Washington

  • December 05, 2024

    Apple Beats ICloud Storage Consumer Claims At 9th Circ.

    The Ninth Circuit was unconvinced Wednesday that Apple Inc. traps computer users into paying for additional iCloud storage upon reaching a 5-gigabyte backup limit, declining to revive a putative consumer class action against the technology giant.

  • December 05, 2024

    Freddie Mac Beats Suit Over Payoff Statement Fees, For Now

    A Washington federal judge has tentatively let Freddie Mac off the hook in borrowers' proposed class action alleging loan servicer Nationstar Mortgage illegally charged fees for payoff statements, ruling Thursday that Freddie Mac can't be liable for conduct it didn't authorize — even if it did own one loan at issue.

  • December 05, 2024

    Amazon Says Section 230 Shields Against Casino App Suit

    Amazon said Wednesday a federal judge should toss a proposed class action accusing the e-commerce giant of promoting and selling "social casino" apps that enable illegal gambling, arguing the company is immune under a federal law regulating internet content because it did not create the games.

  • December 05, 2024

    Infringing Phone Mounts Permanently Blocked In Patent Case

    A Washington federal judge agreed on Thursday to block a maker of electronic device mounts from selling certain products that have infringed a patent owned by a rival.

  • December 05, 2024

    Face-Swapping App Can't Ax Reality TV Star's Suit At 9th Circ.

    The Ninth Circuit on Thursday refused to toss a reality TV star's proposed class action accusing a face-swapping app of misusing his likeness, finding his statutory right-of-publicity claim isn't preempted by the federal Copyright Act since the claim involves his likeness and "not a work of authorship."

  • December 05, 2024

    Yardi Must Face Rent-Fixing Suit With Tough Standard

    A Washington federal court has refused to dismiss an antitrust case accusing multifamily building owners of conspiring to use Yardi's revenue management software to inflate rental prices and found the claims should be treated as classic price-fixing allegations.

  • December 05, 2024

    Justices Told 9th Circ. Got Test Wrong In $1.3B Award Fight

    Indian satellite communications company Devas Multimedia and its shareholders have each submitted briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to nix the Ninth Circuit's decision to refuse enforcement of a $1.3 billion arbitral award against a state-owned division of India's space agency.

  • December 05, 2024

    Wash. Gov.'s Executive Order Backs Tribal Salmon Initiative

    Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has, in an executive order, directed state agencies to cooperate with four sovereign tribal nations and Oregon to fulfill commitments to the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative, which aims to protect salmon and steelhead populations.

  • December 05, 2024

    9th Circ. Skeptical Starz Ripped Off Play For Strip Club Drama

    A Ninth Circuit panel appeared dubious Thursday of a playwright's bid to revive claims that Starz Entertainment copied her stage musical for the strip club drama series "P-Valley," with one of the appellate judges noting that the works "could not be more different."

  • December 05, 2024

    Audible's Expiring Membership Credits Illegal, Consumer Says

    Audible Inc. is the target of a proposed class action accusing the audiobook retailer of selling credits that expire after one year, in violation of Washington consumer law.

  • December 05, 2024

    Feds Invest $849M For Water Infrastructure Improvements

    An $849 million investment from the Biden administration will support 77 water infrastructure development projects throughout the country's western states and tribal communities that are located along major river basins in an effort to restore canal capacity, sustain treatment, replace aging hydropower production equipment and provide maintenance to older project buildings.

  • December 05, 2024

    GSA To Sell 8 Federal Buildings, Saving Up To $475M

    The U.S. General Services Administration has announced plans to offload eight federally owned properties, a move that could potentially save the federal government $475 million over 10 years.

  • December 05, 2024

    Airbnb Customers Drop 'Assistance Fee' Suit Against Insurers

    A proposed class of Airbnb customers permanently dropped a suit accusing two of the company's insurance providers of violating Washington state law by charging an "assistance fee" when selling travel coverage.

  • December 05, 2024

    DEI Provision Dooms Boeing's 737 Max Plea Deal

    A Texas federal judge on Thursday rejected Boeing's plea agreement in its 737 Max criminal conspiracy case, finding flaws in how the U.S. Department of Justice intended to use race and diversity to select an independent compliance monitor to oversee Boeing, and how the court was cut out of that process.

