Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse
29th October 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Appeals court revives $2.5bn opioid lawsuit in West Virginia
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a landmark decision in West Virginia that had rejected attempts by a region to be compensated by U.S. drug distributors for a local influx of prescription pain pills. The court in Richmond ruled that a lower court judge had erred when he said the state’s public nuisance law did not apply to the lawsuit involving the distribution of opioids. “West Virginia law permits abatement of a public nuisance to include a requirement that a defendant pay money to fund efforts to eliminate the resulting harm to the public,” the 4th Circuit wrote. “West Virginia has long characterized abatement as an equitable remedy.”
LAWSUITS
Johnson & Johnson faces Texas lawsuit over alleged links to autism and ADHD
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and its consumer health unit Kenvue, alleging that they concealed Tylenol's potential links to autism and ADHD. The lawsuit comes after President Trump suggested that using Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism, a claim that lacks scientific backing. Kenvue, which defends the safety of acetaminophen, stated it plans to contest the lawsuit, emphasising that "acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women."
Mondelez defeats greenwashing lawsuit
Mondelez has emerged victorious in a proposed greenwashing lawsuit over a claim about its Clif Bar. U.S. District Judge Manish Shah in Chicago dismissed the class action lawsuit accusing the company of deceiving consumers into overpaying for products that were labeled "climate neutral certified." Shah said he found nothing wrong with labels for Clif Kid Zbar and Zbar Protein that reflected a certification from the Change Climate Project nonprofit.
OpenAI faces Cameo trademark lawsuit
Cameo, the celebrity video platform, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in California, claiming that the "Cameo" feature in OpenAI's Sora app infringes on its trademark rights and may confuse consumers. Cameo CEO Steven Galanis said that the company had aimed to resolve the issue "amicably," but OpenAI has refused to cease using the name, which it is argued disregards the potential for brand dilution. In response, an OpenAI spokesperson asserted that it disputes the claim of exclusive ownership over the term "Cameo."
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Citi probe did not interview women who complained about executive’s conduct
A Citigroup investigation into complaints about the conduct of top executive Andy Sieg was completed without interviewing some of the most high-profile employees who departed after expressing concerns about him.
REGULATION
CFPB scraps offender registry
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has officially repealed a registry for non-bank financial companies that violated consumer laws, citing costs that outweighed public benefits. The decision, part of President Trump's efforts to reduce the CFPB's authority, follows a cost-benefit analysis indicating the registry duplicated existing systems. Industry groups supported the repeal, but Better Markets warned that with 50% of the U.S. lending market held by non-banks, this move could increase risks for consumers and financial stability. The CFPB did not comment on the matter.
CORPORATE
BNP Paribas hit by $220m charge due to fraud case
French lender BNP Paribas has taken a €190m ($220m) hit from a fraud case related to receivables financing involving an unidentified client, as increased provisions against soured loans overshadowed third-quarter results. The Financial Times wonders what happens if fraud becomes an endemic part of the banking system. Regional U.S. banks Zions and Western Alliance have also recently identified fraud.
CASES
Ohio Gov. hemp ban sparks controversy
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's ban on intoxicating hemp products, including delta-8 THC, has been temporarily blocked by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Carl Aveni, extending the availability of these products until December 2. The ban, issued on October 8, aimed to protect children from unregulated products. DeWine had said: "We had to do something . . . Kids go into the hospital from eating gummies." The Ohio House has passed legislation to regulate the sale of intoxicating hemp, which now moves to the Senate for further discussion. This new regulatory framework aims to address concerns over the accessibility of these products to minors.
APPOINTMENTS
Jones Day hires DOJ national security lawyer
George Turner has joined Jones Day as a partner in its investigations and white collar defense practice in New York. Previously, he served as the associate deputy attorney general for national security at the Justice Department. With 17 years of experience as a litigator, Turner specializes in complex white collar criminal and civil commercial matters.
INTERNATIONAL
Belgium at risk of becoming a ‘narco-state’, judge warns
In an open letter on Belgium’s official court website, an anonymous judge at a court in Antwerp has warned that drug cartels are infiltrating the country's police and judiciary.  “What’s happening today in our jurisdiction and beyond is no longer a classic crime issue. We’re facing an organized threat that undermines our institutions,” the investigating judge wrote. “Extensive mafia structures have taken hold, becoming a parallel force that challenges not only the police, but also the judiciary.”
OTHER
Trump says he is still considering Bessent for Fed chair
President Trump has said he is “thinking” of picking Scott Bessent to be the Federal Reserve’s next chair, even though the Treasury secretary has ruled himself out. “I’m thinking about him for the Fed,” Trump said of Bessent. “But he won’t take the job. He likes being Treasury. So we’re not thinking about him really.” Bessent is leading the search for the next chair of the Fed.

 

Legal Slice delivers the latest, most relevant, and useful legal intelligence each weekday morning with intelligence, designed specifically for legal professionals, including attorneys, practice owners, judges, legal scholars, and influencers.

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in Legal Slice, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Legal Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe