Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to channel mass tort talc litigation through the U.S. bankruptcy courts has faced a notable setback. The company’s strategy to manage the litigation through bankruptcy, which revolved around a proposed $9 billion Chapter 11 settlement, was unsuccessful, leaving approximately 60,000 lawsuits unresolved. These allegations claim that J&J’s talc products, including its…
The legal battle surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products has taken an intriguing turn, as the company’s subsidiary seeks to block the payment of legal fees to Brown Rudnick LLP. In a filing with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Johnson & Johnson argued that Brown Rudnick’s fee application of $4.3…
The U.S. Trustee’s Office, alongside the law firm Jackson Walker LLP, has indicated potential willingness to mediate a dispute that involves the forfeiture of fees accrued from over 30 cases. These cases were under the purview of a former bankruptcy judge who maintained a romantic involvement with a former partner of Jackson Walker. The disclosure…
In a recent legal dispute, a Texas federal judge addressed the contentious situation involving Jackson Walker LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP, stating that the firms were embroiled in a “circular firing squad.” The conflict centers around the former CEO of a now-defunct barge company and his legal standing to sue the law firms over…
The delicate issue of selling genetic data from more than 15 million 23andMe customers has been entrusted significantly to Neil Richards, a professor at Washington University School of Law. Following Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s recent announcement to purchase a substantial portion of the bankrupt genetic testing firm’s assets, Richards holds a crucial role as the court-appointed…
The U.S. Department of Justice’s bankruptcy watchdog has intervened to mediate a contentious dispute between Texas-based law firm Jackson Walker LLP and the legal system over undisclosed romantic affiliations. This mediation, necessitated by the law firm’s failure to disclose a former partner’s affair with an ex-judge, highlights the ongoing challenges within bankruptcy proceedings and ethical…
In a recent legal development, Jackson Walker LLP’s proposed fee settlements concerning a clandestine relationship between a former firm partner and a high-profile bankruptcy judge have faced opposition from the U.S. Trustee. The Texas-based law firm is attempting to bypass standard legal practices for contesting attorney compensation through its agreements to settle fee disputes in…
In a recent conversation, media executive Barry Diller expressed support for Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone amidst the ongoing legal challenges with former President Donald Trump. Redstone is reportedly attempting to sell her company whilst embroiled in a lawsuit filed by Trump—a situation that Diller describes as being akin to having “a guillotine at your…
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton has expanded its finance and bankruptcy practice group with the addition of Jeffrey Bingham as a partner in their Dallas office. Known for his adept handling of middle market private credit financing and direct lending transactions, Bingham brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He previously represented private…
In the maze of corporate insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings, intellectual property (IP) emerges as a pivotal asset often overlooked until it becomes critical. For legal professionals navigating this complex terrain, the capacity to discern the value of IP can be the difference between a smooth transition and financial chaos. As the analysis by legal experts…
In a significant addition to its corporate and securities team, Mayer Brown has announced the hiring of Daniel Serota as a partner specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as private equity. Serota will be based in the firm’s New York office, where he is expected to bolster the practice’s capabilities in handling high-stakes…
In a recent legal development, Jackson Walker LLP has criticized a lawsuit filed by former client J.C. Penney, describing it as a strategic “leverage play and a money grab.” This suit is part of a series of claims propelled by the department store’s wind-down debtors following the revelation of a yearslong undisclosed relationship between a…
Milbank LLP has expanded its Supreme Court and appellate practice with the addition of Colleen Roh Sinzdak as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. Sinzdak brings a wealth of experience to the firm, having served as an assistant to the solicitor general at the Justice Department. In her new role, she will focus on…
In a recent development in the legal sphere, Jackson Walker LLP has once again moved to dismiss a lawsuit related to the bankruptcy proceedings of retail giant JCPenney. The suit, filed by the administrator responsible for winding down JCPenney’s bankruptcy estate, alleges that Jackson Walker intentionally concealed a romantic relationship between Elizabeth Freeman, a former…
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland’s financial strategy in its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings has encountered resistance from its junior creditors. The diocese’s attempt to increase the proportion of professional fees withheld until the conclusion of its bankruptcy case has been met with scrutiny [according to Bloomberg Law](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/oakland-diocese-creditors-oppose-bid-to-pause-some-fee-payments). The request suggests changing the current hold-back on…
In a recent development within the legal sector, Troutman Pepper Locke has expanded its team by appointing Christopher Fernandez as a partner. Fernandez will play a key role in the firm’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice group, operating from their Charlotte, N.C. office. With a robust background in advising and representing commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) special…
Allen & Overy Shearman (A&O Shearman) has made a notable addition to its U.S. restructuring practice by welcoming back Ned Schodek as a partner based in its New York office. The decision, which was announced on Wednesday, underscores the firm’s commitment to bolstering its expertise in handling complex restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Schodek is a…
A recent federal court decision has clarified the rights of non-creditors in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, emphasizing the need for actual notice in specific circumstances. The court ruled that an individual, who was not a creditor of a bankruptcy estate, was entitled to actual notice of an injunction under a Chapter 11 plan that…
In a unique turn of events, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) finds itself without any cases to hear for oral arguments at its upcoming session on May 29. This unusual situation highlights a temporary lull in the typically dense schedule of the MDL panel, which plays a significant role in consolidating related…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is navigating the complexities of a legal quandary involving the Texas law firm Jackson Walker LLP. The DOJ, through its U.S. Trustee’s office, has filed a motion seeking to consolidate numerous bankruptcy cases into a single proceeding. This motion arises from accusations that Jackson Walker LLP failed to disclose…
A recent filing by a U.S. Department of Justice watchdog is raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of AgileThought Inc., a technology advisory firm. The watchdog has urged the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to block law firm Grant & Eisenhofer PA from representing senior lender…
“`html Lawyers for cybersecurity firm IronNet Inc., specifically from the firm Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, have filed a motion seeking to withdraw from their role in the company’s ongoing bankruptcy. IronNet, founded by former National Security Agency chief General Keith B. Alexander, is currently without replacement counsel despite agreeing to Young Conaway’s request…
The legal battle involving Infowars host Alex Jones has taken another turn as the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims urge a Connecticut appeals court to proceed with enforcing a $1.3 billion judgment. Despite Jones’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the families argue that his constitutional claims, introduced at this stage, are both…
Jackson Walker LLP, a well-established Texas-based law firm, has successfully recruited former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht to join its ranks as a partner in its Austin office, as announced by the firm on Friday. This move marks Hecht’s return to private practice after over four decades in the judiciary. Hecht commenced his…
In a significant decision impacting bankruptcy law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has ruled that bankruptcy trustees involved in Chapter 13 proceedings are required to return all collected payments, including trustee percentage fees, to debtors when a financial restructuring plan is not confirmed. This marks a clear directive on how trustee…