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…
U.S. Supreme Court justices are grappling with the implications of adjudicating climate-related tort cases against oil companies, a move that could potentially unleash a wave of new litigation. During a hearing, the justices expressed concern about replicating the deluge of lawsuits seen in previous mass litigation against the tobacco and opioid industries. These cases sought…
Husch Blackwell this week unveiled its new AI-focused platform, CXT (Complex Torts), specifically designed to handle complex litigation such as mass torts, a significant move for the law firm as it adapts to the increasing demands of efficient legal processes. This development aligns with the industry’s growing interest in leveraging technology to streamline and enhance…
Husch Blackwell LLP has initiated a new platform designed to support defendant companies entangled in complex torts litigation. This strategic venture involves over 165 attorneys spread across more than 30 states. The firm’s efforts are tailored to address the intricate challenges associated with defending complex tort cases, providing robust resources and legal strategies to navigate…
In a move echoing sentiments across the corporate world, major U.S. companies and insurers, including Amazon, Anthropic, Chubb, and Walmart, have urged the federal judiciary to implement stricter disclosure requirements for litigation finance. This coalition argues that the absence of such regulations currently permits funders to operate with minimal oversight, raising concerns about the transparency…
Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group have recently aligned with a coalition of music industry leaders in a campaign to combat streaming fraud. The initiative focuses on addressing the manipulation tactics used by fraudsters to falsely inflate streaming numbers, which can result in unwarranted royalty payouts as reported by Law360. This move underscores the…
A recent decision by a Massachusetts state court emphasized its jurisdiction over a significant legal matter involving a former DLA Piper partner. The court concluded that it has the authority to hear an assault and battery claim against the ex-partner, who is accused of raping a former associate from the firm’s Boston office. The alleged…
The recent decision by the Supreme Court in Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Doe I, delivered in June, has substantially weakened the capacity of litigants to pursue remedies under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS). This statute has historically served as a unique legal avenue for victims of human rights violations seeking redress. The ruling marks a…
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a powerhouse in the legal industry, has strategically bolstered its capabilities by recruiting two seasoned attorneys from Jones Day. The mass torts and restructuring duo, J. Eric Smith and Glen D. Wilkins, will be joining Kirkland’s Dallas office, enhancing its expertise in complex litigation and corporate restructuring. This move is part…
The University of New Mexico (UNM) has reappointed Camille Carey as dean of the School of Law, effective July 1, 2027. This decision, announced by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez, follows a formal review process conducted under university policies. Rodriguez emphasized the law school’s critical role in preparing attorneys who…
Marc Kasowitz, a prominent lawyer known for his high-profile clientele, is currently confronting a malpractice lawsuit related to a settlement over alleged antisemitism at Columbia University. The complaint, filed in a Manhattan court, accuses Kasowitz and his firm, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, of failing to secure an adequate settlement in a case brought against the…
Paul J. Napoli, a prominent figure in the legal world known for his pivotal role in mass tort litigation, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 58. Renowned for his work on some of the most high-profile mass tort cases, Napoli’s legacy is indelibly etched in the annals of legal history. His career spanned…
Paul Napoli, a prominent figure in mass tort litigation and founder of the New York-based plaintiffs’ firm Napoli Shkolnik, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 58. Napoli had recently been serving as a co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel in the significant PFAS litigation concerning firefighting foam, which has been linked to widespread environmental and health…
Greenberg Traurig, a prominent global law firm, has recently strengthened its litigation practice in New York by onboarding Scott Leitner as a shareholder. Leitner, who joins from Gordon Rees, has significant experience in complex commercial litigation, adding depth to Greenberg Traurig’s robust litigation team. Leitner’s practice encompasses a wide range of litigation matters, including contract…
BakerHostetler has strategically expanded its litigation capabilities in Dallas by bringing on board two experienced litigators from Spencer Fane. This development underscores the firm’s continued commitment to strengthening its presence in key markets. The addition aligns with BakerHostetler’s broader strategy to enhance its litigation services, particularly in the thriving Dallas market. The new hires are…
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…
An insurer has informed a North Carolina federal court that it will not provide coverage to a nonprofit business loan company embroiled in a legal dispute with a disbarred attorney. The nonprofit, accused of defaming the attorney by alleging he defaulted on a COVID-19 rapid recovery loan, faces a complex insurance denial that adds another…
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 the complex world of corporate compliance, the recent developments in Maryland underscore the vital importance of comprehensive product liability and toxic tort plans. As businesses navigate a landscape fraught with legal hazards, the situation in Maryland offers a poignant reminder of the perils associated with inadequate risk management strategies in the domain of product…
The Supreme Court recently entertained oral arguments in the case of Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, a pivotal matter addressing whether the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (FAAAA) preempts state laws that permit negligent hiring claims against freight brokers. This legal question has rallied significant interest from industry heavyweights and legal scholars,…