Law Practice Fundamentals: It's as Simple as PI CLE Seminar | May 14, 2015, UNT School of Law, 1901 Main Street, Dallas, TX. Law Practice Fundamentals: It's as Simple as PI CLE Seminar is the ideal introduction for new entrants to the field or a refresher for seasoned practitioners. The TTLA Advocates Board of Directors has designed a program to get and keep your practice on track and successful. Learn essential how-to's and must-haves, practical tips, concepts and procedures from experienced practitioners who figured it out the hard way! An excellent program with exceptional speakers and invaluable networking opportunities make this a program you won't want to miss. Click on the headline to learn more. | 2015 Midyear Conference and CLE Seminar | Be Inspired'Litigation with Compassion, Competence, and Confidence, June 3-5, The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown 700 San Jacinto at 8th Street, Austin, TX. Earn up to 12.25 hours MCLE credit. Click on the headline to register. | Texas Tribune Daily Brief | | City of Los Angeles Sues Wells Fargo Over Fradulent Practices | | A lawsuit has been filed against Wells Fargo by the city of Los Angeles alleging that the bank has encouraged fraudulent business practices. The civil lawsuit was filed by the city on Tuesday and alleges that the bank's practices have "predictably and naturally, driven its bankers to engage in fraudulent behavior." The lawsuit cites Wells Fargo's "Going for Gr-eight" initiative which pushes for each customer to hold at least eight accounts with the bank. The lawsuit alleges that the bank took money from individuals' accounts to pay for fees from unauthorized accounts. Kaja Whitehouse, USA Today 05/05/2015 | Read Article: USA Today | Michael Brown Shooting Witness Files Lawsuit Against Ferguson | | A witness to the shooting of Ferguson resident Michael Brown has filed a lawsuit against the city. The plaintiff was walking with Brown when he was shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who was later cleared of criminal charges in the shooting. The lawsuit alleges that Wilson assaulted the plaintiff during the incident. According to the lawsuit, the officer "violated [the plaintiff's] constitutional rights, and intentionally and negligently inflicted emotional pain during the encounter." The lawsuit seeks damages, including punitive, of at least $25,000. The lawsuit names as defendants the city, Wilson and the former police chief . Jeremy Kohler, St. Louis Post Dispatch 05/05/2015 | Read Article: St. Louis Post Dispatch | High Court: No Immunity For Contractors | | Private contractors beware: Signing up to do a job for the government doesn't mean you'll get its immunity if a plaintiff sues you for negligence, according to a recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court. In the majority decision, the high court explained that one purpose of sovereign immunity is to guard the public till against "unforeseen expenditures" associated with the government defending lawsuits and paying judgments "that could hamper government functions" by diverting funds from their allocated purposes. A Houston attorney who represents the plaintiffs in the case, said the ruling is significant'especially since private companies are taking an increasing role in providing government services through contracts. The ruling was also notable because the high court so often rules in favor of private companies and against plaintiffs, he said. John Council, Texas Lawyer 05/06/2015 | Read Article: Texas Lawyer | Allegedly Abusive Mortgage Insurance Deals Lead to Class Action Settlement | | A $140 million national class-action settlement last week ' one of a series of cases brought against major banks, mortgage servicers and insurers ' shed fresh light on a controversial business practice in the mortgage industry: alleged kickbacks in connection with 'force-placed insurance' policies. The latest settlement involves nearly 400,000 borrowers across the country whose mortgages were serviced by Ocwen Financial Corp. between January 2008 and January of this year. The plaintiffs, who filed suit in U.S. District Court in Miami, charged that Ocwen and Assurant, a large insurance company, and Assurant affiliates 'entered into exclusive and collusive relationships' whereby the insurer or its affiliates allegedly paid Ocwen kickbacks, commissions and other compensation in exchange for force-placed coverage for lapsed policies at inflated premium costs to the consumer. Kenneth R. Harney, The Washington Post 05/06/2015 | Read Article: The Washington Post | Family of Train-Crash Victim Moves to Sue | | An attorney for the family of the driver of a sport-utility vehicle involved in the fiery Metro-North Railroad crash in February alleges a Westchester County train crossing lacked sufficient signage, warning lights and other features that could have prevented the tragedy. Five passengers aboard the Metro-North commuter train perished after the train struck an SUV driven by Ellen Brody, of Scarsdale, on Feb. 3. The SUV was stopped at Metro-North's Commerce Street crossing in Valhalla, A attorney who represents the Brody family, has prepared a 'notice of claim' and said he expects to file a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other agencies in coming months. ANDREW TANGEL, Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required 05/06/2015 | Read Article: Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required($) | Fighter Manny Pacquiao Faces Lawsuit for Unreported Injury | | Fighter Manny Pacquiao is facing a class action lawsuit for failing to report injuries before his recent bout with fellow fighter Floyd Mayweather. The lawsuit was filed by two Clark County, Nevada residents who paid to watch the fight. According to the lawsuit, by failing to report his shoulder injury before the fight and stating that he had no injuries on a form, Pacquiao committed fraud. The lawsuit, which alleges fraud and conspiracy, seeks $5 million in damages. Andrew Blankstein, MSNBC NEWS 05/05/2015 | Read Article: MSNBC NEWS | | |