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…
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced a decision awarding Iran a partial victory in its longstanding legal dispute with the United States, marking a significant development in international law. According to the JURIST report, the case hinges on the 1955 Treaty of Amity between the two countries, which was terminated by Washington in 2018….
In a strategic move to bolster its litigation practice, Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP has welcomed G. David Rubin as a partner to its Torrance, California office. Announced this Tuesday, the addition of Rubin signifies the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding its reach and enhancing its legal expertise in key practice areas. Rubin comes with…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that an Ohio man, previously pardoned for felony convictions, cannot proceed under a pseudonym in his legal challenge against the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The lawsuit, filed by the individual known as Dr. Doe, contends that the FDIC’s restriction on hiring…
In the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, Wall Street is moving to capitalize on the litigation landscape that has emerged in their wake. As fire victims turn to legal remedies against utilities over extensive damages, investment banks, hedge funds, and specialized litigation financiers are maneuvering to get involved in these potentially lucrative cases….
In a 6-3 decision, the US Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the US Preventive Services Task Force, securing a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) concerning preventive care. The ruling in Kennedy v. Braidwood Management asserts that members of the task force were appointed in accordance with Article II of the…
Recent trends in litigation indicate a growing focus on three key areas: heavy metals in rice, cyberattacks on the insurance industry, and online sex trafficking. These emerging legal challenges highlight the diverse array of issues that corporations and law firms must navigate in an increasingly complex legal landscape. Lawsuits over heavy metal contamination in rice…
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a 6-3 ruling that upheld a federal task force designed to recommend preventive services such as cancer and diabetes screenings under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This decision rejects a constitutional challenge to the structure of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The ruling maintains the status quo where insurance…
As the Supreme Court approaches its summer recess, it is set to deliver opinions on the remaining six cases on its docket for the 2024-25 term. The cases, spanning diverse legal issues, are expected to conclude on June 26. The outcomes could potentially reshape several legal and regulatory landscapes across the United States. One notable…
The increasing presence of third-party litigation funding in Canada is raising concerns within the insurance sector. A report by Dentons, commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, warns that these financial vehicles are being leveraged by investors to benefit from legal disputes, consequently driving up insurance costs for Canadian businesses. The trend could potentially lead…
Andrew Forman, formerly serving as deputy assistant attorney general in the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice, has transitioned to Latham & Watkins. He has joined the firm’s antitrust and competition practice as a partner in Washington, as announced by the firm recently. His expertise covers a broad spectrum of industries, including technology,…
An Allstate subsidiary has initiated a legal malpractice lawsuit against Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith and its managing partner, Renee J. Mortimer. The legal filing, made in the 10th Judicial District Court for Johnson County in Kansas, alleges that the law firm and Mortimer failed to secure a $25,000 settlement in a motor vehicle collision…
Mayer Brown has expanded its corporate and securities practice along with its global insurance industry group by recruiting Greg Oguss as a partner in Chicago. The firm welcomed Oguss on Monday, enhancing its transactional capabilities in the insurance domain. Oguss’s expertise includes advising multinational insurers, reinsurers, and alternative asset managers on various aspects such as…
Health insurance giant Cigna is embroiled in a legal dispute over allegations that it disclosed personal medical information to third-party tech entities such as Snapchat and Meta. The accusations suggest that Cigna facilitated these companies’ access to sensitive data without adequate patient consent. Jim Treglio, representing the plaintiffs at Potter Handy, has described situations where…
In a recent 8-1 decision, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that retirees are not considered “qualified persons” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and consequently cannot file ADA suits for issues arising post-retirement. This ruling came as a result of the case involving Karyn Stanley, who had retired from the City of…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently delivered an 8-1 ruling that blocks retired Florida firefighter Karyn Stanley from pursuing legal action against her former employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Stanley had sought legal recourse after her health insurance was terminated post-retirement, a situation she argued was discriminatory based on her disability, Parkinson’s disease,…
Recent litigation trends have highlighted significant legal challenges facing various sectors, particularly within the healthcare and employment domains. Following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, lawsuits against major health insurers have been on the rise. These legal actions focus on drug reimbursement practices that are now under scrutiny. Legal professionals are closely watching how…
The erosion of federal enforcement under the former Trump administration has resulted in the ascent of state attorneys general as prominent enforcers across various legal domains. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and traditional federal enforcement agencies experience significant cutbacks, state AGs are stepping into the breach, increasingly pursuing aggressive investigations with novel legal theories,…
The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” is increasingly becoming a focal point for both federal and state governments in the United States. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves forward with plans to address PFAS contamination, several states are independently imposing stricter measures to limit these substances,…
In recent developments, several hospitals and healthcare providers have chosen to opt out of a significant $2.8 billion proposed class settlement. These organizations have instead filed a series of antitrust lawsuits. They allege that the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, along with its commercial insurance plans, has been engaging in practices that systematically underpay medical…