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Anjelica Cappellino J.D.
Carolyn Casey J.D.
Jacalyn Crecelius J.D.
Expert Institute
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Victoria Langley
Dani Alexis Ryskamp J.D.
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Latest from Expert Institute Insights

Two plaintiffs have brought a class action lawsuit against cosmetics giant, Unilever Inc. and Conopco Inc. The plaintiffs claim that their TRESemmé keratin products have caused hair loss and scalp burns. A chemical preservative found in the products which releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, allegedly caused the damage. Despite the claim, the defendant companies maintain that their products are safe. However, the lawsuit has gained traction through social media, broadening its reach for other potential…
Whenever an attorney is litigating a case involving personal injuries, the case almost always needs a medical expert’s assistance. The medical matters involved in a personal injury case require specialized knowledge. Medical professionals have that knowledge through their scientific expertise and specialized training. Because of their education and skills, the testimony of a medical expert is warranted for personal injury cases. These cases include medical malpractice, product liability, or workers’ compensation claims, among others. Before…
An eight-member Wisconsin jury recently decided Walmart should pay $125,150,000 in damages after finding company liable for three counts of disability discrimination. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought the case. It alleged the company failed to provide reasonable accommodations to Marlo Spaeth, an employee with Down Syndrome. Allegedly, the company eventually fired Spaeth due to her disability. The Case Against Walmart The EEOC presented evidence indicating that Walmart decided to change Spaeth’s work…
Last week, Johnson & Johnson issued a voluntary recall of five of its sunscreen product lines. Internal testing revealed the products contained low levels of benzene, a known carcinogen. Benzene is not a listed ingredient in any of the sunscreens. How the chemical found its way into Johnson & Johnson’s products is unclear. The recall comes at a time of record-breaking temperatures and heat waves throughout the country this summer season. The Scope of the…
June 25, 2021, marked a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which struck a blow to consumers in a virtual world. Plaintiffs brought suit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regarding the inaccuracy of TransUnion’s credit files. Though the FCRA codifies a private cause of action and statutory penalty for violators, actual harm must first be established. While lower courts found such harm, the Supreme Court found none. This decision may seem obvious to scholars…
In May 2021, a ransomware attack shut down 5,500 miles of pipeline for nearly a week. Now, Colonial Pipeline Co. has become the defendant in at least two potential class action lawsuits. The Claims Against Colonial Pipeline On June 21, 2021, an individual filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The plaintiff, EZ Mart 1 LLC, alleges Colonial Pipeline failed to secure its pipeline against cyber attacks. As…
This past week, Juul announced a $40 million settlement with North Carolina. The settlement occurred after the state’s attorney general sued the company for its deceptive marketing practices toward minors. The lawsuit, which was scheduled to begin trial next month, is one of over 2,000 others filed by cities, counties, school districts, and other plaintiffs that have been consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation. Electronic Cigarettes’ Increased Popularity Few vices have catapulted into popularity as…
The Supreme Court recently held that the National Collegiate Athletics Associate (NCAA) cannot prohibit student-athletes from receiving certain types or amounts of compensation for their athletic performances. The decision represents a significant challenge to the status quo for college sports. The Case Regarding Student-Athlete Compensation In the past, the NCAA has argued student-athletes are amateurs, not professionals. As such, a student-athlete’s compensation has been limited to scholarships, room and board, and other costs of attending…
After several objections, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the $380.5 million Equifax settlement. The only reversal involved incentive awards to named class members. Nonetheless,  a subsequent 11th Circuit ruling prohibited these fees. The ruling led the court to remand the case back to the lower court to vacate them. A Brief History of the Equifax Case In 2017, Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, admitted to a data breach involving…
Celia Guo joined the Expert Institute nearly four years ago as one of the first Los Angeles-based Research Analysts. Since then, Celia, along with the whole Research team, has seen explosive growth. In her tenure, Celia’s risen through the ranks to now lead the team as the Director of Multidisciplinary Research. So, how did she get here? Celia’s inclination towards the legal industry began when she was working in nonprofit public policy. Her role focused…