Retail & E-Commerce

  • December 23, 2024

    CFPB Says Walmart, Fintech Misled Drivers On Wage Access

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Monday sued Walmart and fintech company Branch Messenger for allegedly forcing delivery drivers to use costly deposit accounts to receive their wages and deceiving them about how to access their earnings.

  • December 23, 2024

    Container Store Given All Clear To Tap Ch. 11 Financing

    A Texas bankruptcy judge granted The Container Store Group Inc. a lifeline, allowing the company to access part of its $255 million financing package as it gets underway with a prepackaged Chapter 11 to address over $269 million in debt.

  • December 23, 2024

    Altria Unit Convinces Calif. Court To Ban Retail Elf Bar Sales

    The e-cigarette unit of tobacco giant Altria Group scored a legal victory against the highly popular flavored vape brand Elf Bar after it convinced a California federal judge to block a number of smoke shops from selling the Chinese made products.

  • December 23, 2024

    Google Counters DOJ's Proposed Chrome Sale

    Google has countered the Justice Department's proposed divestiture of the Chrome browser in a brief filed in D.C. federal court arguing the proper fix for its illegal search monopoly would be to allow Android phone makers and browser companies the ability to more readily pick rival engines.

  • December 23, 2024

    Party City Reenters Ch. 11 With Plans To Wind Down

    Retail chain Party City has returned to bankruptcy with more than $399 million in debt and plans to close its approximately 700 remaining stores and liquidate, saying attempts to improve its bottom line after its 2023 bankruptcy faltered in the face of falling sales.

  • December 23, 2024

    Suit Dropped Against Home Depot Co-Founder's Family Office

    Two former employees have agreed to dismiss their lawsuit against the family office of Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, in which they had alleged they were forced to work long hours without overtime pay due to "incompetent" employees who had sexual relationships with Blank and others.

  • December 23, 2024

    7 Firms Build Nordstrom's $6.25B Go-Private Deal

    Members of the Nordstrom family, including CEO Erik Nordstrom, and Mexican omnichannel retailer and shareholder El Puerto de Liverpool on Monday unveiled plans to take Nordstrom Inc. private in a $6.25 billion all-cash deal that was built by seven law firms.

  • December 20, 2024

    Banks, Not Credit Cos., Can Duck New Ill. Fee Law For Now

    An Illinois federal judge ruled Friday that credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard must comply with Illinois' landmark law restricting certain credit card fees; however, she also held that national banks and federal savings associations aren't subject to the law, at least for now.

  • December 20, 2024

    A Look Back At 2024's Major Securities Litigation Moments

    The private securities litigation bar experienced a busy 2024, with meaningful and significant rulings in almost all of the nation's leading courts, and corporations, investors, government agencies and executives fighting over pay packages, disclosures, class certifications and mergers.

  • December 20, 2024

    Nike, Converse Blast Co.'s Trade Secret Case Ahead Of Trial

    Ahead of a trial in February in Oregon federal court, Nike Inc. and Converse Inc. on Thursday blasted trade secret theft allegations involving an anti-counterfeiting system from Valmarc Corp., saying that Valmarc failed to protect its claimed secrets, that the technology at issue has been around for years and that the company's complaint is time-barred.

  • December 20, 2024

    Amazon Touted Efforts To Curb Price-Gouging, Shoppers Say

    A group of online shoppers said Thursday that Amazon can't dodge litigation alleging price-gouging during the pandemic, arguing that the retail giant's efforts to toss the case are contradicted by earlier public statements "trumpeting" the company's work with Washington's attorney general to enforce the state's consumer protection law against price-gougers.

  • December 20, 2024

    No, Microsoft Isn't Driving DOJ's Google Antitrust Suit: Judge

    A D.C. federal judge pushed back Friday on Google's efforts to paint Microsoft as the true plaintiff in the Justice Department's search monopolization lawsuit, casting doubt during a hearing that Google should get even more information about Microsoft's relationship with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

  • December 20, 2024

    Biggest Washington Decisions Of 2024

    Washington courts in 2024 saw a state judge permanently block Kroger's planned $24.6 billion purchase of Albertsons, just about an hour after an Oregon federal judge reached a similar decision, leading the deal to collapse.

