The Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia has upheld a decision by the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA) that reduced the assessed value of natural gas pipelines owned by MarkWest Liberty NGL Pipeline, LLC (MarkWest). The ruling stems from a dispute over the property tax assessment of three 20-inch…
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South Carolina Supreme Court Sides with Attorney General in Fee Dispute
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Attorney General Alan Wilson in a case concerning his authority to enter into contingent fee agreements with private law firms. The court affirmed a lower court’s decision, allowing Wilson to pay $75 million in legal fees to two law firms…
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Wisconsin Revokes Attorney’s License in Reciprocal Discipline Case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ordered the revocation of Michael B. Padden’s law license, mirroring a disbarment handed down by the Minnesota Supreme Court in August 2024. The decision, handed down on November 12, 2025, stems from a reciprocal discipline proceeding, where Wisconsin considers disciplinary actions taken against attorneys in…
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Coyote in Cook County: Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit Against Forest Preserve
The Illinois Appellate Court, First District, has affirmed a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Nicole Milan against the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Milan’s suit centered on the care of “ambassador animals” at the River Trail Nature Center, particularly a coyote named Rocky. Milan alleged…
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Estate Battles: Court Rules on Unpaid Attorney Fees
A recent ruling by the Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia has clarified the process for reviewing attorney fees in an estate case. The court sided with the executor of the estate, Daniel C. Cooper, in a dispute over the authority to scrutinize unpaid legal bills. The case involved…
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Army’s ‘Glomar’ Response to Ex-Soldier’s FOIA Request Upheld by D.C. Court
Washington, D.C. – A federal court in the District of Columbia has sided with the U.S. Army, affirming its decision to use a special “Glomar” response in refusing to confirm or deny the existence of records sought by a former soldier under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The ruling…
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West Virginia Supreme Court Upholds Termination of Parental Rights in Kanawha County Case
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s decision to terminate a mother’s parental rights to her three children. The case, *In Re R.M., B.M., and H.M.*, involved allegations of substance abuse, neglect, and unsafe living conditions. The Supreme Court’s ruling addressed procedural issues and ultimately…
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Idaho Court Upholds Child Protection Order, Addresses Procedural Concerns
The Idaho Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s decision in a child protection case, while also raising concerns about the procedures followed by the prosecutor’s office. The case involved Jane Doe (referred to as “Doe”) and her twin daughters. Background of the Case The events leading up to…
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Court Upholds Zoning Violation Ruling Against Homeowners Operating Construction Business
The Twelfth Appellate District of Ohio has sided with the City of Washington Court House in a case involving Shawn and Delta Hastings, who were found to be operating a commercial construction business from their residential property in violation of local zoning ordinances. The court affirmed the lower court’s decision…
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California Supreme Court: Law Criminalizing False Police Complaints Violates Free Speech
The California Supreme Court has ruled that a state law making it a crime to file a knowingly false complaint against a peace officer violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech. The court’s decision, issued on November 10, 2025, strikes down a key part of California Penal Code section…