Food & Beverage

  • October 05, 2026

    Commercial Fishers Sue Over Red Snapper Catch Expansion

    A group of commercial fishing companies is challenging a new round of federal permits that allow Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to expand this year's recreational red snapper catch in D.C. federal court, claiming Monday that the permits would shrink the commercial share of the South Atlantic fishery in violation of federal law.

  • October 05, 2026

    Burger King Says Ex-Franchisee Infringed With 'Jumbo King'

    Burger King is asking a Florida federal court to shut down three competing restaurants in New Jersey for alleged trademark infringement, claiming that the shops are run by a former franchisee who renamed her business as "Jumbo King" in violation of a prior settlement agreement.

  • October 05, 2026

    9th Circ. Invited To Take A Crack At Feds' Calif. Egg Law Suit

    A California federal judge refused Friday to toss the federal government's challenge to a Golden State law banning the sale of eggs laid by hens raised in "cruel" conditions, but allowed California to file an interlocutory appeal, finding "there is substantial ground for difference of opinion" on the government's standing.

  • October 05, 2026

    McDonald's Accused Of Using AI To Hike Menu Prices

    A potential class action filed in Illinois federal court Friday accuses McDonald's of flouting federal and state antitrust laws by using artificial intelligence to coordinate prices among independently owned restaurants, causing customers to overpay and average menu prices to rise by roughly 40% in a five-year period.

  • October 05, 2026

    No Consensus On Forced Labor Statement At G20 Meeting

    The Group of 20 nations failed to reach a consensus on a statement highlighting the need to eliminate imports of goods created with forced labor, with solely the U.S., Argentina and Mexico backing a document calling forced labor both a human rights and economic threat.

  • October 05, 2026

    Starbucks' Protein Drinks Aren't Sugar-Free, Suit Says

    Starbucks customers filed a proposed class action in Washington federal court on Friday, accusing the coffee chain of trying to capitalize on the protein craze last year by launching a line of protein beverages labeled "sugar-free," even though they contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per venti-size serving.

  • October 05, 2026

    High Court Won't Take Up Maine Lobster Boat Tracking Suit

    The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider a constitutional challenge to Maine's tracking of vessels that hold federal lobster permits, a policy several lobster fishermen claimed violated their privacy rights.

  • October 02, 2026

    Costco 'Health Washing' Electrolyte Drink Mix, Customer Says

    Costco has been accused in Washington federal court of illegally "health-washing" its variety pack of Kirkland brand electrolyte drink mix by labeling the product as though it's sugar-free despite containing an ingredient federal and state labeling standards consider a sugar.

  • October 02, 2026

    Dunkin' Sued Over Allulose In 'Zero Sugar' Energy Drinks

    The owner of Dunkin' faces a proposed class action claiming its "zero-sugar" energy drink is deceptively marketed and actually contains "a rare sugar," according to a complaint filed in Massachusetts federal court.

  • October 02, 2026

    Southern Glazer's Agrees To Pricing Limitations In FTC Deal

    Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits agreed to pricing restrictions barring it from charging smaller stores more than large retailers to resolve the Federal Trade Commission's landmark, Biden-era price discrimination suit, according to an announcement made Friday.

  • October 02, 2026

    Ranchers Defend Brand-New Price-Fixing Claims

    Hundreds of ranchers have urged a Minnesota federal judge not to let JBS, Tyson, National Beef Packing and Cargill duck the weeks-old lawsuits the ranchers filed as individuals after losing class certification in sprawling litigation accusing the meatpackers of fixing prices for sales downstream and paid upstream to ranchers.

  • October 02, 2026

    Barilla Beats False Ad Claims Over 'Italy's #1' Pasta Label

    Barilla America Inc. does not mislead noodle consumers about the sourcing of its ingredients by featuring the words "Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta" on its labels, a California federal judge ruled.

  • October 02, 2026

    Starbucks Can't Exit Fight Over Union Trademarks

    A Pennsylvania federal judge on Friday denied Starbucks Corp.'s bid to escape a lawsuit from a union representing over 12,000 Starbucks workers seeking a declaration the union can continue using Starbucks' logo and name, saying the union had done enough to show an actual controversy exists to be litigated.

