Andrew Calica has joined King & Spalding as a partner in the product liability and mass torts practice group, the firm announced Thursday. Calica brings to the table extensive experience representing companies embroiled in complex product liability and mass and class action litigation across diverse industries. Beyond product liability, Calica has notable expertise in representing…
Litigation finance has often been viewed skeptically by some who perceive it as a distortion of the justice system, enabling wealthy individuals or businesses to profit by underwriting lawsuits. However, as highlighted by Bloomberg Law reporter Emily Siegel, the reality of litigation finance is more nuanced and primarily focused on mass torts rather than cases…
Legal News Article Rachel Strickland, Daniel Forman, and Andrew Mordkoff have taken on new roles as partners at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP, joining the firm’s global restructuring practice based in New York. The announcement was made last Tuesday. The trio, who previously served at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, bring with them substantial…
In the latest legal developments, Delta Air Lines has enlisted the services of renowned attorney David Boies to pursue legal action against CrowdStrike and Microsoft Corporation. The litigation stems from a significant IT outage that recently caused millions of devices running Microsoft Windows to crash, leading to widespread flight cancellations. This move by Delta to…
Article Peter Meyer has rejoined Faegre Drinker as a partner in the firm’s product liability and mass torts group in Indianapolis. According to the firm’s announcement on Monday, Meyer is set to handle high-stakes multidistrict litigation and mass torts, especially focusing on medical product defense. In his new role, Meyer will develop and lead strategic…
Comer Urges Chief Justice Roberts to Examine Litigation Funding Another Republican legislator has taken aim at regulating litigation finance, this time penning a letter to Chief Justice Roberts. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, in a Friday letter to Roberts, asked the Judicial Conference to review the role of…
Purdue Pharma LP has secured a limited two-month period to renegotiate an agreement with members of the Sackler family. This comes as the maker of OxyContin and its ownership prepare to face a possible influx of civil opioid lawsuits. Earlier, the US Supreme Court invalidated a $6 billion settlement, which necessitated the current negotiations. The…
In a move that highlights the evolving landscape of legal practice in the United States, private equity firms and litigation funders have increasingly set their sights on Arizona. The state’s decision to eliminate restrictions on non-lawyer ownership of law firms has created a unique environment conducive to outside capital infusion. Since 2020, Arizona has approved…
Law.com’s Amanda Bronstad recently highlighted in her weekly briefing, Class Actions: Critical Mass, that multidistrict litigation (MDL) now constitutes 65% of the federal civil caseload. This significant rise has sparked a debate among legal professionals regarding the implications of this trend. Among the pressing issues discussed was the contentious proposed $6.48 billion talc bankruptcy plan…
Mass tort litigation, which involves cases where numerous plaintiffs file lawsuits against one or a few defendants, has seen a significant transformation recently, establishing itself as a major legal industry. This shift can be largely attributed to the infusion of capital from litigation finance firms, which have recognized the potential for substantial returns in these…
In a clear sign of the continued ascendancy of litigation finance, a new firm, Arcadia Finance, has emerged with over $100 million in capital, aiming to invest in a diverse array of legal ventures. This launch reinforces the robust health of a sector that has grown significantly over the past decade, helping level the playing…
In an increasingly intricate legal landscape, the intersection between private equity and mass torts is being explored by prominent law firms. Notably, renowned law firm Skadden faced a unique situation as it served as deal counsel for an investment titan, while simultaneously dealing with claims funded against a firm client by the same investor. The…
Class actions and mass tort claims are increasingly falling prey to fraud, regardless of whether they’re paid via digital payment or paper checks, according to a report by Western Alliance Bank and its wholly owned digital payments platform, Digital Disbursements. This surge in fraudulent claims comes as digital payments rise in prevalence, a reality that…
In a move signifying growth and expansion, Morgan Lewis has added three notable additions to its consumer class action and product liability team – April Nelson Ross, Rachel Raphael, and Mohamed Awan. This hiring spree signals the global law firm’s increased emphasis on bolstering its capabilities to handle major class actions and product-liability cases, especially…
In an impressive development, Sidley Austin’s UK revenue saw a surge by 12.4% in 2023, reaching nearly $210 million. The significant increase is primarily due to its private capital efforts made for football team owners. Boasting about 210 practicing lawyers in London, the firm notably advised Clearlake, the investment group which acquired the famous Chelsea…
The legal landscape is ever-evolving, and a major point of focus in the industry today is the necessity of robust succession planning within law firms. Experts have repeatedly advised senior lawyers, particularly those within the septuagenarian demographic, to develop sound leadership succession plans. This has prompted a contrasting response from the older practitioners, suggesting the…
In recent legal news, significant changes are anticipated as White House special counsel, Richard Sauber, is expected to once again become a part of the private practice sector by May. Prior to his engagement with the Biden administration, Sauber was a reputable partner with Robbins Russell and later with Fried Frank after Robbins Russell merged…
In a latest development, three experienced legal professionals have transitioned to Venable, further strengthening the firm’s product liability and mass torts group. The trio, Derek Smith, Jeremy Goldkind, and Joo Cha Webb, previously offered their services at Steptoe, as indicated by the announcement made by Venable. Derek Smith is set to operate from the firm’s…
For discerning general counsils, there is a new strategy on the horizon: tracking television legal advertisements. Originally used to solicit plaintiffs for mass torts, these ads are beginning to serve a dual purpose. Not only are they tools for recruitment, but they are also becoming indicative of nascent trends in product litigation categories and are…
The ongoing trend of Am Law firms expanding in Los Angeles has been bolstered by the recent addition of litigation leader to the Shook, Hardy & Bacon line-up. The Missouri-founded firm announced this week the appointment of Alycia Degen, former co-leader of Sidley Austin’s product liability and mass torts practice. Described as a “natural fit”…
Disputes in bankruptcy court cases have traditionally been a challenging terrain for judges. Particularly, post the Johnson & Johnson talc bankruptcy filing in 2021, US Bankruptcy Court Judge Michael Kaplan bore witness to numerous disagreements ranging from issues concerning discovery, the administration of tens of thousands of individual claims, to vehement conflict over the overall…
High-profile lawyer Mikal Watts, known for his mass tort cases and partner of Watts Guerra, has announced the closing of his firm’s office in Puerto Rico. This move has resulted in the layoff of at least 50 employees, as evidenced in emails obtained and reviewed by Bloomberg Law. Watts, who has been considered a significant…
In a recent move, experienced lawyer Sunni P. Beville has transitioned from Brown Rudnick to Otterbourg P.C., according to an announcement made by the latter firm. Beville now holds a partner position within Otterbourg’s restructuring and bankruptcy department. Furthermore, she serves as a co-leader of their mass torts bankruptcy practice group. Within the realm of…
Renowned mass torts attorney Mikal Watts announced on Monday that he is restructuring his partnership at Watts Guerra, the well-known firm that frequently tackles large mass tort litigation. This decision was made together with his partner Frank Guerra. Mikal Watts expressed his honor at having worked with Frank Guerra for over two decades. “We have…
The year 2024 promises to be a decisive one for bankruptcy cases dealing with mass torts. Recently, judges have shown a lack of enthusiasm for tactical maneuvers presented in such cases. Notable instances include the dismissals of bankruptcies in cases involving Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder and 3M’s combat earplugs, where the desired level of…