John Breslin News
Court favors defendant in trademark case
Two health-related companies sparring over claims of trademark infringement had differing outcomes regarding expert witness testimony.
Attorney offers reward over suspicions lawsuit manufactured by tort reform advocates
MIAMI - A Florida attorney is offering a $100,000 reward to anyone who can confirm his suspicion that a lawsuit against fast food giant McDonalds over cheese on its burgers is frivolous.
Tobacco companies say not liable for lung cancer of Cuban immigrant who began smoking long before arriving in US
Lawyers for two big tobacco companies defending themselves against charges that they were responsible for the lung cancer of an individual are arguing that a Cuban native began smoking long before he came to the United States and used their brands.
Florida AG aware of pelvic mesh allegations, currently reviewing
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing allegations that lawyers, lenders and doctors may have been involved in a scheme that led to women being enticed into corrective pelvic mesh implant surgery.
Florida students seek policies for climate change
TALLAHASSEE -- Eight Florida students are suing Gov. Rick Scott and state agencies in a bid to force them to draw up a plan to combat the effects of climate change.
Business groups urge Florida Supreme Court to decline minimum wage review
Business groups and the state of Florida are urging the state Supreme Court to pass on reviewing a lower court decision blocking the city of Miami Beach from unilaterally raising the minimum wage.
DeSantis entry will make governor's race more competitive, expert says
Congressman Ron DeSantis will make the race for governor more competitive and ideologically driven, according to one political analyst.
Political battle predicted after Florida Supreme Court denies petition in judicial appointment case
Plaintiffs seeking to pre-empt Gov. Rick Scott's likely appointment of three justices on his final day in office remain mum after the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
Supreme Court denies petition barring governor from making judicial appointments
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled a petition requesting it bars Gov. Rick Scott from appointing three new justices to the state's highest court is not "ripe for consideration."
Supreme Court denies recusal of Justice Pariente, no explanation offered
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente will not be recused from a case that centers on who will make the decision to appoint replacements for her and two colleagues on the bench.
Contributions by justices to activists emerge again amid Supreme Court 'hot mic' controversy
TALLAHASSEE - Contributions made by two Supreme Court justices to an activist group after a fractious retention vote nearly five years ago are being used by critics to argue they should recuse themselves from a case because they are biased against Gov. Rick Scott.
Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust files record request in state Supreme Court hot mic controversy
TALLAHASSEE – Washington-based Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) is seeking emails from two Florida Supreme Court justices following a controversy over comments the pair made that were picked up by a hot mic.
Gov. Scott says 'we expect judges to be impartial' in 'hot mic' records request
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Rick Scott made a public records request Tuesday asking for all documents reviewed by two state Supreme Court justices involving their controversial "hot mic" exchange over the make up of a commission that recommends nominees to the high court.
Florida Senate committee hears heated debate on controversial property insurance provision
TALLAHASSEE — During an often-testy Florida Senate committee hearing this week, opponents and supporters debated a contentious provision in the state's property insurance laws.
Trial lawyers, political allies boost Corcoran's new PAC
House Speaker Richard Corcoran has raised more than $600,000 for his month-old political action committee, including substantial amounts delivered by legislative allies and a significant portion raised before and during a fundraiser organized by prominent trial lawyers.
Opponents eye 2018 to head off legislative moves legalizing slots
Opponents of the spread of slot machines in Florida are eyeing November 2018 as the point when they claim "total victory" and their permanent bar in most parts of the state.
Governor assigns state attorney to investigate complaint against Bondi
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Rick Scott has assigned a state attorney to investigate a complaint against Attorney General Pam Bondi over a $25,000 donation made to her PAC by President-elect Donald Trump.
Lakeland woman keeps alligator, thanks to efforts of lawyer tied to subway shooter's squirrel eviction case
LAKELND — A Lakeland woman has won permission from Florida authorities to keep her beloved alligator, thanks in part to the legal efforts of a New York attorney who was hired, apparently, because of his efforts to save a notorious subway vigilante’s squirrel from eviction.
Spy in defense camp barred from testifying at federal fraud trial
MIAMI – A man who spied on his co-defendants after penning a plea deal with prosecutors has been barred from testifying against them.
Top Democratic House target in Florida's 13th Congressional District not so safe
Florida’s 13th Congressional District was supposed to be leaning strongly Democratic this year following a court-ordered redistricting.