Verdicts & Settlements

Jurors Laud Sonnenschein Defense, Give Ex-Partner a Mixed Verdict

A former partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal had sought $8.2 million in his lawsuit against the firm, but he’s getting far less than that. Two jurors said they found ex-partner Douglas Rosenthal was underpaid by more than $500,000 even though Sonnenschein had better lawyers in the case, Legal Times…

Mar 31, 2008 11:25 AM CDT

Judge Sets Aside $200M Judgment Against Palestinian Authority

A federal judge has set aside a nearly $200 million judgment against the Palestinian Authority and ordered a new trial in a suit that contended the authority was liable for a terrorist attack in Israel. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero of Manhattan said the authority had “sufficiently demonstrated evidence of…

Mar 28, 2008 12:19 PM CDT

Paul Hastings’ Apparent $4.25M Settlement of Ponzi Scheme Liability Suit Is Approved

A federal judge has approved an apparent $4.25 million settlement by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker in a lawsuit by a bankruptcy receiver. The suit had targeted the law firm for its review of circulars for a billboard company accused of running a Ponzi scheme. The settlement was sealed, but…

Mar 28, 2008 11:03 AM CDT

3rd Circuit Voids Death Penalty in Abu-Jamal Case

In the latest appellate court ruling in a controversial and long-running capital case that appears almost certain to continue further, a federal appeals court today voided the death penalty given in 1982 to a black activist whose supporters say he was convicted in a racist trial. However, the 3rd U.S.…

Mar 27, 2008 11:27 PM CDT

Ex-Prosecutor Acquitted in 2nd Sex Case, Still Faces 3rd Trial

A former prosecutor in the Boston area has been acquitted in a sex crime case, marking the second time this year that he has won a trial in which he was accused of an actual or attempted rape. However, after the jury verdict in his favor yesterday, Gary Zerola still…

Mar 27, 2008 11:00 PM CDT

Judge Vacates Divorce, Giving Wife in Murder Case Military Benefits

An Oklahoma judge has vacated a divorce last month of a military couple, so that the wife can get government benefits following her then ex-husband’s murder of their two children. “Her attorneys said after the hearing the ruling was the only way the longtime stay-at-home mom could get any money…

Mar 27, 2008 5:36 PM CDT

10 Detroit Lawyers Probed Over $8.4M Claimed Sex Scandal Cover-up

A controversial $8.4 million settlement by the city of Detroit that critics contend was made largely for the purpose of covering up a sex scandal involving Detroit’s mayor has put at least 10 lawyers on the hot seat. They are now being investigated by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission for…

Mar 26, 2008 6:12 PM CDT

Citigroup to Pay $1.6B to Settle Enron Claims

Citigroup has agreed to pay $1.66 billion to settle claims that it aided Enron’s downfall by setting up complex financial structures that hid and amplified the company’s financial problems. Citigroup was the last of 11 banks to settle claims by the Enron Creditors Recovery Corp., and its payout will be…

Mar 26, 2008 4:18 PM CDT

Foreign Courts Look Askance at Punitive Damages

The awarding of punitive damages has long been accepted in the United States, but it’s rare in other countries. Most foreign courts view punitive damages as a windfall for plaintiffs, the New York Times reports. These courts say punishments should be meted out by the criminal justice system or by…

Mar 26, 2008 3:17 PM CDT

Judge Approves $24M Walgreens Bias Settlement

A federal judge has approved a $24.4 million settlement by Walgreen Co. that resolves two race discrimination lawsuits, including one filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The suits claimed Walgreens failed to promote black employees into management positions and that minorities were paid less than similarly situated whites, the…

Mar 26, 2008 2:13 PM CDT

Texas Defense Lawyer Jailed Over Lewd Courtroom Gesture

A Texas defense lawyer representing a client in a DUI case was jailed briefly last week after he allegedly made a lewd gesture to let the judge know what he thought of a prosecution complaint in the case. Adam Reposa, 33, was held in criminal contempt of court and jailed…

Mar 21, 2008 6:03 PM CDT

Weiss Plea Deal Has Critics Panning ‘Megamillionaire’ Lawyers

The announcement that securities class-action titan Melvyn Weiss will plead guilty to racketeering likely has some longtime critics feeling smug. Weiss pioneered the kind of lawsuits that held corporate wrongdoers accountable to shareholders with a hard-charging litigation style and “elbows-out tactics,” in the words of the Los Angeles Times. Weiss…

Mar 21, 2008 12:45 PM CDT

Court Leaves Starbucks Baristas $100M Tip

A San Diego judge has ruled that Starbucks must pay its California baristas $86 million plus interest for forcing them to share tips with supervisors. Judge Patricia Cowett based her ruling on a California law that bars employers or their agents from taking tips meant for hourly workers, the Recorder…

Mar 21, 2008 10:39 AM CDT

Melvyn Weiss to Plead Guilty; His Ex-Firm Changes Its Name

Updated: Pioneering securities class-action lawyer Melvyn Weiss has agreed to pay $10 million in fines and penalties and to serve up to 33 months in prison to resolve charges that he paid kickbacks to lead plaintiffs. Weiss’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, announced details of the agreement today in a press release.…

Mar 20, 2008 10:39 AM CDT

Cruise Line’s Suit Says Lawyer Should Give Up $1M in Fees

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines claims in a lawsuit that Miami lawyer Jay Wingate should give up about $1 million in attorney fees earned in worker-injury settlements based on confidential company information. The cruise line claims investigators for Wingate’s firm paid a claims adjuster to disclose the amount of money Royal…

Mar 19, 2008 2:05 PM CDT