In a significant development for class action litigation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has provided clarification regarding the ascertainability criterion, reinforcing the requirements necessary for certifying a class. The case of Cline v. Sunoco, Inc. R&M highlights this shift, affirming the district court’s decision to certify a class and award damages….
The landscape of securities litigation is poised for significant developments in 2026, influenced by emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, and evolving market dynamics. Legal professionals should closely monitor the following trends: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and “AI-Washing” Allegations The proliferation of AI technologies has led to increased scrutiny over corporate disclosures. Companies accused of “AI-washing”—exaggerating or misrepresenting…
Class action litigation in 2025 has continued to evolve, reflecting shifts in legal standards, emerging technologies, and societal concerns. This year has seen significant developments across various domains, including class certification criteria, diversity jurisdiction, consumer and securities actions, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI). The total value of class action settlements in 2024 reached…
In 2025, Law360’s most-read securities guest articles reflected the dynamic shifts in regulatory landscapes and market practices. Key topics included the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) evolving enforcement strategies, particularly concerning cryptocurrency, as well as significant amendments in Delaware corporate law and emerging trends in securities class actions. A notable article by Simpson Thacher…
In a notable decision last week, a Washington state court denied class certification in an employment-related class action lawsuit against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. The litigation focused on allegations that the company had violated state labor laws by not displaying pay ranges on job advertisements targeted within the state. This decision marked…
In a legal landscape increasingly defined by the intersection of technology and intellectual property, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and others face fresh allegations of copyright infringement from a coalition of writers, which includes Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Carreyrou. This lawsuit underscores the ongoing tension between tech giants and content creators, amidst rising concerns about how artificial…
The prospect of a definitive legal ruling on the constitutionality of former President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order remains uncertain as the U.S. Supreme Court navigates through a complex procedural landscape. The court’s decision to hear Barbara v. Trump, while placing Washington v. Trump on hold, hints at an elusive path towards a direct…
A recent development in the legal landscape has seen a significant shift with the spin-off from Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, which is now strategically bolstering its ranks with a strong team of litigators specializing in investor suits. This move highlights an ongoing trend of specialized firms focusing on high-stakes securities litigation, reflecting the…
Nearly three decades after the enactment of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA), its effectiveness remains a topic of discussion among legal professionals. The Act, introduced in 1995, was designed to curb frivolous securities lawsuits, promote transparency, and reduce the burden on companies from class action litigation. However, its success is still debated, with…
AstraZeneca’s unit, Alexion, received a mixed ruling from a Massachusetts federal judge concerning a proposed class action by a nonprofit insurer. The case centers on Soliris, a treatment for rare blood disorders. While Alexion successfully dodged allegations of anticompetitive patent fraud that allegedly inflated Soliris’s market position, the court decided to uphold claims related to…
In a legal challenge that underscores the ongoing tension between technology and intellectual property rights, a coalition of independent musicians has initiated a proposed class action against the AI music platform Mureka. The lawsuit contends that Mureka systematically stores and replicates their copyrighted works, potentially undermining the artists’ livelihood by offering a competing product. According…
In a potential pivot for securities class action litigation, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently introduced a new regulatory approach that could markedly change the landscape. The move, aimed at enhancing disclosure and accountability, might significantly impact how companies and their executives handle legal risk concerning securities fraud claims. Traditionally, securities class…
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, a prominent law firm, faced judicial sanctions following a striking mishap related to their use of artificial intelligence. In a recent California federal court proceeding, the firm submitted four legal briefs that contained errors attributed to ChatGPT. This blunder occurred in the context of representing OnlyFans users in proposed class…
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed an appeal brought by former college basketball players. This case involved allegations that the NCAA improperly profited from using their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) long after their athletic careers had concluded. The court’s decision, rendered on Monday, noted that the “continuing violation doctrine” was not applicable…
A recent decision from a Georgia federal judge underscores the pivotal role arbitration agreements play in legal proceedings involving major firms. The court ruled not to revise its prior judgment, directing that a malpractice lawsuit against Morgan & Morgan PA proceed to arbitration. This decision stems from a former client’s allegations that the firm’s handling…
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has centralized a complex legal dispute in Washington, D.C., assigning U.S. Senior District Judge John Bates to manage a series of class action lawsuits. These lawsuits allege racketeering and antitrust violations by claims administrators such as Epiq Systems, Angeion Group, and JND Legal Administration, along with several major…
In a significant legal development, a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm is facing a proposed class action lawsuit after allegedly failing to inform clients of a data breach that compromised sensitive personal information for a duration of six months. The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Wednesday, alleges that the firm’s delay in disclosure may…
Pesticide manufacturers Syngenta and Corteva are confronting class certification motions from farmers seeking over $2 billion in damages. The farmers allege that the companies’ rebate programs paid distributors to limit the sale of cheaper generic pesticides, thereby inflating prices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with attorneys general from ten states, filed a complaint in…
In the complex landscape of class action litigation, identifying and resolving conflicts among class members is essential for the integrity of the process. A recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit underscores how intraclass conflicts can decisively impact the outcome of class actions. The case in question highlighted that conflicts…
Spain is on the verge of a significant transformation in its legal landscape with a proposed shift to an opt-out system for class actions. This initiative could potentially streamline the litigation process and broaden the scope for collective redress, aligning Spain with the practices observed in jurisdictions like the United States. Currently, class actions in…
The Massachusetts Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Committee has petitioned the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to reconsider a $4 million class action settlement, asserting that it was not afforded the opportunity to advocate for a share of the substantial residual funds. The Committee contends that the lower court’s oversight in this matter warrants a…
In the competitive legal arena, the spotlight this week shines on Gupta Wessler LLP and Block & Leviton LLP. These firms have earned their place as Law360’s Legal Lions after successfully reviving a proposed class action against NextEra Energy Inc. The Eleventh Circuit’s decision represents a significant development in the case, which addresses allegations of…
Rosen Law Firm has been sanctioned by a federal judge in Georgia over a lawsuit deemed to be without merit. The firm, which is known for its work in securities class actions, was penalized with a fee sanction following a lawsuit filed by investors that the court found “groundless.” This decision underscores the potential financial…
In a pivotal decision, a federal judge has certified a class action lawsuit against Liberty Mutual Insurance, addressing accusations that the company prematurely terminated rental car benefits for policyholders. The plaintiffs in the case argue that Liberty Mutual systematically ended rental car benefits after just seven days, without adequately assessing the individual circumstances of each…
The legal industry is closely watching the developments surrounding the internal discord at Labaton Sucharow LLP, a firm renowned for its focus on shareholder suits. A split between the firm’s leadership has raised concerns at a particularly challenging time for the niche sector of shareholder litigation. The public spat involves two of the firm’s prominent…