Bryan Cave

1. Georgia-Pacific Antitrust Suit Over Plywood Survives

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

A federal judge has allowed direct purchasers to proceed with claims that Georgia-Pacific Corp. and other manufacturers engaged in a conspiracy to fix the prices of plywood, but limited the claims to purchases made after November 2004.

2. Solar Cell Maker MEMC Loses Bid To Toss ERISA Suit

Friday, Mar 19, 2010

A federal judge has refused to dismiss an Employee Retirement Income Security Act class action alleging solar cell maker MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. continued to invest employee contributions to a 401(k) plan in company stock when it knew the stock was no longer a good investment.

3. Bryan Cave Grabs Husch Blackwell Securities Team

Wednesday, Mar 17, 2010

Bryan Cave LLP has poached a team of six attorneys, including two partners, from Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP to expand its securities litigation practice in St. Louis.

4. Firms Look To Cash In With Work-For-Free Strategy

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010

The recent recession saw many law firms increasing their pro bono workloads as a way to keep their client rosters full, but some are putting a new spin on working for free, legal industry experts say.

5. 'Intellact' Trademark Suit Survives Intel Dismissal Bid

Friday, Mar 05, 2010

A federal judge has refused to throw out a suit brought by pharmacy benefit management company Express Scripts Inc. seeking a judgment that its application for a trademark on the word “Intellact” does not infringe any marks held by Intel Corp.

6. Class Cert. Sought In First American Title Rate Suit

Monday, Mar 01, 2010

A Maine couple has made a bid in federal court to certify a class of homeowners who were allegedly overcharged by First American Title Insurance Co. for residential title insurance policies.

7. Class Certified In First American Rate Suit

Friday, Feb 26, 2010

A district court has adopted a magistrate judge’s recommendation to certify a class of Idaho residents accusing First American Title Co. of overcharging customers by failing to provide state-regulated discounts.

8. Salinger's Death May Spur More Copyright Litigation

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010

The recent death of J.D. Salinger will likely spur a renewed interest in the reclusive literary giant's work that could lead to fierce copyright battles with the new stewards of his intellectual property, but just how successful the trustees will be in defending the author's work remains to be seen, experts say.

9. Water Co. Settles Noncompete Row With Ex-Workers

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010

U.S. Water Services Inc. has settled a suit lodged by two former workers seeking to void noncompete clauses, as well as counterclaims that the workers conspired to steal lucrative business involving a Honda Motor Co. factory.

10. ITC Issues Import Ban In Rail Wheel Trade Secrets Case

Thursday, Feb 18, 2010

The U.S. International Trade Commission has issued a 10-year ban preventing four companies from importing and selling cast-steel railway wheels made using the trade secrets of Chicago-based Amsted Industries Inc.

11. Supreme Court To Mull Social Security Counsel Fees

Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010

Attorneys who represent poor and disabled people receiving Social Security benefit awards say their ability to get paid for their work — and their clients' ability to retain counsel — will be jeopardized if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a lower court decision after oral arguments next week.

12. Juror Bias Voids Verdict: Mo. High Court

Friday, Feb 12, 2010

If a juror makes statements revealing religious or ethnic prejudice during deliberations, the verdict should be tossed out and a new trial held, the Missouri Supreme Court has decided in a rare ruling on juror bias.

13. Senate Confirms Key International Trade Positions

Friday, Feb 12, 2010

The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Bryan Cave LLP partner Kevin Wolf as the assistant secretary of commerce for export administration and former DLA Piper partner David Mills as assistant secretary of commerce for export enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce, among other nominees for federal international trade-related positions.

14. North Face Trademark Suit V. South Butt To Continue

Friday, Feb 12, 2010

A federal judge has denied a request by The South Butt LLC and its founder to dismiss trademark infringement and dilution allegations brought by The North Face Apparel Corp.

15. Racing Groups Saddle Magna With $2.6M In Claims

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010

Horse racing groups have filed a complaint against bankrupt gaming company Magna Entertainment Corp. over its retention of $2.6 million in distributions from wagers — distributions the groups claim belong to them under California law.

16. Water Co. Says Ex-Workers Stole Honda Business

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010

Water treatment and filtration specialist U.S. Water Services has fired back in suit lodged by two former workers seeking to void noncompete clauses, claiming that the workers conspired to steal lucrative business involving a Honda Motor Co. factory.

17. Critics Fear Citizens United Could Tip Judges' Scales

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010

While most of the criticism leveled at the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling has focused on its effect on high-profile campaigns, some critics — including former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor — say its impact may be greatest on state judicial elections, and there appears to be little states can do about it.

18. Fiserv, TD Ask For Stay On Madoff Coverage Dispute

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010

Financial services firm Fiserv Inc. and TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. have asked a judge to put the brakes on a lawsuit filed by Aspen Insurance UK Ltd. and Lloyd’s of London underwriters over coverage for as much as $1 billion in claims related to Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

19. GSK Sales Reps Appeal Dismissal Of OT Action

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010

Two former sales representatives who claim GlaxoSmithKline PLC owes them overtime for the hours they spent at home doing paperwork are appealing the dismissal of their putative class action, after a federal judge refused the plaintiffs' bid to amend judgment based on a U.S. Department of Labor brief.

20. Par, Fleming Drop Spat Over Nasal Spray Patent

Thursday, Jan 28, 2010

Par Pharmaceutical Inc. has agreed to drop a suit it filed against Fleming & Co. Pharmaceuticals claiming the rival drug company infringed its patent and intentionally misled consumers with the marketing of its prescription nasal spray, CaloMist.