Food & Beverage

  • July 08, 2026

    9th Circ. Revives Whirlpool Dishwasher Warranty Class Action

    The Ninth Circuit has revived a Washington retiree's lawsuit accusing Whirlpool Corp. and an insurer of deceptively marketing a service plan as providing repairs or replacements for her dishwasher when the fine print allowed them to instead buy the appliance at a depreciated price, leaving her without enough money to replace it.

  • July 08, 2026

    Snack Cos. Say DOJ Deal Demands Price-Fix Verdict Revisit

    Kraft, Kellogg, Nestle and General Mills want an Illinois federal judge to schedule a status conference "imminently" in their long-running antitrust suit to ask Cal-Maine Foods Inc. about a deal it recently reached with the government over claims it inflated the price of eggs and how it affects their $53 million jury verdict.

  • July 08, 2026

    Butterball, 2 More Head For Ill. Turkey Price-Fix Trials

    An Illinois federal judge handling consolidated turkey price-fixing litigation has teed up two trials against Butterball and two other major producers as he works through a pile of summary judgment challenges from defendants looking to avoid jury trials.

  • July 08, 2026

    Costco Sued Over Reports Of Heavy Metals In Protein Powder

    Costco was hit with a proposed class action in Washington federal court Tuesday alleging the wholesale retailer knew the Orgain protein powders it sold at its warehouses and online risked containing dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals, but marketed them as providing "good, clean nutrition" and having "quality ingredients."

  • July 08, 2026

    Formula-Maker Sued After Recall And Reports Of Sick Infants

    Infant formula manufacturer Nara Organics Inc. sold milk-based powder that had to be recalled after federal regulators learned that multiple infants who had consumed the product were hospitalized with life-threatening botulism, according to a proposed class action filed Wednesday in New York federal court.

  • July 08, 2026

    NY Fights H-2A Farmworker's Bid To Block Union Contract

    The state of New York has asked a federal judge to reject a farmworker's bid to block the state from imposing a union contract on him and his co-workers, arguing the farmworker failed to show he will face irreparable harm without an injunction.

  • July 08, 2026

    FTC, States Settle John Deere Right-To-Repair Case

    The Federal Trade Commission and state enforcers reached a deal Wednesday to settle an antitrust case accusing John Deere of restricting equipment repairs, after the company agreed to give farmers and independent technicians the resources it provides to authorized dealers.

  • July 08, 2026

    EU Parliament Approves Mexico Trade Agreement

    The European Parliament approved two pieces of legislation to implement the modernized trade agreement between the bloc and Mexico on Wednesday.

  • July 08, 2026

    EU Duty On Indonesian Fatty Acids Too High, WTO Says

    The European Union's anti-dumping margin on fatty acids imported from Indonesia exceeds the margin that should have been set under World Trade Organization standards, a WTO panel said Wednesday while rejecting other concerns raised by Indonesia.

  • July 08, 2026

    McDonald's Ends Suit Alleging Rampant Sex Harassment

    McDonald's has struck a deal with two workers to end their proposed class action claiming the fast food giant allowed sexual harassment to go unchecked in its restaurants, prompting an Illinois federal judge to formally shutter the case.

  • July 07, 2026

    Illinois Cases To Watch In 2026: Midyear Report

    Mead Johnson is set to go to trial this summer in the first case to make it to a jury in multidistrict litigation claiming baby formula caused a serious gut illness in premature infants, while the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago is facing a possible sanctions hearing over prosecutorial misconduct allegations in two Illinois cases on attorneys' radar for the rest of the year.

  • July 07, 2026

    Food Deal Rivals Battle In Chancery Over Competition Claims

    Lawyers for Global Market Foods LLC urged the Delaware Chancery Court on Tuesday to block the former owner of a food distribution business from competing after selling the company for $58 million, while the sellers argued the buyer is improperly trying to rewrite the parties' contracts and expand negotiated noncompete restrictions.

  • July 07, 2026

    Trucking Co. 'Predictive Model' Doesn't Moot OT, 9th Circ. Told

    Truck drivers denied overtime under a Fair Labor Standards Act carveout for interstate commerce urged the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday to find they're entitled to the pay, saying that they drove only within California and that their employers' "predictive model" order fulfillment system doesn't qualify their deliveries as interstate commerce.

