Controversial Supreme Court Decision in Opioid Litigation Bankruptcy Jeopardizes Victims’ Settlements – Right or Wrong Call?
In a landmark 5 to 4 Decision, the United States Supreme Court in the case of Harrington v. Purdue Pharma ruled that allowing the release of the Sackler family as part of the Purdue Bankruptcy was impermissible under the Bankruptcy Code. This controversial decision invalidates a negotiated global settlement of the thousands of claims of victims of opioid injuries and ...
Employment Law Update June 2024
In June 2024, a local employment verdict created whistleblower precedent in the field of sports medicine, a federal court narrowed the scope of what might be a hostile work environment, and Pennsylvania steelworkers sought to advance wage and hour rights for pre and post-shift obligations. See more below. Jury Awards $5.25 Million to former Team Doctor for Penn State Football ...
The Trump Trial: Why Was Trump Charged and What Should Happen on Appeal?
The commentary surrounding the Manhattan DA’s successful prosecution of former President Donald J. Trump under Section 175.10 of New York’s Penal Law often overlooks an important historical fact: To date, New York prosecutors have brought charges under that statute, which prohibits the falsification of business records, nearly 10,000 times. Until now, of course, none of those criminal defendants has been ...
Child Abuse Cases in Pennsylvania: The Real Face Behind the Mask of the Child Protective Services Law
An individual accused of child abuse, whether sexual or physical, is up against more than the criminal justice system. An initial accusation of child abuse travels through a ChildLine hotline, which taps the shoulder of the local district attorney's office and the corresponding county child protective services ("CPS") agency.1 Both legal bodies initiate investigations which can yield different yet devastating ...
Employment Law Update May 2024
In May 2024, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcement made headlines, with numerous states challenging the recently updated EEOC harassment guidance and the EEOC cracking down on EEO-1 delinquent filings, while Starbucks’ labor woes continued. Read about the details below. 18 State Attorneys General Assert EEOC Transgender Harassment Guidance Oversteps Eighteen Republican state attorneys general, led by Tennessee, have ...
Employment Law Update April 2024
April 2024 brought major pronouncements from the federal government that will affect employment nationwide, including the FTC’s controversial ban on non-compete agreements, and the EEOC issuing guidance on workplace harassment and a final rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The details are below. FTC Issues Ban for Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide, but Challenges Loom The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued ...
MacElree Harvey Team Shines in “Bet-the-Company” Corporate Litigation
A high-stakes lawsuit that threatens the continued existence of a business enterprise is often referred to in legal circles as “Bet the Company” litigation. Because the company's survival depends on the outcome of the case, it is critical that the matter is entrusted to legal counsel with the skills and experience to deliver a successful result in these complex, "must ...
Subject to Review – Your Monthly Dose of Real Criminal Law: April 2024 Edition
Did You Know? Did you know that there are increased penalties if a person charged with DUI refuses to submit to Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) testing? If the police arrest a person for DUI and take them to get a breath test, refusing to participate results in a mandatory minimum 72 hour sentence in jail. Essentially, if a person refuses ...