  • December 20, 2024

    Sports Merch Cos. Fight Penn State TM Ban And Fee Bids

    Two sports merchandise companies found to have infringed The Pennsylvania State University's trademarks slammed the school's motions for attorney fees and a ban on selling the infringing products, saying the former is based on "half-truths and misstatements" and the latter is "breathtakingly broad."

  • December 20, 2024

    Off The Bench: Jordan's NASCAR Dunk, NIL Attys' Payday

    In this week's Off The Bench, Michael Jordan's racing team scores an early-stage win in its antitrust battle with NASCAR, attorneys engineering a historic settlement with the NCAA seek more than half a billion dollars in fees, and the fracas over college sports realignment makes headaches for the Mountain West Conference.

  • December 20, 2024

    Unionized Starbucks Workers Launch 5-Day Strike

    Starbucks baristas in unionized stores in Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago have gone on strike, Starbucks Workers United has announced, saying the union plans to spread the strike to other markets across the country between now and Christmas Eve.

  • December 20, 2024

    7th Circ. Upholds $900K Punitive Damages Award In TM Case

    The Seventh Circuit has affirmed $900,000 in punitive damages against a nutritional company and its owners for infringing the "Diesel Test" trademark of a testosterone-boosting product from a former competitive body builder, saying the defendant's conduct merited the award.

  • December 20, 2024

    Biggest Colorado Decisions Of 2024

    The Colorado Supreme Court shocked legal experts in 2024 when it walked back a landmark tenants rights ruling based on a technicality. In another case, three justices called for the elimination of peremptory challenges in order to address racial bias in jury selection. Here's a look at some of the biggest Colorado decisions of the year.

  • December 20, 2024

    Capital Markets Attorneys Ready For Reset After Bumpy 2024

    Capital markets activity — initial public offerings especially — posted a hesitant recovery in 2024, marginally increasing over prior-year levels before pausing altogether during a heated presidential election and postponing attorneys' hopes for a stronger rebound until 2025.

  • December 20, 2024

    Top North Carolina Cases Of 2024: Bias, Fraud And False Ads

    North Carolina saw a host of heavy-hitting civil trials in 2024, from back-to-back multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in suits over false advertising and employment discrimination, to a substantial bench ruling in a much-watched bias suit against the federal judiciary.

  • December 19, 2024

    Calif. High Court Sides With Jo-Ann In Co-Tenancy Dispute

    The California Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously upheld the enforceability of a Jo-Ann Stores LLC co-tenancy provision allowing the fabric and craft chain to pay reduced rent at a Sacramento-area location because the mall doesn't have either 60% of space leased or three anchor tenants.

  • December 19, 2024

    Mortgage Firm Should Face Sex Harassment Suit, Judge Says

    A Georgia federal judge on Wednesday recommended not granting summary judgment to CrossCountry Mortgage LLC and a branch manager in a former employee's sexual harassment and retaliation suit.

  • December 19, 2024

    Walgreens Must Face Uninjured Plaintiff's Receipt Class In Ill.

    An Arizona consumer who wasn't harmed by her Walgreens receipt's alleged overdisclosure of debit card information has standing to sue the company in Illinois, even if her suit is brought under federal law, a split state appellate panel said Thursday.

  • December 19, 2024

    Vape Cos. Challenge Iowa Law Banning Many E-Cigarettes

    Iowan vape interests are looking to stop state officials from enforcing a new law prohibiting the sale of many e-cigarettes, claiming in a federal lawsuit that the statute was pushed by "Big Tobacco" company Reynolds American Inc. and targets products that help people quit smoking.

  • December 19, 2024

    Teamsters Launch Strike In Bid To Force Amazon To Table

    Workers at seven Amazon facilities across the country who have organized with the Teamsters launched a strike against the e-commerce giant Thursday, demanding that the company meet them at the bargaining table.

Expert Analysis

  • Series

    Boxing Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Boxing has influenced my legal work by enabling me to confidently hone the skills I've learned from the sport, like the ability to remain calm under pressure, evaluate an opponent's weaknesses and recognize when to seize an important opportunity, says Kirsten Soto at Clyde & Co.

  • Anticipating Disputes In Small Biz Partnerships And LLCs

    Author Photo

    In light of persistently high failures of small business partnerships and limited liability companies, mediator Frank Burke discusses proactive strategies for protecting and defining business rights and responsibilities, as well as reactive measures for owners.

