The federal appellate system observed some notable changes in 2023. A former BigLaw partner in his 30s made history by joining a prestigious circuit court, a noteworthy move for the young legal professional. Meanwhile, another former BigLaw partner in his 50s created ripples across the legal realm by stepping away from the largest circuit. A…
The Sri Lankan government announced on Friday the establishment of an independent Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation. The commission, introduced through an act in Sri Lanka’s Parliament, is purposed to guarantee an inclusive process in developing legislation that fortifies and protects national unity through truth, transitional justice, reconciliation, reparation, and social cohesion. The new…
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has initiated a formal investigation into the responses of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to the increasing instances of antisemitism on their campuses. This follows a hearing on December 5 where the presidents of these institutions were questioned by…
Despite the year 2023 being marked by significant moments in the federal appellate system, three particular events stood out for their individual uniqueness and impact on the legal community. Firstly, a former BigLaw partner in his 30s, made history by joining a preeminent circuit court, becoming one of the youngest members in its esteemed history….
A California grand jury has indicted Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, on nine new federal criminal tax charges. These new charges are in addition to the two previous charges filed against him in a federal court in Delaware. This brings the total number of charges Biden is facing to 11, which…
Boies Schiller Flexner, after a prolonged period of succession planning, has successfully concluded its process with the election of Matthew Schwartz as the new chair-elect of the firm. The announcement was made on Friday, with the partnership voting in favor of Mr. Schwartz at the firm’s annual retreat at Key Biscayne. Schwartz, who has contributed…
Keeping up with the rapidly-evolving legal landscape can prove to be a challenging feat. But for professionals who may have missed out on recent happenings, a look back at the most compelling firms, stories, and expert analyses on Law360 from the past week could provide valuable insights. Law360, renowned for its extensive, up-to-date coverage of…
On Friday, it was disclosed that OpenAI enlisted the services of two accomplished attorneys from WilmerHale, a notable law firm, to analyze a recent development involving a high-level executive at the firm. The examination will cover the rather abrupt departure of Sam Altman, who served the artificial intelligence research organization as its chief executive before…
In a noteworthy development for the legal community, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has ruled against communications firm All.Space Networks. PTAB found all claims in the lens antenna patent held by the company to be invalid due to obviousness. Specifics about the arguments made by PTAB in this case are currently not provided…
A Michigan trial court judge, who previously expressed indifference to state sentencing guidelines, has been reprimanded by the Michigan Court of Appeals for the imposition of an excessively severe prison sentence. This marks the second time the appellate court has found the judge’s sentence to be more punitive than suggested by the guidelines. The judge…
Six major retailers, notably Walgreens and Ikea, face lawsuits in Texas federal court, charged with infringing on two patents. These patents, it is claimed, allow stores to deliver targeted product offerings to customers using their personal data. The suits were filed separately against each of the businesses. The technology in question enables companies to deliver…
The recent proposal by the Biden administration to appropriate drug patents when their prices are adjudged excessive has raised serious concerns within the pharmaceutical industry and wider legal community. This move, intended as a response to the high cost of medications, is likely to generate considerable legal opposition. Legal experts have warned about the potential…
In recent legal developments, a Massachusetts federal judge has quashed Nike’s attempt to dismiss aspects of a lawsuit against them by a small, women-led lingerie company. The smaller firm has alleged that the sports clothing titan has infringed upon their patented sports bra design, which integrates useful pockets into the garment. The judge presiding over…
In a pivotal move made by partners at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, Matthew L. Schwartz has been voted in as the firm’s next chair. He succeeds co-founder David Boies, who plans to step down from his position in the upcoming year. Matthew L. Schwartz’s impressive legal career, coupled with his strong leadership skills, make him…
In a noteworthy case centered around microchip patents, a California software company recently emerged victorious in the Delaware Federal Court. The court ruled that the software sold by this company does not indirectly infringe decade-old microchip patents. However, this judgement was not without some contention, as the presiding judge, in an unusual outburst, openly criticized…
In a recent development within the Trump Organization’s civil fraud case, former President Donald Trump reportedly had some rather pointed comments to make about his lawyer, Joe Tacopina. As noted by the former president, some of his critique was delivered in full capitalization, indicating the intensity of his ire. More details on this story here….
In a significant move that will impact the legal technology landscape, the Eastern District of Michigan has publicized a proposed rule mandating the lawful disclosure of AI (Artificial Intelligence) usage by lawyers in written filings. As a way of ensuring the integrity of legal documents and proceedings, the rule further necessitates that the citations facilitated…
In a significant move, high-profile attorney David Boies announced he will pass on the chairmanship of his law firm, Boies Schiller Flexner, to Matthew L. Schwartz, a former federal prosecutor based out of Manhattan. Schwartz, who has been overseeing the firm’s day-to-day operations for the past three years, is set to formally assume his new…
The Supreme Court once stood as a monolithic institution of predominately all-white male composition. However, in 1981 it’s 104th justice, and first woman, Sandra Day O’Connor, broke through this glass ceiling. Justice O’Connor was notably unique in many nuanced ways, not least for her significant role during her years as the Court’s swing justice. Her…
In further developments today, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has upheld, with some modifications, the previous order issued by Judge Tanya Chutkan in October. This order restricted Donald Trump from making statements that could potentially intimidate witnesses in his election interference case. According to Above the Law, the appeals court agreed…
In the legal landscape, the balance between narrative and data cannot be overstated. Stories, subjective experiences, and personal anecdotes can often shape our perspectives, drive our decisions, and inevitably impact the future of law. On the other hand, the surge of technological innovation has given increased significance to data. As lawyers navigate this paradigm, the…
In a notable innovation within Biglaw firms, a particularly groundbreaking practice has been revealed. A recent report has been published by Good2bSocial in their 2023 Social Law Firm Index suggesting that a top-tier Am Law 200 firm has revolutionized their communication efforts with an intensely strategized use of Instagram. The identity of the firm remains…
A recent development in a noteworthy legal malpractice case has taken place in Pennsylvania. A state appellate court has supported the previous ruling in favor of Cozen O’Connor. The law firm had been sued by a software company alleging malpractice related to intellectual property issues. This case was not deemed valid as it was filed…
In a recent development, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have demanded the dismissal of the presidents of three prestigious institutions: Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The reason behind this drastic call for action is the allegedly narrow legal responses given by these presidents, during a House Committee hearing…
In a significant shift within the American legal education system, almost a quarter of all American Bar Association-accredited law schools have received clearance to substitute the traditional Law School Admissions Test or the Graduate Record Exam with the JD-Next admission test, in a variance to Standard 503. This shift was enabled by a decision in…