Judge: Southwest failed to follow order in free-speech case
DALLAS — A judge has sanctioned Southwest Airlines, writing that the airline twisted his words and disregarded his order in the case of a flight attendant who claimed that she was fired for expressing her opposition to abortion. U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr found Southwest in contempt for the way it explained the case to […]
Court: No lawsuit immunity for Michigan official who had rifle during online meeting
DETROIT (AP) — A lawsuit can go forward against a Michigan official who flashed a rifle during a public meeting over video conference, a federal appeals court said Wednesday. Patricia MacIntosh is suing Ron Clous, alleging he tried to silence her right to free speech when he displayed the rifle during a 2021 meeting of […]
Constitutional – Expression not chilled by school’s initial inquiry
A university did not restrict or chill students’ speech by seeking their response to complaints that they had harassed others. The students, who’d sought and obtained university approval for a campus “Free Speech Event,” met with an official to discuss allegations of sexism and racism at the event. After the meeting, the University concluded no […]
Inquiries into alleged harassment didn’t violate 1st Amendment
The University of South Carolina didn’t violate student groups’ First Amendment rights by making inquiries into harassment allegations after a rally for “free speech,” the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Aug. 16. The appeals court unanimously upheld the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina’s opinion that because the university approved […]
Constitutional – Free Speech – Charleston Tour Guides – Tourist Protection
Billups v. City of Charleston (Lawyers Weekly No. 002-147-17, 28 pp.) (David Norton, J.) 2:16-cv-00264; D.S.C. Holding: Even though a jury could find that Charleston’s requirement that tour guides pass a test and be licensed is the city’s way of ensuring that its preferred version of history is passed on to tourists, a jury […]
Constitutional – Free Speech – College Libertarians – Offended Students – Investigation – Amended Policies
Abbott v. Pastides (Lawyers Weekly No. 002-080-17, 23 pp.) (Margaret Seymour, S.J.) 3:16-cv-00538; D.S.C. Holding: When plaintiffs’ Young Americans for Liberty held a “Free Speech Event” on the University of South Carolina campus – the visual displays for which included the word “wet back” and a picture of a swastika – other students complained to […]
Civil Rights – Applicant Had No ‘Free Speech’ Right
Buxton v. Kurtinitis (Lawyers Weekly No. 001-151-17, 20 pp.) (Floyd, J.) No. 16-1826, July 7, 2017; USDC at Baltimore, Md. (Motz, J.) 4th Cir. Holding: Although the director of admissions for a community college radiation therapist program said plaintiff applicant “brought up religion a great deal during the interview” for admission to the program, plaintiff […]
Both sides dealt setback in tour guide free-speech lawsuit
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A federal judge has dealt both sides a setback in a free-speech challenge to a tour-guide licensing ordinance in historic Charleston. U.S. District Judge David Norton issued an order allowing the city to still enforce the ordinance but also denying a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed. The judge has set […]
Freedom to tell tales? Tour license dispute before judge
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The latest round in the controversy over licensing tour guides in historic cities is scheduled to play out in a federal courtroom in South Carolina. A judge holds a hearing Tuesday on a lawsuit challenging Charleston’s tour guide licensing ordinance. The suit contends requiring guides to have city licenses violates First […]
Charleston: Tour licenses regulate business, not free speech
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Attorneys say Charleston’s ordinance requiring tour guides to have a license has nothing to do with restricting freedom of speech but is about regulating business in the city. Three people asked a federal judge earlier this year to find the licensing requirement unconstitutional. Their lawsuit argues that granting tour licenses only […]
Civil Rights – Sign Ordinance Violates Free Speech
Central Radio Co. v. City of Norfolk, Va. (Lawyers Weekly No. 001-019-16, 24 pp.) (Keenan, J.) No. 13-1996, Jan. 29, 2016; On Remand from USSC; 4th Cir. Holding: The 4th Circuit says a city’s enforcement of its sign ordinance violated the free speech rights of a radio repair business that displayed a 375-square-foot protest banner […]
Fired public defender sues former boss
The working relationship between the head public defender and chief prosecutor in the state’s 9th Judicial Circuit has generated controversy, several ethics complaints, and now a new bombshell federal lawsuit.
Business Law
- Economy forces attorneys to get down to business
- Business Court judges trawl for customers
- Va. company's Web site did not subject business to personal jurisdiction in S.C., appeals panel rules
- Former running back from S.C. wins courtroom victory in contract dispute
- Contract – Government Contract – Qui Tam – False Claims Act
- Tort – Business Tort – Va. Computer Crimes Act – Trade Secrets
- Consumer Protection – FCRA – Auto Loan – Bank Accounting Errors
- Licenses & Permits – Beer & Wine Permit – Restrictive Covenant – Suitable Location
- Licenses & Permits – Veterinarian – Vaccine Maintenance
- State regulators look at car dealer accused of lying to customers
- Textile firm, railroad settle Graniteville train wreck lawsuit
- Subprime mortgage meltdown hits securities law
Commentary
- High court justices cross the line of propriety
- High court’s term was rough on big business
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Letter From The Editor – Working from Home
- NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes
- Supreme Court leaves key internet protection untouched
- US Supreme Court bites back at parody’s use of the First Amendment
- My goal: Provide the information that you need now
- Case study: North Carolina courts provide guidance on scope, limitations of attorney-client privilege
- A Different Ode to Pro Bono Work
- N.C. Bar Association embraces homophobia