| Announcements | | 
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| | TTLA Annual Conference has moved to June 1-3 in Austin | |
| | We’ll be hosting all the events you’ve come to expect from our December conference. Between the 2-day CLE, parties, meetings, legislative update & special events. Check out the CLE program agendas for Wednesday and Thursday, which include a live video presentation with David Ball plus family friendly events to make this a true vacation opportunity. Register now! | | Laws/Cases | |
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| | Doctor Sues University of New Mexico | |
| | A breast cancer surgeon and researcher at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is suing the university under the state's whistle-blower law, alleging she lost her job after reporting some patients were receiving substandard care. The doctor alleges surgical care of breast cancer patients fell below accepted standards and that medical records were tampered with or falsified in some instances. She also contends a supervisor withdrew medical care from one critically ill patient without the patient's consent. According to her lawsuit, no supervisor "ever meaningfully" addressed the complaints. Associated Press, Las Cruces Sun-News 04/12/2011 | | Read Article: Las Cruces Sun-News | | JPMorgan Accused of Breaking Its Duty to Clients | |
| | In the summer of 2007, as the first tremors of the coming financial crisis were being felt on Wall Street, top executives of JPMorgan Chase were raising red flags about a troubled investment vehicle called Sigma, which was based in London. But the bank chose not to move out $500 million in client assets that it had put into Sigma two months earlier. Sigma collapsed a year later. The case, which is filed as a class action and includes several pension funds as named plaintiffs, accuses JPMorgan of breaching its responsibility to keep its clients in safe investments, and it sheds new light on one of Wall Street’s oldest problems — whether banks treat their clients’ money with the same care that they treat their own. Louise Story, The New York Times 04/12/2011 | | Read Article: The New York Times | | State Farm is Told to Pay $350M | |
| | State Farm Insurance owes nearly $350 million to customers it overcharged dating back to 2003, a state judge ruled Monday, siding with the Texas insurance commissioner. State District Judge Tim Sulak found that state Commissioner Mike Geeslin acted properly when he ordered State Farm Lloyds, the company's homeowners subsidiary, to reimburse an estimated 1.2 million customers for overcharges as well as penalty interest.State Farm indicated it would appeal the ruling, the latest twist in a case that has dominated debate over the state's insurance market for nearly a decade. Terrence Stutz, Dallas Mornig News, Houston Chronicle 04/12/2011 | | Read Article: Houston Chronicle | | American Microchip Company Hit with Patent Lawsuit | |
| | A German chipmaker has filed a lawsuit against an American competitor, claiming 11 patent violations. The lawsuit alleges Atmel Corp. is using patented microcircuitry technology in automotive, industrial and control-system applications. The plaintiff, Infineon Technologies AG, says they have given Atmel written notice about the infringements as well as a face-to-face meeting. The suit is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages. Phil Milford , Bloomberg 04/12/2011 | | Read Article: Bloomberg | | Man Claims Trademark Violation by Vegas Hotel | |
| | A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas alleging trademark infringement. The plaintiff claims he owns the rights to the phrase "Octavius Tower," the name of the hotel's new villas, and is demanding the hotel change the name. According to the suit, the villas opened in 2009 while the plaintiff filed for his trademark in early 2008. Caesars Entertainment Corp. responded with a counter suit demanding cancellation of the man’s trademark. Wire Report, Miami Herald 04/11/2011 | | Read Article: Miami Herald | | Suit Filed Against Baltimore Police Officer | |
| | A Maryland woman has filed a lawsuit against the city of Baltimore and a Baltimore police officer over the death of her 27-year-old son last year. The lawsuit claims the officer was following the man when he was commanded to "end the chase." He turned his lights and siren off but continued to follow. The officer then accidentally ran into the man's motorcycle in a fatal crash. The lawsuit is seeking $40 million in damages. Justin Fenton , Baltimore Sun 04/06/2011 | | Read Article: Baltimore Sun | |
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