#Florida Class Action Lawsuits Lawyer

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Ponzi Scheme Fraud Investigation

Delve into the intricate world of financial fraud with Silver Miller Law's investigation into Ponzi schemes. Unveiling the complexities behind these fraudulent schemes, our team meticulously navigates through layers of deception to seek justice for victims. Join us in our mission to combat Ponzi scheme fraud and protect the integrity of financial markets.

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Students at Florida A&M University are suing their state for not adequately funding the Tallahassee HBCU.

According to CBS News, on Sept. 22, a 22-page class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Florida, accusing the State of Florida and the Florida Board of Governors of decades of underfunding. The lawsuit alleges FAMU isn't receiving the same funding as public universities in Florida. The suit alleges that as Florida A&M University and the University of Florida are both land-grant universities, both institutions should receive equal per-student funding. However, according to CBS News, the lawsuit argues “state leaders have created a $1.3 billion funding gap.” From 2018 to 2021, Florida A&M University received $98.4 million in state aid, while the University of Florida was given $415.6 million.

The lack of proper funding at FAMU, founded in 1887, has caused many challenges for students. Just last month, a recreation center was forced to close temporarily and students were displaced after one dormitory closed because of flood damage and an insect infestation.

Josh Dubin, a lawyer for one of the six students who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement, "This deliberate indifference toward HBCUs is not unique to Florida, but FAMU is where we're joining the fight to ensure the education is fair for everyone.”

Barbara Hart, an attorney at Grant & Eisenhofer who is representing the students, told The Washington Post, “We drilled into the numbers and the obligations to fund the school at parity, and not only is that not the case currently, but it’s also not been the case for quite some time historically. It’s the kind of issue that compounds problems over time in terms of recruitment, prestige and research.”

Neither the State of Florida nor the Florida Board of Governors have released an statement on the lawsuit.

[cliff-montgomery]

US Jury Finds Chiquita Guilty Of Funding Right-Wing Terrorist Group In Columbia

By Cliff Montgomery - July 2nd, 2024

The U.S. court system has been making some very poor decisions lately. So it’s nice to see that - on occasion - a court in this country may still do the right thing.

Just ask those who took note of the jury decision a few weeks ago against the Chiquita fruit company, which held it to task for its deplorable actions in the Latin American nation of Columbia.

“A court in the United States has found multinational fruit company Chiquita Brands International liable for financing a Colombian paramilitary group,” according to BBC News in an article published on June 11th.

“The group, the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), was designated by the US as a terrorist organisation at the time,” added BBC.

“Following a civil case brought by eight Colombian families whose relatives were killed by the AUC,” continued the news source, “Chiquita has been ordered to pay $38.3m (£30m) in damages to the families.”

Indeed, the jury serving a federal court of Florida ruled that “Chiquita knowingly provided substantial assistance to the AUC to a degree sufficient to create a foreseeable risk of harm to others,” stated an article quietly published by CNN on June 12th.

Of course, “Chiquita said in a statement that … [there was] ‘no legal basis for the claims,’ ” stated BBC News. The fruit giant added that “it intended to appeal against the jury’s verdict.”

“The AUC engaged in widespread human rights abuses in Colombia,” pointed out BBC, “including murdering people it suspected of links with left-wing rebels.”

“The victims ranged from trade unionists to banana workers,” added the news source.

“At its height, [the AUC] had an estimated 30,000 members who engaged in intimidation, drug trafficking, extortion, forced displacement and killings,” declared the BBC News article.

“It also launched brutal attacks on villagers they suspected of supporting left-wing rebels,” added the news source.

Though “the group demobilised in 2006 after reaching a peace deal with the government,” BBC News stated that “some of its members went on to form new splinter groups which continue to be active.”

“The case was brought by the families after Chiquita pleaded guilty in 2007 to making payments to the AUC,” stated BBC News.

“In [that year], Chiquita pleaded guilty to making over 100 payments to the AUC totaling over $1.7 million,” added CNN, “despite the group being designated a terrorist organization.”

“Chiquita recorded the AUC payments as ‘security services,’ ” pointed out CNN, “though the company never received any actual services from these payments, according to a US Justice Department press release from the time.”

Apparently caught red-handed, the fruit company “agreed to pay the US government a $25 million fine, the [Justice Department] said in its release,” according to CNN.