  • December 04, 2024

    Civil Atty Named Winner Over Judge For Wash. High Court Seat

    Civil attorney Sal Mungia has been elected to an open seat on Washington's highest court, edging out Seattle-area municipal judge Dave Larson by less than 1% of the vote, according results from the Nov. 5 election that were finalized on Wednesday.

  • December 04, 2024

    9th Circ. Won't Allow Bookseller Group In FTC's Amazon Suit

    An independent bookstore association can't join the government's antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, the Ninth Circuit said Wednesday, with the panel's majority agreeing with the Federal Trade Commission and e-commerce giant that the trade group's allegations involve different anticompetitive conduct in different markets.

  • December 04, 2024

    9th Circ. Keeps Block Of Idaho AG's Abortion Ban Stance

    The Ninth Circuit notched a win for Idaho doctors Wednesday, upholding a temporary block preventing Idaho's attorney general from enforcing his interpretation of the state's abortion ban that he said prohibits doctors from referring women across state lines to receive abortion care. 

  • December 04, 2024

    9th Circ. Mulls Waiting To Weigh In On Amazon Suicide Suit

    A Ninth Circuit panel Wednesday appeared open to waiting for the Washington Supreme Court to clarify the state's duty-to-warn statute before deciding whether to revive allegations Amazon.com negligently sold chemicals used in suicides while one judge observed that Amazon created an algorithm that recommended lethal product-mixes, "so it's intentional."

  • December 04, 2024

    Boeing, Spirit Say Flyers Can't Forum-Shop 737 Blowout Suit

    Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems and Alaska Airlines have blasted an attempt by passengers to redo their suit over January's 737 Max 9 door plug blowout, saying the plaintiffs are improperly forum-shopping when their case is set for a consolidated bench trial in Washington federal court.

  • December 04, 2024

    Starbucks Brass Face Derivative Suit Over 'Reinvention' Flop

    Officers and directors of coffee chain Starbucks are facing shareholder derivative claims over the company's so-called Triple Shot Reinvention strategy after the company disappointed the markets in April with updates about the plan.

  • December 04, 2024

    9th Circ. Open To Reviving Wash. Profs' Email Privacy Suit

    A Ninth Circuit panel on Wednesday expressed support for two University of Washington professors who allege their constitutional rights were violated by a state ethics board probe of their emails, with one judge saying he was troubled by the state's contention the professors' claims were merely speculative.

  • December 04, 2024

    Amazon Held To Prior Fights, Ongoing Rules In Antitrust Row

    Amazon.com Inc. can't duck updated consumer antitrust suits because it failed to raise some arguments against prior iterations and because plaintiffs adequately alleged substantial, ongoing anticompetitive conduct and effects from rules punishing sellers who offer their goods cheaper elsewhere, according to a decision unsealed in Washington federal court.

  • December 04, 2024

    Amazon, Stanley Tumbler Maker Sue Alleged Counterfeiters

    Amazon and the maker of the popular "Stanley" tumbler are suing several marketplace vendors in Washington federal court, accusing them of peddling counterfeit drink ware in the e-commerce platform's latest legal push to crack down on brand-stealing sellers.

  • December 04, 2024

    Trump Names Slater To DOJ Antitrust Against 'Wild' Big Tech

    President-elect Donald Trump signaled a full steam ahead approach to reining in major technology platforms with the announced nomination Wednesday of former Federal Trade Commission staffer and Trump administration economic adviser Gail Slater to run the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division.

  • December 04, 2024

    TPG Leads $2B Investment In PE-Backed Data Firm Veeam

    Insight Partners-owned Veeam Software said Wednesday it has sold off a $2 billion stake in the company through a secondary offering to a group led by TPG and including Temasek, Neuberger Berman Capital Solutions and other new investors, valuing the software company at $15 billion. 

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Gardening Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Beyond its practical and therapeutic benefits, gardening has bolstered important attributes that also apply to my litigation practice, including persistence, patience, grit and authenticity, says Christopher Viceconte at Gibbons.

  • Nevada Justices Could Expand Scope Of Subrogation Claims

    Author Photo

    The Nevada Supreme Court's recent decision to hear North River Insurance v. James River Insurance could expand the scope of equitable subrogation claims in the state by aligning with the California standard, which doesn't require excess insurers to demonstrate damages, says Daniel Heidtke at Duane Morris.

