Posts tagged Rants and Raves

• Jury Service

  Staff Writer | August 02, 2006 1:32 PM | 1 CommentPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Yesterday, the East Valley Tribune editorial department wrote an opinion piece addressing a recent challenge to Maricopa County jury selection procedures adopted in February of this year. Recently, the Maricopa County judiciary modified its jury selection procedures to make it more likely for jurors to be chosen for service at a court within a close geographic proximity to their home. Court...

• Abusive Litigation Tactics

  Staff Writer | May 26, 2006 3:44 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  I must preface this entry and my remarks by saying that my source of information comes exclusively from a newspaper account and by briefly reviewing a judge's order known as a minute entry. However, the facts in the newspaper story and in the judge's discussion of the events have led me to point to this recent case as an example of conduct which gives our profession a bad name. A Maricopa...

• Insurer and Its Attorneys Sanctioned in 9/11 Litigation

  Staff Writer | June 25, 2007 10:41 AM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  In an unfortunate series of events, recently two law firms and an insurance company client involved in coverage litigation concerning the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy have been sanctioned a total sum of $1.25 million dollars. The judge sanctioned these parties for failing to disclose various key documents concerning applicability of insurance coverage and other discovery abuses which...

• Industry Lobbyist Withdraws Nomination to Head Consumer Product Safety Commission

  Staff Writer | May 24, 2007 1:19 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Based upon increasing public pressure, yesterday lobbyist Michael Baroody removed his name from consideration to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In another post, I questioned whether a lobbyist for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) should head an organization which has conflicting objectives. The National Association of Manufacturers lobbies on behalf of many...

• Remembering Crime Victims

  Staff Writer | April 23, 2007 5:00 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Today marks the start of the National Crime Victims Rights Week highlighting the rights of crime victims to be treated fairly with dignity and compassion. This morning, Governor Napolitano delivered a speech kicking off a week of activities designed to highlight the needs of crime victims. In the past, crime victims did not receive sufficient information about the status of a criminal case. ...

• Should Arizona Ban Drivers from Using Cellphones?

  Staff Writer | March 22, 2007 11:13 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Automobile Accidents
  

  According to an article in today's Arizona Daily Star a citizens group wants to place on the next election ballot an initiative to outlaw cellphone use while driving in order to lower risks of automobile accidents: An initiative drive launched Wednesday would make it illegal for drivers to talk on their phones unless they are using a hand-free headset. Violators would be subject to a $100 fine;...

• America On-Line Version of Tort Reform Incomplete and Inaccurate

  Staff Writer | March 06, 2007 7:04 AM | 2 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  Today I discovered an interesting and entertaining page on the America On Line web site. Discussing so-called frivolous lawsuits, America On-Line lists as news several lawsuits without real attribution or legitimate discussion about corporate accountability for wrongdoing. Setting aside the issue of whether these lawsuits are in fact real or a political effort to encourage tort reform...

• New Proposal to Limit Public Access to Vehicle Safety Data Bad for Consumers

  Staff Writer | January 12, 2007 12:15 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Defective & Dangerous Products
  

  Shopping for a new car and want to compare details about past vehicle warranty-related problems before making your final buying decision? Do you want to look at available accident-related safety reports and determine which make and model of vehicle performed safest? Well according to a recent article in the San Fransisco Chronicle, a new proposal from the National Highway Safety Administration...

• Consumer Credit Freeze Proposal Good for Arizona

  Staff Writer | January 09, 2007 12:26 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  On Sunday, January 7, 2007, Linda Valdez, a columnist from the Arizona Republic urged the legislature to pass a bill allowing people to "put a freeze on their credit reports" as a way to minimize risk of identity theft. According to the Republic columnist, a credit freeze means that no one can access your credit information without your express permission. Consequently, no one can get a loan...

• Over 100 Million Identity Theft Victims since 2005

  Staff Writer | December 16, 2006 4:26 PM | 0 CommentsPhoenix, AZ Category: Miscellaneous
  

  The most recent theft of personal data occurred this week when thieves stole a laptop computer containing unencrypted personal and confidential data concerning about 382,000 current and former employees of the Boeing Corporation. According to an online article in Infoworld, the United States hosts a huge number of prospective victims of identity theft, That disclosure pushed the total number of...