  • July 07, 2026

    DC Circ. Backs Tax Bribery Convictions Despite Jury Error

    A D.C. Circuit panel refused on Tuesday to reverse a lower court's judgments against two men in connection to a bribery scheme carried out to evade $2.3 million in business tax obligations, finding a jury instruction error "harmless," among other unsuccessful arguments.

  • July 07, 2026

    NYC Hits Walgreens, 3 Others With $2.3M In Wage Fines

    New York City has secured more than $2.3 million in settlements from four companies including Walgreens for violating worker scheduling and paid time off protections, the city's consumer and worker protection agency announced Monday.

  • July 07, 2026

    5th Circ. Backs Saltgrass In Texas Restaurant Land Row

    The Fifth Circuit backed steakhouse chain Saltgrass Inc.'s quick win in a property contract dispute that involved the planned demolition of a former Joe's Crab Shack restaurant in Humble, Texas, ruling that the demolition contractually requires Saltgrass' permission.

  • July 07, 2026

    Starbucks Workers United Seeks OK For Name, Logo Use

    Starbucks Workers United has asked a Pennsylvania federal court to declare that its name and logo do not infringe the coffee chain's trademarks because they differentiate the union as an independent entity.

  • July 07, 2026

    Judge Recommends Netting Sugar Arb. Awards To $3.9M

    A Florida federal magistrate judge recommended rolling an arbitration award and a related counterclaim award over broken sugar contracts into a single judgment, which would set the net amount awarded to an Illinois sugar company at $3.86 million.

  • July 07, 2026

    Ex-Sadot Group Exec Says Company Withholding Severance

    The former chief marketing officer for agricultural commodities trader Sadot Group Inc. has alleged in New Jersey federal court that the company is refusing to pay her almost $150,000 allegedly owed in severance and other compensation.

  • July 07, 2026

    Grocers' Microcaptive Not Valid For Tax Benefit, 7th Circ. Told

    Chicagoland grocery chain owners were not entitled to microcaptive tax benefits because they failed to establish a bona fide in-house insurance arrangement, the government told the Seventh Circuit, saying the U.S. Tax Court correctly held that state law does not control the federal tax definition of insurance.

  • July 07, 2026

    Commerce Opens Duty-Free Moroccan Fertilizer Process

    The U.S. Department of Commerce said Tuesday it has begun accepting written requests from those looking to take advantage of a temporary suspension of countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer imports.

  • July 06, 2026

    CVS To Pay $36.5M To Settle States' Insulin FCA Suits

    CVS has agreed to shell out $36.5 million to put to rest a handful of False Claims Act suits from states and the federal government, which allege the pharmacy chain submitted fraudulent Medicaid claims after giving patients more insulin than they were prescribed and lying about refill timelines.

  • July 06, 2026

    NY Distillery Targets Wash. Liquor Sales Laws At 9th Circ.

    A New York distillery during a hearing Monday urged a Ninth Circuit panel to strike down Washington's liquor laws that allow only in-state producers to sell spirits directly to consumers, contending a lower court wrongly relied on case law around alcohol retailers — not producers — when it deemed the laws constitutional.

  • July 06, 2026

    Walmart Pays $13M To Settle Texas AG's Driver Pay Claims

    Walmart Inc. has agreed to pay $13 million to settle claims brought by the Texas attorney general alleging the company stiffed delivery drivers participating in its Spark Driver program, and said it will additionally implement "honest" compensation practices going forward.

  • July 06, 2026

    Judge Throws Out Patent Suit Against Barefoot Winery Owner

    A California federal judge has freed the company behind the Barefoot Wine brand from a lawsuit alleging it infringed an irrigation consultant's patents, saying the experimental irrigation systems don't actually do all of what the patents cover.

Expert Analysis

  • What A Court Doc Audit Reveals About Erroneous Filings

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    My audit of 1,522 court documents from last month found that over 95% contained at least one verifiable error, with fewer than 1% showing clear indicators of artificial intelligence use — highlighting above all else that lawyers may want to focus most on strengthening their review processes, says Elliott Ash at ETH Zurich.

