Latest Publications

Share:

In an En Banc Decision, the Fourth Circuit Clarifies the Appealability of Dismissals Without Prejudice - Britt v. DeJoy

In its en banc opinion last month, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that where a district court dismisses a case without prejudice but is silent about allowing leave to amend, the dismissal is...more

The Application of Habeas Corpus to Animals May Well Constitute a Judicial Taking of Personal Property

Earlier this year, the Nonhuman Rights Project (“NRP”) filed an appeal to New York’s highest court, arguing for the release of Happy the Elephant from the Bronx Zoo. The basis of NRP’s case, which was rejected by both the...more

Use of Prospective Exculpatory Agreements Under Maryland & Virginia Law to Mitigate a Business’s Exposure to COVID-19...

Our previous client advisory discussed the threat of lawsuits by customers and visitors who claim they contracted COVID-19 as a result of the negligence by stores, office buildings or other facilities failing to protect...more

D.C. Council Passes Tenant-Friendly COVID-19 Legislation on May 5, 2020

On May 5, 2020, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously passed the “Coronavirus Omnibus Emergency Amendment Act of 2020” (Bill 23-750) with amendments (the Act). This legislation is one of several that have...more

Mitigating the Risk of COVID-19 Premises/Contagion Lawsuits

It is no secret that businesses gearing up to re-open risk exposure to COVID-19 “premises/contagion” liability lawsuits. Plaintiffs are expected to file lawsuits claiming they contracted COVID-19 as a result of a business’s...more

COVID-19 and Force Majeure Clauses Under District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland Law

Until the COVID-19 (new coronavirus) pandemic, the term force majeure was one not readily recognized outside of legal circles. Now, in light of the rapid spread of this disease and its ensuing consequences, businesses are...more

Recent Decision May Reduce Zoos’ Potential Exposure to ESA Violations

There is good news for zoos that hold animals designated as endangered or threatened, i.e., “listed”, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The recent decision in Hill v. Coggins, No. 2:13-cv-47 W.D.N.C. (Sept. 24, 2019),...more

D.C. Circuit Finds Information Relating to Primate Imports to Be Protected From Disclosure Under FOIA Exemption 4; Impact on Other...

In People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Case No. 16-5269, released on Friday, August 17th, the D.C. Circuit rejected an appeal by PETA and upheld a lower district court...more

Supreme Court Limits Whistleblower Suits Under Dodd-Frank

On February 21, 2018, the Supreme Court released its Opinion in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers, 583 U.S. ___ (“Digital Realty”). Digital Realty clarifies the limited instances where a purported whistleblower can claim...more

New York Appellate Court Rules Against Granting Legal “Personhood” Status to Chimpanzees

In a ruling of considerable importance to zoos, aquariums and other organizations that house animals for display and educational purposes, a New York appellate court unanimously determined this week that two chimpanzees...more

6/12/2017  /  Animal Shelters

Activist Groups Employ New FOIA Strategy in Seeking Confidential Information Relating to Business’ Imports/Exports of Animals and...

Animal activist group plaintiffs have filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking an enormous amount of data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service relating to the import and export of wildlife specimens, and have sued...more

Class Action Suits By Independent Contractors -- the Uber Class Certification Decision

In a closely-watched decision involving a challenge to the business model used by ride-hailing company Uber Technologies, Inc., a California federal judge agreed to certify a class of California drivers who claim to have been...more

Uber Class Certification Decision

In a closely-watched decision involving a challenge to the business model used by ride-hailing company Uber Technologies, Inc., a California federal judge agreed to certify a class of California drivers who claim to have been...more

13 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 1

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide