Litigation

Sheila Birnbaum Honored with Defendant Award for Championing Ethics in Complex Litigation

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S.F., California – Sheila Birnbaum, a leading attorney in product liability and mass torts, has been awarded the prestigious Defendant Award for Excellence in Ethics in Complex Litigation. The award, presented by the Center for Litigation and Courts at the U.C. College of Law, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting ethical practices in class actions and other complex lawsuits. Throughout her esteemed career, Birnbaum has played an instrumental role in shaping the landscape of product liability litigation. She has served as national counsel or lead defense counsel for numerous Fortune 500 companies, … Read more

Supreme Court to Decide on Unconventional Bankruptcy Maneuver in Public Harms Litigation

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Washington, D.C. – In an era of unprecedented civil procedure tactics, corporations facing public harm litigation are increasingly turning to bankruptcy court as an alternative to traditional civil litigation. From the Catholic Diocese and Boy Scouts in abuse cases to Johnson & Johnson’s talc litigation, corporations are leveraging bankruptcy’s special powers to address pending claims that traditional tort litigation has failed to resolve efficiently. The Supreme Court is set to hear Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy deal, which raises questions about the effectiveness of using bankruptcy court in resolving public health crises and whether it circumvents the … Read more

Court of Appeals Ruling Sets Precedent, Limiting Use of Bankruptcy for Litigation Shielding

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Philadelphia, PA – The Third Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision today that could significantly impact future bankruptcy filings. The court ordered the dismissal of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case filed by LTL Management LLC, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson. LTL had filed for bankruptcy after completing a divisional merger, which left it with the responsibility of managing Johnson & Johnson’s talc liabilities. They sought bankruptcy protection along with an injunction to shield Johnson & Johnson and its other affiliates from ongoing talc litigation. However, an Official Committee of Talc Claimants and … Read more

Law Firm of Peter Angelos, Notable for Asbestos and Tobacco Litigation, to Be Sold to Three Members of Practice

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Baltimore, MD – Peter Angelos’ renowned law firm, known for its success in securing substantial awards and settlements on behalf of asbestos and tobacco victims, is set to be sold to three members of the practice. The sale was authorized by Baltimore County Circuit Judge Keith R. Truffer, concluding a legal dispute among Angelos’ family members. The family patriarch, now 94 years old, has been incapacitated by illness since 2018. Financial details of the sale were not disclosed in court documents filed on Wednesday. This development follows the Angelos family’s agreement to sell their most … Read more