It seems “an unnamed company executive had told the Justice Department that the payments had been made under the threat of violence,” CNN said in reference to a section of the federal press release.

But that excuse didn’t work for the Florida jury, which answered that the Chiquita company did not “act as a reasonable businessperson would have acted under the circumstances,” according to CNN.

“The class-action lawsuit against Chiquita … focused on nine cases, which were chosen out of hundreds of claims against the banana company,” according to BBC News.

“The jury found that the AUC was responsible for eight of the nine murders examined as part of the lawsuit,” declared BBC, and that the jury further “ruled that Chiquita had knowingly provided substantial assistance to the AUC, to a degree sufficient to create a foreseeable risk of harm.”

Agnieszka Fryszman, one of the chief lawyers for the victims, declared that “the verdict does not bring back the husbands and sons who were killed,” but that it does set “the record straight and places accountability for funding terrorism where it belongs: at Chiquita's doorstep,” according to BBC News.

In a stinging social media post, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, simply asked why such a ruling against these oppressors had not been made in his country.

“Why could US justice determine in judicial truth that Chiquita Brands financed paramilitarism in Urabá? Why couldn’t Colombian justice?” he wondered in a post he placed on X [formerly Twitter].

Another case against Chiquita - comprising a second group of plaintiffs - is set to begin on July 15th.

[shamisxgentile]

Empowering the People: How Class Action Lawyers Make a Difference in Florida

In the landscape of legal battles, class action lawyers stand out as champions of collective justice, particularly in Florida where the stakes are high and the opponents formidable. These legal professionals specialize in navigating the complexities of Florida class action lawsuits, ensuring that the voices of the many are heard loud and clear. This article delves into the pivotal role of class action lawyers in Florida and how they are making a significant impact on the legal front.

The Crusaders of Collective Justice

At the heart of every Florida class action lawsuit is a group of individuals united by a common grievance. Whether it's a case of consumer fraud, a privacy breach, or any other form of collective harm, the goal remains the same: to seek justice and compensation for the affected parties. This is where the expertise of a Florida class action lawyer becomes invaluable.

Class action lawyers possess a unique set of skills that allow them to effectively represent and advocate for a large group of people. Their ability to manage complex legal proceedings, negotiate with powerful corporations, and navigate through the intricacies of the legal system sets them apart. In Florida, where class action lawsuits can be particularly challenging, having a skilled class action lawyer can make all the difference.

The Battleground of Florida

Florida class action lawsuits are more than just legal battles; they are a testament to the power of collective action. In a state known for its dynamic legal landscape, class action lawyers in Florida have their work cut out for them. From environmental disasters to corporate malfeasance, these legal professionals are on the front lines, fighting for the rights of the many against the few.

The role of a Florida class action lawyer is not for the faint-hearted. It requires resilience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the law. These lawyers must be adept at rallying the affected individuals, building a strong case, and presenting it effectively in court. Their work is crucial in ensuring that justice is not only sought but achieved.

The Impact Beyond the Courtroom

The impact of Florida class action lawsuits extends far beyond the courtroom. These legal proceedings serve as a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message to corporations and entities that wrongful actions will not go unpunished. Moreover, they play a critical role in bringing about systemic changes, whether it's through new regulations, improved safety standards, or better business practices.

The work of class action lawyers in Florida is, therefore, not just about winning cases; it's about making a difference. By championing the cause of the many, these legal professionals are helping to create a fairer and more just society.

In the quest for justice, class action lawyers are the unsung heroes, particularly in Florida where the challenges are many and the opponents powerful. Through their expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment, class action lawyers in Florida are making significant strides in the fight for collective justice. Their role in managing Florida class action lawsuits is not just about legal victories; it's about empowering the people and making a lasting impact on society.