  • The Often Overlooked NY Foreclosure Notice Requirements

    Author Photo

    As multifamily real estate defaults mount, New York foreclosing parties should be aware of pitfalls and perils that can await the litigant who is not prepared to ensure adherence with tenant notice requirements under the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, say Christopher Gorman and John Muldoon at Rosenberg & Estis.

  • Opinion

    Industry Self-Regulation Will Shine Post-Chevron

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Supreme Court's Loper decision will shape the contours of industry self-regulation in the years to come, providing opportunities for this often-misunderstood practice, says Eric Reicin at BBB National Programs.

  • 3 Ways Agencies Will Keep Making Law After Chevron

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Supreme Court clearly thinks it has done something big in overturning the Chevron precedent that had given deference to agencies' statutory interpretations, but regulated parties have to consider how agencies retain significant power to shape the law and its meaning, say attorneys at K&L Gates.

  • After Chevron

    Author Photo

    Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron deference standard in June, this Expert Analysis series has featured attorneys discussing the potential impact across 37 different rulemaking and litigation areas.

  • Series

    After Chevron: Expect Few Changes In ITC Rulemaking

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Supreme Court's opinion overruling the Chevron doctrine will have less impact on the U.S. International Trade Commission than other agencies administering trade statutes, given that the commission exercises its congressionally granted authority in a manner that allows for consistent decision making at both agency and judicial levels, say attorneys at Polsinelli.

  • Opinion

    Atty Well-Being Efforts Ignore Root Causes Of The Problem

    Author Photo

    The legal industry is engaged in a critical conversation about lawyers' mental health, but current attorney well-being programs primarily focus on helping lawyers cope with the stress of excessive workloads, instead of examining whether this work culture is even fundamentally compatible with lawyer well-being, says Jonathan Baum at Avenir Guild.

  • Antitrust In Retail: The Meaning Of 'Accessible Luxury'

    Author Photo

    In order for the Federal Trade Commission to block a deal that would put six "accessible luxury" brands, including Coach and Michael Kors, under one roof, the agency will need to prove that this category is distinct from the true luxury or mass-market categories, says David Kully at Holland & Knight.

  • Series

    Skiing And Surfing Make Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    The skills I’ve learned while riding waves in the ocean and slopes in the mountains have translated to my legal career — developing strong mentor relationships, remaining calm in difficult situations, and being prepared and able to move to a backup plan when needed, says Brian Claassen at Knobbe Martens.

  • Unpacking The Circuit Split Over A Federal Atty Fee Rule

    Author Photo

    Federal circuit courts that have addressed Rule 41(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are split as to whether attorney fees are included as part of the costs of a previously dismissed action, so practitioners aiming to recover or avoid fees should tailor arguments to the appropriate court, says Joseph Myles and Lionel Lavenue at Finnegan.

  • In Biz Account Breaches, Look Beyond The Payment Platform

    Author Photo

    A business's legal path to recovering funds after bad actors access a payment platform account and engage in unauthorized transactions can lead into murky legal territory where liability is unclear, and pursuing the payment platform itself will be an uphill, if not insurmountable, struggle, say Edward Marshall and Morgan Harrison at Arnall Golden.

  • A Look At Calif. Contract Considerations In Fiji Water Ruling

    Author Photo

    A California appellate court's recent decision in Carolina Beverage v. Fiji Water, that a party may not seek contractual recovery on the basis of constructive termination, offers a look at contract construction and other considerations on negotiating distribution agreements, says Michael Laszlo at Clark Hill.

  • Making Plans For BNPL Consumer Protection Compliance

    Author Photo

    With an interpretive rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau set to require buy-now, pay-later providers to implement credit card-like consumer safeguards by the end of July, loan providers must solidify their federally compliant customer dispute resolution and disclosure procedures before the newly emboldened bureau's deadline, say attorneys at Steptoe.

  • After A Brief Hiccup, The 'Rocket Docket' Soars Back To No. 1

    Author Photo

    The Eastern District of Virginia’s precipitous 2022 fall from its storied rocket docket status appears to have been a temporary aberration, as recent statistics reveal that the court is once again back on top as the fastest federal civil trial court in the nation, says Robert Tata at Hunton.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Retail & E-Commerce archive.
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!