Jewish Bulletin of Northern California, "In S.F., Lawyer Defends Lawsuit Against Swiss"

After researchers from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum found evidence that businesses, insurance companies, and banks profited from genocide during World War II, Lieff Cabraser along with other law firms took action by filing lawsuits. Morris Ratner, a partner with Lieff Cabraser, began reviewing Holocaust-Era documents in 1995 and was shocked at the disposition of assets.

• They were "documented like a balance sheet from a Seven-Eleven store," said Ratner.
• It brought the whole thing alive like it was yesterday"
• "No dollar amount will ever pay for the crimes committed during the Holocaust."
• He strongly defends any law suits including the Swiss Bank litigation, where businesses profited by taking advantage of human rights. It is justifiable and those parties should be held accountable.
• According to Ratner, "This is a message that we are proud to send worldwide with this settlement."
• Even though the 1.25 billion dollar settlement was reached in August 1998, Ratner figures it may not be final for another year.
• The distribution of the Swiss Bank settlement is still undecided.
• Ratner feels "It is a delicate issue and it’s not one that can be easily resolved."
• Some believe it should go to communities that represent those that died in the Holocaust. Others feel that it should be distributed to the thousands of survivors.

Atlanta Constitution, "A Lifeline or a Dead End?"

Wireless phones do not always provide safety and peace of mind as mobile telecommunication firms lead consumers to believe. In a false-advertising class-action suit represented by Jacqueline E. Mottek of Lieff Cabraser, consumers fight back against firms that advertise their coverage as being complete. Many customers have needed emergency assistance and were unable to reach help because of poor signals.  There exist areas where coverage is not available and consumers need to be aware of these spots.

RCR + GW Wireless News, "E 911 Heads to Court"

The wireless consumer advocacy group headed by Jim Conran is now participating in a lawsuit filed against L.A. Cellular for false and deceptive advertising of its cellular coverage area. The carrier allegedly failed to disclose significant gaps in coverage, a situation plaintiff Marcia Spielholz discovered in 1994 when her emergency 911 phone call went unanswered during an attempted car jacking in which Ms. Spielholz was shot in the face. "There are so many consumers with issues that someone has to stand up and represent them.  It's clear from the industry's actions and inaction that it is not prepared to truthfully and honestly represent consumer issues," said Conran. For more information on this lawsuit, please contact Fabrice N. Vincent.

New York Law Journal, "Consumer Protection -- Class Actions Have Important Position."

An Article written by Lieff Cabraser partner Steve E. Fineman noted that, "Consumer class actions play an integral role in protecting the purchasers of products and services from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices. Another major role for New York residents are the consumer protection statutes which provide that "deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce or in the furnishing of any service in the state are hereby unlawful." By pooling claims, which would be uneconomical to litigate individually, consumer class action allows for harmed individuals to spread the costs, among all class members. To read this New York Law Journal article, click here.

The Recorder, "Searching for Spoils of the Holocaust"

A new wave of litigation directed at companies that held WWII era partnerships with the Nazis is expected now that the Italian insurance company Assicurazioni General has settled with Holocaust survivors for $100 million and agreed to turn over documents incriminating other insurers.  Other targets of potential litigation include companies that allegedly exploited laborers enslaved by the Nazis. Attorney Morris A. Ratner, one of the architects of the groundbreaking $1.25 billion Swiss Banks settlement, noted, "Every time we have looked at the World War II documents, we have found more incriminating evidence relating to the various private actors who either assisted the Nazis or illicitly profited from the Holocaust."

Associated Press, "Holocaust Survivors OK $1.2 Billion Deal"

Accepting a $1.25 billion settlement with Swiss banks, Holocaust survivors may finally be able to reclaim their families' savings that had disappeared for half a century from WWII era accounts. Now that U.S. lawyers and Jewish groups have finally gained legal access to the stolen money, the obligation will fall on Switzerland's two largest commercial banks, UBS AG and the Credit Suisse, to deliver promptly payments to victims, many of which are elderly or ill.

Morris Ratner represents some of the claimants and took part in the settlement negotiations. Ratner noted, however, that because of the difficulty in verifying and organizing claims for the tens of thousands of claimants, the first payment to an individual can not reasonably be expected for at least six months.

The National Law Journal, "First Masonite Claims Filed"

Masonite Corporation for replacement of defective hardboard siding that allegedly buckled and rotted on some homes. A nationwide class-action settlement was reached in July 1997, and a third party has now begun handling claims information and inspecting homes for damage. Plaintiff's attorney Jonathan D. Selbin was noted for his work towards the settlement which may exceed $1 billion.

The Recorder, "Nightmare All Too Real for 1940s Moms"

Vanderbilt University admitted in a Tennessee court room last Monday that a mistake in giving as many as 800 pregnant women radioactive "cocktails" fifty years ago as part of a study of iron metabolism. The apology was offered along with a $10.3 million class action settlement to the women whos children may have developed cancer as a result of prenatal exposure to radioactive iron. Plaintiff's counsel Don Arbitblit, whose work with Tennessee co-counsel secured the deal, remarked of the apology, "It's a first in my experience. Usually when cases aee settled, no one admits any wrongdoing."

The San Francisco Daily Journal, "Lighting a Fire Under Tobacco Litigation"

Five coordinated cases alleging that tobacco companies engaged in unlawful and deceptive business practices have leapt to the forefront in California and may represent a greater threat to the industry than taxpayer-recoupment claims. Of these cases, Richard Heimann explained that the plaintiffs will show a "substantial portion" of tobacco sales in California "are tied to improper conduct."

Associated Press, "Radioactive Study Lawsuit Settled"

A Tennessee judge approved a $10.3 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by women who were given radioactive iron as part of 1940s nutrition study at Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt issued an apology to the women who ingested a radioactive "tracer" to measure the rate of absorption of iron in pregnant women. The class is represented by Lieff Cabraser and two firms in Tennessee.

The San Francisco Examiner, "Wells Yields on Lifetime Checking"

Wells Fargo & Co. has decided to honor free lifetime checking accounts for customers who had made such arrangements with banks that wells acquired in mergers.  The bank had pervious told those same customers they would be subject to new monthly fees I their balances fell below $50. Wells Fargo reversed their stance after a class action complaint was filed by Barry Himmelstein of Lieff Cabraser.  Mr. Himmelstein observed, "They took a calculated risk when they decided to impose fees on these accounts, and when we sued, they realized they had lost."

The Recorder, "Dow Chemical's Hatch?"

Following Dow Corning's recent $3.2 billion settlement to resolve silicone breast implants claims that drove it to bankruptcy, its parent company Dow Chemical requested that its remaining claims also be absolved, even though it has never filed for bankruptcy. Three juries have recently returned verdicts against Dow Chemical in implants cases, and the scope of their liability "will be one of the most hotly contested issues as plan proceedings go forward," said Elizabeth Cabraser, a member of the Tort Claimants Committee in Dow Corning's bankruptcy case.

The Recorder, "New Case Against Swiss Banks Filed"

Three Swiss Banks were accused of violating California's Unfair Competition Act in a new suit filed by Holocaust survivors seeking to expose unfair business advantages gained by the banks through World War II era collaboration with Nazis. Morris Ratner, a partner with Lieff Cabraser, explained, "This new litigation... employs a powerful legal tool to give Holocaust victims another basis on which to obtain justice from the banks."

The Recorder, "Judge OKs Fees for Lieff, Cabraser"

A Contra Costa County, California Superior Court judge rejected a Berkeley lawyer's bid to reduce attorneys fees in ABS Pipe Cases II, citing the "superior work"of class counsel, including Robert J. Nelson, on the case.

Reuters, "Tobacco Faces Perilous Path With No Protection"

Even as the cigarette companies celebrated the failure of the United States Senate to pass a comprehensive national tobacco settlement, the tobacco industry is confronted with more lawsuits than ever. Elizabeth J. Cabraser, identified as a key plaintiffs' lawyer in many of these suits, stated, "We're following the litigation plan we laid out in 1994."

The Recorder, "Lieff Cabraser to Open in New York City"

Robert L. Lieff is interviewed regarding the opening of Lieff Cabraser's new office in New York. Recent successful settlements are mentioned.

Business Wire, "Federal Court Grants Preliminary Approval of $10 Million Settlement in the Craft v. Vanderbilt Class Action"

A $10 million settlement in Craft v. Vanderbilt is granted preliminary approval by the federal court in Nashville, Tennessee. The class is represented by Lieff Cabraser and two law firms in Tennessee.

The Recorder, "Settlements"

The settlement in Naef v. Masonite Corporation was approved by an Alabama Superior Court Judge. Elizabeth J. Cabraser and Jonathan D. Selbin were credited for working to keep the class action certified.

"Year 2000 Bug" Conference

Joseph R. Saveri appeared as a panelist at a conference on computers and the "Year 2000 Bug," speaking on the topic of potential liability in individual and class actions for software defects and failures to disclose.

The Recorder, "National Law Journal's Most Influential Northern California Female Attorneys"

Elizabeth J. Cabraser, called the "Queen of Torts," was on the National Law Journal's list of the most influential Northern California female attorneys.

Teachers Management & Investment Litigation

Lieff Cabraser announces approval of a $14 million settlement with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP and Comerica Bank-California in Teachers Management & Investment Litigation.

Fen-Phen Litigation Conference, Marina del Ray, California

Elizabeth J. Cabraser appeared as a panelist at a conference regarding Diet Drugs, and spoke on the topic of "National Class Action/Medical Monitoring Claims."

Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property of the House Committee on the Judiciary

Elizabeth J. Cabraser testified before the United States Congress on the topic of "Access, Equity and Finality of Adjudication: The Role of Class Actions in Our Civil Justice System." Excerpt of Testimony

National Law Journal, "Settlements"

Jonathan D. Selbin was quoted in reference to two settlements, one in Naef, et al.v. Masonite Corporation, et al. and the other in In re Unocal Refinery Litigation.

Order, In re Diet Drugs (Phentermine/ Fenfluramine/ Dexfenfluramine) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1203 (E.D. Pa.)

Elizabeth J. Cabraser was appointed as one of nine members of the Plaintiffs' Management Committee to organize and direct the Fen-Phen diet drugs litigation filed across the nation in federal courts. Membership on the Plaintiffs' Management Committee was based, as explained by the presiding judge in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, on the lawyers' ability and experience with complex litigation and their firms' financial resources to prosecute the action.