[ailtrahq]

Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal has been named in a proposed class action lawsuit over his involvement and promotion of the Solana-based NFT project - Astrals.  Astrals NFT Project The basketball legend is facing legal trouble for his crypto dealings yet again. This time, it is over his involvement in the Astrals NFT Project. According to the class action lawsuit filed in a federal court in Florida, O’Neal sold unregistered Astrals tokens, which violates Securities laws.  O’Neal launched the Astrals Project back in 2022, along with his music manager Brian Bayati as CEO and his son Myles O’Neal as the head of investor relations. Under the project, users could mint and collect NFTs, which allowed them to interact with each other in a virtual world by creating unique and tradable avatars. These NFTs were also available for purchase on an official Astrals token marketplace.  Shaq Pushed Astrals Pretty Hard Although O’Neal had already been dabbling in the crypto sphere before this project, his involvement was more intrinsic to the Astrals project. His past experience in various Ethereum projects also added to his credibility. The lawsuit highlights O'Neal's active promotion of the Astrals Project. He introduced a series of NFTs known as the "Shaq Signature Pass," claiming that only 50 of them would ever exist and could be earned by community participation or bidding on Astral tokens. O'Neal extensively promoted Astrals NFTs on his social media accounts, encouraging investors to "hop on the wave before it's too late." Allegations And The Howey Test As a test of whether O'Neal sold unregistered Securities, the lawsuit references the Howey Test, a legal standard established in a 1946 Supreme Court case. This test assesses whether a transaction qualifies as an Investment contract, considering factors like the Investment of money into a common enterprise with an expectation of profits from third-party efforts.  The lawsuit contends that Astrals NFTs meet all the criteria to be classified as Securities. Adam Moskowitz, the lawyer representing the lead plaintiff, Daniel Harper, addresses the issue of regulatory clarity in the crypto industry. He argues that Securities regulation is intentionally broad and all-encompassing, emphasizing that precision is not the goal. This stance reflects the ongoing challenge of defining the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and related Assets. Shaq’s Other Crypto Troubles Shaquille O'Neal is not new to legal battles in the crypto sphere. He has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit against Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, and other celebrities who endorsed the platform, even though O'Neal distanced himself from the company by claiming he was "just a paid spokesperson."  A dispute has arisen in the FTX case regarding O'Neal's alleged evasion of being served legal papers. Lawyers for the investors claim to have made multiple attempts to serve him, while O'Neal denies these accusations. The lawsuit against O'Neal underscores the increasing scrutiny surrounding celebrity involvement in the crypto space and the broader challenges of regulating Digital Assets.

[nbmsports]

U.S. Virgin Islands Seeks $190 Million From JPMorgan in Epstein Lawsuit

The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands said in a court filing on Friday that it is seeking at least $190 million in penalties from JPMorgan Chase for the bank’s failure to detect and report the sex trafficking operation run by the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in the U.S. territory.Lawyers for the Virgin Islands disclosed the sum in a legal filing in response to a request from the federal judge in Manhattan overseeing the lawsuit it filed against JPMorgan last year, which claimed that the bank turned a blind eye to Mr. Epstein’s activities.In the filing, the Virgin Islands’ attorney general’s office said it also wants the nation’s largest bank to put in new policies to prevent it from providing financial services to human traffickers.“We are pursuing this enforcement action because JPMorgan Chase’s institutional failure enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking,” said U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Ariel Smith in a statement.Patricia Wexler, a JPMorgan spokeswoman, said, “This document does not reflect the nature of settlement conversations.” She also said the Virgin Islands’ legal theories were “not well founded and are being challenged by JPM in court.”The bank, in court papers, has argued that the Virgin Islands government did little itself to deter any illegal activity carried out by Mr. Epstein on his private island residence off St. Thomas.JPMorgan Chase has already agreed to pay $290 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed last year on behalf of Mr. Epstein’s many sex abuse victims. The suit, filed by lawyers for Mr. Epstein’s victims, was joined for legal discovery purposes with the lawsuit filed by the Virgin Islands. The bank and the Virgin Islands government have not yet reached a settlement.The lawsuit filed by the Virgin Islands is tentatively scheduled for an October trial in federal court in Manhattan.The Virgin Islands said on Friday that its lawsuit is fashioned as an enforcement action against the bank and that it is entitled to the sizable relief to compensate it and deter future conduct by the bank. The $190 million includes penalties and the disgorgement of fees earned from business that the Virgin Islands claims Mr. Epstein directed to JPMorgan.Last year, the U.S. territory reached a $105 million settlement with the estate of Mr. Epstein, who killed himself in August 2019 while being held in federal custody on sex trafficking charges.Lawyers for Mr. Epstein’s victims have said at least 200 women — many of them teenagers at the time — were sexually abused by the financier at his private residence in the Virgin Islands, as well as his homes in Manhattan, Florida and elsewhere. Mr. Epstein maintained a private island residence just off St. Thomas for nearly 20 years and ran his investment advisory businesses from the Virgin Islands as well.The Virgin Islands is being assisted in all the litigation related to Mr. Epstein by lawyers from Motley Rice, a plaintiffs’ law firm based in South Carolina. Motley has a retainer agreement with the Virgin Islands government that entitles it to receive a portion of every settlement and recovery as its compensation. Source link Read the full article

[medicalconstructionmktg]

Class Action & Mass Tort Lawsuit Lawyer

When a big corporation or manufacturer releases a dangerous product to the public, thousands of people may get injured. While each victim has the right to file an individual claim against the company, the more common approach is for plaintiffs to join forces.

