Litigation Overview
Litigation Resources
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The United States has a common law adversarial system for resolving disputes, with specific rules of civil procedure dictating what happens when a civil lawsuit is filed. This process, called litigation, can be long and expensive. Most civil suits are resolved by settlement, arbitration, or mediation and do not go to trial.
Civil litigation has different rules and procedures than a criminal action, which involves charges against an individual by the state or federal government for violating a law or laws. Civil actions largely involve disputes over contracts, property, or torts.
Show Extended SummaryFeatured Cases 
- CANADIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL, LTD. v. OTTAWA RAPIDZ et al
North Carolina Middle District Court
None
Filed: February 4, 2009
Petitioner: CANADIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL, LTD., Respondent: OTTAWA RAPIDZ, ROB HALL, SHELAGH O'CONNOR, OTTAWA PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL INC.
Last Docket Report Change Found: February 5, 2009
(February 4, 2009) - The National Football League Players Association et al v. ...
The National Football League Players Association petitioned to confirm an award issued by a National Football League arbitrator regarding the practice of certain clubs claiming a dollar-fo-dollar offset against workers' compensation awards paid to players.
New York Southern District Court
None
Filed: April 16, 2008
Petitioner: The National Football League Players Association, Respondent: The National Football League Management Council
Last Docket Report Change Found: September 15, 2008
(September 14, 2008) - Arizona Cardinals Football Club, Inc. et al v. Bryant et al
Plaintiff Arizona Cardinals Football Club, Inc. and the National Football League Management Council seek to confirm an arbitration award against Defendants Wendell Bryant and the National Football League Players Association.
Arizona District Court
None
Filed: August 20, 2008
Plaintiff: Arizona Cardinals Football Club, Inc., National Football League Management Council; Defendant: Wendell Bryant, National Football League Players Association
Last Docket Report Change Found: August 21, 2008
(August 20, 2008) - City of Seattle v. Professional Basketball Club LLC
Plaintiff City of Seattle sued Defendant The Professional Basketball Club, LLC to seek a declaratory judgment that the lease with the Seattle Supersonics may be specifically enforced and that certain disputes related to the lease are exempt from arbitration.
Washington Western District Court
Contract: Other
Filed: October 9, 2007
Plaintiff: City of Seattle, City of Seattle, City of Seattle, City of Seattle, City of Seattle and others... Defendant: Professional Basketball Club LLC, Professional Basketball Club LLC
Last Docket Report Change Found: July 16, 2008
(July 15, 2008) - PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, LLC et al v. OWENS et al
Plaintiffs Philadelphia Eagles, LLC and the National Football League Management Council seeks to confirm an arbitration award against Defendants Terrell Owens and the National Football League Players Association. On December 6, 2005, Defendants filed a non-injury grievance against the Eagles, demanding that the Eagles repay Owens amounts withheld from his pay following his suspension from the Eagles. On December 13, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a counter-grievance demanding that Owens return $1,725,000 paid to him as a signing bonus. On January 24, 2008, an arbitrator ordered Owens to repay the Philadelphia Eagles $769,117.65. Owens has not paid the amount in accordance with the award.
Pennsylvania Eastern District Court
None
Filed: April 28, 2008
Plaintiff: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, LLC, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COUNCIL; Defendant: TERRELL OWENS, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
Last Docket Report Change Found: June 13, 2008
(June 12, 2008)
Legislation 
- Bill Enacted: S.602 Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007
A bill to develop the next generation of parental control technology.
December 02, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-452.
(November 30, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: S.3197 National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008
A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to exempt for a limited period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days.
October 20, 2008: Signed by President.
(October 18, 2008) - Bill Signed by President: S.3001 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
October 14, 2008: Signed by President.
(October 12, 2008) - Bill Enacted: S.2304 Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and ...
A bill to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide grants for the improved mental health treatment and services provided to offenders with mental illnesses, and for other purposes.
October 14, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-416.
(October 12, 2008) - Bill Enacted: H.R.928 Improving Government Accountability Act
To amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to enhance the independence of the Inspectors General, to create a Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and for other purposes.
October 14, 2008: Became Public Law No: 110-409.
