Torts

BakerHostetler Expands Dallas Litigation Team with Strategic Hires from Spencer Fane

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Supreme Court’s Decision on Roundup Litigation Could Reshape State and Federal Jurisdiction in Mass Torts

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Contested Roundup Settlement Sparks Legal Debate Over Class Action Fairness

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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….

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Philadelphia Court Upholds Judge’s Role Amid Conflict Concerns in Zantac Litigation Against GlaxoSmithKline

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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New Jersey Supreme Court Upholds Disqualification of Beasley Allen in High-Stakes Talc Litigation

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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New Jersey Supreme Court Denies Beasley Allen Reentry in Johnson & Johnson Talc Lawsuit

Pieter Gunst03 mins

“`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…

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Texas Supreme Court Denies Petitions, Upholds Defense Verdict in Winter Storm Uri Mass Tort Cases

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Maryland’s Legal Updates Highlight Crucial Need for Robust Product Liability and Toxic Tort Strategies

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Supreme Court Weighs Federal Preemption in Freight Broker Liability Case

Pieter Gunst04 mins

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,…

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“Scott Carr Joins Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani to Strengthen Indianapolis Commercial Litigation Team”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant move for the Indianapolis legal market, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP (GRSM) has announced the addition of a new partner, Scott Carr, to their commercial litigation team. The addition of Carr, a seasoned litigator, promises to bolster GRSM’s capabilities in handling complex commercial disputes. Scott Carr brings a wealth of experience to…

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Navigating Logical Fallacies: Enhancing Argument Integrity in Legal Proceedings

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Logical fallacies often surface in legal arguments, requiring attorneys to skillfully navigate and counter them to uphold the integrity of legal proceedings. Recognizing and countering these fallacies is essential for legal professionals seeking to maintain logical coherence in their arguments. A recent case illustrates how mislabeling tickets and ticketing services was dismissed as irrelevant by…

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U.S. Supreme Court Rules U.S. Postal Service Immune from Mail Withholding Lawsuits Under FTCA

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a closely divided decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the U.S. Postal Service is immune from lawsuits alleging mail withholding, interpreting the Federal Tort Claims Act’s (FTCA) exception to shield the Postal Service from such legal actions. This 5-4 decision underscores the complexities involved in the intersection of federal agency operations and…

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Disqualification Hearing in Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder MDL Poses Major Test for Beasley Allen

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Texas Business Court Holds First Jury Trial as Specialized Judicial Effort Commences

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Texas Business Court, a specialized judicial body aimed at expeditiously handling complex commercial disputes, has commenced its operations in earnest as it convenes its first jury trial. This development marks a significant procedural step for the court, which was designed to provide swift resolutions to intricate business litigation, thereby reducing the protracted delays often…

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Bankruptcy Courts Under Pressure: Special Masters Proposed to Manage Surge in Mass Tort Cases

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Delaware Court Allows Lawsuit to Proceed Against Janus Henderson in Alleged Hostile Takeover Scheme

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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California Court Tackles Child Exploitation Allegations in Major Roblox Lawsuit

Pieter Gunst03 mins

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…

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Unveiling the Dark Side of Mass Torts: Elizabeth Burch Exposes Pelvic Mesh Litigation Exploitation in “The Pain Brokers”

Pieter Gunst04 mins

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…

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Insurers and Litigation Funders Clash Over Liability Policies in Legal Funding Debate

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The ongoing struggle between insurers and litigation funders is stirring substantial debate in the legal community, particularly concerning liability policies. This clash centers on insurers’ efforts to address the increasing involvement of litigation funders in legal disputes, a trend which some insurers argue is driving up the costs of litigation and settlement values. Recent developments…

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Sidley Austin LLP Bolsters Litigation Team with Veteran Partner Paul Boehm in Washington, D.C.

Pieter Gunst04 mins

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))…

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Corporate Minimum Tax: Balancing Fairness and Economic Growth Amid Global Challenges

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The recent debate around the corporate minimum tax highlights a critical aspect of corporate responsibility that major corporations cannot sidestep. The idea behind the corporate minimum tax is to ensure that even the most profitable businesses contribute something to the public coffers. This concept gained traction following revelations that several large companies paid little to…

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