Most people have heard of Class Action lawsuits but are less familiar with the term Mass Tort. Sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably, but they’re really quite different. Although both lawsuits involve a large group of plaintiffs, the big difference is how these groups are treated in the court of law.

Mass tort claims may be brought when multiple plaintiffs are harmed by a similar wrong. Typically, the individual cases of many plaintiffs are consolidated in one court or before one judge. Investigations related to the defective product are conducted just once by the group, rather than many times by each separate plaintiff.

At the law offices of Wolf & Pravato, our attorneys play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of class action and mass tort lawsuits across the country. Over the last two decades, Wolf & Pravato has fought for numerous clients in the South Florida courtrooms, earning the reputation as one of South Florida’s top law firms capable of winning intricate and challenging, mass tort and class action litigation with a creative, innovative approach.

[worldspotlightnews]

Class action lawyers claim YouTuber ‘BitBoy Crypto’ threatened them

Lawyers representing a class-action lawsuit against “BitBoy Crypto” YouTuber Ben Armstrong and other crypto influencers for allegedly promoting crypto exchange FTX claimed Armstrong has made multiple threats against them. A March 20 court filing by the class action’s lawyers in a Florida District Court claimed Armstrong “began harassing” the lawyers after the suit was filed on March 15 with…

[smarthomeease]

Class action lawyers claim YouTuber 'BitBoy Crypto' threatened them

Lawyers representing a class action lawsuit against “BitBoy Crypto” YouTuber Ben Armstrong and other crypto influencers alleged to have promoted crypto exchange FTX have claimed Armstrong made multiple threats against them. A court of March 20 deposit by class action attorneys in a Florida district court claimed that Armstrong “started harassing” the attorneys after the complaint has been filed…

[newjerseyprelawland-blog]

Former President Trump Withdraws “Frivolous” Lawsuit Against New York Attorney General Letitia James

By Sara Beshai, Rutgers University–New Brunswick Class of 2023

February 3, 2023

Former US. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his lawsuit against the New York Attorney General, Letitia James, which accused her of investigating Trump's businesses for political reasons and infringing on his personal rights. This came after Trump was issued a warning and a nearly 1 million dollar fine from Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks for repeatedly filing "frivolous" lawsuits against General James.

This is not the first legal incident Trump has had with General James, a brief background on the two's legal history is as follows.

This past September, General     James filed a lawsuit against Trump and his children for $250 million. She     began to investigate Trump's businesses for fraud, including valuing his     businesses for billions over their genuine value. The lawsuit listed     Donald J Trump, Donald Trump Junior, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, the Donald     J. Trump Revocable Trust, the Trump Organization INC, and Corporation,     among others. General James filed the lawsuit as part of a previous     ongoing investigation into Trump and his business practices that began in     2020. 

In his first attempt to stop     the investigation and block the courts from accessing his business     documents, Trump filed an appeal when General James was granted access to     further investigate Trump Organizations and subpoenaed tax documents.     Trump alleged that General James was conducting the investigation because     the two's political beliefs varied and not because he was truly guilty of     fraud. The appeal was dismissed by Judge Brenda Sannes.

The second attempt to stop the     investigation was the suit filed this past November, which Trump withdrew     this past week. In the preliminary statement, Trump's lawyer stated; 

Extraordinary wrongdoings require extraordinary relief. As set forth below, James has repeatedly abused her position as Attorney General for the State of New York to pursue a relentless, pernicious, public and unapologetic crusade against President Trump, a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, with the stated goal of destroying him personally, financially, and politically. Suffice it to say that these actions are contrary to both the laws of New York and Florida.6

