Author: Aron Solomon

As first appeared in NewsBreak By Aron Solomon On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in FBI v. Fikre, a case that revolves around the question of whether a lawsuit brought by Yonas Fikre, an Oregon man who was placed on the No Fly List and later removed from it, can go forward. The key issue is whether the case is moot now that Fikre has been removed from the list and has been assured that he will not be placed back on it. In 2010, Yonas Fikre, a U.S. citizen of Eritrean descent, was placed on the FBI’s No Fly…

As first appeared in NewsBreak By Aron Solomon One of the most remarkable legal stories of 2023 was a $114 million fake nursing degree scam in South Florida. This case was a poignant and scary reminder of the potential dangers associated with fake nursing credentials. This scheme involved the sale of over 7,600 fake diplomas, leading to the indictment of more than two dozen people. In December, after a two-week trial, Gail Russ, the former registrar of the shuttered Palm Beach School of Nursing, and recruiters Cassandre Jean and Vilaire Duroseau from New York and New Jersey, were convicted of conspiring to…

As first appeared in Newsweek By Aron Solomon The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear a number of important cases in early 2024 with several of them set for oral argument in January. It truly is, from the shared perspective of those of us who watch the court’s every move, poised to be an exceptional month, with four cases and one elephant in the room ready to go. Let’s deal with our room elephant first. The big wild card for January and the next few months will be any and all cases related to former President Donald J. Trump…

As first appeared in Boxscore By Aron Solomon NFL players often have performance incentives in their contracts, which are additional payments they can earn by meeting specific on-field benchmarks. These incentives can be tied to individual achievements, such as reaching a certain number of yards or sacks, or to team success, like making the playoffs. For example, a player might earn a bonus for reaching a certain number of touchdowns or making the Pro Bowl. These incentives can have a significant impact on a player’s earnings and motivation. This weekend, many NFL teams are placing themselves between a rock and a hard…

As first appeared in The Hill By Aron Solomon The problem of seniors with cognitive issues wandering away from assisted living facilities or being left outside unattended has been thrust into the legal and societal spotlight as the year came to a close. Since 2018, at least 98 seniors have died under such circumstances, according tothe findings of a blockbuster investigation published in December by The Washington Post.  The investigation analyzed over 100,000 state inspection reports and found that more than 61 percent of the deaths were due to exposure to extreme heat or cold. The causes of death varied, with some patients…

As first appeared in NewsBreak By Aron Solomon Insurance companies entering the $13.5 billion litigation finance industry are changing how things work. They are bringing in insurance products that help funders reduce costs, protect investments, and make legal processes less risky while also turning them into financial gains. Insurance offerings like judgment preservation insurance (JPI) and after-the-event (ATE) insurance are part of these products. They help those supporting lawsuits cut expenses, safeguard their investments, and minimize the risks associated with legal actions. Take judgment preservation insurance (JPI), for instance, which protects a share of awarded money in a case, and after-the-event…

As first appeared in NewsBreak By Aron Solomon With a strong winter storm forecast to hit Pittsburgh at the end of the week and into the weekend, it’s going to be advisable to plan ahead and stay off the roads. Where driving is absolutely necessary, it’s important to take the following precautions: Allow enough time Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Keep your gas tank full It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm. Keep windshield and windows clear Stop at a safe turnout to use a snow…

As first appeared in NewsBreak By Aron Solomon Transgender rights have emerged as a major legal issue in 2024, drawing significant attention due to the ongoing legislative battles and legal challenges. The year ahead is expected to be marked by a contentious and fragmented legal landscape in the United States, as various states grapple with the introduction of bills targeting gender-affirming care and the rights of transgender individuals. This has sparked intense debate and legal action, making it a crucial litigation issue for the year. The fiscal year 2024 appropriations process in the United States has witnessed a surge in anti-LGBTQ…

As first appeared in Newsweek By Aron Solomon On Monday, the Supreme Court announced that it has adopted a binding code of ethical conduct for the first time, following a series of allegations of ethics lapses. The code includes five canons of conduct, which are not new, but the lack of a published code “has led in recent years to the misunderstanding that the justices of this court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules,” the statement added. Before Monday, the Supreme Court was the only judicial body in the United States that didn’t have a formal code…

As first appeared in Newsweek By Aron Solomon The trial in Colorado that seeks to bar former President Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot under the 14th Amendment insurrection clause began last week and could go on for a while. The lawsuit, filed in September by six Colorado voters with the help of a watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), argues that former President Donald J. Trump is ineligible to hold office again under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. This section disqualifies anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the Constitution after having taken an oath to…