Big tabacco asks criminal bar for a brief
Article Abstract:
The tobacco industry has asked the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to write a "friend of the court" brief. The industry would use it in legal appeals to support its argument that courts have been too cavalier in ordering disclosure of internal industry documents."It has gone to a group which has historically fought for unpopular people who have been accused of criminal activity," said James Tierney, a former attorney general of Maine who is advising several states in tobacco litigation. The documents allegedly show tabacco lawyers helping clients commit fraud or other crimes. Judges can apply the so called crime-fraud exception which requires the airing of lawyer-client communications that furthers fraud or other crimes.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Verdict against tobacco firm is reversed
Article Abstract:
A ruling by the First District Court of Appeals in Florida reversed a 2-year old landmark decision against Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. in which a man, a former air traffic controller who had contracted lung cancer, had been awarded $750,000. The appeals court, which also ordered that the case be dismissed, ruled that the man waited too long to file the case and that documents, alledgedly obtained illegally, were used improperly. The ruling has broad implications for other suits and judgements against US tobacco manufacturers, and will specifically affect a pending class action suit scheduled for trial in Florida next month.
Comment:
FL: Appeals court reverses $750,000 judgement against Brown & Williamson
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Lawyers filing tobacco cases cast villains
Article Abstract:
Recently the US Chamber of Commerce released TV spots suggesting that proposed tobacco legislation will cause the transfer of wealth from the wording class to opportunistic lawyers. Attorneys themselves say that their fees are very difficult to justify. Attorneys could have improved their public image by giving some of their huge fees to charity. Such a suggestion fell on deaf ears when it was raised at a meeting of plaintiffs attorneys.
Comment:
US Chamber of Commerce released TV spots that proposed tobacco laws will give wealth to lawyers
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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