The lawsuit was said to be advised against by several legal advisors and attorneys of Trump; the general council of Trump's real estate business even warned his lawyers in Florida to that submitting the suit to the courts could be an act of malpractice. Despite this, he continued with the suit and alleged that General James infringed on his rights to privacy in Florida, as this is where Trump currently lives. One of Trump's attorneys stated that the appeal was withdrawn "voluntarily" for "strategic purposes." 2

General James commented on the situation: "I am pleased that Donald Trump has withdrawn both of his pending actions against my office. As we have shown all along, we have a legitimate legal case against him and his organization, and we cannot be bullied or dissuaded from pursuing it.” 5

Trump previously tried to block the investigation by filing a complaint with the federal court in New York; however, Judge Brenda Sannes dismissed the complaint this past May. In November 2022, when his complaint was unsuccessful, Trump countersued. lawsuit was the second unsuccessful effort made by Trump and his lawyers to stop General James's investigation into his business, which led to pushback from Judge Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks stated that these lawsuits from Trump and his team, including a dismissed suit raised against Hillary Clinton, have been a misuse of the court system, done to seek revenge, and should never have been raised. As Trump’s lawyers file uncredible and baseless lawsuits, Trump and his attorneys risk more serious repercussions from judges. In his statement, Judge Middlebrooks wrote Trump’s lawyer’s actions could be considered malpractice because of how outrageous and baseless their claims are against General James. [1]

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1.    Andrew Hamik. “A Judge Fines Trump and His Lawyer for a 'Frivolous' Suit against His Political Foes.” NPR, NPR, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/01/20/1150298957/donald-trump-frivolous-lawsuit-fine-alina-habba-clinton-comey-middlebrooks.

2.    Bromwich, Jonah E., et al. “Trump Files a Suit Against N.Y.’s Attorney General, and Against Advice.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 Nov. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/nyregion/trump-lawsuit-ny-attorney-general.html.

3.    Debusmann, Bernd Jr. “Trump Drops Lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James - BBC News.” BBC News, BBC News, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64347994.

4.    Gerstein, Josh. “Judge Slams Trump Suit Aimed at Blocking N.Y. Attorney General Probe  - POLITICO.” POLITICO, 21 Dec. 2022, https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/21/judge-slams-trump-new-york-attorney-general-probe-00075067.

5.    Mangan, Dan. “Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit against New York Attorney General James.” CNBC, CNBC, 27 May 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/27/judge-dismisses-trump-lawsuit-against-new-york-attorney-general-james.html.

6.    Press, Michael R. Sisak, Associated. “Trump Drops Appeal, Ending Legal Fight against New York Attorney General Letitia James | PBS NewsHour.” PBS NewsHour, https://www.facebook.com/newshour/, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-drops-appeal-ending-legal-fight-against-new-york-attorney-general-letitia-james.

7.    Scannell, Kara. “Trump Withdraws Another Lawsuit against NY Attorney General Letitia James | CNN Politics.” CNN, CNN, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/politics/trump-letitia-james-withdraws-lawsuit/index.html.

8.    Ralph, Kaylen. “New York Attorney General Letitia James Says Trump Can't ‘Avoid Justice’ with Pardon.” Teen Vogue, Teen Vogue, 9 Dec. 2020, https://www.teenvogue.com/story/letitia-james-new-york-attorney-general-trump-presidential-pardon.  

Photo Credit: WBLS

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Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

A class action lawsuit filed against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and a host of paid celebrity promoters for the now-defunct crypto exchange has been dropped. On Thursday, lawyers for the suit’s lead plaintiff, Edwin Garrison, filed a voluntary notice of dismissal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The initial suit, filed in Miami, called FTX a “house of cards,…

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Silver Miller, a leading legal firm, is at the forefront of championing the rights of victims affected by mobile phone SIM swaps. With unwavering dedication and expertise, we are committed to representing individuals who have fallen prey to this increasingly common form of cybercrime. Contact us at 954-516-6000 if you've experienced fraud or business disputes.

