Category: BLOG
Discrimination Plaintiffs Ordered to Hand Over Facebook Passwords
A judge recently ordered a class of plaintiffs in a discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment case to hand over their Facebook and other social media passwords, as well as their cellphones. The court will gather and review their correspondence and submit relevant communications into evidence for the case. The plaintiffs still have an opportunity to …
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Why Whistleblowers Are So Helpful in Fraud Cases
You know when something’s not right at work. Numbers don’t add up. Documentation doesn’t reflect what you know to be true. Safety procedures aren’t being followed. Fraud and illegal activity is a reality at many workplaces, and it’s often you – the employee – who identifies and has the courage to bring that fraud to …
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Good News for Consumers – Supreme Court’s Decision Not to Hear Appeals Means Arbitration Clauses Still Cannot be Hidden in a Product’s Packaging – at Least in California
On October 2, 2017, the United States Supreme Court denied Samsung’s appeals from two joint decisions by the Ninth Circuit of Appeals on Norcia v. Samsung Telecoms. Am. LLC, 845 F.3d 1279 (9th Cir. 2017) and Dang v. Samsung Elecs. Co., 673 F. App’x 7798 (9th Cir. 2017). Before Norcia and Dang decisions, it was …
Halunen Law Files Class Action Lawsuit Against American Sugar Refining Inc.
Halunen Law filed a class action lawsuit against American Sugar Refining Inc., alleging that independent testing revealed ASR’s organic agave nectar was adulterated with other sugars and thus not “organic agave.” ASR’s “organic agave” is sold under the familiar brands Domino, C&H, and Florida Crystals. As alleged in the recently-filed Complaint, “consumers who purchase ‘Organic’ agave syrup purchase it believing …
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Landmark decision brings new clarity and protection for whistleblowers
This month, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a unanimous, landmark decision expanding protections for employees who report legal violations to their employers. The Friedlander v. Edwards Lifesciences, LLC, et al., decision involves a straightforward interpretation of a statute and at first glance may seem unremarkable. The truth of the matter is, it’s a big deal. …
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Severance Agreement? Seek Advice Before Signing (Part 2)
Back in March I wrote a blog about a common call I get from executives. They’ve just received a a severance agreement and want to make sure it’s “safe” to sign. I discussed my surprise that people who made their careers negotiating for their employer, didn’t have an appetite to negotiate for themselves.
SIGHTPATH MEDICAL AND ITS FORMER PRESIDENT PAY $12,000,000 TO THE UNITED STATES TO RESOLVE FALSE CLAIMS ACT ALLEGATIONS
A $12 million settlement was reached in a False Claims Act case alleging kickbacks to physicians for using Sightpath Medical Products in eye surgeries. The relator, Kipp Fesenmaier, was vice president of the company and reported that kickbacks were being offered to physicians to bribe them to use Sightpath Medical products. These kickbacks came in …
Halunen Law attorneys help launch inaugural conference and mentorship program
Halunen Law attorneys Benjamin Kwan and Amy Boyle participated in the Federal Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (FBA YLD) inaugural “Emerging Professionals Conference” on April 6. The event served as the kick-off to the FBA YLD’s Minnesota mentorship pilot program. Benjamin Kwan was part of a panel discussion focused on how to create success in …
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Severance Agreement? Seek advice before signing
I get calls several times a week from executives and professionals who want me to review a severance agreement that was just presented to them by their employer. When I ask if they think they have any potential claims against the company, people seem bewildered. I’m often told they just want me to review the …
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Fighting the ‘fine print’: Halunen Law class action team successfully challenges manufacturer’s arbitration agreements
In the ever-evolving world of consumer purchasing, companies are placing contracts in increasingly inconspicuous places. And the small print document that came with your recent electronics purchase, chances are it includes an arbitration clause. The clause likely prevents the purchaser from filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer in court, and allows for resolution of disputes …