Williams Mullen's COVID-19 Comeback Plan: Preparing Today for Tomorrow's PPP Audit
Introduction - One of the most potent tools in Massachusetts commercial litigation is Chapter 93A, § 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Designed to deter “unfair” or “deceptive” conduct in “trade or commerce,” Section...more
In a decision earlier this year, the US Supreme Court held that plaintiffs bringing civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claims may be able to recover damages for business or property losses that...more
In a 5-4 ruling this month, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn significantly expanded a plaintiff’s ability to sue under the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for...more
On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the type of civil actions that can be brought under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to include personal injury claims that caused economic harm...more
On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court significantly expanded the scope of injuries entitled to treble damages under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). The Supreme Court held in Medical Marijuana,...more
Following a jury's verdict, a federal court slashed civil penalties under the False Claims Act ("FCA") as violative of the Constitution's 8th Amendment....more
In October 2024, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn, a case poised to resolve a circuit split over whether economic harms resulting from personal injuries (such as lost wages) are...more
Earlier this month, the Connecticut Appellate Court clarified the law regarding the interaction of enhanced damages available under different statutes. In Frank Charles White v. FCW Law Offices, the court held that, although...more
On April 25, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that trial courts considering violations of Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”) may not limit damages because of separate...more
On August 30, 2022, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals brought renewed attention to the conundrum of False Claims Act (“FCA”) damages by applying a pro tanto allocation rule to a partially settled case. In United States v....more
False Claims Act (FCA) cases, particularly in the government contracts space, often have several defendants; prime contractors, subcontractors, vendors and individuals are all common targets. In healthcare FCA cases, with...more
In a long-awaited opinion — Siry Investment, L.P. v. Farkhondehpour — the California Supreme Court held that California Penal Code section 496 can apply to a business dispute. The opinion resolves a split of authority among...more
Beth Reuter was terminated from her employment with the City of Methuen (the “City”). On her termination date, the City failed to pay Ms. Reuter for her accrued, unused vacation time, as required by M. G. L. c. 149, § 148...more
With Halloween just a few weeks away, a scary proposal is brewing in the New York State Legislature that should give taxpayers chills. Companion bills Assembly Bill 11066 and Senate Bill 8872 were recently introduced by...more
On February 12, 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an opinion with significant implications for Massachusetts employers with commissioned employees. In Parker v. EnerNOC, Inc. (SJC-12703), the SJC...more
Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi recently introduced a bill, AB 2069, that would grant courts the discretion to award treble damages for violations of the qualification requirements of the Corporate Securities Law of...more
A recent decision by a Washington federal district court caught my eye because it involved a circumstance I often see—a new development in the law results in a class action lawsuit being filed before the defendant has an...more
Earlier this year, the Trump administration activated a previously dormant statutory provision in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996. The statute, also known as the Helms-Burton Act (Act),...more
The recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirming the district court's judgment imposing more than $61 million in damages against Dish Network for its vendor's violations of the Telephone...more
In a case concerning alleged violations of the Massachusetts law governing the involuntary towing of motor vehicles, Judge Salinger concluded that the defendant’s “attempt to ‘pick off’ the named plaintiff did not moot [the...more
On Friday, the Sixth Circuit held in a matter of first impression that claims under TCPA survive the death of the Plaintiff, and may be prosecuted by a successor-in-interest. In Parchman v. SLM Corp., No. 17-5968, 2018...more
On April 24, 2018, newly-elected Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act, which amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) by significantly expanding existing pay equity protections...more
Sixth Circuit awards attorneys’ fees to False Claims Act defendant against the U.S. government in case involving underpayment of Davis-Bacon Act wages. ...more
Update: U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain has awarded Tiffany & Co. $11.1 million in treble profits and $8.25 million in punitive damages. Judge Taylor Swain wrote in her opinion that Costco’s management “displayed...more
Patent Judgments & Awards - On July 19, 2017, a federal court in Michigan awarded Stryker Sales Corporation (“Stryker”) a total of more than $254,000,000 in its patent infringement suit against Zimmer Inc. and Zimmer...more