Cravath, Swaine & Moore has discreetly introduced a salaried partner tier, thereby becoming the latest among multiple Wall Street law firms that have overhauled their payment structures in response to recent market pressures. Faiza Saeed, Cravath’s presiding partner, highlighted these alterations in an internal memo, affirming that these revisions were crucial to maintain and encourage…
In a recent ruling, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, applying California law, adjudged that no coverage was available under an employment practices liability insurance policy due to late claim notice. The insured’s failure to provide notice within 60 days of receiving the claim led to the policy’s coverage being invalidated….
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a proposal for a rule that would mean the establishment of penalties for healthcare providers who engage in information blocking. This proposed rule was released on October 30, 2023, coming under the aegis of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). Further detailsare available…
As attorneys and top legal professionals in multinational corporations and large law firms, keeping abreast of recent developments is quite the order of the day. Nowhere is this truer than in the sphere of immigration law which constantly evolves to new socio-economic dynamics. October 2023 has proven to be a salient period in this regard…
In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has been making headway into the professional landscape, with a particular emphasis on the legal sector. The newest entity to join this growing trend is Jennifer AI, colloquially referred to as Jen AI, who is not a human associate but an intelligent machine learning system. Jen AI has been…
In August 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took an unconventional approach in charging an insider trading case. Unlike run-of-the-mill scenarios where the individuals in question trade in shares or tip others about transactions, this case concerning Matthew Panuwat, a former Medivation Inc. employee, was distinct. The SEC posited that Panuwat didn’t trade…
In response to an increasing behavioral health crisis experienced by children and youth with complex needs, established research firm Manatt Health, in partnership with The Commonwealth Fund, has developed a comprehensive report detailing an actionable framework and strategies for states. With the goal of utilizing Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) effectively, the…
In an important decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, a policy’s warranty exclusion was deemed to bar coverage for a demand letter alleging the insured was informed about fraudulent activities by the namesake insured’s former CEO. Applying Nevada law, the court based this verdict on the referenced SEC lawsuit, which…
In a significant update in the pharmaceutical world, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced on October 26, 2023, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) according to JD Supra. This approval aligns with the treatment of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The implications are substantial, given the…
In a notable alert, The Better Business Bureau warned of a rising scam connected with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The crooks leveraging the CTA are misusing it to collect personal data. They employ an official-looking letter sent to enterprises headlined “Important Compliance Notice” or something akin to it, in an attempt to trap unsuspecting…
In the realm of tax law, a recent ruling sets a precedent that underscores the responsibility of taxpayers in filing and paying penalties, even when a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is employed. The case in question is Lee v. United States, where the Federal Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit maintained that a taxpayer…
In a recent development, the Bank of Italy has released instructions outlining the procedures for payment service providers (PSPs) to follow when refunds for unauthorised payment transactions are suspended due to justified suspicion of fraud. The move is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to provide a regulatory framework that ensures safety in financial and…
Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), Cindy McCain, requested increased humanitarian access to Gaza from Israel earlier this week. The appeal was made following her discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi regarding the food crisis in the region. The crisis has worsened since an attack on October 7, after which…
The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has taken a significant step toward enhancing its carbon trading mechanism. In August 2023, the department began to solicit feedback on proposed amendments to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. This move signifies the department’s third step in the ongoing process to…
Renowned labor and employment law expert Howard Lavin, previously at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, is making a significant career move. He will soon begin his role in anchoring the labor practice of Thompson Coburn’s New York office, a significant addition to the firm’s expansion efforts in the city. This move follows the onset of…
In a recent case against Jonathan Braun and his company RCG Advances, LLC., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prevailed on summary judgment. The defendant’s business revolved around the provision of merchant cash advances, a form of financing where small businesses receive upfront lump-sum payments in return for the right to collect future receivables. These financial…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have disclosed plans to make an additional 64,716 H-2B visas available for the fiscal year (FY) 2024. The decision comes as a result of various industries faced with a shortage of workers for seasonal, intermittent, peak load, or one-time occurrence roles. This…
Before Halloween, we sought submissions from readers of their legally themed costumes for our annual competition, leading to a variety of interesting and amusing entries. Creativity extended beyond just the individuals, incorporating pop culture trials and even pets into the mix, making for an exciting contest this year. Now, it’s time to meet the five…
Recently, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has turned its attention to updating its guidelines on harassment and discrimination in the workplace. On October 2, 2023, the EEOC issued its Proposed Enforcement Guidance (PEG), which aims to clarify and enhance its former set of regulations. This move highlights the need for corporations and law…
Last week, numerous Biglaw firms acknowledged the escalating menace of antisemitic harassment across law school campuses. They responded to the issue with a commitment viewed by some as amounting to essentially nothing. This appeared as an attempt to shift the responsibility onto law school deans, rather than invest resources to distinguish between valid political opinions…
In a continuation of exploring the role of advocates for women inventors, this week’s interview is with Carolyn Favorito, a patent attorney with extensive experience in advocating for the intellectual property rights of innovators. The interview provides considerable insight into the hurdles faced by female inventors and offers strategic advice for overcoming these barriers to…
Above the Law, a leading news portal, has undertaken the initiative of collecting valuable insights from their current and constant readers. The notion behind their audience survey is to acquire perceptions, impressions, and criticism that can assist in enhancing the news platform. The anonymous nature of the survey ensures the authenticity and confidentiality of the…
The conviction of former Fugees rapper Pras Michel in a foreign influence scheme has resulted in a unique and unanticipated legal debate around artificial intelligence and its potential applications in the courtroom. Interesting allegations have surfaced that Michel’s defense was compromised due to reliance on an experimental AI program known as EyeLevel.ai to develop the…
As we approach the New Year, updated regulations governing employee benefits come into focus. Legal changes announced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mean that employees will be eligible to contribute additional pre-tax dollars to retirement savings accounts in 2024. The newly announced ceilings will allow workers to defer up to $23,000 towards savings plans…
In an effort to address climate change and implement sustainable programs within the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an innovative program focused on Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions reduction and reclamation. These new obligations and requirements are specifically designed for certain equipment utilizing these harmful greenhouse gases. The proposed regulatory action includes new…