FERMA urges risk management inclusion on social transparency

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 19, 2013 - 11:55am CST

Public disclosure of a company’s policies on social issues must be conducted in conjunction with good risk management, said the Federation of European Risk Management Associations on Wednesday in response to a proposal being considered by the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee.

OFF BEAT: Beyonce, video game maker settle breach-of-contract lawsuit

Published June 19, 2013 - 11:30am CST

Beyoncé danced her way out of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit when the singer reached an out-of-court settlement this week with some disgruntled video game companies.

Breast cancer patient settles discrimination case against Proskauer Rose

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published June 19, 2013 - 11:19am CST

A former executive of Proskauer Rose L.L.P. who alleged she was wrongfully terminated after returning to work from medical leave for breast cancer treatment has settled a discrimination lawsuit against the law firm.

U.S. fines ABN AMRO unit $1 million for violations

Published June 19, 2013 - 10:45am CST

(Reuters) — The top U.S. derivatives regulator fined ABN AMRO Clearing Chicago L.L.C. $1 million for a raft of breaches in the handling of customer accounts over a period of three years.

Malpractice claim frequency, severity rise: Survey

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 19, 2013 - 10:45am CST

The frequency and severity of legal malpractice claims increased in 2012, leading many insurers to increase their rates in this sector, according to a survey of major insurers by specialty broker Ames & Gough.

SEC charges 2 with operating medical insurance Ponzi scheme

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 18, 2013 - 3:33pm CST

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has charged two founders of a medical insurer with operating a Ponzi scheme.

Canada to make offshore oil producers pay more for spills

Published June 18, 2013 - 2:30pm CST

(Reuters) — The Canadian government said on Tuesday it will raise the liability for oil spill cleanups off the country's east and Arctic coasts to 1 billion Canadian dollars ($981.7 million), a more than 25-fold increase from its prior limit.

Groups urge more workplace protections for pregnant women

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 18, 2013 - 1:50pm CST

Women continue to experience significant workplace pregnancy discrimination, concludes a report by two women’s groups that calls for more legislation in this area.

OFF BEAT: Things heat up for Chef Ramsay in wage-and-hour suit

Published June 18, 2013 - 1:01pm CST

They say if it’s too hot, get out of the kitchen.

EEOC sues food distributor for failing to hire, promote women

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 18, 2013 - 12:18pm CST

A national food marketer and distributor is accused of failing to hire female applicants at its distribution centers nationwide.

Denis Brady named president of Burns & Wilcox Brokerage

By: Kate Shepherd

Published June 18, 2013 - 11:28am CST

H.W. Kaufman Financial Group Inc. has hired Denis Brady to serve as president of wholesale brokerage Burns & Wilcox Brokerage.

U.K. charges ex-UBS trader Hayes in Libor investigation

Published June 18, 2013 - 10:30am CST

(Reuters) — Britain's fraud prosecutor on Tuesday charged former UBS and Citigroup Inc. trader Tom Hayes with eight counts of conspiracy to defraud as it laid the groundwork for what could be the first Libor trial.

Business Insurance IN FOCUS Video: Insurers and regulators

Published June 18, 2013 - 6:00am CST

In our latest weekly video, Business Insurance explores the future of AIG and other insurers' concerns with the Federal Reserve Board.

European cloud computing firms see silver lining in PRISM scandal

Published June 17, 2013 - 2:00pm CST

(Reuters) — France has its "Sovereign Cloud" project while across the Rhine data firms have created the label "Cloud Services: Made in Germany", all trying to reassure big companies that their information is stored away from the prying eyes of U.S. spies.

Dismissal upheld in legal malpractice claim by AIG unit, policyholder

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 17, 2013 - 2:07pm CST

An appeals court has upheld dismissal of a legal malpractice claim filed by a trucking company and an American International Group Inc. unit against an attorney who missed the deadline for filing an appeal of a $6 million jury verdict, concluding his clients would not have been successful in their appeal anyway.

OFF BEAT: Suit seeks to return 'Happy Birthday' to the people

Published June 17, 2013 - 2:00pm CST

A suit filed in New York is seeking to end the party for a music publishing company that alleges it owns the copyright to the song “Happy Birthday to You.”

Google settles class action lawsuit over new Class C stock

Published June 17, 2013 - 10:00am CST

(Reuters) — Google Inc. has settled a shareholder class action lawsuit that clears the way for the company to issue a new class of nonvoting stock, giving the company a currency for acquisitions that would not dilute the founders' control.

Employers should review arbitration agreements in light of Supreme Court ruling

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 16, 2013 - 6:00am CST

Employers should carefully check their arbitration agreements to ensure they include language excluding class-action arbitrations in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week on the issue, legal experts say.

Municipalities struggle with cyber security risks affecting data

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published June 16, 2013 - 6:00am CST

TAMPA, Fla. — As local cities, counties and municipalities hold vast amounts of personal data, cyber risks pose significant exposures for public entity risk managers.

UP CLOSE: Paul Tuhy

Published June 16, 2013 - 6:00am CST

NEW YORK-BASED CHIEF UNDERWRITING OFFICER OF GLOBAL AEROSPACE

Appeals court partially remands ruling in Reglan lawsuit

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 14, 2013 - 3:12pm CST

An appellate court dismissed most of the claims filed by a plaintiff who sued both the brand name and generic manufacturers of the heartburn drug Reglan, but said a lower court should further consider two claims.

SEC settles pricing case against Morgan Keegan fund directors

Published June 14, 2013 - 2:15pm CST

(Reuters) — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has settled civil charges accusing eight former directors of Morgan Keegan bond mutual funds of failing to police the portfolio managers they oversaw, allowing toxic mortgage assets to be overvalued prior to the financial crisis.

Fired 40-year employee can sue for age discrimination: Court

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 14, 2013 - 1:36pm CST

An appeals court has allowed a pork processing plant employee to sue for age discrimination as a result of his termination for a single incident of alleged insubordination after more than 40 years on the job.

OFF BEAT: Joan Jett sues Hot Topic over lingerie branding

Published June 14, 2013 - 1:29pm CST

Punk rocker Joan Jett feels ripped off by Hot Topic Inc. and is suing the New York-based gothic clothier chain for naming its new lingerie line after her band without her permission.