An Australian company was recently awarded nearly $8.5 million by a Colorado federal judge for a startup’s ‘flagrant’ theft of intellectual property. The conflict arose over the ownership of a patented air conditioning technology. Not only did the startup continue to market the product as its own throughout the litigation, but it also attempted to…
In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate law, an insightful new Australian High Court decision has demonstrated a potent change, potentially escalating the penalties for corporate wrongdoing. Incrementally pushing the boundaries of maximum penalties, this ruling utilises a refreshed perspective on the ‘benefit’ factor, a common tool in determining financial penalties. The verdict came in a…
Recent developments at the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) could have significant implications for employers and how they establish and apply workplace policies. On August 2, 2023, the Board announced a decision that impacts nearly all workplaces, whether or not employees are represented by a union. The current Board, comprised mostly of members…
On June 26, 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”) unveiled its first two sustainability disclosure standards, termed the “ISSB Standards”. The two standards, IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information (“IFRS S1”) and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures (“IFRS S2”), aim to establish a global framework for corporate sustainability disclosures. Playing a…
The legal industry is witnessing an uptake in the use of modern experience platforms in business operations. Experience Management (XM), as it is often referred, is increasingly being recognized for its potential benefits for law firms and their clients. Renowned Knowledge Management professional, Rachel Shields Williams, Director of Knowledge Management Enablement & Insights at Sidley…
As corporations continue to understand and navigate the complexities of the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), the Pacific Coast state has introduced another layer of privacy protection targeted at its younger residents. The law in question, effectively starting July 1, 2024, is the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA). According to a recent article by…
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK has commenced a consultation on new proposed rules for securitisation. The Consultation Paper 15/23 – Securitisation: General requirements (“CP 15/23”) lays out the PRA’s plans to replace retained EU law requirements relating to securitisation. These new rules are in consideration following the consequential changes due to Brexit….
The U.S. Department of Labor recently filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, UMR, for alleged wrongful denials of claims regarding emergency room services and urinary drug screenings that date back to 2015. According to the complaint filed by the Labor Department, it was charged that UMR denied these claims “based solely on diagnosis codes…
Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges connected with alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election. On Thursday, he appeared with his private counsel before Federal Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya in a federal courthouse in Washington D.C. to declare his plea. The charges against the former president were unveiled…
In the face of ever-changing legal landscapes, effective consequence management systems prove to be more critical than ever for organizations globally. Such systems, when effectively implemented, determine the ability of corporations and law firms to navigate complex and demanding legal requirements. One notable development in this regard has been the recent announcement by the Department…
In the ever-shifting landscape of corporate law, the question of disclosure remains as pertinent as ever. Specifically, the quandary centers around this: Is it vital to document everything in corporate interactions or is discretion sometimes the better part of valor? The legal axiom demands full disclosure of all matter material and necessary in both prosecution…
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently joined the likes of the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, and D.C. circuits with their latest en banc decision. Earlier this year, the bench presided over the case of Corporacion AIC, SA v. Hidroelectrica Santa Rita S.A.. At issue was whether the grounds for vacatur under…
Another legal action surfaces from the realm of social media, this time involving renowned supermodel Bella Hadid. It’s a territory that is increasingly fraught with copyright disputes, the latest of which accuses Hadid of infringing upon a company’s copyright with an image of herself posted on Instagram. The suit against Hadid is not an isolated…
In a recent legal development, the First Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a decision in Powers v. Receivables Performance Management, LLC, holding that a motion to reconsider an appealable interlocutory order denying a motion to compel arbitration is not appealable. This significant ruling is crucial for legal professionals and corporate entities involved in litigation…
The recent fee ruling issued by the Delaware Chancery Court in the Dell settlement case has sparked a wide range of responses amongst legal experts. In a noteworthy decision, the court awarded shareholder attorneys a fee of $266.7 million in relation to the $1 billion Dell settlement. This ruling is seen as a victory for…
Law firms and corporations with a stake in the European financial sector should be aware of a new development announced on 20 July 2023. The Council of the European Union has reached a political agreement with the European Parliament on the proposed Directive amending two significant directives – the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (2011/61/EU),…
The United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit under the False Claims Act (FCA), that accuses Valeant Pharmaceuticals of fraudulently acquiring a patent to prolong the monopoly over its drug Apriso. The suit had initially been dismissed because of the rule known as the ‘public disclosure bar’ – a federal rule…
Recently, attention has shifted to the Florida public procurement space, specifically with regard to SB 264 (Chapter No. 2023-33, Laws of Florida), a law enacted to restrict foreign investment in the Sunshine State. The law, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, introduces new constraints on select individuals and entities related to countries like…
In the wake of the controversial reception of the new Barbie film, the debate over its allegedly “woke” and “feminist” messages has taken the public and legal domain by storm. This comes in response to a number of commentators across the US, expressing their concern through various acts of protest, including, shockingly, the burning of…
With the rapid rise of social media platforms, it’s not surprising to see many sectors harness these platforms’ potential for their marketing strategies. One such platform making waves recently is TikTok. Interestingly, and somewhat surprisingly, law firms are not exempt from this trend. Published recently on JD Supra, an article titled “TikTok for Lawyers: The…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced significant updates to its fast-track program for certain corporate tax rulings. The new program, known as Revenue Procedure 2023-26, was issued on July 26, 2023, replacing an 18-month pilot program under Revenue Procedure 2022-10. It aims to enhance efficiency by promising rulings within 12 weeks, remarkably even in…
As law school graduates are entering the job market, it’s evident the starting salaries they are being offered are noteworthy. If you would like to delve into the figures, and perhaps compare it to your own remuneration package when you first embarked on your career, you will find the expected digits, as they stand in…
The legal world continues to be a dynamic landscape, wherein corporations, as much as their individual employees, are called out into court for settlement of various disputes. As such, there are significant developments that may be of interest to legal professionals in the corporate sector. Consider the case of President Trump, who continues to assert…
In a recent patent lawsuit involving technology giant Apple and its South Korean competitor Samsung, Western District of Texas Judge Alan Albright demonstrated a contrasting decision in the courtroom. Significant to the legal professionals and corporations worldwide, this occurrence casts useful insights into the current justice system’s decision-making process with respect to patent suits. Apple…
Lordstown Motors, the bankrupt electric automaker, revealed to a Delaware judge that it had received expressions of interest from 13 potential bidders as part of its Chapter 11 sale process. Despite a forthcoming trial over trade secret claims, which has undoubtedly caused estrangement amongst some potential suitors, the judge approved the majority of Lordstown’s proposed…