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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

SCREENING PLAINTIFFS - Litigators told Law.com's Amanda Bronstad this week that they predict more recalls of sunscreens that contain dangerous levels of benzene and, as a result, more class action litigation against companies like Johnson & Johnson and Energizer Holdings Inc. So far, all of the cases filed over these recalls focus on consumer fraud, unjust enrichment and breach-of-warranty claims, not personal injuries. But, as we explore in this week's Law.com Litigation Trendspotter column, plaintiffs firms nationwide have begun gearing up to bring products liability cases seeking to link sunscreen use to plaintiffs' blood cancer.

PROTECT YA TECH - As Law.com's Lizzy McLellan notes in this week's Barometer newsletter, cybersecurity safeguards in law firms are like smoke detectors in homes: better to have them and not need them than vice versa. But as threats like data breaches, spoofing and ransomware become more omnipresent, cybersecurity's becoming more like a roof: without it, there's definitely going to be damage. Also like roofs, cyber protections aren't cheap. But the unexpected good news is that the pandemic may have actually left firms in a decent position to afford them. "Surely, bad actors will continue to find new ways to keep businesses, including law firms, on their toes," McLellan writes. "At the same time, law firms have learned plenty of ways this year to reduce expenses in certain areas. That makes their business more profitable, sure, but also frees up resources to make sure the most valuable protection and precautions are in place."  To receive the Law.com Barometer directly to your inbox each week, click here.

CHEERS! - I'm guessing no one was drinking Natty Light to celebrate this deal. Whiskey investment firm Rare Whisky Holdings Limited has acquired a 49% stake in online whisky auction platform Whisky Hammer and its retail business Still Spirit. Financial terms were not disclosed. Hong Kong-based Rare Whisky is advised by Goodwin Procter partners Carl Bradshaw, Douglas Freeman, Gretchen Scott and Robert Young. Udny, Scotland-based Whisky Hammer was represented by a Brodies LLP team. Stay up on the latest deals and litigation with the new Law.com Radar.  

EDITOR'S PICKS

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

DEALS UP DOWN UNDER -  Transaction lawyers in Australia have been busy with a rush of mergers and acquisitions in the this year as cashed-up businesses and investment funds seek out assets, and they expect the heavy deal flow to continue through to the end of the year, Law.com International's Christopher Niesche reports. "If you speak to any M&A practitioner, particularly at the top end of the market, I think we're all feeling pretty busy at the moment, and our pipelines remain pretty full as well," said John Brewster, co-head of Ashurst's corporate transactions practice in Australia. Cheap debt and low interest rates are fueling the appetite for deals, particularly from private equity funds, which can increase their borrowings when rates are low, said Brewster. Australian companies have also been active, he added, noting that many raised capital to help them through the pandemic and were pleasantly surprised to not have to use it, leaving them with more firepower for acquisitions.

WHAT YOU SAID

"Legal employers have plenty of systemic issues that need to be faced head-on when it comes to the promotion and retention of women attorneys. Blaming women attorneys is appalling."