Shortly before reports of gunfire rocked the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University campus Thursday, arguments concluded before an administrative judge in the university’s challenge to a $55,000 fine over its handling of the April 16, 2007, shootings that left 33 people dead.

In the first trial of its kind, Virginia Tech is challenging a $55,000 fine levied by the Department of Education over its handling of the April 2007 massacre that left 33 people dead. Any precedent set in the case could affect a pending review of Penn State in the wake of its sexual abuse scandal.

A federal judge in Miami has given final approval to a $410 million class action settlement with Bank of America over its overdraft fee practices, including attorney fees totaling $123 million. The 30 percent contingency fee, which includes expenses, was granted to more than 30 law firms.

Merck has become the latest health care company to strike a major settlement with the Justice Department, agreeing Tuesday to a $321.6 million criminal fine and a $628.3 million civil settlement to resolve claims over its marketing of the painkiller Vioxx.

A trademark plaintiff’s delivery of a broad covenant not to sue divests a district court of jurisdiction over counterclaims by the alleged infringer, the 2nd Circuit has ruled, addressing a question of first impression in the circuit. The decision came in a suit by Nike over its Air Force 1 shoe brand.