December 2023 – Page 97 – Legal News Feed

JDSupra

Robocall Regulations Tighten as US Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Consumer Protection

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

As regulatory bodies across the globe ramp up their focus on consumer protection, the legislative scrutiny around robocalls is intensifying, particularly in the United States. The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband (hereinafter “Subcommittee”) recently held a hearing on “Protecting Americans from Robocalls”— an initiative that could have…

JDSupra

USDA Updates Bioengineered Food List: Implications and Compliance for Legal Professionals

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently issued a final rule that significantly updates the list of Bioengineered Foods. The list is maintained under the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS). Specific amendments to the list include the addition of BT insect-resistant varieties of sugarcane. Notably, the rule also amends the…

JDSupra

DOJ’s ‘Safe Harbor’ Policy Promotes Self-Disclosure in Corporate Law Enforcement

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is illustrating its emphasis on corporate self-disclosure of misconduct, with a recently announced policy on new ‘safe harbor’ provisions within M&A considerations. A noteworthy case in point involves Lifecore Biomedical, a pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturer. Despite existing evidence of employees from Lifecore’s former US subsidiary having allegedly bribed Mexican…

JDSupra

Court Rule Updates Tackle Generative AI’s Impact on Legal Filings and Ethical Concerns

Pieter Gunst3 years ago04 mins

In recent developments, judicial bodies worldwide are beginning to react to the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, infiltrating legal practice. This is epitomized by an update in court rules being amended to control the use of such technology in legal filings. This does not only demonstrate the rapidly evolving landscape of legal…

JDSupra

Second Circuit Ruling Bolsters Browsewrap Agreements in Online Transactions

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent development, the Second Circuit has reversed a district court ruling, now stating that a website interface provided reasonable notice of an arbitration agreement and that a consumer agreed to said agreement through his transactional conduct. This ruling signifies a noteworthy shift in interpreting user agreements, especially those that arise during online transactions….

JDSupra

FinCEN Extends Beneficial Ownership Reporting Deadline to 90 Days for 2024-Registered Companies

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently issued a new rule providing a respite for companies created or registered in 2024. Originally mandated with a 30-day deadline to file initial beneficial ownership information reports, these entities now have up to 90 days to fulfill this obligation. The correlates to an encouraging…

JDSupra

Bankruptcy Sales and Labor Law Overlap: Understanding Successor Liability Risks

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent case, the Delaware District Court highlighted an often overlooked blind spot in bankruptcy rules. As those already conversant with bankruptcy law will fittingly appreciate, the confusion between the “free and clear” clause and “perfectly clear” successor liability sometimes melts into a grey area. When it comes to the bankruptcy code, potential traps…

JDSupra

CFPB Levies $12 Million Fine on Bank for Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Violations

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently imposed a hefty fine on a large national bank, as reported by JD Supra. The bank was required to pay $12 million for violations related to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Notably, the bank was charged for failing to gather and accurately report HMDA data. It is…

JDSupra

SEC Scrutinizes Crypto Firm for Alleged Unregistered Securities Exchange Operations

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent development, a cryptocurrency firm has come under scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for alleged failure to register as a securities exchange. The firm is reported to have not met the necessary obligations to mitigate risk factors. As per the details provided from the original report, the SEC lodged a…

JDSupra

UK Corporations Embrace ESG Integration, Impacting International Legal Norms

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

As the year ends, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues continue to be in the spotlight, particularly for UK corporates. Among the most recent developments in this essential field, a round-up presented by Hogan Lovells sheds much-needed light. This report not only presents an overview of the pressing ESG issues UK corporations are grappling with…

Above the Law

Legal Aid Shortage, Courtroom Etiquette, and Antitrust Developments Shape Today’s Legal Landscape

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The world of law is constantly evolving, with each day offering a vast array of news and developments. Today’s key legal topics range from etiquette queries in the Washington Post to a fine levied on a lawyer for a highly inappropriate courtroom gesture. Recently, the Washington Post reported on a Miss Manners piece to find…

Above the Law

AI, Copyright Battles, and Musk’s Vision of a Digital God

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin, Elon Musk made a seemingly audacious claim concerning the ongoing discourse surrounding copyright and AI. The digital mogul suggested that by the time existing lawsuits revolving around artificial intelligence and copyright issues are decided, society will be in the presence of a ‘Digital God’. Musk’s commentary was…