(October 12, 2008)
Government 
- Opinion in case number: 08-1423
Opinion in case: 08-1423; Patel, Damodarbhai v. Holder, Eric (Agency case) {TINDER}
[uploaded: 04/24/2009] Typescript Opinion
(April 23, 2009) - Opinion in case number: 08-3322
Opinion in case: 08-3322; Laura Swanson v. Bank of America N. (civil case) {EASTERBROOK}
[uploaded: 04/24/2009]
(April 23, 2009) - USA v. David W. Svete
Issued Date: 04-23-2009
Case#: 05-13809
Docket#: 04-00010 CR-3-001-MCR
Type: NEW
(April 22, 2009) - Opinion in case number: 07-2512
Opinion in case: 07-2512; Krishnapillai, Sundar v. Holder, Er (Agency case) {ROVNER}
[uploaded: 04/23/2009]
(April 22, 2009) - Opinion in case number: 08-1582
Opinion in case: 08-1582; USA v. Bermea-Boone, Javier (criminal case) {BAUER}
[uploaded: 04/23/2009]
(April 22, 2009)
Articles 
- UK Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Sally Ramage International Network for the Promotion of the Rule of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Two Refusals of Royal Assent in Victoria
Sydney Law Review, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 85-130, 2007, Monash University Faculty of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2007/39 Greg Taylor Monash University - Faculty of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Trade Secret Law and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Two Problems and Two Solutions
Journal of Law, Technology & Policy, Forthcoming Kyle Wesley Brenton University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - School of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - The Conflict of Laws and Boumediene V. Bush
Creighton Law Review, Vol. 42, No. 1, 2008 Patrick Joseph Borchers Creighton University School of Law Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Watching the Watchers: A Partial Defense of Hein on Separation of Powers Grounds
Ames C. Grawert affiliation not provided to SSRN Date Posted: April 24, 2009 Last Revised: April 24, 2009
(April 23, 2009)
News 
Malaysia Star
Attorney General Eric Holder Honors North Carolinians and ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY
The Attorney General made the announcement in his remarks at the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony where he also recognized the staff of the Financial Litigation Unit in the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North ...
Attorney General Eric Holder Announces $100 Million In Recovery ... PR Newswire (press release)
all 537 news articles
(April 23, 2009)- Joe Mullin's Patent Litigation Weekly: Inventor Gary Odom Sees ...
Am Law Litigation Daily, NY
And according to Joe Mullin's weekly IP Law & Business feature on patent litigation, Microsoft is only one of Odom's long list of alleged infringers. There's also Autodesk, from which Odom is demanding royalties on Autodesk 2009; BAE Systems, ...
28 More Companies Sued Over Grouped Toolbars Patent Techdirt
all 2 news articles
(April 23, 2009) - TASER International, Inc. Q1 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
Seeking Alpha, NY
Certain statements contained in this presentation may be deemed to be forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and TASER International intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the ...
(April 23, 2009) - Talks continue over polygamous sect's trust
Salt Lake Tribune, United States
That was the word from Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff on Friday as he wrapped up a third day of mediation aimed at solving disputes surrounding the United Effort Plan Trust. "We have a lot of details to work out over the weekend and get on paper ...
(April 23, 2009) - Obama taps Thomas Lamont, former U of Illinois trustee, for ...
Chicago Sun-Times, United States
He concentrated his practice in Government Law and Legislative Affairs. In the public arena, Lamont has served as Executive Director of the Office of the State Attorney Appellate Prosecutor, Director of Civil Litigation in the Office of the Illinois ...
(April 23, 2009)
Blog Posts 
- Song-Beverly Class Action Defense Cases—In re Payless ShoeSource: Judicial Panel On ...
/**/ Judicial Panel Grants Defense Request for Pretrial Coordination of Class Action Lawsuits Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1407, Unopposed by Class Action Plaintiffs, and Transfers Actions to Eastern District of California Two class actions were filed in the Central and Eastern Districts of California against Payless ShoeSource alleging violations of California's Song-Beverly Credit Card Act; specifically, the class action complaints allege that "Payless requests and records customers' personal...
(April 23, 2009) - CLE: IP Ethics
Next week, May 1, John Marshall is hosting a Law Day IP legal ethics program: Ethics in the Practice of Intellectual Property Law. The program offers four hours of ethics credits (the same amount of ethics credits required by Illinois in every two year reporting period). The program looks excellent and appears to be free. Click here for more information.
(April 23, 2009) - Florida Senator Urges Governor to Create Chinese Drywall Task Force
In addition to Florida Congressman, Robert Wexler, introducing legislation establishing an immediate study and federal ban on dangerous Chinese drywall, Florida Senator Dave Aronberg is now asking Governor Crist to create a Chinese Drywall Task Force. The Task Force would consist of scientists, builders, contractors, health experts, and consumer advocates who would work to make recommendations for removing and replacing the defective drywall. The Task Force would also be responsible for...
(April 23, 2009) - SCOKY Discretionary Review Grants for April 2009
(April 23, 2009) - Today at the Court
The Justices are scheduled to hold a private conference this morning, any grants from which could be announced this afternoon. We will provide coverage of any developments. To view our list of petitions to watch at today's conference, click here.
(April 23, 2009)