Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have been under intense scrutiny over the past few years because of controversial policies and procedures. However, one agency in Louisiana, the Sheriff’s Office of St. John the Baptist Parish, faced another type of scrutiny surrounding the termination of a high-ranking official. The termination…
When the government takes privately owned property to be used for the benefit of the public, it is called an expropriation. Federal and state law prohibit the government from taking private property without compensating the owner. The Louisiana Constitution provides that property shall not be taken or damaged by the…
When someone with a family and a business suddenly dies, sensitive estate issues arise and can often become complicated, especially if the decedent was in the midst of strained business negotiations or when the death was the result of a suicide. In these situations, it’s essential for surviving family members…
It is common for Louisiana residents who are injured due to another person’s negligence to seek financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Typically, these types of lawsuits will pursue compensation to cover medical expenses that are incurred by the victim for the treatment of the injury they suffered, among…
When a products-related injury occurs, multiple parties may be at fault. In litigating personal injury claims, among the most important legal questions, are whom may the plaintiff recover from, if anyone, and under what theory of liability. The following case provides a good discussion of some typical theories of liability…
Court litigation involves the filing of multiple court submissions, and of course, deadlines. Procedural rules dictate deadlines for when certain motions need to be brought. Effective attorneys stay informed of these deadlines. Untimely filings generally result in a denial of legal relief by a court. Courts must be able to…
When an individual employs tactics to instill humiliation, fear, and emotional distress in another person, they should be held accountable for the damages they cause. Fortunately, Louisiana legislators agree and have provided for exactly that under its civil code. See La. C.C. art. 2315. As an initial matter, these bad…
Lawsuits can be quite complicated, even for seasoned attorneys. However, when one is representing himself, the complications can be even more complex. Especially, when the law does not support your claim. The following case demonstrates the need for an experienced attorney when it comes to constitutional rights violation allegations and…
Ponzi schemes ultimately come to an end and unfortunately cause a lot of pain, suffering, and litigation. The Stanford Ponzi scheme is no exception. As demonstrated in the following case, the complex nature of such schemes demonstrates the need for excellent legal representation if you are the victim of an…
The commencement of pro se litigation, meaning without attorney representation, is no easy task. A common aspect of pro se litigation involves a request to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). A granted IFP request allows a pro se litigant to have the prepayment of fees or costs waived. See 28 U.S.C.…