. Neil Eggleston, William McLucas and F. Joseph Warin--give their insight on dealing with the enforcement arm of the Obama administration. Featured articles include: circuits are split over securities fraud sentencing and the FCPA has no national security exemption.
Inadmissible: Trial lawyers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce square off over taxes. The Jay Bybee deposition. The U.S. Supreme Court cafeteria. Vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and more. Click here for this week's Inadmissible.
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