2011 Mississippi Litigation Review Year in Review (Part 1: January-June)
With the holidays upon us and 2011 coming to a close, here is a look back at the top legal stories of the year reported on MLR.
January
- Miss. Supreme Court rules that out-of-state residents can be sued for alienation of affection
- Eaton asks Judge Weill to recuse himself in Frisby litigation; Judge Weill refuses;
- Gulfport native John Dowdy appointed interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District, a position that he still holds
- Miss. Supreme Court issues opinion in case closely watched by Miss. pot-heads;
- 5th Circuit asks Miss. Supreme Court if tort reform caps constitutional; [I predict Court upholds caps];
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerry Davis announces retirement.
February
- Hinds County jury renders $23 verdict against Marriott and City of Jackson in premises case;
- Eaton v. Frisby litigation heats up with cases filed outside Mississippi;
- Justice James Graves confirmed to 5th Circuit Court of Appeals;
- Judge Leslie King appointed to Miss. Supreme Court, replacing Justice James Graves.
March
- Felicia Adams appointed Northern District U.S. Attorney;
- $875,000 verdict in federal court sex discrimination case;
- Plaintiffs getting clocks cleaned in Mississippi trials.
April
- $1,132,491 federal court verdict in 18–wheeler accident trial;
- $1 million verdict in Hinds County kidney dialysis catheter infection wrongful death case;
- U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves investiture;
- Haley Barbour pulls out of 2012 Presidential race;
- Miss. Court of Appeals reverses $130,000 weiner dog attack verdict.
May
- $322 million verdict in Smith County asbestos drilling mud case;
- Jenny Virden selected Magistrate Judge for Northern District;
- Miss. Supreme Court reverses $2.5 million Hinds County jury verdict;
- Ermea Russell named to Miss. Court of Appeals;
- $533,000 verdict in Hinds County medical malpractice trial.
June
- Miss. Supreme Court hears oral argument in 5th Circuit case challenging tort reform caps;
- Miss. judicial elections covered in HBO movie Hot Coffee; [my take on movie here]
- $1.1 million bench verdict in Hinds County tear gas case;
- Jackson attorney Greg Davis nominated U.S. Attorney for Southern District;
- Miss. Supreme Court affirms $4 million verdict in premises case.
Tomorrow I will review July-December.
Excellent post. One interesting follow-up to the Archey v. Marriott/COJ case: the trial court has not entered judgement against the City; nor has the trial court rendered an opinion (MTCA requires a bench decision with resepct to the City). The jury's decision against the City is worth, well, the paper on which it's written.
And, Mr. Archey has since been released from federal custody and presumably now mentally fit to handle his affairs. Watch this one 2012.