[rnewspost]

Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

A class action lawsuit filed against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and a host of paid celebrity promoters for the now-defunct crypto exchange has been dropped. On Thursday, lawyers for the suit’s lead plaintiff, Edwin Garrison, filed a voluntary notice of dismissal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The initial suit, filed in Miami, called FTX a “house of cards,…

[toptrending2]

Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

Class Action Lawsuit Against FTX’s Celebrity Promoters and Sam Bankman-Fried Is Quietly Dropped

A class action lawsuit filed against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and a host of paid celebrity promoters for the now-defunct crypto exchange has been dropped. On Thursday, lawyers for the suit’s lead plaintiff, Edwin Garrison, filed a voluntary notice of dismissal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The initial suit, filed in Miami, called FTX a “house of cards,…

[shamisxgentile]

Navigating the Waters of Class Action Lawsuits in Florida

In the legal landscape, few areas are as complex and nuanced as class action lawsuits. These legal battles represent a group of individuals collectively bringing a claim to court against a defendant, typically a large corporation. For those in the Sunshine State, understanding the intricacies of such lawsuits requires the expertise of seasoned class action lawyers. This article aims to shed light on the role of class action lawsuit Florida experts and how they navigate the complexities of these legal challenges.

The Vital Role of Class Action Attorneys

At the heart of every class action lawsuit is a team of dedicated attorneys. Class action attorneys Florida specialists are not just lawyers; they are advocates for those who might otherwise be voiceless against powerful entities. These legal professionals work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served, leveraging their extensive knowledge and experience in class action jurisprudence to secure favorable outcomes for their clients.

Choosing the Right Florida Class Action Lawyers

The success of a class action lawsuit often hinges on the caliber of representation. Choosing the right Florida class action lawyers is crucial. These attorneys possess a deep understanding of Florida's legal system, combined with a commitment to their clients' well-being and financial recovery. They navigate the complexities of class action suits, from filing the initial claim to negotiating settlements or taking the case to trial, if necessary.

A Closer Look at Class Action Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits serve a pivotal role in our legal system, allowing groups of individuals to challenge unlawful practices and seek compensation for damages. These cases can range from consumer fraud and defective products to environmental disasters and corporate misconduct. The collective nature of these suits not only strengthens the individual's position but also promotes a sense of justice and accountability.

Navigating the complexities of class action lawsuits in Florida requires the expertise of skilled attorneys who specialize in this field. Class action lawyers, class action lawsuit Florida experts, and class action attorneys Florida professionals play a critical role in ensuring that justice is served for groups of individuals facing injustice. With the right Florida class action lawyers, claimants can confidently pursue their cases, knowing they have knowledgeable and dedicated advocates on their side.

[theliterateape]

Law School Might Have Been a Good Idea If Money Was the Object of My Dreams

by Don Hall

Brad William Henke, a former NFL player known for his role as Tom Cullen in the latest television version of The Stand, has died at 56 years old.

I'm 56 years old.

A side character in the recent Netflix mega-hit Wednesday with a full white beard and looking as old as the hills is killed by a monster. When the title character goes to the morgue to check out the body, she mentions he was fifty years old.

I'm 56 years old.

I certainly love the happy bullshit that dictates "You're only as old as you feel" but reality is simple: you are as old as you are in the number of years you've been alive with no regard whatsoever of how you feel about it. It's a nutty thing that, as a modem of control in a world that simply refuses to be, we double down on the idea that reality can be bent by our self esteem. Reality is just that and no matter how you feel about it isn't going to change. So we spin tales to influence our behavior.

Back in 1984, my mom was concerned about my future. One of her methods was to put my name on lists of interest in the military. Consequently, I was visited six times my senior year by recruiters doing their level best to convince me that a stint in the service was the way to go. At the time, each interaction felt like Bill Murray and Harold Ramis in Stripes as I thought I was taking the piss out of these stiff men. In hindsight, I was just a smartass kid disregarding a life these men believed in enough to devote a solid chunk of their lives to. I'm certain each thought I was a little prick and they'd be right.

My stepfather, on the other hand, was a very successful defense attorney and had decided that with my excelling in debate in high school that he would pay for my college if I promised to go to law school. Again, a smartass with distinct but undefined anti-authoritarian tendencies, I denigrated the idea. I was so dismissive of the idea of becoming a lawyer and instead devoting my time to be a contrarian artist that his response was to decide I was on my own. No assistance whatsoever. In fact, for my birthday mid-year, he gifted me luggage and a bill for rent and told me to choose.

I was determined to go my own way, eschewing the suggestions and advise of all who cared about my future in terms of security, stability, and of course, money.

I am 56 years old and, in a recent background check for a gig at a local Kansas casino, I had to list my assets. The section was left blank. No savings (because my third ex-wife took all of that but also because of decades of my own short-term financial planning), no property (except a cubicle of furniture in storage and my computing devices), no assets. At least Henke had a few of those asset-like things and was well known enough to merit a few mentions in media when he croaked.

