The Legal Intelligencer

Thursday Public Notices/Calendars

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:59:59 EST

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Attorney Slapped With Second Round of Sanctions Over Repeat AI-Generated False Citations

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:51:48 EST

The judge said she was “appalled by the attorney's conduct and warned that any similar violation in the future could prompt another sanction and a referral to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board.

People in the News—April 22, 2026—Feldman Shepherd, High Swartz

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig announced that trial attorney Reginald L. Streater has been appointed to serve on the Philadelphia Bar Association's Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention.

Launching a New Firm Leader With a Communications Plan That Works

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:39:59 EST

A strong law firm leadership transition requires a well-thought-out strategic communications plan that reflects the firm's internal culture and enhances its external market positioning.

Uber Trial With Phila.-Backed Teams Ends in $5K Verdict

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:36:35 EST

A North Carolina federal jury awarded the verdict in a second bellwether trial in the sexual assault multidistrict litigation against Uber.

Morgan Lewis Taps Ex-Dechert Chief Information Officer as New CIO

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:59:59 EST

Michael Rinehart previously held similar roles at both Dechert and Fox Rothschild. He replaces Steve Naphy, who jumped to Wachtell earlier this year.

Kirkland Bolsters Transactional Ranks in Phila. With Morgan Lewis Hire

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:59:59 EST

Adam Prince is the second deals partner to join the firm's Philadelphia office. He follows Stephanie Haas, who arrived from Dechert earlier this month.

Wednesday Public Notices/Calendars

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:59:59 EST

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Phila., Other Cities Can Pursue $12B Antitrust Suit Against Big Banks Following U.S. Supreme Court Denial of Class Certification Review

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:30:02 EST

By refusing to hear the banks' appeal, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the case to proceed in the Manhattan federal court, which allowed Philadelphia, Baltimore and San Diego to pursue their $12 billion antitrust case as a class.

Anapol Weiss Disqualified From $12M COVID Test Dispute Over Conflict Tied to Former Defense Lawyer

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:04:11 EST

Judge Cheryl Austin said the failure to implement mandatory safeguards after a recently hired attorney switched sides warranted disqualification.

People in the News—April 21, 2026—Barley Snyder, Duane Morris

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Barley Snyder announced that partner Lindsey M. Cook, co-chair of the firm's alternative dispute resolution service team, has joined NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) as a hearing officer.

OIG Advisory Opinion 26-04: ASC Ownership Transfers, Retirement and Estate Planning, and AKS Risk Mitigation

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:05:59 EST

The requestor sought guidance on whether the arrangement would constitute grounds for sanctions under Sections 1128(b)(7) or 1128A(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (SSA) as those sections relate to the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).

Tuesday Public Notices/Calendars

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:59:59 EST

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Phila. Judge Revokes Pro Hac Vice Admissions for Beasley Allen Team in J&J Talc Mass Tort

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:21:13 EST

The court's decision is based on a factual record established during the broader New Jersey talc multidistrict litigation, where extensive federal state evidentiary hearings in 2024 examined the conduct of James Conlan and Andy Birchfield.

People in the News—April 20, 2026—Babst Calland, Royer Cooper

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Theresa Davis recently joined law firm Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir's Harrisburg office as an associate in the employment and labor and public sector groups.

Teams With Phila. Ties Open Second Sex Assault Trial Against Uber

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:02:54 EST

The trial, which began on April 15, kicked off as Uber lodged a sanctions motion against a lead plaintiffs' attorney, David Grimes of Levin Simes, who called one of its lawyers a "pedophile" and a "rapist" at a meeting.

Helping Clients Secure IDs to Prove Who They Are

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:33:59 EST

Representing multiple clients through Philadelphia VIP has opened my eyes to a population that is largely unseen as they confront what is perhaps the most basic societal challenge: proving that they exist in the eyes of the law.

Partnering With Colleagues to 'Protect Trans Kids,' While Honoring the Legacy of the LGBTQIA+ Youth Fighting for Their Own Liberation

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:30:59 EST

Women's Law Project has been working to “defend trans kids in response to escalating federal and state attacks on their rights, health care and privacy. True to our mission, we are seeking strong state-based protections and remedies as federal courts grow increasingly hostile to these claims and work to dismantle the legal foundations of LGBTQIA+ equality.

Monday Public Notices/Calendars

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:59:59 EST

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Ballard Spahr Remembers First IP Department Chair Bill Needle for Bringing 'Success and Staying Power' to Firm

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:48:02 EST

The longtime Atlanta attorney died April 11 at the age of 80.

