Do judicial candidates have the right to personally solicit campaign funds under the First Amendment or does a state have a compelling interest in such a narrowly tailored rule to preserve the integrity of the judiciary? This is the question that the Supreme Court take up in Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar (No. 13-1499). Continue reading January 20, 2015 Supreme Court: Williams-Yulee v. The Florida Bar
Can the family of a soldier who died when he was electrocuted while showering in a facility constructed by a military contractor sue the contractor for the soldier’s wrongful death? Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc. v. Harris will address this question. Cases like this are so fascinating because they are really a gate-keeper issue, that is, they address whether a person can even access the court to present a claim.
The case deals with the Federal Tort Claims Act and began when a military staff sergeant was electrocuted while taking a shower due to an ungrounded wire. The family sued the contractor for wrongful death that was allegedly to the negligent maintenance by the contractor, Kellogg, Brown & Root Services, Inc. Continue reading January 13, 2015 Supreme Court: Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc. v. Harris
Up next is Oneok v. Learjet (No. 13-271) (which involved numerous parties in In re: Western States Antitrust Litigation). While maybe not as enthralling as First Amendment issues, this case deals with the wholesalers charging retail purchasers higher fees. More importantly, it addresses the ability/right of retail purchasers to allege anti-trust violations in court. Continue reading January 12, 2015 Supreme Court: Oneok v. Learjet