News from February 2023
Jim O’Sullivan shares leadership experiences in Arizona continuing legal education course
Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. attorney James P. “Jim” O’Sullivan joined an impressive faculty group to present Meeting Your Moments – Insights on Leadership and Professionalism for Lawyers in Challenging Times, a continuing legal education (CLE) course offered by the State Bar of Arizona.
Firm asks to lead Silvergate securities class action
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A company that says it lost nearly $650,000 when the value of Silvergate Capital's stock dropped in November believes it should be the lead plaintiff in securities class action litigation.
Plaintiff claims PFAS in Capri Sun, but defendant questions 'independent' testing
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Lawsuits alleging the presence of chemicals known as PFAS in consumer products fail to allege anyone was actually hurt by them, the maker of Capri Sun is arguing.
Pension sues Atlassian Corporation, alleges securities violations
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A Hollywood, Fla., firefighters' pension fund is alleging violations of federal securities laws.
Two top securities law firms earned almost $3 billion in fees, study shows
The top two law firms active in securities class actions took in almost $3 billion in fees between 2005 and 2018 and recently have been averaging almost $100 million a year, a detailed academic study shows, with little correlation between the riskiness of the cases and how much they are paid.
Coca-Cola faces lawsuit over labeling of Minute Maid juice
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Coca-Cola is facing a suit alleging its Minute Maid juice label fails to disclose it contains a chemically modified form of vitamin C.
New York’s Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act: Impact & Strategies on February 15, 2023
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act (“FAPA”) on December 30, 2022, which became effective immediately.
Newsmax can't escape libel suit over election software claims
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The conservative TV network Newsmax must defend itself against a multibillion-dollar lawsuit claiming it knowingly broadcast false claims the election software company conspired to steal victory from former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Witnesses to refinery explosion don't deserve money for mental distress, Louisiana court says
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Four people who witnessed a loud explosion at a nearby refinery that sent flames shooting 55 feet into the air didn’t prove the “genuine and serious mental distress” necessary to win damages under Louisiana law, the state’s highest court ruled.
iHeartmedia faces class action over sharing user information with Facebook
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — iHeartmedia is facing a digital privacy class action over its sharing of user information with Facebook.
Montana AG to colleagues: Return money or 'I will see you in court'
Adding to a chorus of dissent by Republican attorneys general, Montana AG Austin Knudsen has threatened to sue the National Association of Attorneys General if it doesn’t return to his state the money it is holding from multistate lawsuit settlements.
Class action alleges CryptoZoo fraudulently sold digital currency
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — A Texas man is claiming in a class action that CryptoZoo fraudulently sold digital currency.
Krishana Pleasant Named Fellow of American College of Mortgage Attorneys
Krishana Pleasant, a New York-based member of Ballard Spahr’s national Finance Department, has been named a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA).
Morrisey leads lawsuit against Garland, ATF on pistol brace rule
HUNTINGTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is leading a coalition of more than 20 state AGs and other parties in a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and ATF Director Steven Dettelbach that seeks to enjoin a recently issued final rule governing “Stabilizing Braces,” commonly known as pistol braces.
Investors knew risks, says company fighting shareholder class action
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A company that designs online ordering systems for restaurants says a class action lawsuit over a drop in its stock price has no merit.
Plaintiffs firm to face lawsuit over abandoned app
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A Los Angeles technology company will be able to pursue a lawsuit that says a Washington, D.C.-based law firm failed to pay it for development of a mobile app used to help find wildfire plaintiffs.
12 years wrongly imprisoned but no lawsuit for freed man
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A man who was freed after 12 years in prison and received compensation under a Texas law can’t sue officials in federal court for violating his rights, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in an advisory opinion to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Oasis Legal Finance hit with class action alleging usury
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey man alleges a consumer lender is providing open-end loans without a license and charging interest and fees that exceed legal limits.
Lawsuit: Mrs. Smith's apple pie doesn't have enough real butter
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Legal Newsline) — A Wisconsin woman claims Mrs. Smith's frozen apple pie crust is not made with real butter as the label states.
Two Troutman Pepper Partners Named to Virginia Law Foundation’s Fellows Class of 2023
Michael Lacy and Mary Zinsner, partners at Troutman Pepper and members of the firm’s Consumer Financial Services Practice Group, have been named to the Virginia Law Foundation’s 2023 Class of Fellows.