I look around and one of the professions cleaning up is law. Lawyers are making serious bank on stupid lawsuits designed to appease the moral indignation of people looking to game the system by way of legislation.

France’s highest court has ruled that a man fired by a consulting firm for failing to go out for drinks with his colleagues was wrongfully dismissed.

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A Florida woman is accusing Kraft Heinz of misleading advertising, based on the time it takes to prepare a single-serving cup of microwavable mac and cheese.

While the company markets its Velveeta Shells & Cheese as being "ready in 3 1/2" minutes, Amanda Ramirez says that's only the amount of time each cup needs to be microwaved — and that the actual preparation process, from stirring in water to letting the cheese sauce thicken, takes longer (she does not specify how much).

A 15-page class-action lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges that parent company Kraft Heinz sells more of the product, and at a higher price, than it would if it didn't mislead consumers about the pasta's prep time.

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A 78-year-old man was promised he would always have a job with the town golf course “as long as he wanted one” before he was fired after working there for 18 years, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Maine.

Gary Rees, who worked as a seasonal golf professional at the Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland, says he was fired over his age.

When the manager of the golf course, who is the head golf pro, fired Rees in January 2021, he told him that “Val Halla wanted to go in a ‘younger direction’ next season,” according to a complaint filed in federal court on Nov. 28.

Around the same time, Rees says two other older employees were fired as well.

Now he is suing the town of Cumberland, which operates the golf course, and is accusing it of violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 by firing him. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission granted Rees the right to sue in August, the complaint states.

I blame The People's Court. As soon as petty civil disputes became entertainment, as soon as neighbors suing neighbors over fence disputes become fodder for fun, as soon as the law became more spectacle than substance, the fix was in. Lawyers spend a lot of time and money becoming lawyers and most aren't in it for the justice. That sweet cash that comes from suing businesses and wealthy individuals is just too tempting.

Las Vegas is littered with billboards for lawyers looking to represent you in disputes against hotels and casinos. Hell, even a burg like Wichita has more ads for attorneys looking to represent you than anything but pharmaceuticals for the elderly.

No matter how ridiculous your lawsuit and your perceived injury, the lawyers get paid whether you win or lose. This isn't the grand gesture of King Solomon threatening to chop the baby in half because most people in this litigious hellscape would prefer the baby dead anyway.

The Swifties are out for blood. According to TMZ, fans of Taylor Swift have filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster following the infamous presale for Swift’s “Eras” tour that took place last month.

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A judge agreed to let TGI Fridays off the hook in a class action lawsuit that claims a TGI Fridays-branded mozzarella stick snack is misleading because it contains no mozzarella cheese, but also ruled the lawsuit can proceed against the food's manufacturer. 

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in 2021 by Amy Joseph against TGI Fridays and snack manufacturer Inventure Foods over their snack product, “TGI Fridays Mozzarella Sticks Snacks”.

Joseph claims the product is misbranded and misleads consumers into believing it contains mozzarella cheese, when it in fact only contains cheddar. 

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Cardi B may be facing legal action over her 2022 Halloween costume. As you may recall, Bardi dressed up as Marge Simpson draped in Thierry Mugler and an artist, aleXsandro Palombo, has accused the “Up” rapper of appropriating his work without consent. The Bronx superstar’s look is similar to Palombo’s 2013 Marge Simpsons Style Icon series.

The story I tell myself is that if I had taken the largesse from my stepfather and become one with the law, I'd tell these idiots they're wasting everyone's time with this braindead grasp at unearned wealth but my guess is that I shouldn't be a lawyer for the same reason I shouldn't own a gun. I don't ever want to own a gun because I'm the kind of person who would probably use it and I never want to be a guy who used a gun.

In a recent interview for a gig doing promotions and events for a series of radio stations, the guy asked if the money was right for the work.

"Have you seen my resume? Does it look like I do anything for a serious paycheck? Public school teacher, theater producer, public radio events director. If money was my motivation, I think I'd have started doing things that actually paid something, amiright?"

If money were the object, the best I could hope for would be to claim victim status and start suing companies. Remembering that I'm 56 years old and could drop dead at any second from just being in my fifties, time is a wasting.

Anyone want to join a class action lawsuit against Applebee's for serving shitty food?