We Have to Stop Meeting Like This! How to Run an Effective Meeting in Law Practice

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:22:38 EST

Effective meetings are not incidental to law practice, they are integral to it. Structured meetings produce clear decisions, defined accountability, efficient client service, and alignment with professional responsibility.

Phila. Judge Denies Second Recusal Bid in Zantac Suit for Wife's Ties to Blank Rome

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:58:52 EST

Philadelphia Judge Joshua Roberts denied another motion to recuse himself from the Zantac mass litigation over his wife's connection to Blank Rome, which is involved in representing one of the defendants in a separate case in the mass tort.

From Ranking to Relevance: 5 Steps to Improve Visibility in AI-Driven Search

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:32:59 EST

Different tools and platforms, even different levels of AI involvement on the same platform—AI overviews versus AI search mode in Google—impact who is promoted to the user.

People in the News—April 17, 2026—Fisher Phillips, Cipriani & Werner

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Fisher Phillips has welcomed Jamie Spataro as the latest partner to join the firm's workplace safety and catastrophe management practice, based in Pittsburgh.

Avoiding Potential Pitfalls in Third-Party Practice in Federal Court

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:00:59 EST

Claims under Rules 14(a)(2)(D) and 14(a)(3) are often incorrectly styled as counterclaims or crossclaims. Although courts are unlikely to dismiss such claims merely due to mislabeling, plaintiffs and third-party defendants should carefully assess the nature, scope, and timeliness of the claims before asserting them.

Friday Public Notices/Calendars

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:59:59 EST

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Pennsylvania's Am Law 100 Firms All Grew in 2025, but Only 1 Rose in Rankings

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:40:19 EST

Excluding two firms that entered into mergers, the gross revenue in all nine Pennsylvania-based Am Law 100 firms increased between 3% to 15%, whereas net income growth ranged nearly flat to over 21%.

People in the News—April 16, 2026—Flaster Greenberg, Cozen O'Connor

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Flaster Greenberg announced the addition of shareholder Gary Lipkin and associates Jack McGuire and Janki Patel to the firm's commercial litigation department, further strengthening its capabilities in complex business disputes.

Bankruptcy Court Dismisses Adversary Complaint Against CMS for Terminating Debtors' Provider Status

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:54:59 EST

Given the importance of Medicare/Medicaid funding of claims under provider agreements with the federal government, how courts interpret and apply the interplay between two federal statutes—the Bankruptcy Code and Medicare Program Act, determines the disposition of hundreds of millions of dollars of claims for reimbursement that support the health care system.

From a Young Lawyer's Perspective—Distrust Drives Today's Ethical Use of AI in Legal Practice

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:37:59 EST

AI is here to stay and will become more capable over time, so it is important to be informed about its use and to ensure we use such a tool ethically and responsibly.

When the System Meets the Courtroom: Burden of Proof in Child Abuse Cases

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:25:59 EST

Two recent 2026 appellate decisions—Lange v. State from Texas, and Matter of Brittany W. v. Miles-Gustave from New York—illuminate vastly different dimensions of child maltreatment, the legal standards governing each, and the burdens of proof that determine outcomes for both the accused and the children at the center of these cases.

Don't Sabotage Your Case: How to Handle a Tough Co-Parent Without Losing Your Temper

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:16:59 EST

In a recent Pennsylvania Superior Court case, Pearson v. Pearson, the appellate court addressed the challenging issues regarding automatically converting a custody order to shared physical custody upon a party's completion of therapy and the consequences of failing to conduct an independent review of the child custody factors prior to making a change in physical custody.

Pa. Supreme Court Has Upended Co-Employee Liability in Workers' Comp Cases

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:54:59 EST

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's recent decision in Brown v. Gaydos, No. 22 WAP 2024, changed that understanding, holding that the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act did not provide blanket immunity to all fellow employees without regard for when the negligent act occurred, or the time, place, or circumstances of it.

No Private Right? No Problem: Ninth Circuit Lets 340B Pricing Claims Proceed Under the False Claims Act

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:03:59 EST

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit just disrupted that assumption. In Adventist Health System of West v. AbbVie, the court revived a qui tam action alleging systemic overcharges under 340B and, in doing so, made a critical point: the absence of a private right of action under 340B does not insulate manufacturers from liability under the False Claims Act (FCA).