  • Litigation Inspiration: Reframing Document Review

    Author Photo

    For attorneys — new ones especially — there is much fulfillment to find in document review by reflecting on how important, interesting and pleasant it can be, says Bennett Rawicki at Hilgers Graben.

  • Series

    Flying Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Achieving my childhood dream of flying airplanes made me a better lawyer — and a better person — because it taught me I can conquer difficult goals when I leave my comfort zone, focus on the demands of the moment and commit to honing my skills, says Ivy Cadle at Baker Donelson.

  • 9th Circ.'s High Bar May Limit Keyword Confusion TM Claims

    Author Photo

    A recent Ninth Circuit ruling that a law firm did not infringe upon a competitor’s trademarks by paying Google to promote its website when users searched for the rival’s name signals that plaintiffs likely can no longer win infringement suits by claiming competitive keyword advertising confuses internet-savvy consumers, say attorneys at Mitchell Silberberg.

  • Post-Election Implications For The EPA's Methane Rules

    Author Photo

    Amid the U.S. Supreme Court's recent denial of requests to halt implementation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's methane rule in two suits, and given the outcome of the election, a complete reversal of the methane rule is expected, but state-level policymaking and enforcement will continue, says John Watson at Spencer Fane.

  • Nvidia Supreme Court Case May Not Make Big Splash

    Author Photo

    The skeptical tenor of the justices' questioning at oral argument in Nvidia v. Ohman Fonder suggests that the case is unlikely to alter the motion to dismiss pleading standard in securities class actions, as some had feared, say attorneys at WilmerHale.

  • Series

    Circus Arts Make Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Performing circus arts has strengthened my ability to be more thoughtful, confident and grounded, all of which has enhanced my legal practice and allowed me to serve clients in a more meaningful way, says Bailey McGowan at Stinson.

  • 3 Ways To Train Junior Lawyers In 30 Minutes Or Less

    Author Photo

    Today’s junior lawyers are experiencing a skills gap due to pandemic-era disruptions, but firms can help bring them up to speed by offering high-impact skill building content in bite-sized, interactive training sessions, say Stacey Schwartz at Katten, Diane Costigan at Winston & Strawn and Lauren Tierney at Freshfields.

  • The Bar Needs More Clarity On The Discovery Objection Rule

    Author Photo

    Almost 10 years after Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34 was amended, attorneys still seem confused about what they should include in objections to discovery requests, and until the rules committee provides additional clarity, practitioners must beware the steep costs of noncompliance, says Tristan Ellis at Shanies Law Office.

  • Expect More State-Level Scrutiny Of Noncompetes Ahead

    Author Photo

    Despite the nationwide injunction against the Federal Trade Commission’s noncompete ban, and the incoming Republican administration, employers should anticipate that state legislatures will continue to focus on laws that limit or ban noncompetes, including those that target certain salary thresholds or industries, says Benjamin Fryer at FordHarrison.

  • Series

    Being A Navy Reservist Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Serving this country in uniform has not only been one of the greatest honors of my life, but it has also provided me with opportunities to broaden my legal acumen and interpersonal skills in ways that have indelibly contributed to my civilian practice, says Phillip Smith at Weinberg Wheeler.

  • What To Expect From State AGs As Federal Control Changes

    Author Photo

    Under the next Trump administration, Democratic attorneys general are poised to strengthen enforcement in certain areas as Republican attorneys general continue their efforts with stronger federal support — resulting in a confusing patchwork of policies that create unintended liabilities for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • So You Want To Move Your Law Practice To Canada, Eh?

    Author Photo

    Google searches for how to move to Canada have surged in the wake of the U.S. presidential election, and if you’re an attorney considering a move to the Great White North, you’ll need to understand how the practice of law differs across the border, says David Postel at Henein Hutchison.

  • Class Actions At The Circuit Courts: November Lessons

    Author Photo

    In this month's review of class action appeals, Mitchell Engel at Shook Hardy discusses six federal court decisions that touch on Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and when individual inquiries are needed to prove economic loss.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Hello! I'm Law360's automated support bot.

How can I help you today?

For example, you can type:
  • I forgot my password
  • I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email
  • How do I sign up for a newsletter?
Ask a question!