  • October 02, 2026

    Fed. Circ. Affirms Corteva Unit IP Loss Days After Inari Deal

    The Federal Circuit on Friday refused to revive a patent owned by a unit of a DowDuPont spinoff covering a plant gene resistant to weed killers, agreeing with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board's determination that it wasn't enabled.

  • October 02, 2026

    Greenberg Traurig Adds Food, Drug Law Atty In DC

    Greenberg Traurig LLP has added to its Washington, D.C., office a director from Hyman Phelps & McNamara PC who has more than three decades of experience in guiding clients in regulatory, compliance and transactional matters involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  • October 02, 2026

    Roberts Wants Less Talk. Supreme Court Attorneys Disagree.

    Near the end of last term, Chief Justice John Roberts voiced his frustration with the U.S. Supreme Court's lengthening oral argument sessions and suggested the justices might tweak their format over the summer. But as the new term begins Monday, the court has yet to announce any changes, and advocates see little need for improvement.

  • October 02, 2026

    Taxation With Representation: Hogan Lovells, Davies, Sidley

    In this week's Taxation With Representation, semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices buys AI model developer and research lab World Labs, Brixmor Property Group and private investment management firm Everview Partners acquire Slate Grocery REIT, and cyberintelligence company REDLattice merges with blank check company Bold Eagle Acquisition Corp.

  • October 02, 2026

    5 Supreme Court Cases To Watch This Fall

    The U.S. Supreme Court will convene Monday to begin its 2026 October term, which includes several cases that could determine the future of climate change tort litigation, expand religious freedoms and parental rights, and grant states authority to require proof of citizenship when individuals register for presidential elections using state forms. 

  • October 01, 2026

    Kraft Wheat Traders Lose Class Status, Keep Antitrust Claim

    Kraft Foods has convinced a Chicago federal judge to decertify two classes of investors and toss most of their decade-old claims accusing the food conglomerate and its snack food spinoff of manipulating wheat market commodities, but a jury will have to decide if it ran afoul of antitrust law.

  • October 01, 2026

    DuPont, Corteva Accused Of $40B PFAS Asset Shielding

    The company formerly known as DuPont and its parent Corteva Inc. were sued in Indiana state court Thursday by 15 states and Guam alleging a newly completed seeds business spinoff is nothing more than an illegal effort to place $40 billion in assets beyond the reach of creditors pursuing forever chemicals claims.

  • October 01, 2026

    Visa, Mastercard Hit With Antitrust Suit Over Post-2019 Fees

    Even though Visa and Mastercard have paid out billions to escape litigation accusing them of plaguing merchants with predatory "swipe fees," the credit titans have not stopped inflating the fees businesses pay every time someone swipes their card, a new lawsuit alleges.

  • October 01, 2026

    Fate Of Patent Awards Over $1B Shows Hurdles In Apple Case

    Taction Technology Inc. has secured the largest patent damages verdict in history with a $5.7 billion win against Apple Inc., but it may face an uphill battle to collect, since nearly every previous patent judgment over $1 billion was later reduced or overturned.

  • October 01, 2026

    Walmart, Workers Settle Overtime Suit In Colorado

    Walmart entities and a group of sales and training managers urged a Colorado federal court to approve a settlement resolving claims that the retailer misclassified the workers as exempt and denied them overtime pay.

  • October 01, 2026

    SmartSweets Sued Over Artificial Citric Acid In 'Natural' Candy

    A New York woman is suing SmartSweets Inc. in New York federal court, alleging its "better-for-you" candy, which is marketed as having no artificial flavors, contains artificial citric acid, deceiving consumers.

  • October 01, 2026

    Diageo Beats Tequila Purity Suit Due To Sparse Testing

    Global liquor giant Diageo North America Inc. has defeated claims that it falsely labeled tequilas Casamigos and Don Julio as 100% agave after a New York federal judge said the plaintiff consumers failed to show the alleged adulteration was widespread or found within their bottles.

Expert Analysis

  • USDA, Treasury Moves May Widen Agricultural Deal Scrutiny

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    Two agency actions that identify weaknesses in the government’s foreign investment screening architecture signal a broadening of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ jurisdiction over agricultural real estate transactions, more demanding beneficial-ownership resolutions and the coming integration of agency disclosure systems, says researcher Robert Green.

