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…
Attorneys spearheading the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class action lawsuit against DuPont de Nemours Inc., Chemours Co., among other chemical companies, have recently requested a considerable $94.8 million in attorney’s fees, according to a report by Bloomberg Law. The lawsuit was initiated by municipalities accusing the afore-mentioned companies of contaminating their drinking water with…
Employers in Washington state are being inundated with a series of class action lawsuits alleging transgressions against the state’s newly enacted pay transparency law. With the viability of these claims still under speculation, the development is generating concern among companies operating in Washington, prompting them to reexamine their job advertisements to align with the new…
The legal practice management platform Filevine has just launched an enhancement to its Lead Docket lead intake tool, a feature which utilises artificial intelligence to summarise the crucial details of incoming leads. Furthermore, this feature can also be used to predict which leads are the best matches for a law firm and which ones would…
Lead class counsel involved in prominent lawsuit resolutions with chemical behemoths; DuPont de Nemours Inc. and 3M, have reportedly declared their intention to request almost $1 billion in legal fees. This announcement followed a $1.185 billion class action settlement with DuPont, where the lawyers lodged a motion on Sunday for $94.8 million in fees. The…
In an opinion that legal professionals should note, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has parsed an important distinction between classwide liability theories and classwide damages theories. The recent judgement was delivered in the case of Sampson v. United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, detailed at JD Supra. This judgement serves as a…
Tenet Healthcare’s subsidiary, Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions, along with Insight Global and Adidas America, are allegedly facing three separate class action lawsuits due to purported failure in revealing a wage scale or salary range for job positions. This information is a critical prerequisite according to Washington state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. These complaints, which…
This week in legal news, the Ninth Circuit is taking into consideration the circumstances under which an unnamed plaintiff in a putative class action has standing to appeal. The discussion revolves around the case – Mark Habelt and Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi v. iRhythm Technologies, Inc. et al.. The report, published by Morrison…
In a remarkable development, a putative class action lawsuit against a renowned cosmetic company, L’Oreal U.S.A., Inc., was dismissed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit, which was initially filed in March 2022, alleged that L’Oreal violated a plethora of state consumer protection laws. The main contention was…
Healthcare providers face significant risk while offering essential services, owing not only to the sensitive nature of their job but also due to the clear potential for lawsuits. This susceptibility manifests particularly when caring for the emotional and physical well-being of individuals, with any flaws leading to potential lawsuits. Considering that providers extend these services…
Class action lawsuits related to data breaches have seen a significant uptick in 2023, with figures projected to surpass previous records. Data gathered by Law.com Radar suggests a stark increase in cases from the previous year. According to the report, 246 data breach class actions had been registered by the end of June 2023, which…
The ongoing class action case Hardwick v. 3M Company in the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit court deals with an interesting, and potentially far-reaching, question: can someone sue now if they believe they may suffer harm in the future due to past events? The case involves everyone in the US who has…
It has been two years since the landmark decision in TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez, which transformed the landscape of legal standing in the United States. As noted by legal guidance platform JD Supra, the case continues to resonate in federal courts across the nation, and holds significant implications for employers and law practitioners alike. For…
Legal professionals working for corporations and law firms have much to contemplate in the light of recent developments in the state of Washington’s pay transparency law. Over the past week, approximately thirty-class action lawsuits were filed against various employers, alleging infringements of the newly established regulation. This wave of lawsuits should serve as a clarion…
In a recent ruling, Judge Manish S. Shah of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois delivered a narrowed down perspective to a putative class action. This action asserted claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against an unnamed airplane manufacturer, as well as its ex-CEO and ex-CFO. The case…
In this week’s roundup of notable rulings, we glance over key court decisions that have the potential to shape legal practices within the food and consumer packaged goods terrain, with a spotlight on Igor Zapadinsky v. Blue Diamond Growers. In the case of Igor Zapadinsky v. Blue Diamond Growers, No. 2:23-cv-00231-JPS (August 7, 2023), the…
The Conseil d’Etat, France’s highest administrative court, dismissed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against the French government for alleged racial profiling practices amongst French police in identity checks against people of African and Arab origins. You can read more here. The Council of State defended its dismissal, stating that the administrative court has no authority…
The Second Circuit and Ninth Circuit courts have recently issued opinions overturning class action settlements. The pronounced issue revolves around the attorneys’ fees awarded to the counsel of the class. These new developments stem from the cases of Lowery v. Rhapsody Int’l, Inc., 75 F.4th 985 (9th Cir. 2023) and Moses v. New York Times,…
Norton Rose Fulbright continues to enhance its team with the recent addition of a new partner. Debbie Birndorf, a seasoned professional in the field of employment and labor law, has joined the law firm’s Los Angeles office. The move was announced on Tuesday. An experienced advocate for employers, Birndorf’s legal prowess extends to the successful…
A class settlement requiring Cigna Health & Life Insurance Co. to broaden its coverage of specialized liposuction has been given final approval, marking a significant turning point in the treatment coverage for lipedema. However, in addition to approving the settlement, the court order noted how inflation is currently affecting the standards that govern class action…
A new US law, set to take effect on January 1, is aimed at putting an end to the country’s infamous standing as a sanctuary for shell companies. For the first time, millions of businesses will be obliged to disclose their ownership information or risk significant fines and potential imprisonment for noncompliance. However, according to…
In class certification, an essential consideration courts make is whether common issues may predominate, even if damages have to be individually established for each class member. These common issues may involve, for instance, misuse of company funds, consumer rights infringements, or labor law violations. Recent federal appellate decisions have introduced a new layer to this…
On September 25, 2023, a putative class action was brought before Judge Pamela K. Chen of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The plaintiff alleges that a leading international IT portfolio management services company and its executive leadership violated Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933,…