Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is being accused of being anti-military after statements she made on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on gays in the military. Her supporters attest that she has a profound respect for the military, balanced with her commitment to anti-discrimination policies. However, the White House is pessimistic on winning GOP votes for Kagan.

Family of Maryland inmate Rodney Jennings was awarded $2M last week after suing the state for his death. Jennings was struck and killed by a dump truck while working on a roadside trash-removal crew. Family alleged that state corrections officials failed to provide adequately safe conditions for the inmates of the roadside crews.

At 155 active cases this year, mortgage-related litigation has reached a daunting high. This jump in lawsuits is due in part to companies suing each other, rather than cases between lenders and home owners. Included are investor-related mortgage cases, such as shareholder lawsuits and class actions alleging deception regarding earnings and other financial issues.

On an emotional morning in the Supreme Court this week, justices, lawyers, law clerks and journalists bid a fond farewell to Justice John Paul Stevens as he retired after 35 years as a justice. Several lawyers and journalists wore bowties as an affectionate tribute to Stevens’ trademark neckwear.

The U.S. Supreme Court expanded Second Amendment gun rights to the states this week, stating that the right to keep arms is “among those fundamental rights necessary to our system of liberty.” However, Justice Samuel Alito Jr. did reassure anti-gun-violence advocates that the decision did not universally mean that an individual can carry a weapon in any manner without regulation.