North Carolina

SCOTUS Squashes Class Action Plaintiff Attempt to Obtain Review of Class Certification

The reality of class action litigation is that what is supposed to be the court’s preliminary decision of whether to certify a case as a class action is often the end of the litigation. In many cases, plaintiffs will not proceed if the court denies class certification for reasons including that their individual claims are … Continue reading →

Companies Defending Class Actions in NC Have New Right to Appeal Class Certification

COMPANIES DEFENDING CLASS ACTIONS IN NC HAVE NEW RIGHT TO APPEAL CLASS CERTIFICATION (June 4, 2017): The North Carolina legislature recently passed H.B. 239, over Gubernatorial veto, which gives company defendants the right to appeal trial court decisions allowing class certification directly to the North Carolina Supreme Court, securing a guaranteed avenue for early review … Continue reading →

Defendant Companies Now Have the Right to Appeal North Carolina Class Certification Decisions Directly to NC Supreme Court

North Carolina Court Rules Class Action Settlements Can Award Attorneys’ Fees, but Note of Caution to Local Counsel

The North Carolina Court of Appeals considered for the first time whether it is legal in a class action settlement agreement for one party to agree to pay the other’s attorneys’ fees and expenses. The court concluded that it is legal, subject to appropriate judicial review. But, the court’s ruling leaves local North Carolina counsel … Continue reading →

N.C. Court Warns Plaintiffs that Voluntary Dismissal of an Invalid Complaint Won’t Toll the Statute of Limitations

At first glance there seems to be a saving grace in the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure for plaintiffs who are running up against the deadline for filing a lawsuit, i.e., Rule 41(a)(1).  Rule 41(a)(1) provides that if a complaint was filed timely and subsequently dismissed by the plaintiff voluntarily, the case may be … Continue reading →

The Four Factual Findings Necessary to Make an Award of Reasonable Attorneys’ Fees Stick in North Carolina

As a matter of course, a prevailing party cannot recover its attorneys’ fees from an opposing party in North Carolina.  But, attorneys’ fees can be awarded if there is specific statutory authority.  At the conclusion of litigation, the last thing the prevailing party wants to face is the reversal of its award for attorneys’ fees.  … Continue reading →

North Carolina Abusive Patent Assertions Act (H1032) Makes Its Way Through General Assembly

The 2013 General Assembly convened its 2014 Regular Session on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 with the introduction of House Bill 1032 The Abusive Patent Assertions Act by primary sponsor Representative Tom Murry (Rep).  The Bill also is sponsored by Representatives Conrad, Lambeth, S. Martin, Pittman, Saine, and  Whitmire.  The Act recognizes that the assertion of bad‑faith patent … Continue reading →

North Carolina Attorneys are on Notice that They Could Be Held Personally Liable for Failing to Reimburse the State Health Plan after Recovering Damages for an Injured Client

            When the law imposes personal liability on an attorney for actions connected with the representation of a client, it is worth noting and bringing to all of our attention.  Under North Carolina law, if a state employee is injured by a third party and recovers damages from the third party, the State Health Plan … Continue reading →

NC Court of Appeals Finds That The AAA’s Policy Against Arbitrating Certain Healthcare Disputes Prevents Enforcement of Arbitration Agreement in Wrongful Death Case

            The U.S. Supreme Court recently has reinforced in Marmet Health Care Center, Inc. v. Brown, 132 S. Ct. 1201 (2012) and AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 131 S.Ct. 1740 (2011) that the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) prohibits states from categorically excluding certain types of claims from arbitration.  However, companies still may have to contend … Continue reading →