AI Is Outpacing the Systems Built to Govern It, Stanford Report Finds

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:09:03 EST

Stanford's 2026 AI Index report documents surging investment, rising safety incidents, and a closing U.S.-China performance gap, with direct implications for employment lawyers, compliance officers and corporate counsel.

Patient Privacy Suit Over Meta Tracking Tools Moves Forward Against Phila.-Area Health Care System

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:20:11 EST

"Smart has alleged that Main Line Health has intentionally intercepted the patient communications on its website and has done so for the purpose of selling the communications to marketers, which violates HIPAA," a federal judge said about a plaintiff's privacy claims against Main Line Health.

People in the News—April 15, 2026—Littler, Capehart Scatchard

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Littler Mendelson announced that the firm has added shareholder Theodore Schroeder to its 2026 board of directors.

Avoiding Potential Pitfalls in Third-Party Practice in Federal Court

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:54:59 EST

Rule 14(a)(2)(D) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure permits the third-party defendant to “assert against the plaintiff any claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff, i.e., the defendant. And Rule 14(a)(3) allows the plaintiff to “assert against the third-party defendant any claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff.

In First Year, NFL Legal Chief Faces Test That Could Upend League's Business Model

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:54:53 EST

A Justice Department antitrust probe into the NFL's streaming deals has put Ted Ullyot at the center of a fight over a 65-year-old law that experts say may no longer mean what the league thinks it does.

Pa. Justices Reject Rite Aid's Push to Escape Liability for Attack That Occurred Blocks From Store Premises

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:01:36 EST

The decision underscores that liability can arise for companies even when altercations occur off premises.

Pa. Antitrust Boutique Bolsters Succession Plans With a Rebrand

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:14:39 EST

"[I]t seemed like a good time to assess where were were as a firm, to access who was front-facing, who's applying for the leadership appointments, who's liaising with co-counsel and with courts, who's appearing on behalf of the firm with courts, and we took those realities into consideration and conferred amongst ourselves as to what would be the next steps to carry the brand forward," Justice said.

People in the News—April 14, 2026—Barley Snyder, Ice Miller

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Barley Snyder announced that attorney Kacey Jennings Fonner has joined the firm's business practice group in its Harrisburg office.

Making GRATs Great: Sophisticated Estate-Planning Strategies to Optimize Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:26:59 EST

GRAT planning can be optimized by utilizing rolling GRATs, monitoring GRAT performance and utilizing certain retained “swap powers, structuring the GRAT with transfers of limited liability company interests, and other sophisticated strategies.

Fifth Circuit Just Opened the Door for Consumers to Be Barraged by Telemarketing Robocalls

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:41:59 EST

The decision could lead to consumers in the states within its jurisdiction receiving even more unwanted telemarketing robocalls.

Relying on Rate Hikes, Fox Rothschild Saw Modest Growth in 2025

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:14:04 EST

As demand held steady, Fox Rothschild saw 8.1% growth in its top line. However, the firm's partner composition shifted drastically as aging partners sold their equity and transitioned to the nonequity tier.

Dechert Deepens Trial Bench by Hiring 3 Litigators From White & Case in D.C.

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:24:07 EST

New arrival Tara Lee formerly served as the national trial practice lead at White & Case. Dechert has now brought on 35 lateral partners so far in 2026.

Defendants Failed to Raise Federal Questions in Pa. Hair Dye Suit, Fed. Judge Says

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:53:39 EST

"Federal defenses, including FDA preemption, cannot support removal, reiterating that state-law tort claims involving FDA-regulated products belong in state court," the judge said.

The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards Shortlist

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:03:31 EST

Pennsylvania Legal Awards recognizes the best of its legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware on its shortlist, with winners announced at an awards dinner in June.

People in the News—April 13, 2026—MBM Law, Cohen Seglias

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

MBM Law announced that attorney Peter J. Halesey has rejoined the firm as senior counsel in the employment law and municipal law practice groups.

The God Squad Targets the Natural World

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:13:59 EST

The God Squad has opened the door to removing ESA protections based on an administration's policy preferences. What today allows the oil and gas industry to jeopardize or take listed species may later protect a different administration's favorite industry to the detriment of the natural world.

Not Selected in the H-1B Lottery? What to Do Next

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:59:59 EST

While disappointing to receive notice that an H-1B registration was not selected, there are several alternative work visa options available for many foreign national employees. These options are based on the individual's background, employment opportunities, as well as short- and long-term goals.