Landscape

Seana Azad Elevates Legal Landscape as New Partner in Environmental and Toxic Tort Practice at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

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Walnut Creek, Calif. — Seana Azad has joined the law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in its environmental and toxic tort practice, the firm announced on Monday. In her new role, Azad will utilize her expertise in a variety of legal areas, including civil litigation, employment law, and product liability. She has built a reputation for representing clients in intricate toxic tort and product liability matters in both California state and federal courts. Azad’s practice encompasses a broad range of disputes, including mass tort litigation, contract disputes, construction defects, and employment and … Read more

Gov. Lujan Grisham Enacts 60 New Laws, Transforming Policy Landscape in New Mexico

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SANTA FE, N.M. — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has officially enacted 60 legislative measures, reflecting New Mexico’s ongoing efforts to address a variety of significant state issues including healthcare, education, and public safety. During a recent signing spree, Governor Grisham approved a multitude of bills that aim to improve living conditions and streamline government processes for New Mexicans. Among the impactful legislations signed is the extension of tax relief to local businesses, intended to aid in their recovery post-pandemic and encourage economic stability. This legislative effort showcases the state’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment … Read more

Florida’s Legal Landscape Transforms Amid Surge in Class Actions and Mass Tort Cases

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida stands as a critical battleground for class actions and mass tort claims, a status nurtured by its considerable population—the third largest in the nation—and historically plaintiff-friendly legislation and court rulings. However, recent trends indicate a reversal in this inclination, driven largely by Republican legislative and governance efforts. Class action lawsuits in the state span a range of issues, from deceptive advertising claims to discrepancies in product sizes, while mass tort claims frequently arise from varying individual damages from shared grievances, notably in drug reactions and defective products. In 2023, spending on … Read more

Supreme Court Decision Reshapes Landscape of Bankruptcy Law, Ending Non-Consensual Third-Party Releases in Chapter 11 Cases

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court recently delivered a landmark decision that shook the foundations of bankruptcy law, specifically addressing the contentious issue of non-consensual third-party releases. The court’s ruling in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. categorically denies the use of these releases under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, except in asbestos-related cases. This decision not only has profound implications for future bankruptcy cases but also undermines a tool long used to settle mass tort litigations effectively. Previously regarded as an extraordinary legal maneuver, non-consensual third-party releases had become widespread in Chapter 11 bankruptcy plans, including … Read more