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Federal Court
Privacy class action firms jockey for control of 23andMe data breach claims; Edelson calls for new approach
Data privacy class action firm Edelson P.C. is seeking to control 40 class actions, potentially worth huge money, against 23andMe for allegedly allowing genetic info to be stolen in a data breach. In a new filing, Edelson is asking courts to reconsider how they decide which lawyers should lead
Federal Court
Proposed statewide class action in Southern District court challenges constitutionality of tax deed foreclosures
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois counties violate the U.S. Constitution when they hold and sell liens on properties with overdue taxes, former homeowners and a business in East St. Louis alleged at district court on April 10.
Federal Court
Judge: Title IX plaintiffs can use IL law to retroactively demand 'emotional distress' damages
The Illinois law, known as the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act, was enacted this year specifically to restore the ability of certain plaintiffs to use "emotional distress" claims to boost their potential payouts under civil rights lawsuits, in defiance of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to limit the ability to do so
Federal Court
Appeals panel closes lid on class actions vs Abbott from people never harmed by contaminated Similac baby formula
Judges said the claims in the case from people whose children never ingested any allegedly contaminated Similac baby formula are no different than if someone were to sue a restaurant because someone else became ill from food poisoning
Federal Court
Judge: Bulls great Kukoc can't use Chicago courts to sue Swiss banks over fraud
A Chicago federal judge said Kukoc making his home in the Chicago area, and communicating with the banks here, is not enough to allow him to sue Swiss banks for allegedly allowing an employee to work with Kukoc's ex-financial advisor to 'raid' millions from Kukoc's accounts
Federal Court
Amazon can't escape potentially huge biometrics class action over virtual try-on tool
A federal judge has cleared a Cook County woman and her Chicago lawyers to proceed with a class action under Illinois' biometrics privacy law. The same woman and her lawyers failed in 2022 in their bid to target an online eyewear seller over similar claims
Federal Court
Judge says Potawatomi Tribe can't sue Waukegan over casino developer selection process
The tribe, which operates casinos in Wisconsin, asserted the city had engaged in a rigged and discriminatory bid process that unfairly excluded their proposal. Court documents noted the tribe had also said it sought to reduce losses for its successful Milwaukee location and 'reclaim' ancestral land
Federal Court
Judge: Litigation financier Burford can seize control of Sysco's claims in chicken prices lawsuits
U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin rejected poultry producers' attempts to shut down Burford Capital's move to step into court in place of Sysco, saying poultry producers need to accept that third party lawsuit funders can take control of lawsuits to protect their investments and maximize profits
Federal Court
Judge pulls plug on lawsuit trying to revoke Alsip crime-free housing 'chronic public nuisance' ordinance
A federal judge has ended a lawsuit which sought to declare the village of Alsip had violated constitutional rights of tenants and landlords, and discriminated against Black and brown residents of the village, in enacting and enforcing its so-called "chronic public nuisance" ordinance.
Federal Court
Federal judge slams door, for now, on class action vs GEICO over pandemic insurance prices
Ruling holds plaintiffs lack a valid model to calculate damages
Federal Court
Appeals panel: Differences over role of women in church won't stop ex-instructor from suing Moody, for now
A dissenting judge warned the decision to allow a female ex-instructor to sue Moody Bible Institute over her termination would inevitably lead to constitutionally impermissible questions into the religious beliefs Moody cites when running its Bible college
Federal Court
S. IL federal judges rescind policies critics said discriminated vs white male lawyers
In letters to their chief judge, the federal judges acknowledged the policies, which encouraged law firms to allow young lawyers, who are female or non-white, to argue cases at least created a perception of discrimination
Federal Court
Ancestry can't use arbitration clause in parents' user agreements to end kids' lawsuits
Appeals panel said children aren't a party to parents' contracts for use of DNA test kits
Federal Court
Apple moves to bar software engineering VP from being deposed in BIPA suit; Plaintiffs seek sanctions
Apple product users who claim their biometric identifiers were collected and stored through the Photos App's facial recognition technology seek sanctions against the tech giant for failing to produce its Vice President of Software Engineering for a deposition ahead of the March 8 discovery deadline.
Federal Court
Judge OKs Cook County 'assault weapons' ban, agrees that bans only apply to guns not protected by 2nd Amend
A Chicago federal judge became the latest to uphold a ban on so-called "assault weapons," saying she was bound by a 2023 appellate ruling which declared weapons labeled by lawmakers as "dangerous," "military-grade" weapons aren't protected by the Second Amendment and can be banned
Federal Court
Judge slams door on class action vs. city over impounded cars
The lawsuit had claimed the city should face the class action because plaintiffs still faced a risk of having their cars impounded, unless the city's policies are undone. A federal judge said that is not enough to allow them to move forward with the class action now.
Federal Court
Appeals panel: Volleyball coach on hook for legal fees for meddling in class action over sex abuse coverup
Couple accused of asking potential class members to opt out of litigation
Federal Court
Tubi can't unplug class action for allegedly sharing user info with advertisers
A federal judge denied Tubi's attempt to use an arbitration clause in its user agreement and other legal arguments to quickly defeat a class action lawsuit accusing the streaming service of violating a federal video privacy law
Federal Court
Appeals panel: Tough Madison firefighter physical screening test didn't discriminate vs female firefighters
Judges said it is most important to ensure firefighters can actually do the work and can "hold the jobs on a fair and non-discriminatory basis."
Federal Court
Despite contract clause, Walgreens can't send myWalgreens class action to arbitration
Federal judge rules pharmacy retailer forfeited right to invoke arbitration when it moved for dismissal of customers' complaint