Author: Julia Hull

Lee Segui partner Mark Sigmon has received the National Civil Justice Institute’s 2026 Appellate Advocacy Award for his successful defense of class certification before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Lytle v. Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.

The award recognizes appellate advocacy that has a meaningful impact on consumer rights and access to justice.

In Lytle, plaintiffs Justin Lytle and Christine Musthaler brought a consumer class action against Nutramax Laboratories alleging that the company’s Cosequin joint health supplements for dogs were marketed as supporting canine joint health and mobility despite providing no meaningful joint health benefit.

After the district court certified a class of California consumers, Nutramax appealed, arguing that certification was improper because plaintiffs had not yet executed their damages model, even though they had developed a detailed methodology for calculating damages on a classwide basis.

Representing the plaintiffs on appeal, Mark defended the certification order before the Ninth Circuit.

In a published decision, the Ninth Circuit affirmed class certification and held that plaintiffs may rely on a reliable but not-yet-executed damages model at the class certification stage. The decision preserves an important pathway for consumers to pursue claims collectively without requiring plaintiffs to incur the substantial expense of fully executing a damages analysis before certification.

The court also affirmed that reliance could be established through common proof where the alleged misrepresentations were material to consumers.

The National Civil Justice Institute recognized Mark’s advocacy for helping preserve meaningful access to justice and reinforcing the role class actions play in pursuing consumer fraud and false advertising claims.

At Lee Segui, appellate advocacy is grounded in thoughtful strategy, disciplined briefing, and steady advocacy in high-stakes litigation. We are proud to see Mark’s work recognized on a national stage.

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Jeremy Williams has been appointed Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel in In re DHL Tariff Litigation, a consolidated class action pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The litigation challenges tariff-related charges and associated fees allegedly assessed by DHL in connection with imported goods.

In an order entered May 15, 2026, the Court consolidated related actions and appointed Jeremy Williams of Lee Segui PLLC alongside Dorothy P. Antullis of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP to serve as Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel for the proposed class.

The proposed class includes businesses and individuals who allegedly paid certain tariff charges and related fees to DHL between February 4, 2025, and February 24, 2026.

The appointment reflects Jeremy’s experience leading complex litigation involving consumer protection, employment, and class action matters nationwide.

Practice Chair

Jeremy Williams

Partner

Lee Segui PLLC partner Mark Sigmon attended the law clerk reunion in Austin, Texas for Fifth Circuit Judge Patrick Higginbotham, for whom he clerked from 2005 to 2007. The reunion celebrated Judge Higginbotham’s 50th year on the federal bench. The judge’s former clerks include federal bankruptcy, district, and appellate judges, law professors, and private practitioners of all stripes. Mark was one of the few plaintiffs’ lawyers to have clerked for the judge, and he tried to sell some of the younger clerks on the joys of his practice.

Practice Chair

Mark Sigmon

Partner

Four Lee Segui attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Super Lawyers North Carolina.

Matthew Lee and Mark Sigmon were named Super Lawyers. Jeremy Williams and Katharine Batchelor were named Rising Stars.

Super Lawyers is a national rating service that recognizes attorneys based on peer nominations, independent research, and professional achievement. The Rising Stars distinction is reserved for attorneys who are either under 40 years old or in practice for 10 years or less.

Only a small percentage of attorneys in each state are selected each year.

The recognition reflects the work these attorneys continue to lead in employment litigation, class actions, consumer protection, and appellate matters across North Carolina and nationwide.

Matt Lee and Mark Sigmon have been named to the 2026 edition of Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, an annual peer-selected recognition of attorneys across the state.

Mark Sigmon was recognized in the Appellate category, reflecting his work in high-level briefing and appellate advocacy in state and federal courts. His practice focuses on appeals, dispositive motions, and complex legal issues that shape the trajectory of cases.

Matthew Lee was recognized in the Employment category for his leadership in employment and civil rights litigation. His work includes jury trials, coordinated proceedings, and class actions involving workplace discrimination and compensation disputes.

The Legal Elite distinction is based on votes from fellow North Carolina attorneys. The recognition reflects the respect of peers within the legal community and highlights attorneys known for excellence in their respective practice areas.

