Public Interest Litigation
Polymer80 Ghost Gun Case
The complaint alleges that Polymer80, Inc. violates Maryland and federal firearms law by manufacturing, advertising, and selling kits and parts with which consumers can easily and quickly assemble fully functioning, home-assembled, untraceable, and unserialized ghost guns.
GirlsDoPorn.com Lawsuit – $13 Million Verdict
The women allege they were exploited by the defendants after answering modeling advertisements on Craigslist. When Plaintiffs submitted their personal information to sham modeling websites (such as www.beginmodeling.com), they became targets of Defendants’ fraudulent recruiting scheme for www.girlsdoporn.com.
Maryland Unconstitutional Immigration Detention Class Action
The complaint alleges that during bond hearings before the Baltimore Immigration Court, the government violates the constitutional rights of detainees when it requires that a detainee, rather than the government, bear the burden of proving that they are not a flight risk or a danger to the community in order to be freed.
Fauquier County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Fauquier County, Virginia, filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs.
Montgomery County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Montgomery County filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Lee County, VA, and Norton Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Lee County and the City of Norton filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Martinsville and Henry County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Martinsville and Henry County filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Page County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Page County filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Galax and Giles County, VA Opioid Epidemic Lawsuits
Galax and Giles County filed the lawsuits in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Washington County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuit
Washington County filed the lawsuit in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs — including pharmaceutical titan Purdue Pharma and worldwide distributor McKesson.
Alexandria and Dickenson County, VA, Opioid Epidemic Lawsuits
The City of Alexandria and Dickenson County, Virginia, represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp and The Cicala Law Firm PLLC became the first municipalities in the Commonwealth of Virginia to pursue legal action against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for their role in creating the public health emergency caused by prescription opioids.
Investigation Into CBS’ Corporate Culture
Sanford Heisler Sharp is looking to speak with CBS shareholders and employees as part of an investigation into the company’s corporate culture and governance.
DC Water and Sewer Authority Contaminated Water Case
In 2001, Washington, DC’s Water and Sewer Authority changed the chemicals it used as a part of the water purification process. The new chemicals caused excess amounts of lead to leach into the water. Although WASA was alerted to the fact that its water was poisonous, it did nothing to remedy the situation, instead taking steps to conceal the problem while continuing to assure DC’s citizens the water was safe.
Starion Energy Consumer Fraud Class Action
Sanford Heisler Sharp filed a $50 million nationwide class action complaint alleging that Connecticut-based Starion Energy perpetrates an illegal bait-and-switch scheme that has deceived and defrauded thousands of energy consumers out of millions of dollars. The suit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
In re Gateway Plaza Residents Litigation
The class action suit is brought by Maureen Koetz, a resident of the neighborhood’s Gateway Plaza, a development with more than 1,700 rental units in the heart of lower Manhattan. Ms. Koetz, a former vice-president of the Gateway Tenants’ Association, describes how temperatures inside the complex regularly dropped to below 55 degrees this winter as well as past winters.
Energy Plus Consumer Fraud Class Action – $11 Million Settlement
Sanford Heisler Sharp reached an $11 million settlement against Energy Plus on behalf of a class of New Jersey consumers who alleged that Energy Plus engaged in a bait-and-switch scheme that led to the defrauding and deception of thousands of people.
Vioxx Product Liability Class Action
Sanford Heisler Sharp represented over one hundred people who sued Merck when they suffered injuries or died after taking Vioxx, a pain-relieving drug. Sanford Heisler was part of a consortium of the nation’s leading law firms that achieved a historic $4.85 billion settlement.
Henneghan v. Countrywide Home Loans Consumer Fraud Suit
Sanford Heisler Sharp represented an individual homeowner in claims of fraud and violation of the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA) against the developer of the converted condominium unit she purchased and the lender which financed the purchase. The court found that the homeowner had claims against the lender to be heard by a jury of fraud in misrepresenting that she could afford her mortgage loan, and in making or enforcing unconscionable terms in a sale. Immediately before trial the case was resolved through settlement.
Countrywide Home Loans Predatory Lending Action
Sanford Heisler Sharp represented a number of individual homeowners and a condominium association in claims against developers and lenders for the marketing, sale, and financing of apartments converted to condominiums in Southeast DC. The case charged that the developers and lenders violated the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA) by failing to disclose substandard construction and property conditions, inflated appraisal values, and that property inspections and other safeguards required for FHA loans had been ignored in selling and making loans for the purchase of these condominium units. Resolving the case required an appeal to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals resulting in a decision setting new precedent in interpreting the duties of merchants to disclose material facts to consumers under the CPPA. Following that decision and on the eve of trial, a settlement was reached.
Onondaga County Juvenile Solitary Confinement Class Action
Counsel from Sanford Heisler Sharp joined the New York Civil Liberties Union (“NYCLU”) and Legal Services of Central New York (“LSCNY”) in representing a class of 16- and 17-year-old Plaintiffs who are or will be held in solitary confinement at the Onondaga County Justice Center, a jail located in Syracuse New York.
Angola 3
In June 2013, Sanford Heisler Sharp joined Squire Sanders in representing Herman Wallace, Robert King Wilkerson, and Albert Woodfox in their civil suit against the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. Known as the “Angola 3,” the Plaintiffs challenge the constitutionality of being held in solitary confinement for more than four decades (since 1972).
Sonoma County Prison Litigation
Sanford Heisler Sharp represents a Sonoma County inmate who was assaulted by prison guards and subsequently denied timely and appropriate medical attention for his injuries, including a serious facial fracture. As a result, our client continues to suffer various physical and mental impairments and chronic pain.
George v. County of Sonoma, et. al.
Sanford Heisler Sharp represents the estate and family of an African-American inmate who died in custody due to complications from sickle-cell anemia. Defendants in the case – including the County, jail personnel, and medical staff, and outside medical providers – neglected to provide proper care and treatment over the course of more than a week and allowed our client to die of severe dehydration, a well-known and preventable risk of sickle-cell disease.