In a contentious legal maneuver, the maker of Tylenol, Kenvue, has urged a U.S. appeals court to maintain sanctions against attorney Ashley Keller. The pharmaceutical company alleges Keller is exploiting the appeal as a strategic effort to reassign multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning allegations that Tylenol is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. This litigation has…
DLA Piper has expanded its litigation team by hiring a product liability partner from Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP, bolstering its San Francisco office with seasoned expertise. The new hire, whose name has not been disclosed, brings decades of experience in defending corporations embroiled in complex, high-stakes disputes involving substantial financial exposures. This strategic move…
In a recent legal development, a coalition of eight states has filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that the tech firm has concealed the potential risks ChatGPT poses to children. These actions have been initiated under consumer protection and product liability laws, highlighting growing concerns about the implications of artificial intelligence technologies when it comes to…
In a strategic move to bolster its mass tort and product liability practice, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has announced the addition of four prominent lawyers. This expansion comes amid a growing demand for legal expertise in complex litigation involving mass torts and product liability cases. The new team members bring with them…
The New England Legal Awards recently celebrated the achievements of outstanding attorneys and legal professionals, hosting an event in Boston on October 8. Garnering particular attention was DLA Piper, which was named the New England Products Liability/Mass Torts Department of the Year. This recognition underscores the firm’s pivotal role in managing complex litigation and navigating…
This week, significant attention turns to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation as Abbott Laboratories and Nevro reappear to contest the coordination of lawsuits concerning their spinal cord stimulators. The companies argue that these lawsuits should be handled individually, citing distinct differences in legal claims and mechanisms of injury. Their objective is to avoid…
In complex litigation, the structure of a trial can significantly impact the outcome, especially through mechanisms such as bifurcation and the design of verdict forms. These procedural tools can be pivotal in guiding a jury’s decision-making process. Bifurcation, the division of a trial into two parts, often separates liability from damages. This can help prevent…
In a notable shift within the legal landscape, the leader of the products liability practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Geoffrey J. Ritts, has transitioned to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Ritts brings a team of lawyers with him in this move, a development that signals Gibson Dunn’s strategic emphasis on strengthening…
As leaders in the AI industry continue to voice concerns that their technologies could one day threaten human existence, legal experts weigh in on the potential for litigation aimed at preventing such a scenario. While the fear of an “AI Armageddon” is growing, the legal challenges surrounding preemptive litigation remain intricate and uncertain. A key…
Two distinguished former litigators from Boeing have rejoined the ranks of private practice, marking a significant career transition as they associate with McGuireWoods LLP. The legal community is closely observing this development, which was confirmed by the firm on Wednesday. These legal professionals, known for their expertise in product liability litigation, bring with them substantial…
In a closely watched legal battle, Mead Johnson emerged victorious in the first bellwether trial concerning cow’s milk-based infant formula. The case was part of a wider litigation initiative scrutinizing the safety of these products. The defense team, consisting of Rachel Cannon of Steptoe and Phyllis Jones of Covington & Burling, navigated the complex issues…
Linklaters has successfully secured the expertise of Erik Haas, formerly the Vice President of litigation at Johnson & Johnson, where he was instrumental in handling mass tort litigation. This strategic move is expected to enhance Linklaters’ presence in the United States as Haas brings his wealth of experience in large-scale legal matters, including complex pharmaceutical…
Quill & Arrow LLP has petitioned a California federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from Ford Motor Co., alleging the automotive giant is misusing legal mechanisms to suppress product liability litigation. Ford’s lawsuit contends that the personal injury firm inflated legal costs through alleged outsourcing of tasks to virtual assistants overseas or nonlawyers. Quill &…
The upcoming trial involving Mead Johnson & Company LLC is set to begin jury selection on August 13 in the Northern District of Illinois, following the court’s decision to deny the company’s preemption challenge. Opening arguments are scheduled shortly thereafter on August 17. This marks a significant moment in the litigation, as the suit is…
Ashley Keller, a partner at Keller Postman LLC, has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, seeking to overturn sanctions imposed by U.S. Senior District Judge Denise Cote on May 8. Keller also requests the reassignment of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning allegations that prenatal acetaminophen use leads to…
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to a $5.5 billion settlement regarding claims that its talcum powder products, including its iconic baby powder, were linked to ovarian cancer. This settlement effectively resolves 99.75% of the ongoing litigation in both federal and state courts. These legal battles have spanned 15 years, following initial accusations that the company’s…
The recent decision by a federal appeals court has refused to reinstate a would-be bellwether case in the ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning infant formula. This ruling comes in the wake of a Missouri state court’s reversal of a $60 million verdict against Mead Johnson, one of the defendants in the MDL. This pattern of…
Hinshaw & Culbertson has expanded its insurance practice by bringing on board a seasoned lawyer from Sidley Austin. The Los Angeles office of Hinshaw will now be home to Matthew S. Fawcett, a highly regarded practitioner in the field of insurance coverage litigation. This strategic move underscores Hinshaw’s commitment to boosting its capabilities in handling…
In a notable development within the ongoing talc litigation, Johnson & Johnson has disqualified the law firm Beasley Allen from participating in their multidistrict litigation case. This move, spearheaded by Kristen Fournier of Kirkland & Ellis, came after revelations during a July 6 evidentiary hearing in Florida. Fournier highlighted “concerning and newly developed facts” which…
An appeals court recently upheld a $45 million talc verdict, a decision that is likely to have significant implications for future wrongful death and survival action cases. The court’s ruling introduces the possibility of routinely including damages for shortened life expectancy, a move some experts believe could transform the landscape of such legal actions. The…
The annual compilation of the most noteworthy legal verdicts has once again been released by Law.com in partnership with VerdictSearch. The “Top 100 Verdicts of 2025” showcases a range of cases that have significantly impacted the legal landscape, offering insights into juror decisions and litigation strategies. This year’s list features a mix of product liability,…
In the legal world, the reputation of a firm can often hinge on the prowess and achievement of its attorneys. King & Spalding, a globally recognized law firm, exemplifies this through the accolades granted to two of its leading lawyers, Andy Bayman and Cory Hohnbaum. As reported on Bloomberg Law, Bayman and Hohnbaum have been…
In the competitive landscape of legal expertise, Pete Marketos and Josh Russ of Reese Marketos have been recognized for their distinctive approach to litigation. Their firm, based in Dallas, Texas, has earned a reputation for tackling high-stakes cases with precision and efficiency, drawing the attention of legal professionals across the nation. As noted in a…
On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a 7-2 decision in Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, ruling that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims that would require a pesticide manufacturer to add a cancer warning to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved label. This decision effectively shields Monsanto, now…
In a decision that drew rare alliances on the U.S. Supreme Court, the justices ruled 7-2 that federal law preempts state claims against Monsanto, asserting that consumers cannot pursue state-level claims for failing to warn that its Roundup weed killer could cause cancer. Notably, the justices’ votes did not align along the anticipated ideological lines,…