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…
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…
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))…
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…
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…
While Delaware’s Court of Chancery often garners national attention, Massachusetts offers a specialized forum for complex business disputes through its Business Litigation Session (BLS) within the Superior Court. Established in 1999, the BLS is dedicated to the efficient resolution of intricate commercial cases, providing a platform for issues such as shareholder derivative claims, intellectual property…
In a significant ruling that may influence future toxic tort litigation, the Georgia Court of Appeals has aligned itself with the standard set by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit regarding the admissibility of expert testimony on general causation. Judge Anne Barnes articulated this decision in a recent opinion, noting the…
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…
Legal education primarily focuses on equipping students with the theoretical knowledge necessary for legal practice. Courses on civil procedure, contracts, and torts form the bedrock of law school curricula. Yet, many practicing attorneys often find themselves unprepared for the real-world challenges that extend beyond these academic frameworks. An aspect notably absent from this traditional education…
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…
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP, a national law firm known for its broad range of practice areas, has expanded its Sacramento office by bringing on board a seasoned commercial litigator, Jonathon Garchie. As reported by Bloomberg Law, Garchie’s addition is part of the firm’s strategic plan to bolster its commercial litigation capabilities in Northern California….
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…
Cozen O’Connor, a prominent law firm with a strong presence in Philadelphia, has added David Kessler, a seasoned litigator, to its roster. Kessler joins from Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, bringing with him a wealth of experience, particularly in complex litigation cases. This strategic move is part of Cozen O’Connor’s ongoing expansion in its…
The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) convened on September 25, 2025, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to deliberate on the consolidation and venue selection for various multidistrict litigations (MDLs). This session underscores the Panel’s ongoing commitment to streamlining complex federal cases to enhance judicial efficiency and consistency. Established by Congress in 1968…
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton has announced the addition of seasoned litigator Bill Larson to its Atlanta office, a strategic move underscoring the firm’s commitment to bolster its litigation capabilities. Larson joins from Morris, Manning & Martin, where he established a reputation as a proficient litigator with extensive experience in complex commercial cases. With over two…
Proskauer Rose LLP has bolstered its commercial litigation team in New York with the addition of Nicole Bergstrom, an attorney known for her robust expertise in both state and federal courts. Bergstrom’s practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, including contractual matters and business torts. Her move to Proskauer from Pryor Cashman adds significant strength to…
Thompson Hine has expanded its litigation capabilities by welcoming seasoned litigator Soo Kim to its Los Angeles office. Kim, who joins from Buchalter, brings significant experience in complex commercial litigation, enhancing Thompson Hine’s strategic foothold in the robust Los Angeles legal market. Her expertise spans a variety of areas, including breach of contract and business…
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…
In a recent development in the ongoing multidistrict litigation against Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer, a federal judge in California has expressed strong dissatisfaction with 37 plaintiffs’ firms. These firms have reportedly failed to allocate a portion of their recovery fees to a common benefit fund, as mandated in such consolidated cases. This fund is critical…
The recent Supreme Court decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc. has significantly curtailed the issuance of nationwide injunctions by federal district courts. This ruling has profound implications for the enforcement of federal laws, particularly through 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Section 1983), a statute that allows individuals to sue state officials for violations of constitutional rights….
Insurers and lawsuit investors are increasingly finding themselves at odds in a battle with intricate legal ramifications. At the heart of the matter lies a seemingly paradoxical stance taken by insurers who argue against lawsuit funding—a growing financial solution for plaintiffs needing to cover litigation costs. Insurers claim that such funding distorts the legal landscape…