In a recently developed case, a federal judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington largely dismissed a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) claim emerging from a putative class action, despite backing some allegations within it. The case was profiled in JD Supra. The plaintiff, presumably part of a broader…
Global cruise company Carnival has lost a significant COVID-19 related class action lawsuit in Australia. The case alleged that Carnival demonstrated negligence in its duty of care to passengers during a cruise that resulted in a significant COVID-19 outbreak. Federal Court of Australia Justice Angus Stewart ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, affirming that Carnival…
The outlook for restaurants and food service establishments heading into 2024 is rife with opportunities and challenges alike. Amidst a new wave of employment trends, increasing emphasis on sustainability, and growing reliance on technology, industry stakeholders have a blend of possibilities and issues to navigate. Spearheading the changes are new employment trends being observed across…
The landscape of legal battles around pay transparency seems to be shifting, as dozens of class action lawsuits have risen in Washington this past month. These lawsuits are grounded on alleged transgressions of the Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunity Act. Companies that are hiring, or those planning to, for any job in Washington can potentially…
On Wednesday last week, a significant movement occurred in the Senate Commerce Committee where a voice vote was cast to push forward President Biden’s nominees for the two open Republican Commissioner positions in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The two nominees, Andrew N. Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak, have now found their candidacies progressed to the…
In a decision that could have significant implications on class action lawsuits brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently rejected a district court’s finding on the so-called informational injury doctrine. The Third Circuit issued this decision on October 12, ruling that the informational…
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has opted not to offer clarification on the matter of enforceability pertaining to mandatory arbitration for claims of fiduciary breach. This development has brought to attention the ongoing debate on whether mandatory arbitration provisions equipped with class action waivers serve as an effective solution to the growing wave…
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently dismissed a proposed Class Action lawsuit against L’Oreal U.S.A., Inc. The allegations were that its mascara products contained per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances often referred to as “PFAS”. This decision was made without prejudice. Plaintiffs alleged on a “price premium” theory of injury. They asserted that…
For legal professionals specializing in insurance-related class action lawsuits, the upcoming webinar on November 9th, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am PT, carries substantial significance. The presentation will be conducted by the renowned law firm, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, providing expert insights and strategies to counter emerging insurance class action claims. The focus…
The paper cheque, once the mainstay of receiving settlement funds in class actions and mass torts, is giving way to digital payments. A majority of class members now express a preference for their settlement payments to be directly deposited into their digital wallets such as PayPal, according to the recent findings. In the inaugural “Digital…
In an interesting turn of events, the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois rejected the certification of a supposed class action alleging that TransUnion violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). The charges brought against the credit reporting agency involved allegedly misleading consumers concerning the…
The year 2023 has seen the hospitality industry navigate a diverse array of opportunities and challenges, particularly in the legal battlefield. This brief review seeks to highlight some of these noteworthy developments and their potential ramifications for the sector. The ArentFox Schiff Hospitality Industry group has sketched out a few areas of discourse impacting hospitality…
In a recent case unfolding in New York District Court, it has become clear that late filing of a 13D form can result in private damages under Section 10(b). The decision was rendered on September 29, 2023, by Southern District of New York Judge Andrew L. Carter. This implies that failing to file a Schedule…
The past week has seen several major developments in UK litigation. Well-known credit score agency Equifax has been hit with a class action suit regarding a data breach that compromised the data of 14 million consumers. The original report provides a comprehensive view of this case and others. Meanwhile, High Street Solicitors, a law firm…
In a distinctive transition, London-based litigator Natasha Harrison has established a lucrative career since leaving her leadership position at Boies Schiller to found her boutique firm, Pallas Partners. Focused on high-profile investor lawsuits for nearly two years, Harrison’s Pallas Partners frequently finds itself at the center of disputes involving major corporations such as Blackstone, Bain…
As we delve into the halfway point of 2023, several key trends have emerged within the realm of insurance related class action activity. Drawing from a quarterly report by BakerHostetler, a comprehensive picture begins to develop regarding the changing landscape of property and casualty claims class actions. This robust report summarizes two quarters of activity…
Earlier this month, in a significant ruling, the Rhode Island Federal District Court invalidated a class action waiver in a case known as Elsie Metcalfe v. Grieco Hyundai, LLC. As per the ruling, class action waivers are not enforceable outside of arbitration. This judgment brings attention to an essential clause where the agreement was not…
In this week’s legal ruling round-up, notable decisions within the food and consumer packaged goods sector continue to be highlighted. One case which stands out is Stephen Dunn, et al. v. Ancient Brands LLC, No. 5:21-cv-00390-LEK-ML, where the Northern District of New York granted the defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings of a class…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of securities fraud allegations against Biogen, with the exception of a statement concerning the dose-response relationship of an Alzheimer’s drug. The plaintiffs, investors Nadia Shash and Amjad Khan, initiated a securities fraud class action against Biogen and former executives Michael…
In recent news received from the Southern District of New York, there has been a partial denial and partial acceptance of a motion to dismiss a securities class action directed towards the owner of a social media company and his associated beneficial trust. This decision was executed by Judge Andrew L. Carter, Jr. of the…
Haynes and Boone, a prominent law firm, recently announced a new addition to their team: litigation partner Elizabeth Weldon in their branch in Orange County, California. The statement was made earlier this week. Prior to joining Haynes and Boone, Weldon was part of the established team at Snell & Wilmer. Combining her extensive expertise in…
In a recent legal ruling, the Northern District Of California granted a motion to dismiss an amended securities class action complaint against a leading hearing aid company. The news, originally reported by Shearman & Sterling LLP, came to light on August 31, 2023. Presided over by Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District…
In a significant development within the legal landscape, attorneys responsible for the 3M and DuPont PFAS settlements are now seeking $1B in fees. Additionally, we are witnessing a noticeable uptick in the number of data breach class actions, hitting record highs in 2023. The PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) cases represent extensive litigation surrounding a…
For anyone operating in the realm of legal services, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly making its mark. This is nowhere more evident than in the recent high-profile case involving Fugees hip hop star, Pras Michel, who alleges his legal counsel utilized artificial intelligence to construct their closing argument during his witness tampering trial. The trial,…
One of the most critical issues facing big corporations and law firms in recent years is data breaches. In 2023, the number of data breach class actions filed has taken a significant leap compared to previous years, indicating a shift in how legal professionals and organizations are responding to data security incidents. This information is…