Eversheds Sutherland has expanded its U.S. presence by opening a new office in San Francisco’s Financial District. The firm has appointed Bradford Newman, formerly the North America trade secret practice chair at Baker McKenzie, to lead this Northern California outpost. The San Francisco office, located at 101 California Street, serves as a hub for both…
California’s property insurance market is under intense scrutiny as the state’s “last resort” insurance option teeters on the edge. The California FAIR Plan, designed as a safety net for homeowners unable to secure traditional insurance, faces significant pressure due to escalating wildfire risks and increased claims. This situation poses critical questions about the sustainability of…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently facing significant challenges due to recent workforce reductions, which have raised concerns about the agency’s ability to effectively monitor and regulate the pharmaceutical market. These layoffs have particularly impacted the FDA’s capacity to inspect foreign drug manufacturing facilities, potentially compromising the safety of medications imported into…
Uber Technologies Inc. has taken legal action against numerous healthcare providers in Los Angeles, alleging a sophisticated insurance fraud scheme involving the inflation of injury claims. This move highlights ongoing challenges faced by companies dealing with fraudulent activities in their insurance and claims processes. In a lawsuit filed, Uber contends that these providers concocted exaggerated…
Armstrong Teasdale has expanded its Miami office with the addition of John E. Thornton, Jr. as Litigation Counsel. Thornton brings over a decade of diverse legal experience, including roles as a litigator in private practice and as the Chief Legal Officer of a multinational corporation. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, with particular expertise…
In a significant legal decision, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan ruled that President Donald Trump’s dismissal of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter was unlawful. The judge stated that the removal violated the FTC Act’s protections against removal without cause, emphasizing that such protections have been upheld for nearly a century to ensure…
In an increasingly digital world, protecting client funds from cyberattacks has become a paramount concern for legal professionals. As malicious entities grow more sophisticated, law firms must enhance their cybersecurity measures to safeguard client assets effectively. According to a recent analysis, cyberattacks are not just limited to large corporations; law firms, regardless of size, face…
In recent years, the issue of ghost networks has emerged as a pressing concern in the healthcare industry, particularly affecting mental health service accessibility. Ghost networks refer to the misleading directories of healthcare providers that insurers offer to beneficiaries. These networks often list providers who are either not accepting new patients or not part of…
Akerman LLP, a notable law firm renowned for its services across various sectors, is facing scrutiny due to an alleged contract drafting error amounting to $45 million. An investor client contends that this substantial mistake has significantly impacted their financial interests, bringing to light the crucial precision needed in contract management. The story, reported by…
The complex landscape of cyber insurance is once again under scrutiny, as a Mississippi law firm has initiated legal action against its cyber insurer over a denied claim following a sophisticated wire fraud scheme. This legal dispute underscores the ongoing challenges faced by companies in understanding and securing appropriate cyber coverage. The case involves a…
The federal judges of the Northern District of New York have declined to appoint John A. Sarcone III as the permanent U.S. Attorney for the district, following the expiration of his interim term. This decision marks a notable instance where a federal district court has opted not to confirm a presidential appointee to a permanent…
The first half of 2025 has witnessed significant lateral movements within the legal industry, as major law firms strategically bolster their ranks by acquiring prominent teams from competitors. These moves reflect a dynamic legal market where firms are aggressively expanding their capabilities across various practice areas and geographies. In January, Kirkland & Ellis announced the…
The litigation finance industry recently faced a significant challenge when a proposed 40.8% tax on litigation financing proceeds was introduced in the U.S. Senate. This provision, championed by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), aimed to impose a tax rate equal to the highest individual rate of 37%, plus an additional 3.8%, on profits earned by third-party…
A federal judge in Colorado has ruled against a Holland & Knight LLP attorney who sought long-term disability benefits from Unum Life Insurance Co. of America, citing health complications following a 2022 Covid-19 infection. The court determined that Unum’s denial of benefits was justified, as multiple medical evaluations indicated the attorney did not require work…
A recent decision by a Colorado federal judge has favored an insurance company in a case involving a Holland & Knight LLP attorney. The attorney claimed she was wrongfully denied long-term disability benefits after a COVID-19 infection incapacitated her from working. However, the federal judge concluded that substantial evidence supported the insurer’s decision to deny…
A recent decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has put an end to a class action lawsuit against Progressive Insurance. The lawsuit accused Progressive of underpaying policyholders for the actual cash value of vehicles deemed total losses. The appellate court found that the claims were too individualized, warranting the reversal of the class…
A recent ruling by a federal judge in Illinois has potential implications for insurance brokers, determining that they could be liable if they fail to provide adequate coverage for customer-owned property. In a $1.2 million insurance dispute, the court sided with the plaintiffs, allowing them to pursue claims against both the insurer and the insurance…
Merritt Farren, the former General Counsel for Disneyland and Audible, has been granted permission by an administrative law judge to intervene in a contentious case involving State Farm’s response to claims following the Palisades wildfires. Farren, who is now seeking to scrutinize California’s approval of an emergency interim rate hike for State Farm, argues that…
California is implementing significant reforms in its property insurance sector, aiming to address the challenges posed by increasing wildfire risks and to stabilize the insurance market. These initiatives are poised to serve as a model for national property insurance reform. In December 2024, the California Department of Insurance introduced regulations allowing insurers to incorporate forward-looking…
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani has appointed Adam B. Sugarman as its new managing partner, effective immediately. Sugarman, who has been with the firm since 2005, previously served as the Northern California Managing Partner, overseeing operations across the region, including offices in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, and Fresno. He is also a member of the…
Aetna Health Insurance and CVS Health are facing a class-action lawsuit brought forward by healthcare providers. The complaint alleges that these companies require providers to accept payments solely via prepaid debit cards, which carry merchant fees. The plaintiffs argue that requests for alternative payment methods have been consistently denied by both Aetna and CVS. For…
The decision in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. by the Supreme Court has significant implications for the U.S. health sector and constitutional law. The ruling addressed a challenge regarding the process used to appoint members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, ultimately upholding the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that health insurers cover a variety…
Direct Line’s general counsel, Angela Yotov, has decided to step down following the clearance of the company’s £3.7 billion acquisition by Aviva. This strategic move, approved by the U.K. competition regulator, marks a significant consolidation in the U.K. insurance market. The details surrounding Yotov’s departure remain sparse, reflecting a time of transition for both the…
As 2025 unfolds, the merger and acquisition (M&A) landscape is characterized by cautious optimism and strategic recalibration. Initially buoyant hopes for a robust uptick in deal activity have moderated in the face of persistent economic uncertainties and complex geopolitical factors, dampening the rapid decision-making that usually propels M&A activities. Recent observations reveal a noticeable slowdown…
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, together with several self-funded benefit plans, faces legal action over allegations of underpaying mental health and substance abuse treatment claims. The lawsuit, as reported, involves claims made by an out-of-network provider who accuses Anthem of failing to address network sufficiency concerns and communicate effectively regarding the claims in question. The…