Three federal appeals court judges got it all wrong six weeks ago when they invalidated a $65 million settlement in the eight-year litigation battle over the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme, according to motions filed Wednesday by Stanford receiver Ralph Janvey, who wants the Fifth Circuit to reconsider the case en banc.
Language Edges Custom in SCOTX Farmout Case
AUSTIN – SCOTX held to its preference for plain language over industry custom, rejecting a $27.7 million verdict in a closely-watched farmout dispute. But the narrow 5-4 decision generated two very vigorous dissents. Janet Elliott reports.
SCOTUS Hands Win to Grocery Store Chains in FOIA Case
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday granted a new level of protection to businesses that provide the government with confidential data, requiring lower courts to consider the actual meaning of “confidential” before granting access to such data under the Freedom of Information Act. Critics say the case provides a new obstacle to public access to government. But Baker Botts Austin partner Evan Young, who argued the winning case before SCOTUS, says nothing could be further from the truth. Natalie Posgate reports.
Stockholder Suit Against Blue Bell Revived
A stockholder lawsuit against the directors of Blue Bell Creameries – filed in the wake of a 2015 outbreak of listeria in the company’s ice cream products – was revived this week by the Delaware Supreme Court. The case, filed in 2017 and dismissed in 2018, was remanded back to a Delaware Chancery Court for trial.