News & Insights

A Petition For Writ Of Mandamus Is Not The Proper Remedy For Requesting Review Of Discovery Orders

In Ex parte Farley, — So.3d —-, 2019 WL 2558824 (Ala. Civ. App. June 21, 2019), the Employee, Randy Farley (“Farley”) filed suit for workers’ compensation benefits against his Employer, Transport America, Inc. (“Transport America”) in Etowah County, Alabama.  As part of its discovery requests, Transport America asked that Farley execute releases for obtaining certain…
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Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Longstanding Acceptance Doctrine In Negligent Construction Case

In Thomaston Acquisition, LLC v. Piedmont Construction Group, Inc., Georgia’s Supreme Court addressed the scope of the “acceptance doctrine” in negligent construction cases. 2019 WL 2332043 (Ga. 2019). Thomaston Acquisition, LLC (“Thomaston”) was the subsequent purchaser of an apartment complex and, after purchase, it discovered that the roof and HVAC system had been negligently constructed….
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Sec Adopts Rules And Interpretations Regarding Broker Dealer And Investment Adviser Standards Of Conduct

On June 5, 2019, the SEC voted to adopt a package of rulemakings and interpretations regarding broker dealers’ and investment advisers’ standards of conduct, including new Regulation Best Interest, new Form CRS Relationship Summary, and two interpretations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Under Regulation Best Interest, broker dealers will be required to act…
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Alabama Enacts New Equal Pay Act To Prevent Wage Disparity

On June 11, 2019, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a new law that prohibits employers from paying less for the same work on the basis of gender or race. The new law, titled the Clarke-Figures Equal Pay Act (the “Act”), makes Alabama the 49th state to enact a state law against wage inequality, with only…
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U.S. Supreme Court Grants Review Of Montana Superfund Site Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a petition for writ of certiorari to review questions regarding clean-up activities required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”).  Atlantic Richfield Co. v. Christian, No. 17-1498.  In the suit, Atlantic Richfield seeks to overturn a decision by the…
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Attorneys Aaron Ashcraft And John C. Webb Prevailed On A Res Judicata Argument, Obtaining Summary Judgment In A Workers’ Compensation Case

Attorneys Aaron Ashcraft and John C. Webb recently obtained summary judgment in a workers’ compensation action pending in Bessemer Alabama. The summary judgment asserted a novel res judicata argument, and was based on the proposition that a Plaintiff cannot recover benefits after previously asserting, and settling, a claim for permanent total disability benefits against the…
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Middle District Of Florida Finds That The Florida Deceptive Trade And Unfair Practices Act Protects General Contractors, Not Just Consumers

In Continental 332 Fund, LLC, et al. v. Albertelli Construction Inc., et al., the Middle District of Florida analyzed Albertelli Construction, Inc.’s (“Albertelli”) claims against third-party defendant Continental Properties Company, Inc. (“Continental”) 2019 WL 2009369 (M.D. Fla. 2019). General contractor Albertelli filed third-party claims against Continental, one of which alleged a violation of the Florida…
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California Jury Awards 2 Billion In Favor Of Couple In Roundup Cancer Trial

A California jury has awarded a $2.055 billion verdict in favor of a California couple, finding Monsanto’s product Roundup likely caused the couple’s cancer.  Pilliod v. Monsanto Co., Case No. RG-1786272 (Cal. Super. Ct., Alameda Division).  This is Bayer AG’s third consecutive Roundup trial loss since mid-2018 in cases involving claims the product caused cancer….
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