On July 13, 2023, the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) objection to a major sugar industry acquisition met a stumbling block. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit declined to block the $315 million purchase of the Imperial Sugar Company (“Imperial”) by United States Sugar Corporation (“U.S. Sugar”). According to the DOJ, the merger…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a caution to trademark applicants against ‘spoofed’ calls that impersonate the Office. These calls are a technique employed by phone scammers who are aiming to fool the call recipients into disclosing personal identifying or payment information. The scammers impersonate employees of the USPTO in an…
The global fintech market is currently wading through tough waters with several elements influencing its trajectory. One notable factor is the notable downturn in funding, which aligns with an overall reduction in venture capital investments. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, venture capital backing for fintech startups worldwide has experienced a steep 49%…
In the complex world of business acquisition, the apparent small details in the bid proposals can lead to significant legal implications. This includes the use of ambiguous phrases or words that may pave the way for multiple interpretations, thereby leading to misunderstandings between parties. According to an insightful article on JD Supra, contractors in the…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), Antitrust Division, have announced they’ll hold a series of workshops to discuss their jointly issued Draft Merger Guidelines in 2023. This is a significant development for legal professionals operating in major law firms and global corporations who constantly navigate through the complexities of mergers and…
A federal judge in New Jersey has recently struck down AB 5207, a law that banned the detention of individuals for violating civil immigration laws, ruling it as unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch held that the law, when applied to private prison operators, is a violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution….
In a recent development, Justice Robert Reed of the New York State Court, Commercial Division, handed down a verdict in Trump v. Trump, 192 N.Y.S.3d 891 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. June 9, 2023). The case provides important insights into New York’s recently amended Anti-SLAPP law and the implications for breach of contract claims. The case…
Less than a quarter after revealing plans to close its Beijing office, Proskauer Rose, the global law firm, has witnessed the exit of all of its full-time partners in the Greater China region. Notable departures include Beijing funds partner, Yong Ren, who has been with the firm since 2014, and Hong Kong corporate partner, Jeremy…
The legal sector has frequently deployed various strategies to manage budget and cut costs. These methods often include shifting casework from one law firm to another, transitioning from larger to smaller firms, increasing in-house tasks, and incorporating a wider range of alternative legal service providers. However, one tool which could significantly curb costs and support…
While advancements have been made towards gender parity in the legal industry, there is still a substantial distance to cover. A number of law firms, however, are demonstrating encouraging progress in dismantling the hurdles that frequently prevent women from securing leadership roles. A recent article by Kevin Penton discusses law firms that excel in having…
Implementing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system can greatly bolster an organization’s growth. However, the success of a CRM implementation is not always apparent at first glance. Legal teams and corporate leaders are often left with the challenging task of quantifying the efficacy of their CRM systems. In a recent piece by ClientsFirst Consulting, they…
In an increasingly uncertain environment, it seems that the productivity of law firms is facing a downturn. However, the market’s distinctive attributes appear to be preventing widespread layoffs, typically seen as the routine response to such occurrences. Read more about this trend here. Simultaneously, the legal industry is being rattled by a series of lawsuits,…
In response to its growing needs, international law firm Eversheds Sutherland has relocated to a more spacious office in downtown Austin as of this past Monday. This strategic move reflects the firm’s commitment to growth and dynamic responsiveness to evolving legal market demands. Given the city’s burgeoning corporate sector, the prime location of Eversheds Sutherland’s…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ushered in a fresh standard to assess challenges to employer work rules as facially unlawful under Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), overturning a decision from 2017. The shifting of policy and its implication on both employers and employees is noteworthy. Interrupting its four-year-old stance,…
In today’s digital working environment, legal professionals need to be increasingly mindful of what they are, knowingly or unknowingly, forwarding to colleagues, clients, and opposing counsel. Above the Law presents a detailed discussion on some of the common email-related mistakes lawyers make and how they can avoid these complexities. One simple, yet critical mistake that…
Legal professionals across the golden state and beyond need to pay careful attention to recent amendments by the California Civil Rights Council. This relates to regulations interpreting California’s 2018 Fair Chance Act, which will fully come into effect on October 1, 2023. A detailed examination can be found at JD Supra. The amendments to the…
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet recognized the Eastern European countries of Georgia and Moldova as “safe countries of origin”, a move meant to curtail irregular migration. Georgia and Moldova were awarded this designation due to the absence of a generalized fear of state persecution among their populations, in accordance with the definition of…
In a recent development in the world of patent law, the Wisconsin-based company, Kohler Co., is vigorously asserting design patent infringement claims over one of its many fixtures. The defendants in the case, Sweethome, an importer operating under the business name Sweethome247.com, has been accused of making profits off Kohler’s designs. As reported by Womble…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released its annual Public Notice and has set the deadline for the payment of annual regulatory fees as September 20, 2023. The payment window opens today and will close promptly at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The broadcasting industry, in particular, will need to focus on…
Does the 1st Amendment protect a parent from retaliation after criticizing his daughter’s coach for not properly utilizing her in games? The Sixth Circuit answered in the affirmative, arguably reaffirming one of the fundamental facets of constitutional law: the protection of free speech. According to a recent case handled by the U.S. Court of Appeals…
Privacy certifications are no longer just beneficial additional credentials on a resume for those seeking employment opportunities in the modern marketplace. According to the 2023 IAPP Privacy Professionals Salary Survey, they can have significant impacts on the salary and employability of those in privacy-related professions. Professionals with privacy certifications have reportedly been earning more than…
A Minnesota federal judge’s recent decision has allowed Lockheed Martin to recover attorney fees it incurred while contesting an unsuccessful retaliation case thrown by a previous lawyer. However, it was mentioned that the final compensation amount awarded to Lockheed still needs to be ascertained. The ruling determined the company’s bid for sanctions and reconsiderations was…
The City of Los Angeles has introduced the Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance, enforcing fresh stipulations on the hiring of independent contractors and freelance workers and introducing new penalties for contraventions of its terms. This new measure took effect from July 1, 2023. This ordinance is applicable to both written and oral contracts made between a…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has recently come to a settlement agreement with six credit repair companies, imposing a staggering $2.7 billion in damages along with a ten-year industry ban. The resolution comes after an initial lawsuit filed by the CFPB in May 2019 against the companies. According to the initial case, the companies…
In an update from August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have a significant amendment to the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). This announcement pertains to a pre-publication version of their final rule, which is a reaction to the court decision in the…