7th Circ. Backs UChicago, TIAA In Spousal Pension Fight

By Kellie Mejdrich

The Seventh Circuit backed a Wisconsin federal court's decision to hand the University of Chicago and its pension plan manager TIAA an early win in a dispute over a deceased worker's spousal pension benefits, and declined to certify a question about power of attorney authority to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

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

Chamber Asks 2nd Circ. To Back Toss Of Pepsi Smoking Suit

By Emily Brill

A New York federal judge rightly tossed allegations that Pepsi violated federal benefits law by making employees who smoke pay more for health insurance, the nation's largest business lobby argued in an amicus brief, urging the Second Circuit to affirm dismissal of the suit.

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

Janitorial Cos. Beat Supplemental Pension Claims, For Now

By Benjamin Morse

A D.C. federal judge trimmed claims that three airport janitorial contractors owe supplemental pension contributions, finding a pension fund failed to plausibly allege that the companies assumed a predecessor's contribution obligations or owed rehabilitation plan contributions under federal law.

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

Humana 401(k) Forfeiture Suit Will Wait For 6th Circ. Appeal

By Susan Smiley

A proposed class action against health insurance provider Humana alleging the company misallocated millions from employee 401(k) forfeitures was paused by a Kentucky federal judge on Tuesday to wait for the outcome of a similar suit against regional grocery giant Meijer currently awaiting a ruling in the Sixth Circuit.

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

Amgen To Pay $74M To End Investor Suit Over $10.7B Tax Bill

By Natalie Olivo

Pharmaceutical giant Amgen has agreed to pay $74 million to resolve an investor class action alleging it hid a $10.7 billion tax bill from shareholders, according to an agreement filed in New York federal court.

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

Movers & Shakers

Clark Hill Adds Employment Atty From Seyfarth In Atlanta

By Emily Johnson

Clark Hill PLC has added a Seyfarth Shaw LLP partner in Atlanta, strengthening its labor and employment group.

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

How Competitive Is Your Pay? Last Call To Take Our Survey

Is your compensation keeping pace with the rate of inflation? Do you know what your colleagues made last year? Help Law360 Pulse answer these questions and more in this year's Law Firm Compensation Survey.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Simpson Thacher Caused 'Chaos' With Deal, Jury Hears

By Cara Salvatore

The former chief financial officer of Patriot National Inc. testified to a Florida jury on Tuesday that "chaos" broke loose as funds that Simpson Thacher helped steward for the insurance services company hit public markets and executives found out that its terms differed from their understanding of them.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Dems Press Skadden On Trump Pro Bono Pact, Intel Deal Work

By Lauren Berg

A group of Democrats demanded Tuesday that Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP disclose details of its pro bono arrangement with the Trump administration in light of allegations the firm advised both Intel Corp. and the U.S. Department of Commerce when the administration received a 10% company stake.

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

Blanche Denies Conflict With Family's Firearms Company

By Courtney Bublé

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has close ties through his wife's family to a gun manufacturer that does federal contracting, but he told senators in questions following his confirmation hearing there is no conflict of interest, despite his service on a Justice Department task force aimed at rolling back gun control initiatives around the country.

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

Trump, DOJ Sued For Firing Court-Appointed Seattle US Atty

By Bonnie Eslinger

Roger Rogoff, a former Washington state judge who was sworn in as Seattle's new U.S. attorney last week and then swiftly fired by the Trump administration, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice, saying their "attempt to fire him cannot stand."

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

Reagan-Appointed NC Federal Judge To Take Senior Status

By Courtney Bublé

U.S. District Judge Terrence William Boyle of the Eastern District of North Carolina plans to take senior status — a form of semi-retirement that gives federal judges a reduced caseload — at a date yet to be determined, according to a recent update from the federal judiciary.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Senate Confirms Trade Court Pick Despite Past GOP Posts

By Courtney Bublé

The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 Tuesday evening to confirm Kara Westercamp, associate counsel to the president, to the U.S. Court of International Trade, who said during her confirmation in March she regretted her past social media posts critical of Republicans, including Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the late Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Bronx Public Defenders Set Strike Deadline

By Emily Sawicki

More than 300 unionized workers at legal aid organization The Bronx Defenders are set to walk out on July 27 if they cannot agree on a contract with the legal nonprofit's management, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »