Marriott Hotel recently appeared before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to challenge a district judge’s decision to certify a class of hotel guests affected by its data breach in 2018. This case is significant as it is one of the few data breach lawsuits to receive a class certification order. Typically, such cases are settled or dismissed before reaching this stage.
The appeal in question revolves around a 2023 ruling that prevented Marriott from using the defense of a class action waiver. The company had argued for the data breach cases to be consolidated into multidistrict litigation. Marriott’s lawyer, Matthew Hellman, criticized the order, referring to it as a ‘nationwide outlier.’ On the other hand, Samuel Issacharoff, representing the plaintiffs, attributed the issue to ‘poorly drafted language.’
In another legal matter, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr attorneys are representing Symbotic Inc., an A.I.-enabled technology platform, in a shareholder derivative lawsuit. The case alleges that certain officers and directors misled investors about Symbotic’s potential for margin growth. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Stephen Austen, accuses the company of failing to disclose its inability to deploy systems in a timely manner and manage expenses effectively due to project delays.
Furthermore, Davis Polk & Wardwell lawyers are representing MongoDB, a data platform software development company, in a shareholder derivative lawsuit. The complaint accuses the company’s directors and officers of falsely expressing confidence in its sales incentive plan restructuring and downplaying decreases in upfront commitments.
Additionally, Epic Systems Corp. is facing an employment discrimination lawsuit, with Michael Best & Friedrich attorneys representing the company. The lawsuit, filed by Levine Eisberner LLC and Siri & Glimstad on behalf of a project manager, alleges wrongful termination after the employee sought a religious exemption from Epic Systems’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
In a civil rights lawsuit, Sunrun Installation Services, represented by attorneys from McCarter & English, is accused of failing to inform the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection about an employee’s status, resulting in legal charges. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of former employee George Edward Steins, highlights the importance of proper communication between employers and regulatory authorities.
Lastly, boohoo.com UK Ltd. is involved in a patent infringement lawsuit, with Greenberg Traurig shareholder Joshua L. Raskin representing the company. The lawsuit, filed by Alto Dynamics, asserts patents related to an online shopping platform.
These legal proceedings showcase the diverse range of challenges faced by companies across different industries, emphasizing the importance of legal compliance and transparency in business operations. It is crucial for organizations to prioritize data security, employee rights, and intellectual property protection to avoid potential litigation and reputational damage.
