Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Future of Mass Tort Bankruptcies, Limits Legal Shields for Non-Debtors

NEW YORK — The Uamsung the decision by the Supreme Court could signal a pivot in the way corporations may use bankruptcy proceedings to settle massive lawsuits. This follows a recent decision which invalidated a key part of the agreement that would have resolved multidistrict litigation against Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin. The court ruled against the ability of bankruptcy courts to absolve claims directed at third parties who have not themselves declared bankruptcy—a standard practice that had been utilized by firms facing sizable litigation burdens. For years, bankruptcy courts provided a setting allowing … Read more

U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Purdue Case Heightens Challenges for Mass Litigation Resolutions in Bankruptcy

Washington, D.C. — A landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has fundamentally changed the landscape for resolving mass litigation within the bankruptcy framework. This ruling significantly impacts the ability of companies, like opioid giant Purdue Pharma, to settle numerous lawsuits by filing for bankruptcy. Traditionally, bankruptcy has been used as a tool by corporations to manage and halt litigation, particularly when faced with the potential devastation of massive lawsuit payouts. Bankruptcy filings allow these companies to consolidate lawsuits in one federal court and propose global settlements. However, the Supreme Court’s decision has narrowed the … Read more

Kelly Linger to Assume Role as Columbiana County Municipal Court Judge Starting July 23

LISBON, Ohio — Kelly Linger, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in both prosecution and defense, has been appointed as the new judge of the Columbiana County Municipal Court. Set to start on July 23, Linger steps into a role vacated by former Judge Katelyn Dickey earlier this year. Governor Mike DeWine announced Linger’s appointment late last week, marking a significant move in the local judiciary. Dickey had left her position following a new appointment to the Seventh District Court of Appeals at the end of March. Linger, an assistant prosecutor and one of three … Read more

Deadlock in Court: Jury Unable to Reach Verdict in High-Profile Trial of Woman Accused of Fatally Striking Boyfriend with SUV

Dedham, Mass. — In a highly charged legal drama unfolding at Norfolk Superior Court, jurors have reported a deadlock in the trial of Karen Read, 48. Read stands accused of fatally injuring her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, by hitting him with her SUV during a blizzard after an evening marked by substantial alcohol consumption. The inability of the jury to reach a verdict was announced on Friday, exposing the case’s complexities and the emotional toll exacted on all parties involved. Karen Read faces charges of second-degree murder in the January death of her boyfriend, … Read more