Wednesday, August 28, 2019

UMKC professor settles with University of Missouri for $360,000


By JESSICA SHUMAKER
jshumaker@molawyersmedia.com

The University of Missouri has agreed to pay $360,000 to settle two lawsuits brought by a University of Missouri-Kansas City professor who alleged that he was retaliated against for reporting the abusive behavior of his colleague, Ashim Mitra. 
According to the settlement agreement, which was obtained by a public-records request, the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri reached a settlement with Mridul Mukherji on Aug. 22, two weeks before a scheduled trial in Jackson County Circuit Court.
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Missouri Lawyers Media to honor 50 with Up & Coming Awards

Staff Report




Missouri Lawyers Media will honor 50 attorneys from around the state with its 2019 Up & Coming Awards, which recognize early-career lawyers who demonstrate professional excellence while making a positive impact on their profession and communities.

New Missouri laws in effect on car inspections, prison sentences

The Associated Press
Many of the laws enacted by Missouri legislators this year go into effect Wednesday, but some of the most notable are tied up in legal disputes that will delay their implementation or kill them altogether.
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked a law meant to ban abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy, saying that Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri are likely to succeed in their effort to have the law ruled unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs let stand the portion of the law banning abortions based solely on race, sex or a diagnosis indicating the potential for Down syndrome, and that provision took effect Wednesday.

Ray, Pettis counties settle suit with couple for $25,000


A Kansas City couple who previously sued Clay County’s collector of revenue after they were blocked from participating in the county tax sale has reached a $25,000 settlement with two other counties they also alleged blocked them from participating.
Dawn and Joel Yoest have reached a settlement with Ray and Pettis counties for $25,000, according to a settlement agreement obtained through a public-records request.
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Federal death row inmate from Kansas wants execution delayed

The Associated Press
A federal death row inmate from Kansas who raped, killed and dismembered a 16-year-old girl and beat an 80-year-old woman to death wants the chance to present claims that his trial lawyer was ineffective.
Attorneys for Wesley Ira Purkey on Tuesday requested a stay of his execution, currently scheduled for Dec. 13.

Facebook tightens political ad rules, but leaves loopholes

The Associated Press

Facebook is tightening its rules around political advertising ahead of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, acknowledging previous misuse. But it's not clear if it will be enough to stop bad actors from abusing its system.
The changes include a tightened verification process that will require anyone wanting to run ads pertaining to elections, politics or big social issues like guns and immigration to confirm their identity and prove they are in the U.S. Beginning in mid-September, such advertisers confirm their group's identity using their organization's tax identification number or other government ID.

Former Kansas City mayor launches consulting firm


Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James and his longtime chief of staff, Joni Wickham, have started a consulting firm. 
In an interview, the duo said Wickham James Strategies & Solutions will work on political strategy, strategic communications, governmental relations, public policy and mediation. In particular, they will focus on topics such as education, women’s leadership and good governance.
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LSEM honors 12 for service to the region

Staff report

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri honored 12 attorneys, lawmakers and community leaders and organizations for their work to benefit the region at its 2019 For The Common Good Awards Aug. 16 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.
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Inmates face tough roads in wrongful-death claims


By SCOTT LAUCK 
slauck@molawyersmedia.com

It’s not easy to maintain a wrongful-death suit from prison.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Aug. 13 that an incarcerated man who repeatedly but unsuccessfully sought to intervene in a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming from his son’s fatal police shooting was out of luck when the suit was dismissed.
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