Settlements

Top Legal Eagles Clash for Litigator of the Year as Historic Trials and Billion-Dollar Settlements Mark 2023

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New York, NY — As the legal industry gathers for The American Lawyer’s Industry Awards this Wednesday, anticipation builds around the announcement of the Litigator of the Year. Among the distinguished finalists are attorneys whose recent landmark cases have made significant impacts on corporate governance, antitrust regulations, intellectual property, and more. Jeroen van Kwawegen, a partner at Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, enjoyed a notably active year. Heading the firm’s corporate governance department, he presided over 45 cases, taking lead roles in significant plaintiff motions and various class action suits. His notable achievements include playing … Read more

2025 Could Mark the Turning Point for AFFF Firefighting Foam Settlements: Key Developments and Expectations for Cancer-Linked Litigations

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WASHINGTON — As the AFFF firefighting foam litigation continues to unfold, victims and legal experts alike eye 2025 with the hope of a significant settlement for personal injury and wrongful death claims related to PFAS exposure. The stakes are particularly high following a $10.3 billion global settlement agreement in 2023 that resolved many water contamination claims filed by municipalities and local water authorities against prominent defendants such as 3M and DuPont. AFFF, or aqueous film-forming foam, has been used extensively in firefighting, particularly in combating fuel fires at airports and military facilities. However, it contains … Read more

Majority of Lawyers Support Increased Consideration of Domestic Abuse in Divorce Settlements

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Many legal experts advocate for courts to more thoroughly consider issues of domestic abuse during financial rulings in divorce and separation cases. The term “domestic abuse” in these contexts extends beyond physical violence, encompassing exploitative behaviors such as capitalizing on legal delays, withholding financial disclosures, violating court orders, and protracting mediations to exhaust the opposing party. The call for systemic change in handling these cases reflects concerns among legal representatives, particularly those who defend less financially equipped parties. Typically, these clients are women who find themselves financially disadvantaged post-separation. Conversely, lawyers who cater to very … Read more

Supreme Court’s Decision on Purdue Pharma Sets Potential Precedent for Future Mass Tort Settlements

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Washington, D.C. – A recent Supreme Court decision affirming the opioid settlement by Purdue Pharma could set significant precedents for how similar mass tort cases are resolved in the future. The ruling, which supports the pharmaceutical giant’s plan to restructure under bankruptcy protection, encompasses a multi-billion dollar agreement pivotal for communities affected by the opioid epidemic. The contentious approval by the Supreme Court has confirmed Purdue Pharma’s settlement plan, estimated at over $10 billion, which aims to mitigate the public health crisis tied to opioids. This decision not only impacts those directly involved in the … Read more