  • Opinion

    FTC Case Risks Redefining Price Discrimination

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    Federal Trade Commission v. Southern Glazer puts a spotlight on the blurry line between illegal price discrimination and ordinary competition, and could potentially set a precedent that puts nearly any manufacturer at risk of Robinson-Patman Act enforcement, says Jeremy Sandford at Econic Partners.

  • Series

    Ultramarathons Make Me A Better Lawyer

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    Completing a 100-mile ultramarathon was tougher, more humbling and more rewarding than I ever imagined, and the experience highlighted how long-distance running has sharpened my ability to adapt to the evolving nature of antitrust law and strengthened my resolve to handle demanding, unforeseen challenges, says Dan Oakes at Axinn.

  • Getting The Most Out Of Learning And Development Programs

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    Junior associates can better develop the legal, business and interpersonal skills they need for long-term success by approaching their firms’ learning and development programs armed with five tips for getting the most out of these resources, says Lauren Hakala at Reed Smith.

  • Opinion

    AI Presents A Make-Or-Break Moment For Outside Counsel

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    The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by corporate legal departments is forcing a long-overdue reset of the relationship between inside and outside counsel, and introducing a significant opportunity to shed frustrating inefficiencies and strengthen collaboration for firms willing to embrace the shift, says Intel Chief Legal Officer April Miller Boise.

  • 8 Tariff Refund Questions For Restructuring Professionals

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    For restructuring and turnaround professionals, seeking refunds following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision invalidating tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act raises several questions about how to capture legitimate recoveries while protecting an enterprise from the consequences of its own history, says Jonny Frank and Laura Greenman at StoneTurn, and Andrew Popescu at Province.

  • Series

    Watching Hallmark Movies Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    I realize you may be judging me for watching, and actually enjoying, Hallmark Channel movies, but the escapism and storylines actually demonstrate qualities and actions that lead to an efficient, productive and positive legal practice, says Karen Ross at Tucker Ellis.

  • When Trade Secret Litigation And Criminal Law Collide

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    An increasing convergence of trade secret litigation and white collar defense, especially with several recent criminal prosecutions from the Justice Department, should prompt businesses and counsel to adapt within the overlapping landscapes, says Kenneth Notter at MoloLamken.

  • 5 Tips For Navigating Your Firm's All-Attorney Summit

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    Law firm retreats should be approached strategically, as they present valuable opportunities to advance both the firm's objectives and attorneys' professional development through meaningful participation, building and strengthening internal relationships, and proactive follow-up, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

  • Series

    Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: The Human Element

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    Law school teaches you to quickly apply intellect and logic when handling a legal issue, but every fact pattern also involves a person, making the ability to balance expertise with empathy critical to the growth of relationships with clients, colleagues and adversaries, says Rachel Adcox at Adcox Strategies.

  • Opinion

    High Court's Hain Ruling Undermines Diversity Jurisdiction

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    The U.S. Supreme Court's most recent decision on the limits of federal jurisdiction, Hain Celestial Group v. Palmquist, further legitimizes the plaintiffs bar's long practice of intentionally pleading around diversity jurisdiction — and could have far-reaching implications for how future product liability and consumer fraud cases are litigated, say attorneys at Patterson Belknap.

  • The Benefits Of Choosing A Niche Practice In The AI Age

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    As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, lawyers with a niche practice may stand out as clients seek specialized judgment that automation cannot replicate, but it is important to choose a niche that is durable, engaging and a good personal fit, says Daniel Borneman at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • Section 122 Tariffs Show Shift In Strategy, Not Trade Policy

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    By imposing temporary tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act as a stopgap measure while it pivots to less transitory statutory authorities, the Trump administration sent a clear message that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources v. Trump, invalidating duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, will not precipitate a change in policy direction, say attorneys at Snell & Wilmer.

  • What New Animal Welfare Enforcement Push Means For Cos.

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    The Trump administration's recently announced multiagency focus on violations of the Animal Welfare Act and related laws will likely lead to broader enforcement actions across industries, heightened scrutiny of compliance standards and a need for businesses to adopt effective risk management practices, says Shennie Patel at Crowell & Moring.

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