When Litigation Financing Goes Wrong, Who Pays?

February 27th, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, HB Emerging Law Notes, HB Tort Notes, Journal on Emerging Issues in Litigation, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , , , , , |

The bankruptcy of Houston's AkinMears LLP highlights the risks of relying too heavily on third-party litigation financing and the broader implications for transparency, regulation, and financial sustainability in mass torts. The firm filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy citing more than $200 million in debt owed to litigation funding companies Virage SPV 1 and Rocade Capital. According to Bloomberg Law’s U.S. Bankruptcy Tracker, AkinMears LLP was the only U.S. law firm filing for bankruptcy in January 2025 with $50 million or more in liabilities. In total, 12 large law firms declared bankruptcy in January 2025, up from seven in January 2024 but slightly below the 17 cases recorded in January 2023. Read our report by guest contributor Jennifer Holmes.

Mexico Bans Imports of Foreign Textiles: Does My Insurance Policy Cover That?

February 25th, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, HB Emerging Law Notes, HB Tort Notes, Journal on Emerging Issues in Litigation, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Diana Gliedman, Dennis Nolan, and Fiona Hogan examine the impact of Mexico’s recent presidential decree banning certain foreign textile imports through the IMMEX program and increasing tariffs on textile products. The ban has disrupted operations for textile companies and third-party logistics providers, leading to unexpected costs, rerouting challenges, and supply chain delays. The authors outline how businesses may find relief through insurance policies such as Supply Chain Insurance, Business Interruption, Contingent Business Interruption, and Marine Cargo/Stock Throughput Insurance. They emphasize the need for swift action to review coverage, notify insurers, and document losses to maximize potential claims.

Trump’s rollback of draft PFAS regulation means uncertain future for ‘forever chemicals’ torts

February 21st, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, HB Emerging Law Notes, HB Tort Notes, Journal on Emerging Issues in Litigation, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

With federal PFAS regulations in limbo, lawsuits targeting “forever chemicals” are expanding—what does this mean for businesses and consumers? Justin Ward examines the uncertain future of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) regulation and litigation after former President Trump rolled back a draft rule expanding Biden-era guidelines. The rising PFAS lawsuits are increasingly targeting consumer product manufacturers alongside chemical companies. Despite concerns over deregulation, several states have enacted their own strict PFAS rules, ensuring continued legal challenges and regulatory pressure. Read our report by guest contributor Justin Ward.

California’s climate disclosure laws withstand initial US Chamber of Commerce challenge

February 20th, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, HB Emerging Law Notes, HB Tort Notes, Journal on Emerging Issues in Litigation, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

California’s groundbreaking climate disclosure laws just overcame a major legal challenge—what does this mean for businesses and the future of corporate transparency? Writer Justin Ward will fill you in.

Appellate Lawyers at Trial: Don’t Wait Until Your Ox is in the Ditch with Jeff Doss

February 16th, 2025|Categories: ELP, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

In this episode of the Emerging Litigation Podcast, you will discover how appellate counsel can strengthen trial strategy and improve post-verdict outcomes in high-stakes cases. Our guest, Jeffrey P. Doss, a partner in the White-Collar Criminal Defense & Corporate Investigations practice group at Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC, explores their critical role in error preservation, evidentiary challenges, and navigating appeals. Don't miss this episode!

Wildfire Insurance Coverage for Homeowners and Businesses with Anderson Kill

January 21st, 2025|Categories: ELP, Emerging Litigation & Risk, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

The horrific wildfires unleashing carnage in Southern California underscore the need for reliable insurance protection both for businesses and homeowners. In this episode, three seasoned attorneys discuss the types of damages and losses typically covered under homeowner and commercial property insurance policies, policy limitations, navigating the claims process, and business interruption coverage. They also talk about a Jan. 10, 2025, ruling out of the Northern District of California in Bottega v. National Surety which held in a business interruption case that whether smoke damage caused the suspension of operations at the policyholders’ businesses is a genuine issue of fact. Check out our interview with Anderson Kill attorneys Dennis Artese, Marshall Gilinsky, and Joshua Gold. They know this area of the law inside and out.

Last Days of Patent Eligibility Confusion with Ryan Phelan

December 23rd, 2024|Categories: ELP, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

In this episode, we discuss the intricate landscape of patent eligibility in the United States, twin patent law decisions from the Supreme Court, and the proposed Patent Eligibility Restoration Act and how -- if passed -- it could unlock new opportunities for innovation amid the challenges posed by judicial exceptions with seasoned patent attorney, Ryan N. Phelan of Marshall Gerstein. Listen now!

IP Protection, Secure Transactions, and Bored Apes: NFTs with Cameron Pick

December 17th, 2024|Categories: ELP, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

In this episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of NFTs – or non-fungible tokens – which have taken the digital world by storm – or perhaps just a downloadable picture of a storm – promising to revolutionize not only the way we perceive, protect, purchase, and own digital assets, but how we might even buy a house or other assets in the real world. Guest Cameron Pick of Marshall Gerstein draws on his expertise in intellectual property law to provide insights into the changing dynamics of NFTs and the legal issues that accompany them. Tune in now!

Humans at Work with Leah Stiegler

November 13th, 2024|Categories: ELP, Emerging Litigation & Risk, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

In this episode, Leah M. Stiegler, principal attorney at Woods Rogers, shares practical solutions for a variety of challenges, like love at work, pregnancy at work, discord at work, harassment at work, and working overtime. She talks about gender identity protections, implicit biases, and microaggressions, plus conducting administrative investigations, and ideas to mitigate risk, stay out of court, and maintain a positive work environment. Enjoy now!

When Chemical Crises Strike with Ed Gentle and Kip Benson

November 12th, 2024|Categories: ELP, Emerging Litigation & Risk, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Soon after emergency response teams scramble into action to address chemical fires, explosions, or other toxic events, attorneys begin gathering and analyzing information either to mitigate corporate risk or to seek remedies for anyone impacted by such an event. Listen to our interview with Edgar C. "Ed" Gentle III and Katherine "Kip" Benson of Gentle, Turner & Benson LLC, about legal activity that goes on in the immediate aftermath of a toxic event. Ed and Kip draw on their deep experience resolving this type of litigation to discuss the flurry of activity that unfolds at law firms and inside legal departments within hours of a disaster.

The EPA’s New PFAS Safe Drinking Water Rule with John Gardella

November 12th, 2024|Categories: ELP, Emerging Litigation & Risk, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

In this episode, we dive into one of the hottest topics in environmental law right now: PFAS. Specifically, our guest, John Gardella of CMBG3 Law talks about the EPA’s new PFAS Safe Drinking Water Final Rule, which mandates acceptable levels of PFAS in public water systems. John is a leading voice in PFAS litigation and a recognized thought leader, known for his expertise in environmental and toxic tort litigation. Tune in now!

The Long and Brawny Arm of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with Mark Bini and Tom Suddath

September 25th, 2024|Categories: ELP, Emerging Litigation & Risk, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

Hey! Corporate corruption costs $5 trillion a year! In this episode two former prosecutors talk about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the government’s leading weapon in its global war on corporate crime. They also talk about the new statute on the block, the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act, and the many complexities of this fascinating area of the law. Check out our interview with Reed Smith attorneys Mark Bini and Tom Suddath. They know this area of the law inside and out.

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