Analysis

5 ERISA Cases To Keep An Eye On In The Second Half Of 2026

By Kellie Mejdrich

A U.S. Supreme Court challenge to Intel Corp.'s 401(k) investment lineup tops the list of cases benefits attorneys will be watching this summer and fall, though appeals involving health plan tobacco fees, plan forfeiture spending and a potential Eleventh Circuit precedent shift are also top of mind. Here, Law360 looks at five ERISA cases that attorneys should have on their radar as 2026 rolls on.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

DOL Says $5B ERISA Trust Lost Millions On Shoddy Funds

By Kellie Mejdrich

The U.S. Department of Labor sued an employee benefit trust services company in Texas federal court, alleging the company and its executives breached fiduciary duties of prudence and loyalty by failing to safeguard over $5 billion in employee retirement assets.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Fla. Judge Won't Lift Asset Freeze In $91M Fake Benefits Suit

By Grace Elletson

A Florida federal judge declined a request to lift a freeze on two siblings' assets after the Federal Trade Commission accused them of orchestrating a $91 million fraudulent health benefits scheme, ruling they need to find other ways to pay their attorneys.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

PACER Fees Will Rise To Fund Cyber Defense Upgrades

By Bonnie Eslinger

The federal judiciary announced Friday it will temporarily increase the fees for electronic access to court records to pay for a potential $800 million upgrade that will modernize and strengthen court records systems PACER and CM/ECF, an upgrade it previously said is needed to respond to escalating cyberattacks.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Mich. Crane Rental Co. Owes Union Funds $43K, Judge Says

By Emily Brill

A Michigan crane rental company must pay about $43,000 to a group of union benefit funds, a Michigan federal judge has ruled, agreeing with the funds that the company didn't uphold the contribution obligations outlined in its collective bargaining agreement and a 2018 memorandum of understanding.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Bricklayers Funds Bring ERISA Suits Against Masonry Cos.

By Melanie Dorsey

Two Michigan masonry contractors and their owners have been hit with federal lawsuits accusing them of failing to pay required union fringe benefit contributions, with one company allegedly owing more than $194,000 after an audit.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Ingram Micro Investor Sues Over Margin Loan To PE Owner

By Sydney Price

An institutional investor has brought a derivative lawsuit in Delaware's Chancery Court accusing California technology company Ingram Micro Holding Corp.'s controlling stockholder of exploiting its power to facilitate a margin loan that put stockholders at risk of major losses and violated the company's trading policy.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

First Brands Gets Retiree Committee In Ch. 11

By Emily Lever

A Texas bankruptcy judge has authorized auto parts maker First Brands to form a committee of nonunion retirees for the debtor to negotiate with to downsize their life and health insurance benefits.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Taft Adds Fennemore Craig Duo Amid Post-Merger Growth

By Andrea Keckley

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP said on Thursday that it has added a pair of Fennemore Craig PC litigators to its Phoenix office, which has grown by 200% since the firm's merger with Sherman & Howard LLC at the start of last year.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Opinion

State Courts Must Be Gatekeepers Of Expert Testimony

Based on my experience in the state judiciary, emulating federal courts' role as gatekeepers of expert witness testimony would help state court judges maintain the appearance of impartiality and assist juries, thus enhancing the overall confidence people have in their justice system, says Lorie Gildea at Greenberg Traurig.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Justices Strike Down Humphrey's Presidential Firing Limits

By Katie Buehler

The president has unlimited authority to fire members of independent agencies, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday in a major win for President Donald Trump's campaign against officials at the Federal Trade Commission and beyond.

Opinion attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Insurer Says Firm, Atty Not Covered For Malpractice Claim

By Hope Patti

A Georgia law firm and attorney are not entitled to coverage for a legal malpractice claim brought by a former client who said their handling of an underlying lawsuit resulted in a nearly $600,000 default judgment against him, the firm's professional liability insurer told a federal court.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Harris Beach Murtha To Combine With Peabody & Arnold

By Christine DeRosa

Harris Beach Murtha Cullina PLLC is set to expand its footprint in the Northeast through a combination with Boston firm Peabody & Arnold LLP.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Greenberg Traurig Hires Nuclear Commission Veteran In DC

By Jack Rodgers

Greenberg Traurig LLP has hired a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission leader, who spent 18 years there, most recently as deputy assistant general counsel for materials, fuel cycle and waste programs, the firm announced Monday.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Ex-Pa. AG, Trump Defense Firm Want Malpractice Claims Axed

By James Boyle

An elections nonprofit is seeking to keep alive its malpractice claim against the former acting attorney general of Pennsylvania and his firm, van der Veen Hartshorn & Levin, filing a quick response over the weekend to a motion to dismiss its amended complaint in Pennsylvania federal court.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Justice Jackson Tops High Court Book Earnings In 2025

By Ryan Boysen

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made nearly $1.2 million in book royalties last year, bringing her total to $4.14 million and making her the most highly compensated author on the high court, according to financial disclosure forms released Monday.

9 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Brief

NC 'Faithful Slaves' Monument Suit To End In Settlement

By Abigail Harrison

North Carolina residents are nearing a settlement in their lawsuit against a county alleging a monument that commemorates "faithful slaves" considered loyal to the South during the Civil War is unconstitutional, according to a notice filed in North Carolina federal court.

Notice attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Analysis

The End Of An 'Independent' FTC

By Bryan Koenig

Federal Trade Commission members, responsible for merger review, antitrust enforcement, consumer protection safeguards and rulemaking, and industry analysis, no longer serve at a remove from presidential authority, thanks to Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could dramatically remake the FTC and other independent agencies.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Judge Limits Vegas Trip For BigLaw Insider Trading Defendant

By Julie Manganis

A Massachusetts federal magistrate judge said Monday a defendant described by prosecutors as a "lynchpin" in the BigLaw insider trading case must limit a planned visit to Las Vegas next month to just two nights, saying she also has "concerns about the validity" of a financial statement he provided to obtain a federal defender.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »