January 14, 2009

• CPSIA, new law on safety of childrens' goods set to go into effect Feb. 10, could drive out of business thousands of handcrafters and small makers of toys, clothes, even books [WSJ editorial today] I've been blogging the subject in detail at Overlawyered;
• Supreme Court grants certiorari on reverse discrimination suit by New Haven firefighters [Schwartz, Somin @ Volokh, Mirengoff/PowerLine; site supporting their cause; we were on the story early when the Second Circuit ruled last summer]
• Wave of financial suits drives securities class-action litigation to highest level since 2004 (and much more is coming) [Stanford, Cornerstone; 10b-5 Daily, LaCroix]
• Legal changes that could make California a more attractive place to do business [CJAC]
• "The Philanthropy Shakedown: Give to 'minority-led' charities, or else." [WSJ edit and more, earlier on Greenlining Institute]
• Revolving funds: "40 billion reasons why asbestos litigation will grow" [Sabatini, MC Record]; Los Angeles is a new focus for asbestos suits [CJAC]