Afternoon Briefs: Bankruptcy judge OKs opioid deal; judge bans immigration arrests at some courts
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Bankruptcy judge approves opioid deal
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain in New York has approved a settlement between the government and Purdue Pharma, a maker of OxyContin, to resolve federal criminal and civil investigations. The company is accused of defrauding federal health agencies and violating anti-kickback laws. The deal calls for Purdue Pharma to pay $225 million toward a $2 billion criminal forfeiture and to reorganize itself as a public benefit company that helps fight the opioid crisis with its profits. The government would be treated as an unsecured creditor with regards to an additional $3.54 billion criminal fine and a $2.8 billion civil penalty. (Thomson Reuters Legal, the Associated Press)
Judge bars immigration arrests at some US courthouses
U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw of the Southern District of California has barred immigration agents from making arrests at federal courthouses in the Southern District of California. Sabraw found that there is a common law privilege against civil arrests in the courts and issued a temporary restraining order Monday. “The court, as the third, independent branch of government, is a sanctuary—a place where parties and witnesses must be free from interference and intimidation,” Sabraw wrote. (Law360, Courthouse News Service)
Biden transition team starts reviewing potential judge picks
The transition team for President-elect Joe Biden is reportedly starting to identify potential judicial nominees. Progressive groups are already making lists of potential nominees that include Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Dale Ho, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Voting Rights Project. (HuffPost via How Appealing)
2 more law firms end pay cuts
Akerman and Schiff Hardin are eliminating pay cuts and making employees whole. Akerman ended the cuts in November and paid a bonus that included reimbursement for the money that was cut. Schiff Hardin said it has also paid employees back for the money that was withheld. (Law360 here and here, Above the Law)
