Insurance & Financial Services

Interested in infectious disease litigation? Before you accept a case, read this

When Davis M. Walsh and Samuel L. Tarry began assembling Infectious Disease Litigation: Science, Law, and Procedure, they had no idea a pandemic was soon going to make the topic more relevant than ever.

Mar 10, 2021 12:10 PM CST

Capacity limits on businesses can be a ‘direct physical loss’ covered by insurance, judge rules in bellwether cases

A federal judge in Chicago has ruled that pandemic-related business closings and capacity limits can qualify as a “direct physical loss” to property that is covered by "business interruption" policies.

Mar 4, 2021 9:54 AM CST

Pandemic worsens already-growing debt problem with many legal remedies on hold

While many Americans remain jobless, some companies have increased their collection efforts on old debt as they grapple with less revenue amid the sluggish economy. But with government offices and courts closed, it’s hard for attorneys to move cases along.

Mar 2, 2021 12:52 PM CST

These 7 larger law firms got the $10M maximum in coronavirus pandemic loans

When the government offered forgivable loans to keep businesses afloat and workers on the payroll during the novel coronavirus pandemic, dozens of larger law firms received the money.

Dec 2, 2020 11:33 AM CST

Former general counsel of LeClairRyan agrees to disbarment

Bruce Matson, the former general counsel of the disbanded law firm LeClairRyan, has been disbarred in Virginia after he was accused of misappropriating money from a bankruptcy trust account.

Nov 19, 2020 3:18 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Judge orders sweep for undelivered ballots; Chamber of Commerce worries US is ignoring injunction

Judge orders postal sweep for undelivered ballots U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan of Washington, D.C., has ordered the U.S. Postal Service to sweep 12 key postal districts for undelivered ballots and immediately send them out for delivery. Sullivan issued the order after the Postal Service disclosed that about 300,000 ballots…

Nov 3, 2020 3:45 PM CST

Lawyer accused of threat to have opposing counsel’s ‘rear end sanctioned’ faces ethics complaint

A Florida insurance defense lawyer is accused of unprofessional conduct toward opposing attorneys and a litigant, including a threat to have an opposing counsel’s “rear end sanctioned” over objections made during a deposition.

Oct 21, 2020 12:36 PM CDT

As its workforce shrinks, this BigLaw firm restores salaries and reorganizes

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has cut 4% of its global workforce and reorganized practice groups since undertaking a strategic review last year.

Oct 8, 2020 10:41 AM CDT

Overbilling suit alleges K&L Gates used these techniques to increase fees

An overbilling lawsuit filed against K&L Gates on Monday alleges the law firm used multiple techniques to increase its fees fraudulently while representing a company in a suit over a failed lease agreement.

Aug 26, 2020 11:48 AM CDT

Lawyer who represents whistleblowers loses malpractice insurance because of ‘high-profile’ work

The Hanover Insurance Group has refused to renew malpractice coverage for the lawyer representing the whistleblower whose complaint led to impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

Aug 25, 2020 9:38 AM CDT

No takebacks? Settlement offer missing a zero can be withdrawn, appeals court says

A settlement offer for one-tenth of the intended amount can be rescinded after it was mistakenly sent to an insurer by a lawyer’s paralegal, a Florida appeals court has ruled.

Aug 20, 2020 11:26 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Actor Jussie Smollett’s prosecutors are reviewed; enhanced protection is recommended for judges

No crimes by prosecutors found in Jussie Smollett case Special prosecutor Dan Webb has found “substantial abuses of discretion” but no criminal wrongdoing by prosecutors who dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett, who was on the TV show Empire. He was accused of orchestrating a hate crime attack on himself.…

Aug 17, 2020 4:51 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Sheriff bans masks for deputies; judicial panel won’t centralize COVID-19 insurance suits

Florida sheriff bans masks for deputies, office visitors Marion County, Florida, Sheriff Billy Woods has banned face masks for his deputies and visitors to his offices. Woods made some exceptions for deputies at the courthouse, the jail, hospitals, schools and interacting with people suspected of infection with COVID-19. Deputies at…

Aug 13, 2020 4:33 PM CDT

Quinn Emanuel seeks fee amounting to $18,500 per hour; will judge approve it?

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is asking to be paid $185 million for representing insurers suing the federal government for compensation under the Affordable Care Act.

Aug 5, 2020 10:28 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: District attorney hints of broader Trump probe; ex-ABA president is new dean

DA may be investigating Trump for possible bank fraud A legal filing suggests that President Donald Trump and his company could be under investigation for possible bank and insurance fraud. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance filed the memorandum of law Monday in Trump’s fight against a subpoena for financial records…

Aug 3, 2020 3:49 PM CDT