The ongoing litigation involving Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer has brought to the forefront the complex interplay between state and federal courts, as well as the intricate nature of mass public harms litigation. At the heart of the dispute is whether federal pesticide regulation preempts state law, a question currently under consideration by the Supreme Court…
The opposition to the $7.25 billion Roundup class action settlement has intensified as two co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel in the multidistrict litigation have sought judicial intervention. Earlier this month, these legal representatives filed an injunction motion urging U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria to halt the agreement that was preliminarily approved by Judge Timothy Boyer in St….
Recent developments in the Zantac mass tort litigation have gained significant attention as a Philadelphia judge, tasked with overseeing these cases against GlaxoSmithKline, has once again denied a motion to recuse himself. The request for recusal stemmed from the judge’s wife’s professional connection to a firm representing a defendant in the ongoing litigation. Despite concerns…
The New Jersey Supreme Court has decided not to reconsider a decision that disqualified the Beasley Allen Law Firm from representing clients in a high-profile litigation case concerning Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. This decision effectively upholds a previous ruling by a lower court, which had removed the firm from the multi-county litigation, a move…
“`html The New Jersey Supreme Court has turned down a request from Beasley Allen, a prominent plaintiff’s law firm, to reenter the ongoing talc litigation against Johnson & Johnson. This decision effectively bars the firm from rejoining the legal battle over claims that the company’s talc products, including baby powder, caused cancer. Beasley Allen’s involvement…
The long-running legal saga surrounding Winter Storm Uri has reached a pivotal moment as the Texas Supreme Court denied mandamus petitions in five bellwether cases. This decision effectively seals a defense verdict in one of Texas’ largest mass torts cases, impacting over 200 lawsuits and approximately 30,000 plaintiffs who sought more than $1 billion in…
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s asset management division is venturing into new territory by advancing fees for law firms involved in mass tort litigation. This move marks a significant foray into the intricate world of mass tort financing, a practice that helps law firms cover upfront costs associated with large-scale lawsuits, such as those involving defective…
In a significant decision, a New Jersey state appeals court has declined to halt its ruling disqualifying the Beasley Allen Law Firm from representing plaintiffs in the ongoing multicounty litigation involving Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder. This development comes as Beasley Allen sought a stay on the disqualification order, which affects numerous cases alleging…
In the ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, Beasley Allen, a leading plaintiffs’ firm, faces a significant challenge. The firm, instrumental in representing plaintiffs who allege that the company’s talc-based products caused cancer, is embroiled in a potential disqualification hearing scheduled for February 24 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah Singh. This…
The introduction of artificial intelligence in the legal sphere is reshaping the handling of mass torts, with the potential to significantly lower costs and enhance efficiency. Traditionally, mass tort litigation has been an arena marked by high complexity and substantial financial burdens. However, AI promises to transform these dynamics by streamlining document review, case management,…
The growing deluge of mass tort cases in bankruptcy courts is prompting calls for the appointment of special masters to streamline proceedings and ensure efficiency. This demand comes as courts grapple with complex cases involving large numbers of claims and intricate legal issues. Mass tort cases, which often involve thousands of claimants affected by defective…
A Delaware Chancery Court judge has permitted a lawsuit involving Janus Henderson Group, a notable entity in the asset management industry, to proceed. This legal action arises from allegations made by a mass torts litigation funder, who asserts that a subsidiary of Janus Henderson schemed to take control over its operations. The judge found the…
In California’s Northern District, a new multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning child exploitation allegations against Roblox Corporation is taking shape. Five esteemed attorneys—W. Mark Lanier, Bryan Aylstock, Sarah London, Alexandra Walsh, and Bob Hilliard—are currently contending for leadership roles in the proceedings. With 85 lawsuits consolidated by Chief Judge Richard Seeborg, the stakes of the litigation…
Elizabeth Burch, a respected professor at the University of Georgia School of Law and an authority on mass torts, has recently brought attention to a controversial issue within the legal system with her book, The Pain Brokers. This insightful work delves into an unsettling scheme that took place during the pelvic mesh litigation, an event…
The legal landscape of 2026 is poised for transformation with several pivotal mass tort trials that could reshape how cases are approached and adjudicated. A key development in this arena is the recent decision by a federal judge to advance Uber’s bellwether sexual assault trial. This decision could have a significant impact on how ridesharing…
Sidley Austin LLP has announced the addition of Paul Boehm as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office, where he will serve as a global co-leader of the firm’s Product Liability and Mass Torts practice. Boehm joins Sidley after more than two decades at Williams & Connolly LLP, where he was a litigation partner. ([sidley.com](https://www.sidley.com/en/newslanding/newpressreleases/2025/12/first-chair-trial-and-leading-product-liability-lawyer-paul-boehm-joins-sidley-as-partner?utm_source=openai))…
Litigation funder Certum has announced the launch of a management services organization (MSO) designed specifically for mass tort law firms. This strategic move aims to cater to the operational needs of firms dealing with mass tort cases, enabling them to handle large volumes of complex legal claims more efficiently. The fungibility of litigation resources and…
In a significant legal development, mass tort attorney R. Brent Wisner has initiated a lawsuit aimed at obstructing California’s AB 931, a law poised to effectuate changes in attorney fee-sharing practices starting January 1. Wisner, representing the firm Wisner Baum, has expressed concerns that the legislation will disrupt his legal operations not only in California…
In a significant development, a federal appeals court has overturned a pivotal decision related to opioid litigation, marking a new chapter in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the opioid crisis. This decision impacts the liability and financial responsibility of pharmaceutical companies and distributors, which have been at the center of thousands of lawsuits across the…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has revived a critical public nuisance lawsuit, reaffirming that the conditions arising from the over-distribution of opioids can be considered a public nuisance under West Virginia common law. This decision reopens litigation against opioid distributors including those represented by Reed Smith, Williams & Connolly, and Covington…
A recent lawsuit has emerged involving a mass tort funder who has taken legal action against a New York-based law firm over a failed investment tied to high-profile cases against 3M and Johnson & Johnson. The funder alleges that the law firm provided misleading information, impacting their financial participation in mass tort cases linked to…
In a recent development in the legal sphere, a judge handling the Paraquat litigation has issued a directive to attorney Aimee Wagstaff, urging her not to disrupt ongoing settlements. This emphasizes the complexities legal professionals face when navigating the intricacies of high-stakes lawsuits, particularly when settlements are on the line. The directive aims to ensure…
In a move that has drawn significant attention from the legal community, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is pursuing an appeal that could see the company confront what it describes as a “litigation trap.” The case stems from a multi-billion-dollar verdict related to claims that J&J’s talc products caused cancer, a cornerstone issue in mass tort…
In a surprising development within the legal industry, Morgan & Morgan has been surpassed as the leading filer of federal tort cases. This shift was driven largely by the more than 2,000 individual lawsuits filed in Mississippi federal court concerning the city of Jackson’s drinking water issues during 2023, according to a recent report by…
In a significant development within multidistrict litigation, two federal judges overseeing high-profile cases have taken the unusual step of mandating that plaintiffs’ lawyers file lawsuits that had previously remained unfiled. These directives come amidst concerns over a large backlog of claims associated with multidistrict litigation (MDL) dockets involving the injectable birth control Depo-Provera and toxic…