Future Implications of Key Legal Developments in 2023 Shaping Various Industries: From Rejecting Overly Ambitious PFAS Class Actions to Amendments of Federal Rule 702 on Expert Witness Testimony

Harriss Beach Attorneys Abbie Eliasberg Fuchs, Daniel R. Strecker, and Alessandra G. Ash have analyzed key judicial holdings and legal developments in federal court and tort hotspots across the country that have impacted the industry in 2023 and may shape the years ahead. They have shared potential implications for future cases in regards to these topics: – The Sixth Circuit has rejected an overly ambitious PFAS class action. – The Hair Relaxer MDL is proceeding. – Illinois now permits punitive damages in wrongful death cases and has increased the availability of expedited trials. – California … Read more

Department of Justice Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Against NCAA’s Transfer Eligibility Rule, Supporting College Athletes’ Rights to Control Name, Image, and Likeness

CHARLESTON, West Virginia – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced its involvement in a multi-state lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s transfer eligibility rule, asserting that it unlawfully restricts college athletes’ ability to monetize their name, image, and likeness while controlling their education. This marks the first time the DOJ has joined a state-led antitrust lawsuit. In addition to the DOJ, three more states and the District of Columbia have joined the lawsuit led by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to 11. The lawsuit, filed on December 7 in the … Read more

Freelance Workers Sue US Department of Labor Over Biden Administration’s Independent Contractor Rule, Citing Unconstitutionality

Atlanta, Georgia – A group of freelance writers and editors has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor, challenging the legality of the Biden administration’s new rule that makes it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors. The four freelancers filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Georgia, arguing that the recently unveiled rule, which they consider to be vague, violates the U.S. Constitution. This lawsuit is the first to challenge the rule, which is set to take effect on March 11. The plaintiffs claim that the new rule is … Read more

Lawsuit Against State Utility Rule Continues as Plaintiffs Shift Focus to City of Gainesville

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – A lawsuit challenging a new state law that restructured the municipal utility in the Gainesville area is moving forward, despite the dismissal of Gov. Ron DeSantis as a defendant last month. The group Gainesville Residents United and six individual plaintiffs are now seeking to include the city of Gainesville as a defendant in the case. The law, which was passed during the previous legislative session, established the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority as a replacement for the longstanding Gainesville Regional Utilities agency. Under the new law, the governor has the power to … Read more