Corporate Law

Sears Ends $10 ‘Spyware’ Program for Getting Customer Computer Info

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent decree concerning what Ars Technica terms a “spyware” program maintained by a retailing giant to obtain information from its customers about their computer use. In exchange for a $10 payment, customers and Sears and Kmart, which are owned by the same…

Sep 14, 2009 11:15 PM CDT

In Latest Russian Raid, Chadbourne Lures Former Partner Back from Dechert

Only four months ago, Dechert was proclaiming victory in a stunning raid that reportedly stole all five partners from Chadbourne & Parke’s office in Moscow. But the New York City-based international law firm fought back, and managed to retain two of the five partners. And today, in the latest skirmish…

Sep 14, 2009 7:51 PM CDT

Ex-Client’s Bankruptcy Trustee Seeks $25M from Former Powell Goldstein Lawyers

Reviving a malpractice claim against attorneys at the former Powell Goldstein that could potentially cost as much as $25 million to $30 million if it is successful, a federal district court judge decided last month that an ex-client of the firm had not had enough opportunity to present its side…

Sep 14, 2009 6:32 PM CDT

Pfizer GC Loses Compliance Chief Role Under $2.3B Drug Marketing Settlement

The general counsel of Pfizer Inc. will no longer oversee the drug manufacter’s compliance program under the terms of a record-breaking $2.3 billion criminal and civil settlement by the company with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that it illegally marketed several drugs. Instead, a corporate integrity agreement (PDF)…

Sep 11, 2009 6:58 PM CDT

Major Plaintiffs Practice Opens in Calif., Joins Westward Move By Corporate Firms

A major plaintiff firm known for its work in securities class actions has opened a new office in California, establishing its first outpost beyond its 70-attorney headquarters in the suburban Philadelphia area. The new San Francisco office of Barroway Topaz Kessler Meltzer & Check will be headed by Ramzi Abadou,…

Sep 11, 2009 6:18 PM CDT

Chadbourne Announces 4th High-Profile In-House IP Counsel Hire

Confirming earlier news that former Yahoo Inc. vice president and associate general counsel of global patents Duane Valz would be joining Chadbourne & Parke, the law firm today announced his move to the firm as counsel in its Los Angeles and Silicon Valley offices. The 39-year-old Valz is the fourth…

Sep 10, 2009 9:18 PM CDT

K&L Gates Missed ‘Massive Fraud’; Its Probe of Co. a ‘Stunning Failure,’ Suit Says

The bankruptcy trustee overseeing the liquidation of Pennsylvania-based Le-Nature’s Inc. has sued the largest Pittsburgh-based law firm and a certified public accountant for malpractice, contending that the inadequate probe they conducted for the company’s board in 2003 failed to spot a “massive fraud” that came to a head in 2006.…

Sep 10, 2009 8:24 PM CDT

7 Doctors and Nurses Suspended for Playing Facebook Photo Game at Work

Seven doctors and nurses who apparently didn’t have enough to do while working overnight in a hospital emergency department last month reportedly decided to play a popular Facebook game. Now officials say their participation in the “lying down game,” in which participants post photos of themselves lying down flat, with…

Sep 10, 2009 6:05 PM CDT

Pfizer Wins Injunction Banning N.Y. Man’s ‘Viva Viagra’ Missile Stunt

A federal judge has sided with Pfizer in an unusual trademark dispute over its erectile disfunction drug Viagra, granting a permanent injunction banning a New York man from towing a 25-foot missile replica emblazoned with “Viva Viagra” in front of the drug manufacturer’s Manhattan world headquarters. In addition to U.S.…

Sep 10, 2009 4:57 PM CDT

Parties in $27B Environmental Case Fight Video With Video

A 16-year-old class action against Chevron Corp. over some $27 billion of claimed environmental contamination in Ecuador hasn’t been decided yet. But it’s already generating headlines because of the company’s unusual litigation tactics. Now, as a documentary about the claimed damage to Ecuador’s Amazon region is about to debut in…

Sep 9, 2009 7:55 PM CDT

Why Did the Bank of America Fire Its GC After Merrill Merger Vote?

Four days after the Bank of America’s shareholders approved a merger with Merrill Lynch, the bank’s general counsel, Timothy Mayopoulos, was suddenly fired and escorted from the building without being permitted to return to his desk, reports the New York Times. His firing came on the same day that the…

Sep 9, 2009 6:22 PM CDT

N.Y. AG Calls Bank’s Privilege Claims ‘Indiscriminate,’ Seeks Waiver

Stymied in his efforts to determine whether the Bank of America and executives complied with disclosure requirements concerning its merger with Merrill Lynch by what he terms an “indiscriminate” use of attorney-client privilege, the New York attorney general is calling for the bank to make its inside and outside counsel…

Sep 8, 2009 9:45 PM CDT

New Wall Street Idea: Buy and Securitize Life Insurance Policies of Elderly

Wall Street investment banks are planning to buy and securitize life insurance policies of older Americans. A $1 million policy might be sold for $400,000, then bundled with other policies and sold to investors, the New York Times reports. Duke law professor James Cox calls the development “bittersweet.” “The sweet…

Sep 8, 2009 11:48 AM CDT

After Chevron Posts YouTube Video, Ecuador Judge Steps Down in $27B Case

Saying that he did nothing wrong but doesn’t want to impede an ongoing investigation, a judge in Ecuador has recused himself in a $27 billion environmental case following a claim by Chevron Corp. that he discussed his planned upcoming ruling in the ongoing litigation with two businessmen. In a highly…

Sep 4, 2009 8:58 PM CDT

Pfizer Whistle-Blower’s $51.5M Payday Could Spark More Qui Tam Suits

Five whistle-blowers will share $102 million as part of a record-breaking $2.3 billion settlement by Pfizer Inc. of a federal criminal probe and civil qui tam litigation over the company’s drug-marketing practices. Among those expecting a hefty payday under the False Claims Act is a former Texas sales representative for…

Sep 3, 2009 12:09 AM CDT