  • Rhode Island Self-Checkout Law Signals National Trend

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    Rhode Island's law limiting self-checkout in retail stores is the first of its kind, but state and local lawmakers across the country are considering similar bills — and if enacted, they could create a patchwork of compliance requirements around issues including staffing, signage and restricted merchandise, says Hannah Flint at Hunton.

  • Series

    Being A Singer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Before law school, I spent seven years trying to make it as a professional singer in Los Angeles, and nearly everything I learned about preparation, humility, confidence and more has followed me into my legal practice, says Jessica Caterina at Moses & Singer.

  • USDA Rule Would Broaden Foreign Co. Reporting Burden

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    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's recently proposed overhaul of foreign landholder reporting obligations would expand covered agricultural uses, mandate more detailed online disclosures and toughen penalties, so organizations must proactively reassess U.S. land interests and prepare for a more stringent compliance regime, say attorneys at Skadden.

  • Preparing For Next Congress With Eye On Investigation Risk

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    Rod Rosenstein, Brian Whisler and Bruce Linskens at Baker McKenzie offer advice for organizations seeking to build a proactive response plan to potential congressional oversight as the election looms.

  • How To Brace For A Potential Democratic Oversight Push

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    With the possibility of a shift in congressional control after the November midterm elections, companies and their general counsel should prepare now by mapping oversight exposure, reviewing government interactions, preserving records and developing coordinated communications strategies, say attorneys at Hogan Lovells.

  • Series

    Being A Magician Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    The skills I've developed as a lifelong magician have translated directly into tangible benefits in the courtroom because performing magic and trying cases both live at the intersection of psychology, storytelling, timing and disciplined rehearsal, says Mark Dombroff at Fox Rothschild.

  • Opinion

    Shareholder Derivative Litigation Needs A Better Framework

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    Uncoordinated, multiforum shareholder derivative litigation is a growing issue for corporate defendants that have little to no recourse for organizing and consolidating actions, but several commonsense steps should be utilized to preempt such disputes, say attorneys at Sullivan & Cromwell.

  • How Justices' TPS Ruling Affects Workforce Planning

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    The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent holding in Mullin v. Doe that courts lack jurisdiction to review temporary protected status determinations greenlights the end of TPS for thousands of Syrian and Haitian nationals, and means employers must reevaluate TPS-designees' employability while avoiding discriminatory document practices, says attorney Richard Herman.

  • How Cos. Can Prep For Ultra-Processed Food Legal Risks

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    A wave of litigation and government scrutiny directed against ultra-processed foods is now gaining momentum, following patterns seen previously in other industries — and food companies that recognize those patterns early will be better positioned to manage the increasing risks, say attorneys at Arnold & Porter.

  • Series

    Bass Fishing Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Landing a trophy striped bass and closing a big deal both require cultivating the patience to finesse — not force — your way to desired outcomes, changing course when your old approach isn’t working and learning from the ones that got away, says Jon Ruiss at Alston & Bird.

  • Roundup

    The Most Talked-About Supreme Court Decisions Of 2026

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    This term, 11 U.S. Supreme Court decisions quickly became hot topics among Law360's guest writers.

  • What Ex-CFPB Head's Calif. Role May Foretell For Oversight

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    California Gov. Gavin Newsom's selection of former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra to lead a new consumer agency signals tougher state financial services oversight, especially for fintechs, as well as heightened enforcement activity and larger penalties, say attorneys at WilmerHale.

  • Immigration Ruling Maps Alternative To Universal Injunctions

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    A Rhode Island federal court's decision in Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS vacating policies that froze key immigration adjudications for nationals of 39 countries, and paused asylum applications altogether, suggests how practitioners might press for the Administrative Procedure Act's bad faith exception to record review and seek vacatur as a viable alternative to universal injunctions, says Kemal Hepsen at Mandamus Lawyers.

  • Lessons From EEOC Suit Over Coca-Cola Women-Only Event

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    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's recent lawsuit alleging that Coca-Cola Northeast violated federal law by having a professional development retreat for female employees demonstrates that the EEOC is scrutinizing DEI-related practices with unprecedented intensity, so even the most well-intentioned programs may be challenged, say attorneys at Venable.

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