U.S. Supreme Court finds FAA preempts state rule that denied enforcement of class action waivers in arbitration agreements *

USA - May 3 2011
On April 27, 2011, the Supreme Court issued a 5–4 decision that the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") preempts a California unconscionability doctrine that denies enforcement to arbitration agreements requiring consumers to waive any right to bring a class action unless the agreement also provides for class arbitration.

Co-authors: Michael J. Gray, Robert G. Marshall II, E. Michael Rossman , Eric S. Dreiband, Sarah B. McClure.

Supreme Court rejects employer-friendly formulation of "cat's paw" defense *

USA - March 4 2011
In its March 1, 2011 ruling in Staub v. Proctor Hospital, No. 09-400, the United States Supreme Court rejected an employer-friendly formulation of the so-called "cat's paw" defense in the context of a claim under the United Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

Co-authors: Sarah B. McClure, Alison B. Marshall.