In the News Today – February 18, 2014

The oil and gas industry has invested more than $60 billion in south Louisiana, but the state’s legal environment is “preventing us from doing all the things that we could do,” Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Vice President Gifford Briggs said. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Avon is reportedly close to settling a long-running FCPA investigation. People close to the matter say it could cost as much as $132 million to resolve, in addition to the $340 million the company has already spent on legal matters. Wall Street Journal

Leslie Caldwell told the Senate Judiciary Committee that white-collar crime would be top priority if she were confirmed to lead the DOJ Criminal Division. Main Justice

The VP of White Castle says that the company is a target of so-called ‘patent trolls’ who have sued over QR codes, links in emails, and digital menu boards. Legal Newsline