Risks

Legal Ethics in Question: ABA Opinion Warns of Risks from Biased Jury Strikes

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Richmond, Va. — Recent opinions from the American Bar Association (ABA) highlight significant ethical concerns surrounding jury selection processes that may exhibit bias. Legal experts emphasize the importance of impartiality in juries, a cornerstone of the justice system intended to ensure fair trials. The ABA’s guidance focuses on the ethical implications of biased juries and the responsibilities of attorneys during jury selection. Lawyers are advised to take proactive measures in identifying and mitigating potential bias to uphold the integrity of the legal process. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of biased juries on verdict … Read more

2025 Damage Awards Report Reveals Surge in Federal Court Verdicts, Highlighting Legal Landscape Shifts and Rising Risks

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San Jose, California — Federal court damage awards have reached unprecedented levels, with recent trends indicating an evolving landscape for litigation involving higher jury verdicts and unpredictable outcomes. A new report from Lex Machina®, a legal analytics platform by LexisNexis®, assesses these significant changes in its 2025 Damage Awards Litigation Report, providing insights from 2015 to 2024. The report details staggering increases in average damage awards in federal courts, surpassing previous highs by more than $1 million in both 2023 and 2024. With these heightened stakes, law firms, corporate counsel, and insurers must adapt their … Read more

Ohio Court Ruling Highlights Financial Risks of Age Discrimination in Employment Decisions

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — A recent appellate decision has raised alarms among business leaders regarding the implications of workforce management. In a ruling vacating the employer’s claims, the court affirmed a jury’s $2.1 million award to Cheryl Shephard, a former senior accountant at CrossCountry Mortgage, after they found she was dismissed due to age discrimination. Shephard joined the company in 2016 and consistently received positive reviews and salary increases through her tenure. However, her position dramatically shifted after the hiring of a much younger account manager in 2022. Following her assignment to train him, her responsibilities … Read more

Sonoma County Jury Urges Proactive Emergency Planning to Enhance Evacuation Responses Amid Growing Wildfire Risks

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Santa Rosa, California — A recent report from a local jury has prompted a reevaluation of emergency preparedness in Sonoma County, advocating for proactive measures that focus on solutions manageable within the county. The jury’s recommendations advocate for developing designated emergency shelters and training qualified personnel to direct traffic during evacuations, steering clear of large-scale road projects that entail significant funding and oversight. Joan Broughton, a resident of the Brooks Creek community, recalls the confusion and stress during the 2019 Kincade Fire evacuation. Finding it difficult to know where to go, she ended up navigating … Read more