A federal court in the Western District of North Carolina has granted preliminary approval of a proposed class action settlement in a wage case against HCA Healthcare and affiliated facilities.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of hourly, non-exempt employees, alleges violations related to wage and hour practices. The court’s order preliminarily certifies a settlement class consisting of current and former hourly employees who worked at certain HCA-affiliated hospitals and facilities in North Carolina between April 25, 2021, and July 27, 2025.

The proposed settlement provides for a gross settlement amount of $1,563,000. The court has appointed RG2 Claims Administration LLC as settlement administrator and approved the proposed notice plan to inform class members of their rights. A final approval hearing will be scheduled after notice has been distributed and the statutory waiting period has passed.

Preliminary approval does not resolve the case. It reflects the court’s initial determination that the proposed settlement falls within the range of possible approval and warrants notice to the class. Class members will have the opportunity to opt out or object before final approval is considered.

Lee Segui attorneys Matthew Lee, Jeremy Williams, and Katharine Batchelor were appointed as Class Counsel as part of a broader leadership group in the case.

If granted final approval, the settlement will resolve the asserted claims for participating class members.

Lee Segui has filed a lawsuit alleging that fiduciaries of a company-sponsored 401(k) plan breached their duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, commonly known as ERISA.

ERISA imposes strict obligations on those who manage retirement plans. Fiduciaries must act prudently, monitor plan investments carefully, and remove options that consistently underperform. These duties exist to protect employees whose long-term financial security depends on responsible plan management.

The complaint alleges that plan fiduciaries failed to adequately monitor the performance of certain investment funds and kept underperforming options in the plan for extended periods. According to the filing, those decisions significantly reduced the retirement savings of plan participants.

Cases like this do not turn on short-term market fluctuations. They focus on whether fiduciaries followed a prudent process, compared investment options appropriately, and acted in the best interests of participants. The law does not require perfect results, but it does require careful oversight and informed decision-making.

When retirement accounts are affected, the consequences can last for years. Even modest underperformance, compounded over time, can materially reduce the value of a participant’s savings at retirement.

The lawsuit seeks to recover losses to the plan and to ensure that fiduciary obligations are taken seriously. As the case proceeds, the central question will be whether the process used to monitor and retain plan investments met the standards required under federal law.

Lee Segui has filed a class action lawsuit against The Boston Beer Company, Inc., alleging that the company enforced noncompetition agreements without providing the compensation required under Massachusetts law.

The complaint centers on the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act, which sets strict requirements for employers seeking to restrict former employees from working in their industry. Under the statute, a valid noncompetition agreement must include either a “garden leave” provision—generally equal to at least 50 percent of the employee’s highest annualized salary over the prior two years—or other mutually agreed upon consideration.

The lawsuit alleges that Boston Beer required employees across roles and ranks to sign noncompetition agreements and then elected to enforce those agreements by paying departing employees $3,000, less taxes. According to the complaint, that amount falls far short of what the statute requires as garden leave compensation.

The case further alleges that Boston Beer aggressively enforced these agreements, including through litigation and direct communications with competitors, while failing to provide legally compliant compensation to affected employees. The complaint seeks to reform the company’s noncompetition agreements and recover unpaid garden leave amounts on behalf of former employees who were subject to enforcement.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The case raises broader questions about how noncompetition agreements are structured and enforced, particularly in industries where mobility and competition shape opportunity.

As the case moves forward, the focus will remain on whether the statutory protections enacted by the Massachusetts legislature were honored—and what remedy is appropriate if they were not.

Partner Erin Ruben has been selected for Class Action Updates’ Premier Class Action Lawyers of Tomorrow award. The recognition highlights twelve attorneys nationwide whose work is shaping the future of class action litigation.

Erin’s practice focuses on complex consumer class actions, where she regularly takes on leadership roles and works through challenging legal and factual issues. Her work includes significant briefing, careful case development, and a steady approach to managing large, coordinated matters.

The award reflects the way Erin approaches her work day to day. She is known for her clarity, preparation, and focus, and for bringing those qualities consistently to each case she handles. Her selection recognizes not only individual accomplishments, but also the kind of disciplined, thoughtful advocacy that defines the firm’s broader practice.

As Matthew Lee noted, Erin’s recognition reflects the strength she brings to the team. “It is rewarding to see Erin recognized for the clarity and focus she brings to every case,” he said. “She is a steady advocate and an essential part of our team.”