Beginning on Thursday, partners at Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling will be casting their votes on an anticipated merger. The deal, if approved by both parties, will result in the creation of one of the world’s largest law firms. The newly established entity will bear the name Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, with an…
A former lawyer from Kline & Specter faced nearly $20,000 in penalties in a Pennsylvania federal court due to his “disruptive and unprofessional” actions during four separate depositions. These hearings were part of a product liability lawsuit wherein he served as the legal representative for the parents of a child who tragically passed away in…
Artificial intelligence holds promise for the labor-intensive process of drafting patent applications. However, according to a panel of attorneys in a recent event, this technology is still not ready to perform such specialized tasks. Current AI capabilities fall far short of expert human proficiency required for patent drafting. You might question whether AI can ever…
As the legal battle against counterfeit products intensifies, a bipartisan duo of U.S. senators has taken a significant step. They have reintroduced a bill specifically aimed at holding e-commerce platforms directly responsible under trademark law for the sale of counterfeit goods on their sites. Efforts to crack down on the counterfeit market are by no…
In recent discussions at the Capitol, a leading authority from the U.S. Copyright Office shed light on the escalating complexities arising from the intertwining of copyright laws with the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). This dialogue was part of a broader conversation among U.S. House of Representatives members that centered on both the opportunities…
The Council of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar issued a notice and call for comment regarding its Standard 208 proposal, encompassing Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression in law schools. This move took place in August, with the comment period concluding on September 29. Surprisingly, a…
In recent trends, Biglaw Associates are not solely relying on their law careers for income. More and more attorneys are resorting to the gig economy, juggling multiple jobs in tandem with their main profession. This brings into question what the implications are for Biglaw firms and their employees. For insight on these trends, visit Above…
Above the Law recently posed a peculiar trivia question: Who are the two major legal behemoths leading Amazon’s representation against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s antitrust case? The context? A case levied by the FTC alongside 17 US States, accusing Amazon of wielding monopoly power within its online marketplace. The article doesn’t reveal these firms…
In a notable development in the ongoing IP dispute between pharmaceutical giants Mylan and Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., a Delaware federal judge sided with Mylan on a breach of contract claim regarding Takeda’s gout drug Colcrys. The judge concurred with Mylan’s interpretation of an earlier settlement agreement. Further details of the ruling are yet to…
In a recent legal development, the former personal aide of ex-President Donald Trump has made a declaration to a Florida federal court. The crux of his argument is that he can’t be assured a fair trial as the government is withholding classified information pertaining to his case. This matter relates to alleged improper storage of…
The legal landscape experienced a profound loss last week with the sudden passing of Temple University President, JoAnne Epps. A notable figure in the legal community, Epps left a significant impact both in and out of the legal realm. Of her many accomplishments, the work Epps did to make a difference within the profession was…
With the emergence of generative AI in the legal scene last year, many lawyers were equally shocked and intrigued. While law firms have already incorporated traditional forms of AI like machine learning into their practices, generative AI might have an even more profound impact. Many believe this technology could finally ease the billable hour’s stronghold…
Generative AI made quite the entrance in the legal technology scene last year, leaving many wondering what impact it may have on conventional legal practices. The legal profession has seen its fair share of technological advancements in recent times, with machine learning and automation now commonplace in law firms worldwide. However, the emergence of generative…
Nominations of two U.S. attorneys serving in California and Mississippi have recently come under scrutiny on the Senate floor. An intense debate erupted between Democrats and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who has been criticized for holding up nominations for the U.S. Department of Justice over concerns about supposed politicization. The nominated attorneys will have a…
Sonya Savage, a former Minister of Energy, Environment, and Justice, has taken up a position as Senior Counsel at Canada’s largest law firm, Borden Ladner Gervais. Savage will be based in the firm’s Calgary office. Prior to her political stint, she accumulated considerable experience in the energy industry, working as the senior director of policy…
In the evolving landscape of US healthcare law, the No Surprises Act is one piece of legislation that has far-reaching influence on both service providers and consumers. Signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act), the initiative was enacted with the intention of protecting patients from unexpected medical billing. However,…
DLA Piper, which set its sights on Latin America over a decade ago now, continues to focus on aligning its local talent with the firm’s global goals and ethos. In an endeavor to provide enhanced client service, DLA Piper’s leadership is striving to ensure they have highly competent lawyers across the Latin American region capable…
In a noteworthy regulation shift, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is reportedly initiating a rulemaking process with the intent to remove medical bill tradelines from consumer reports. This announcement was made on September 21, 2023. The CFPB is not just stopping there. It is also intending to prohibit creditors from relying on medical bills…
In what could be described as a rather tumultuous day for Donald Trump’s legal team, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron levied a harsh critique against the defense counsel, resulting in a fine of $75,000. This sanction, administered against attorneys Chris Kise, Michael Madaio, Clifford Robert, Michael Farina, and Armen Morian, is seen to…
In a twist of events, a man from Los Angeles has been reported to have sent hundreds of threatening emails to New Jersey judges and other officials. This action did not go unnoticed, and the man, Jonathan Lipman, was indicted on Monday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The…
The return of attorneys and staff to physical offices in law firms has seen the adaptation of some controversial practices in order to ensure the adherence to return-to-the-office policies. Among these is the active use of secretaries and administrative professionals to monitor the lawyers’ compliance with workplace policies, as noted in an article from Above…
The conventional billable hour, long a cornerstone of the legal profession, could be reinvented as generative AI becomes more prevalent. The impact, not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when and where’, may well change the structure of legal firm operations. This perspective was shared by Jae Um, a former director of pricing strategy at Baker…
In an update to ongoing legal proceedings, it has been reported that Qualcomm, the renowned chip-making corporation, has successfully negotiated for the dismissal of lingering charges from mobile phone buyers who had levied accusations against the company’s licensing practices. Said claims pointed to the allegation that customers had to face steep prices due to these…
In a recent case set before the federal court of Texas, mobile-phone producer, Pantech, received a beneficial ruling in a patent battle against LG Electronics (LGE). Ruling in favor of the South Korean company, the judge adopted the preceding recommendation of a magistrate judge which effectively denied LGE’s attempt to limit the breadth of Pantech’s…
In an unprecedented action, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil complaint against online commerce giant eBay, alleging violations of numerous environmental protection statutes. The lawsuit targets eBay’s alleged sale of restricted products that are harmful to the environment. Details on the case are available from New York Law Journal. The complaint,…