Advocates

"Mass Tort Pioneer Christopher Seeger Advocates for Judicial Independence and Expands Litigation Frontiers in Eye-Opening Interview"

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In New York, the landscape of mass-tort and multidistrict litigation represents a significant aspect of American law, commanding more than 70% of the federal civil docket and involving complex cases with vast financial implications. Despite its considerable presence, this area of legal practice remains underreported, attracting less media attention than one might expect. To bridge this information gap, David Lat, a legal analyst and the author behind the “Original Jurisdiction” newsletter, recently engaged Christopher Seeger, a leading figure in mass-tort litigation and a founding partner of Seeger Weiss. Since its inception in 1999, Seeger Weiss … Read more

Advocates Challenge ICE’s Bond Policy Changes with Groundbreaking Class Action Lawsuit

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DENVER — A new wave of immigration policies from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is drawing criticism from advocates for immigrant rights. Advocates argue that recently announced guidelines stripping immigrants of bond eligibility represent a troubling departure from decades of established practice. In July, ICE revealed the updated policy, stating that individuals who enter the United States unlawfully would no longer have the opportunity to secure bond. This shift has prompted the filing of a class-action lawsuit led by immigration attorney Hans Meyer, who contends that the policy is unlawful. “For 30 years, immigration law … Read more

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging PFAS Ban, Leaving Environmental Advocates Disappointed

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A federal judge in Cranston, Rhode Island, dismissed a lawsuit that sought to halt the state’s ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These substances, prevalent in various consumer products, have raised significant health concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential links to serious health issues. The case, brought forth by a group of manufacturers, argued that the ban imposed on certain PFAS compounds would lead to substantial economic harm and infringe on their rights. However, U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy ruled against the plaintiffs, affirming … Read more

"Reimagining Grand Juries: Legal Scholar Advocates for Enhanced Juror Input in Police Shooting Cases to Prevent Future Tragedies"

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Akron, Ohio — A recent decision by a Summit County grand jury to decline criminal charges against a police officer involved in the shooting of a local man has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of the grand jury process. Law professor Michael Gentithes from the University of Akron argues that current protocols often reduce the role of jurors to a simple yes or no vote, preventing them from providing valuable insights that could help prevent future police violence. Gentithes criticizes the grand jury system’s lack of transparency, suggesting that it fails to utilize the “lay … Read more