Morgan Lewis Bolsters European Presence with Acquisition of Kramer Levin’s Paris Team Ahead of Major Transatlantic Law Firm Merger

Paris, France — In a significant move to expand its global footprint, Morgan Lewis & Bockius announced on Friday the acquisition of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel’s Paris office, including a robust team of 54 lawyers. This development precedes the merger of Kramer Levin, based in Manhattan, with Herbert Smith Freehills, set to finalize in May. Kramer Levin’s Paris office, previously its sole international location, was notably excluded from its impending transatlantic union with Herbert Smith Freehills. This strategic acquisition by Morgan Lewis not only bolsters its presence in Europe but also significantly enhances its … Read more

Judge Denies Dismissal Requests in Real Estate Commission Lawsuit Involving Major Brokerage Firms

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the ongoing disputes over real estate commissions, Hanna Holdings, the parent company of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, has experienced mixed results in court. After successfully detaching itself from legal liability in a similar Pennsylvania case, it faced an uphill battle in Missouri where a judge ruled against dismissing the Gibson commission lawsuit involving several major real estate firms. The legal drama unfolded under the gavel of Judge Stephen R. Bough, who has presided over related litigation, including the notable Sitzer/Burnett case. Bough denied motions for dismissal from Howard Hanna … Read more

Nebraska AG Sues Major Healthcare Firms Over Massive Data Breach Impacting Half a Million Residents

Lincoln, Nebraska — Nebraska Attorney General Michael T. Hilgers has taken legal action against Change Healthcare, its parent company UnitedHealth Group, and its subsidiary Optum in response to a massive data breach. The breach compromised the personal and medical information of approximately 575,000 state residents, prompting the lawsuit filed in Lancaster County District Court this Tuesday. The action accuses the involved parties of not adhering to state consumer protection laws and mishandling the breach, thereby causing significant disruption across the healthcare sector. The breach, which court documents refer to as a "preventable disaster," reportedly affected … Read more

Major Colleges Accused in $685 Million Lawsuit for Alleged Tuition Price-Fixing Scheme

A recent lawsuit alleges that a consortium of prestigious U.S. colleges and universities engaged in a price-fixing scheme that led to students being overcharged by approximately $685 million. Filed in a Chicago federal court, the complaint accuses 16 prominent institutions of limiting financial aid through an unfair collaboration, potentially violating antitrust laws designed to protect competition and prevent monopolistic behaviors. The universities named include Yale, Georgetown, Columbia, and Northwestern among others. Collectively, these schools have historically prided themselves on offering need-blind admissions, which means that a student’s financial situation is not considered when deciding admission. … Read more