CVS 401(k) Recordkeeping Fee Suit Dropped In New York

By Kellie Mejdrich

A former CVS worker dropped his proposed class action alleging the pharmacy giant cost workers millions in retirement savings and violated federal benefits law by failing to rein in excessive administrative fees in its $27 billion 401(k) plan, according to a filing in New York federal court.

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

5th Circ. Backs DOL In Suit Over Withheld Plan Contributions

By Patrick Hoff

The Fifth Circuit refused to upend the U.S. Department of Labor's win in a suit accusing a Louisiana contracting company executive of unlawfully keeping the insurance contributions deducted from employees' paychecks, rejecting his argument that he wasn't responsible for administering the company's benefit plans.

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

BCBS Unit Owes Awards Under No Surprises Act, Court Told

By Gianna Ferrarin

A Blue Cross Blue Shield unit failed to pay thousands of dollars in awards that an air ambulance company won through the No Surprises Act's arbitration process for out-of-network services rendered to the insurer's beneficiaries, the company alleges in a suit in West Virginia federal court.

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

SEC Says Climate-Tied Investor Actions May Pose Legal Risk

By Jessica Corso

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday released a report into its investigation of a successful push for eco-friendly board members at ExxonMobil, warning institutional investors and asset managers that joining forces to exert influence over corporations could open them up to additional scrutiny. 

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

Nonprofit's Ex-President Admits To Falsifying Tax Returns

By Asha Glover

A former president of a nonprofit organization serving the Telugu community who falsified tax returns by reclassifying expenditures meant to reimburse donors as legitimate expenses pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government in California federal court.

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

Objectors To Keep Fighting $148M Insurance Suit Settlement

By Brian Steele

A group of objectors told a Connecticut federal judge they will continue to fight a $147.5 million class settlement over life insurance costs that the Second Circuit imperiled in August, writing that a retooled complaint against Lincoln National and a Cigna unit only amplifies their concerns.

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

Josh Cellars Co. Says Ex-Prez Has 'Deep' Litigation Funding

By Aaron Keller

Companies behind the Josh Cellars wine brand say they should be allowed to introduce an ex-president's alleged litigation funding deals during an upcoming Connecticut jury trial, arguing they're necessary to defend against his assertions regarding a corporate operating agreement and to refute a possibly misleading portrayal of the parties' resources.

1 document attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Why And How To Build A Neurodiversity-Informed Practice

By better understanding neurodiversity and implementing simple accommodations for clients with autism, ADHD or learning differences, attorneys can build stronger relationships with those who may otherwise struggle to obtain and benefit from legal services, while developing good habits that will benefit everyone they represent, says Ting Cheung at Sanford Heisler.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Omni Bridgeway Raises $1B For New Litigation Funding

By Ryan Boysen

Litigation funder Omni Bridgeway has raised a new $1 billion fund from mostly repeat investors, with plans to deploy the money broadly across countries and case types while avoiding debt leverage.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Alito Explains Recusal But Says It Shouldn't Become Practice

By Katie Buehler

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said this week he "reluctantly" recused himself from a dispute that could decide whether state and local government can sue Big Oil in state courts for damages related to greenhouse gas emissions, while suggesting the high court's members shouldn't make a practice of explaining their reasons for stepping away from cases.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Justices' Docs Should Belong To Public, Gov't Watchdogs Say

By Jack Karp

Nearly two dozen government accountability groups are calling for Congress to enact a law that would make U.S. Supreme Court justices' papers government property that would someday be available to the public.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Analysis

Uncertainty Surrounds Judge Newman's 11th Circ. Transfer

By Dani Kass

Chief Justice John Roberts' order to transfer the Federal Circuit Judicial Council's disability investigation of a suspended 99-year-old judge to another court offers the neutral evaluation the judge has long been asking for, but attorneys are concerned about the transparency of the proceeding.

1 document attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

California Federal Judge Jeffrey White To Retire After 24 Years

By Bonnie Eslinger

Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White will retire at the end of the year after nearly a quarter-century on the federal bench in Northern California.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

ABA Accreditor Leader Remembered For Passion And Intellect

By Emma Cueto

After her sudden death while leading the American Bar Association council that handles law school accreditation, Melissa Hart is being remembered as a passionate and fiercely intelligent jurist, mentor and leader who will be missed as the council navigates numerous challenges to its accreditor status.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »