Newsletters

08.23.17

Using Statistical Sampling in False Claims Act Cases

The False Claims Act (FCA) is silent about whether statistical sampling may be used to prove a violation of the Act and, since the case law is varied, there are no clear rules about when or how statistical sampling evidence may be introduced.


08.23.17

By Antitrust Standards, When Is a Firm Really Failing?

The “failing firm” defense as a justification for permitting a merger that may otherwise lessen competition gets considerable play in healthcare transactions.


08.10.17

Deferred Vacation Policy Lawful, California Appellate Court Rules

A vacation policy that employees do not begin to earn vacation time until after their first year of employment is lawful, the California Court of Appeal has ruled, affirming dismissal of a former employee’s lawsuit.


07.31.17

Union Posters Crossed the Line, Eighth Circuit Rules

A group of Jimmy John’s workers lost the protection of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) with a disloyal poster campaign, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled, refusing to enforce the order of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that the employer ran afoul of the ...


07.31.17

Supreme Court Limits SEC’s Disgorgement Power

On June 5, 2017, the Supreme Court held in Kokesh v. SEC that the five-year statute of limitations found in 28 U. S. C. §2462 with respect to actions for civil monetary penalties applies equally to actions for disgorgement.


07.26.17

Yet Another Blow to Spokeo Strategy in TCPA Cases

Consistent with the growing trend among lower federal courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit recently reversed a district court order in Susinno v. Work Out World, which had dismissed a putative Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class for lack of standing where the plaintiff had ...


07.24.17

ERISA Procedural Rights Violations Can Still State Federal Claims

Last year, the United States Supreme Court decided Spokeo v. Robins, holding that a procedural violation of a statute is insufficient to create a “concrete” injury and confer standing if the plaintiff suffered no real harm.


07.24.17

The FTC Continues to Challenge Healthcare Mergers

Confirming that hospital merger enforcement continues to be a priority under the new administration, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the North Dakota Attorney General recently challenged Sanford Health’s proposed acquisition of Mid Dakota Clinic.


07.21.17

California Supreme Court Reverses PAGA Discovery Ruling

On July 13, 2017, the California Supreme Court in Williams v. Superior Court (Marshalls) issued its first opinion addressing the scope of discovery in representative actions brought under the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (Cal. Labor Code §§ 2698 et seq.).


07.13.17

SCOTUS: For Patent Venue, Domestic Corporations ‘Reside’ Where Incorporated

On May 22, 2017, the Supreme Court issued its decision in TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC—rejecting long-standing Federal Circuit precedent and re-establishing stricter venue requirements for patent infringement litigation involving a domestic corporate defendant.