Class Action Payouts Surpass $40 Billion Annually for Third Consecutive Year, Signaling Major Shift in Legal Trends

In recent years, the landscape of class action lawsuits in the United States has shifted dramatically, with settlements surpassing $40 billion annually for three consecutive years, marking a clear trajectory into a new legal era. This consistent financial magnitude underscores not only the growing sophistication of litigation strategies but also the increasing accountability demanded from corporations regarding consumer rights, environmental protection, and corporate governance. Observers suggest that this surge in class action settlements signals an age where collective legal actions are becoming a common mechanism for addressing mass grievances. This could be prompted, in part, … Read more

Biden Poised to Surpass Trump’s Judicial Appointments, Yet Lags in Transformative Impact on Key Courts

WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden’s term progresses, his administration’s impact on the U.S. judiciary becomes increasingly significant, likely surpassing his predecessor Donald Trump in the number of judicial appointments. While Biden may well set records for district court appointments, he faces challenges altering the ideological balance of the federal appellate courts to the extent achieved by Trump. Trump’s tenure was marked by a strategic overhaul of the federal judiciary, notably the appellate courts, shifting their ideological balance rightward significantly. This transformation involved flipping three key circuits and reshaping the most influential appellate benches in … Read more