Legal News

Struggling Homeowners Can Now Tap Pandemic-Related Fund For Overdue Utility And Internet Bills

Published by Nikki Palmer on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 4:00am

The State of Nebraska is expanding the types of overdue house-related bills that a federal aid program will cover to keep homeowners from being displaced.

The Nebraska Homeowner Assistance Fund, established in February with $50 million in federal funds, was designed to help eligible homeowners who have fallen behind in paying their mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance and homeowners association fees.

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Problem-Solving Courts Broadly Popular, But How To Expand Them Remains Unclear

Published by Nikki Palmer on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 2:00am

LINCOLN — A very low number of accused felons in Nebraska — just over 4% — can access a problem-solving court, touted Tuesday by officials as a more effective way to turn lives of crime around and a much less costly alternative than prison.

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Most Americans Believe #MeToo Has Changed The Climate Around Workplace Sexual Misconduct

Published by Nikki Palmer on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 1:00am

Almost five years since the #MeToo went viral, new data from the Pew Research Center finds that most Americans believe that the movement has made it more likely that people would be held accountable for workplace sexual harassment and assault. It also found that most Americans think that people who report sexual misconduct in the workplace are more likely to be believed today than they would have been five years ago.

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Justice Jackson Makes Supreme Court Debut In Brief Ceremony

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 3:00am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made her first appearance on the Supreme Court bench in a brief courtroom ceremony Friday, three days before the start of the high court's new term.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses attended the invitation-only ceremonial investiture for Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

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Independent Firm Reviewing Lincoln Police Department Warns About "Polarization"

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 1:00am

LINCOLN — Mayor Leirion Gaylor-Baird, Police Chief Teresa Ewins and Lincoln-Lancaster County Human Resources Director Barb McIntyre unveiled the 21st Century Policing Solutions assessment at a news conference Thursday.

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The Supreme Court Is Back In Session, With New Controversial Cases That Stand To Change Many Americans’ Lives – Here’s What To Expect

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 12:00am

Following a dramatic year of controversial rulings, the Supreme Court began hearing new cases on Oct. 3, 2022, with a full agenda.

The court overturned abortion rights and expanded gun rightsin June 2022 as the new conservative supermajority began to exert its influence.

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Chief Justice Summer Tour: 2022 Journey Wraps-up Visits to All 93 Nebraska Counties

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 5:00am

What began as a summer 2009 visit to the 10th Judicial District to view the area’s innovative use of technology turned into a goal by the Chief Justice to visit each Nebraska courthouse during the tenure of his administration. Heavican had visited many state and federal courthouses before becoming Chief Justice but felt he would like to visit every county courthouse while serving as the leader of the third branch of government.

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Discipline Notes Critical In FMLA Claims

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 5:00am

One of the things that happens with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a disconnect between the complex structure of the FMLA and its practical application.

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New Lawyers Admitted To The Practice Of Law During September Swearing-In Ceremony

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 1:00am

The Nebraska State Bar Commission has received the Supreme Court’s approval of its recommendation for admission to the practice of law in the State of Nebraska for those having fulfilled all of the requirements under Rule § 3-117 for admission. A swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol.

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Wells Fargo to Pay $94 Million to Settle Mortgage Forbearance Class-Action

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 12:00am

HousingWire is reporting that Wells Fargo agreed to pay $94 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that placed more than 200k mortgage borrowers into forbearance during the pandemic, unlawfully and without their consent. According to the report, customers who inquired about forebearance, but did not formerly request it, got it anyway, damaging their credit scores and making it more difficult for them to refinance. Wells Fargo denied any wrongdoing in the settlement that includes over 212k loans.