Each week, InsideCounsel.com brings you updates on the top legal news stories affecting in-house counsel. Even though last week was a holiday week, several notable lawsuits were filed involving high profile companies. Highlights from the week of Dec. 27-31 include Allstate Sues Countrywide Over $700 Million Investment, reporting on a suit filed by the insurance giant against Bank of America Corp. and its Countrywide mortgage unit over $700 million in residential mortgage-backed securities the insurer purchased. Allstate claims that Countrywide misrepresented the investments. On the class action front, consumers who say their personal information has been sent to advertisers without their knowledge have launched a legal battle against Apple and the makers of some of its most popular apps, the latest skirmish in the fight over the boundaries of privacy online, as reported in Apple, app makers hit with privacy lawsuits . Finally, Sony sues to block LG from shipping phones to U.S. covers Sony's patent infringement complaint, which attempts to block imports of LG Electronics Inc. phones.

Each week, InsideCounsel.com brings you updates on the top legal news stories affecting in-house counsel. Even though last week was a holiday week, several notable lawsuits were filed involving high profile companies. Highlights from the week of Dec. 27-31 include Allstate Sues Countrywide Over $700 Million Investment, reporting on a suit filed by the insurance giant against Bank of America Corp. and its Countrywide mortgage unit over $700 million in residential mortgage-backed securities the insurer purchased. Allstate claims that Countrywide misrepresented the investments. On the class action front, consumers who say their personal information has been sent to advertisers without their knowledge have launched a legal battle against Apple and the makers of some of its most popular apps, the latest skirmish in the fight over the boundaries of privacy online, as reported in Apple, app makers hit with privacy lawsuits . Finally, Sony sues to block LG from shipping phones to U.S. covers Sony's patent infringement complaint, which attempts to block imports of LG Electronics Inc. phones.