Target Beats ERISA Suit Over Tobacco Health Surcharge

By Bonnie Eslinger

A Minnesota federal judge on Wednesday tossed a proposed class action alleging that a tobacco fee on Target workers' health plan violated nondiscrimination provisions in federal benefits law, agreeing with the retail giant that the suit failed to state a claim.

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Amber Rose Sues Club Over Falling Holiday Decoration

By Craig Clough

Model and television personality Amber Rose sued the private Beverly Hills social club Gravitas on Tuesday in Los Angeles County court, alleging she suffered a concussion and other injuries after a large holiday decoration fell and struck her on the head during a New Year's Eve celebration. 

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Coffee Co. Says Acquired Biz's Founder Hid Tax Designation

By Rachel Konieczny

The founder of a Colorado coffee equipment provider induced a California coffee equipment manufacturer and its president to acquire the company by hiding its true tax designation on a loan application, the companies and the president allege in a complaint in Colorado state court.

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Brief

US Finalizes Duty Rates For Chinese Animal Feed Additive

By Dylan Moroses

The U.S. Department of Commerce finalized antidumping and countervailing duty rates for an imported animal feed-grade additive from China, according to notices published Wednesday.

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Brief

Indonesian, Malaysian Fatty Acids Face US Duties

By Jack McLoone

Imports of certain fatty acids into the U.S. from Indonesia and Malaysia are facing countervailing duties after the U.S. Department of Commerce determined Wednesday they are benefiting from government subsidies.

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Bipartisan Bill Would Tax And Regulate Hemp THC Products

By Sam Reisman

Members of Congress on Wednesday unveiled a bipartisan bill to legalize, regulate and tax the manufacture and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, while a federal ban on virtually all consumable hemp products is still due to take effect in less than four months.

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Allstate Says No Coverage For Fatal Drunken Driving Accident

By Gianna Ferrarin

Allstate told a Pennsylvania federal court it has no duty to defend an individual facing underlying suits over a fatal drunken driving accident, saying coverage is excluded under his parents' homeowners policy because of his alleged furnishing of alcohol to minors involved in the incident.

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Mass. Court Affirms License Loss In Lotto Ticket Scheme

By Julie Manganis

An intermediate appellate court in Massachusetts on Wednesday affirmed the permanent revocation of lottery sales licenses for two convenience store owners who allegedly played significant roles in a scheme to buy winning lottery tickets from customers seeking to avoid taxes or other obligations.

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Holland & Knight Hit With $1.2B Malpractice Suit

By Madison Arnold

A real estate firm is accusing Holland & Knight LLP and three attorneys of malpractice in a new complaint filed in Florida state court and is seeking up to $1.2 billion in damages after more than 30 states opened investigations into the company's practices.

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Co. Turned Away Simpson Thacher's Deal Meeting, Jury Told

By Cara Salvatore

A retired Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP partner who handled the fundraising round alleged to have destroyed Patriot National Inc. testified in a Florida state malpractice trial Wednesday that the insurance services company waved off his attempt to present details to the board.

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Brief

Pillsbury Data Breach Suit Voluntarily Dismissed

By Matt Perez

A proposed class action against Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP over a data breach last year has been voluntarily dismissed by the named plaintiffs, following a granted motion to stay in April to discuss mediation.

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DLA Piper Says Deception, Not Bias, Cost Palestinian Atty Job

By Grace Elletson

DLA Piper urged an Illinois federal judge to toss a Palestinian attorney's suit claiming the firm revoked a job offer out of discrimination, arguing it rescinded the offer because she concealed allegations that she assaulted someone at a protest.

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DC Bar Leaders Say DOJ Ethics Suit Encourages Misconduct

By Emily Sawicki

Washington, D.C., attorney regulators continue to garner support in their effort to toss a Justice Department lawsuit over alleged "weaponizing" of executive branch lawyer discipline, with D.C. bar organizations, scores of legal scholars and more than 500 former DOJ attorneys backing the disciplinary authorities.

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Mich. Gets Judge With Blue Slips In 1st For Trump Admin

By Courtney Bublé

The U.S. Senate voted 62-36 on Wednesday to confirm Michael Martin, a longtime federal prosecutor, to the Eastern District of Michigan and Benjamin Flowers, former solicitor general of Ohio, to the Sixth Circuit.

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DOL IG Says Info-Sharing Pacts Lacked Safeguards

By Irene Spezzamonte

U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito testified Wednesday before a U.S. House subcommittee that during the Biden administration, the department shared confidential information with plaintiffs' attorneys without notifying the Wage and Hour Division or the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

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Gov't Attys May Face Broader Duty To Report Misconduct

By Alison Knezevich

Attorneys representing the government could face "more demanding" obligations to disclose misconduct by people within their client organizations than attorneys representing private entities, according to an ethics opinion issued Wednesday by the American Bar Association.

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Retired Judges Rip Bid To Ban Foreign-Born Federal Judges

By Courtney Bublé

A group of 58 retired federal judges, appointed by presidents of both parties, on Wednesday came out strongly against recent proposals from Republican lawmakers that would require federal judges to be natural-born U.S. citizens and relinquish any citizenship that is not of the United States.

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US Marshals Can't Make Immigration Arrests In DC Court

By Rae Ann Varona

A D.C. federal judge Wednesday refused to toss a lawsuit from a certified class of immigrants challenging immigration arrests by U.S. marshals in D.C. Superior Court, declaring that the marshals lack authority and necessary training for the arrests.

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Securities Class Action Deals On Target To Hit 6-Year High

By Katryna Perera

The value of class action settlements is on track to reach a six-year high of $4.4 billion, fueled in part by a handful of "mega settlements" and other high-dollar deals, a Cornerstone Research report released Wednesday said. 

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