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News Aug 25, 2016

Peter Thiel & Y Combinator Fund a “Litigation Financing” Startup to Make Money Off Other Peoples’ Lawsuits

Legalist is a startup founded by Thiel Fellow Eva Shang and Christian Haigh, backed by Y Combinator: it will use data-mining to identify people who have been legally wronged by deep-pocketed aggressors and offer to finance their litigation in return for a share of the winnings. report this ad This tactic, called “champerty,” used to be illegal, but as it has morphed into the more thrusting, …

News Aug 25, 2016

Attorneys Fees Ruling Comes in ‘hot Fuel’ Case

Attorneys who represented consumers in “hot fuel” class-action cases — contending overcharges for gasoline that expands in the heat — should receive $18.9 million for their legal work, a federal judge in Kansas ruled this week. The decision comes after earlier still-contested settlements in the case, where some companies agreed in early 2015 to give station owners $23 million to fix their fuel …

News Aug 17, 2016

Anti-Gambling Group Threatens Lawsuit to Halt Fantasy Sports Approval in New York State

A national anti-gambling group may sue to try to reverse a new law legalizing daily fantasy sports contests in New York State. “We believe in improving the lives of New Yorkers, and part of that mission is to repeal the state’s predatory gambling policies, and litigation is part of that effort,” said Les Bernal, national director of the Washington, D.C.–based Stop Predatory Gambling. …

Settlements Aug 15, 2016

Stinky Washing Machine Claims Bring Settlement

Stinky washing machine claims bring settlement: Whirlpool and Sears have agreed to settle with owners of front-loading washing machines, nine years after claims of mold-growing washers appeared in court. The claimants said the front-loaders didn’t self-clean properly, and that the companies failed to warn them. About 5.5 …

News Aug 9, 2016

Some 911 Fees Go Unpaid by Phone Companies, Lawsuit Says

Local officials in several states have filed dozens of lawsuits saying phone companies, such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., are doling out discounts to businesses at the expense of 911 emergency services. Telecom operators are required by local laws to charge a 911 fee, typically about $1 for each phone line to support local 911 dispatch centers, including salaries, training and …

News, Securities Jul 22, 2016

Money Managers With In-House 401(k) Plan Options at Risk of Employee Lawsuits: Lawyers

Asset managers that limit employee retirement plan investment choices to proprietary, in-house mutual funds are putting a legal target on their backs, attorneys said. In the context of a rash of lawsuits by employees against financial services companies alleging breach of fiduciary duty in managing 401(k) plans, asset management companies that populate their retirement plans solely with house …

Lawsuits Jul 11, 2016

MasterCard Inc (MA): Additional Charges on Consumers Uncalled For!

MasterCard Inc (NYSE:MA) is facing an expensive lawsuit, which is expected to increase its litigation cost by the end of 2016. The payment processing company is accused of imposing additional card charges, which were ultimately borne by British consumers. It might be the first US-style class action lawsuit in the UK, which might increase the uncertainty associated with the stock.

News Jul 1, 2016

Lawsuit: Attendant in Wrong Fuel Crash Had History of Drug Use

Newly filed court documents are providing shocking developments in a wrongful death case against a Felts Field aviation company. Michael Clements, 61, from Alberta was on his way to California and stopped at Felts Field to refuel. His plane crashed shortly after takeoff near Spokane’s Hamilton Street overpass.

Lawsuit definition highlighted

Legal News May 24, 2016

Companies Forced to Rethink U.S. High Court Class Action Strategy

Lawyers for companies trying to fend off costly class action lawsuits are rethinking longstanding legal strategies after businesses lost two key U.S. Supreme Court cases as well as their staunchest supporter on the bench. At the start of the court’s term in October, the business community had reason to believe the justices would further pare back class action litigation after rulings …