Norfolk Southern's Post-Mallory Arguments Fail, Justices Told

By Linda Chiem

A rail worker's estate told the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday that Norfolk Southern cannot keep trying to evade a Federal Employers' Liability Act lawsuit by refashioning its constitutional challenge to Pennsylvania's business-registration statute asserting jurisdiction over the rail giant.

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American Airlines Passenger Says Employee Broke Her Arm

By Y. Peter Kang

An American Airlines employee repeatedly ignored warnings about a passenger's medical condition while rendering assistance which resulted in a severe arm fracture, according to a suit filed Friday in Texas federal court.

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Calif. Judge Gives Final OK To $48M Emissions Warranty Deal

By Jonathan Capriel

A California federal judge has granted final approval to a deal between drivers and Mercedes-Benz USA, settling claims the automaker failed to place "high-priced" emissions parts under the proper warranty and awarding class counsel $2.8 million on the settlement valued at more than $48 million.

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Jeep Fire-Risk Suit Sends 15 Drivers' Claims To Arbitration

By Susan Smiley

Some Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee drivers alleging the batteries in the plug-in hybrids are at risk of spontaneously catching fire and exploding must arbitrate their claims, a Michigan federal judge has ruled, saying that 15 members of the proposed class must adhere to an arbitration agreement.

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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.

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Sonora Says Auto Parts Suppliers Forced $3.2M Overpayment

By Susan Smiley

A Mexico-based Tier 1 auto parts supplier filed a counterclaim in Michigan federal court on Friday, claiming a group of manufacturer-suppliers that brought a breach of contract suit "extorted" more than $3 million in retroactive price increases and threatened to halt production.

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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.

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Worker Sues DHL Express Over Seattle Wage Violations

By MJ Koo

DHL Express failed to provide legally required meal and rest breaks and denied workers compensation for missed break time in violation of state and local wage laws, a worker alleged in Washington state court.

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Sea-Doo Recall Misled Buyers On Boat Fix, Fla. Suit Says

By David Minsky

Canadian boat manufacturer Bombardier issued a deceptive safety recall stating that a design defect causing a line of vessels to capsize can be easily repaired, according to a proposed class action filed by four consumers in Florida federal court.

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DC Circ. Preserves Biden-Era EPA Soot Rule

By Keith Goldberg

The D.C. Circuit Friday rejected challenges from Republican states and business groups to a Biden-era rule setting tighter national limits on soot, as well as the Trump administration's request to vacate the rule.

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Brief

Faegre Drinker Adds Withers Int'l Arbitration Atty In NY

By Tracey Read

A former Withers litigation and arbitration special counsel has joined Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP as a New York partner.

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Justices' Montgomery Ruling Doesn't Expand Shipper Liability

Whether negligent hiring liability claims against shippers will increase after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last month in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II is anyone's guess, but the ruling itself will have no impact on shippers' actual liability in personal injury claims relating to trucking accidents, says Ronald Leibman at McCarter & English.

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GHG Rescission Undermines State Climate Suit Preemption

As the U.S. Supreme Court considers the fate of state climate litigation in Suncor Energy Inc. v. Boulder County, it must confront the fact that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rescission of its greenhouse gas endangerment finding has also removed the foundation for federal preemption of state climate suits, says attorney Gregg Goldfarb.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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