In a recent development within the legal industry, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) has announced the addition of Karen Sullivan to their roster as a partner within the environmental and toxic tort practice, based in their San Diego office. This move, announced this past Friday, marks a significant expansion of the firm’s capabilities in managing…
A Pennsylvania insurer is currently seeking a ruling from a federal judge in Illinois declaring that it does not have an obligation to defend or indemnify a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise, as well as its parent company, in an ongoing labor class action. The insurer contends that it never provided an insurance policy for these entities….
This week’s edition of Law.com’s “Critical Mass,” authored by Amanda Bronstad, highlights significant legal developments involving Monsanto and PacifiCorp. A verdict has been reached in the first Roundup trial held in Georgia, resulting in a jury awarding over $2 billion. This landmark decision marks a substantial moment in ongoing litigation involving Monsanto’s product Roundup. More…
Fox Rothschild has announced that Stephan Cornell has rejoined the firm as a partner in its litigation department, based in Warrington, Pennsylvania. Cornell was previously with the firm and is returning to manage a range of complex legal matters. His expertise covers diverse areas such as insurance coverage and bad faith, contract disputes, consumer class…
Vinson & Elkins has announced the addition of Nicole Castle as a partner in the firm’s antitrust practice in New York. A seasoned lawyer with a robust background in handling complex antitrust matters, Castle is expected to significantly bolster the firm’s capabilities in this domain. Castle brings with her extensive experience in representing clients in…
Slater and Gordon, an Australian plaintiff class action law firm, has referred a former employee to the police following an investigation into a malicious email incident. The email, sent in February to over 900 staff members, allegedly contained a spreadsheet detailing salaries, bonuses, and performance ratings, alongside criticisms of key executives and concerns regarding the…
Perkins Coie has been retained to defend Amazon.com Inc. and its subsidiary, Amazon Advertising LLC, in privacy class action lawsuits filed in Washington federal court. These lawsuits target Amazon’s use of software development kit technology, which allegedly collects users’ geolocation data without their consent. Further details reveal that Perkins Coie partners Erin Earl, Nicola Menaldo,…
In a consequential development in the ongoing antitrust litigation against Blue Cross Blue Shield, a federal judge in Alabama has mandated that law firms disclose whether their clients’ decision to opt out of a $2.8 billion settlement was influenced by third-party litigation funding. The order comes from Chief Justice R. David Proctor and targets prominent…
In a recent legal development, a California federal judge dismissed a class action suit against Visa Inc., highlighting significant flaws in the antitrust claims made by a credit card transaction intermediary. The judge criticized the allegations for being “muddled” and based on “elementary mistakes,” leading to the decision to throw out the proposed lawsuit. For…
A class action settlement involving Chicco KidFit booster seats is now back in court for final approval. The settlement aims to resolve allegations against manufacturer Artsana USA Inc., accused of misleading consumers by claiming its booster seats were safe for children weighing as little as 30 pounds. Despite the fact that fewer than 870,000 booster…
Katten has strengthened its securities litigation practice with the addition of Gidon Caine as a partner in its Silicon Valley office. Caine’s recruitment, announced on March 18, brings significant expertise to the firm, especially in the areas of securities and corporate governance disputes. Caine’s practice involves substantial work with shareholder class action lawsuits, stockholder derivative…
Farmers New World Life Insurance Co. is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that the company overcharged policyholders for life insurance and improperly lapsed policies. The complaint was filed in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County by Evelyn Navarro and the estate of Virginia Meza. Navarro is a beneficiary under Meza’s life insurance…
In a significant development for gender pay equity in the legal profession, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has reached a settlement regarding allegations that it engaged in wage discrimination against female attorneys. The county’s public defender’s office faced claims that it paid male assistant public defenders more than their female counterparts for performing substantially equal work. The…
A recent panel discussion at a class action law forum in San Diego addressed the impact of the newly amended Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which emphasizes the judge’s role as a gatekeeper in determining the admissibility of expert testimony. Contrary to some predictions, the panelists did not view the amendment as…
In a significant interpretation of federal district courts’ powers, the Ninth Circuit has affirmed that these courts can mandate the return or destruction of confidential documents inadvertently disclosed to intervenors. This ruling is rooted in the inherent authority possessed by district courts, as underscored by the court’s recent decision. The ruling emerged from a case…
A notable development has emerged in the arena of appellate litigation with the launch of Zimmer Citron & Clarke, a boutique law firm founded by two former Goodwin partners, David Zimmer and Edwina Clarke. The duo has teamed up with Eric Citron, previously a partner at Goldstein & Russell and an executive in litigation funding,…
In a recent strategic expansion, law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP has bolstered its Denver litigation practice by welcoming a team from Polsinelli, including notable practitioners Stacy Carpenter and Michael Dulin, who join as shareholders. The firm simultaneously brings Gina Tincher on board as of counsel and Nicholas Banelli as an associate. Stacy Carpenter, a significant…
In a recent ruling that touches upon a significant point of contention among federal courts, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings from the Northern District of Illinois has allowed a lawsuit against Ford to proceed under federal jurisdiction despite failing to meet the standard requirements of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The lawsuit, which involves allegations…
Welch Foods is currently facing a consumer class action lawsuit over allegations of false advertising regarding its white grape juice. The lawsuit challenges the company’s claim that the product is “100% Grape Juice, White Grape,” asserting that it includes artificial additives despite labeling. This scrutiny is part of a trend in consumer class actions aimed…
Buchalter has announced the addition of Jeremy Adamson as a new shareholder in its labor and employment practice in Salt Lake City. Adamson’s expertise spans multiple areas, including commercial litigation, employment law, and regulatory matters. As a crucial part of his role, he provides guidance to employers regarding adherence to federal and state employment laws….
In a recent determination by the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, attorneys representing investors in the defunct pharmaceutical company Akorn Inc. have been ordered to return $332,500 in legal fees. This decision comes after the court found that over half a dozen lawsuits filed by these lawyers were deemed frivolous, as…
The ongoing litigation over antitrust claims against prominent real estate brokerage firms has encountered a significant procedural hurdle, following a request for recusal of the presiding judge. At the center of this controversy is Judge Stephen R. Bough of the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The recusal motion arises from allegations…
In a recent development, a California state judge has dismissed certain claims in a proposed class action lawsuit initiated by a fellow judge. The case centers around allegations that she was underpaid over the past several years. The court’s decision hinges on the finding that the California state’s retirement agency and its controller did not…
In a significant development in the U.K. legal landscape, elite law firms such as Slaughter and May, A&O Shearman, and Freshfields have been engaged by six U.K. water companies to counter a major proposed class action. The allegations involved overcharging customers between £800 million and £1.5 billion through deceptive reporting of sewage leaks. This legal…
In a recent decision, a Washington federal judge has ruled that Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is not obligated to disclose texts and emails with a client who had disappeared from an ongoing class action lawsuit involving Apple and Amazon. This ruling comes amidst allegations from the tech companies that the law firm had misrepresented…