Law.com

Latham, Mayer Brown, Greenberg Traurig Lead 2023 Social Law Firm Index

Pieter Gunst3 years ago01 mins

In the latest installment of the Social Law Firm Index, Latham & Watkins, Mayer Brown, and Greenberg Traurig emerged as the frontrunners among all large law firms. The index, compiled annually by internet marketing and consulting firm Good2BSocial, gauges numerous factors including firm engagement, thought leadership, and performance on social platforms, as well as podcast…

JDSupra

Navigating ESG Considerations: The Emerging Regulatory Framework for Asset Managers

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

As the world spins forward into 2024, asset managers are finding an ever-evolving regulatory framework embroiling them in a fresh dynamic. Central to their modern preoccupations are environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors – an introspection triggered by increased demand from both institutional and retail investors. As investment strategies and vehicles destabilize, these ESG considerations…

JDSupra

Franchisor Liability Risks Grow as Texas Court Affirms Vicarious Accountability for Franchisee Misconduct

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a significant legal development, a Texas court of appeals has affirmed a judgment favoring a plaintiff alleging that a franchisor was vicariously liable for wrongful conduct by a franchisee’s employee. The court’s decision underscores the potential liability risks that franchisors may face in connection with their franchisees’ operations. This case manifests a growing trend…

JDSupra

Unraveling Election Fraud Controversies: Forensic Expert’s Insight on Voting Machine Integrity

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Legal professionals may be interested in attending an upcoming webinar titled “Debunking Digital Deceptions: The Truth Behind Election Claims and the Fight for Integrity”, scheduled for December 15th, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET. As hinted in the title, the focus of the webinar will be on the contentious issue of voting machine tampering…

JDSupra

UK Joins Hague Convention, Bolstering International Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Justice has revealed that the UK government has decided to sign the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters. This decision comes as the result of the government’s consultation on joining the convention, concluding that it is propitious for the…

Jurist

NY Appellate Court Reinstates Gag Order on Trump Amid Civil Fraud Trial

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

A New York appellate court reinstated a gag order on former US President Donald Trump in the state’s civil fraud trial against him and his family’s business. This follows after the Supreme Court of the State of New York denied Trump’s appeal to stay a gag order imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron. This order means…

Bloomberg Law

Presidential Immunity Challenged in Civil Lawsuits Regarding Capitol Attack

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The issue of presidential immunity against civil lawsuits is once again in the spotlight after a federal appeals court ruled that former President Donald Trump is not currently entitled to absolute immunity against civil lawsuits. These lawsuits are seeking to hold him responsible for the violence that occurred at the US Capitol during the attack…

The American Lawyer

Boies Schiller Flexner Expands European Presence with Rome Office Launch

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Boies Schiller Flexner is extending its global footprint with its latest office opening in Rome. Spearheaded by two partners and three associates joining from a local firm, this new operation marks the firm’s second presence in Continental Europe. Unfortunately, full details remain locked behind a paywall, the limited available information indicates an ongoing trend amongst…

JDSupra

Exploring the Implications of New York’s Clean Slate Act for Employers and Ex-Convicts

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The legal scene is set to see significant changes, thanks to the recently signed Clean Slate Act by New York State Governor, Kathy Hochul, on November 16, 2023. This new legislation aims to automatically seal off public access to criminal records for most individuals previously convicted of a crime. The implications of this act are…

Law.com

AI Language Models and the Challenge of GDPR Compliance: Can Machines ‘Unlearn’ Personal Data?

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Large language models (LLMs) demonstrate remarkable prowess in areas such as code-writing, summarizing complex concepts, and even tackling mathematics problems. One question, however, arises amidst all these capabilities: have these models been programmed to ‘forget’? This question could hold substantial implications for issues relating to the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR propagates the…

Law.com

Former McDermott Partner Sues Firm Over Denied Salary Increase

Pieter Gunst3 years ago01 mins

David Huberman, a former nonequity partner at McDermott Will & Emery, has launched a lawsuit against the firm, asserting they owe him $104,166.67. He alleges this figure stems from a firm-wide pay increase for U.S. income partners in 2022 which he didn’t receive, despite the claims being filed in an Illinois State Court. In the…

Law360

Orrick Data Breach Lawsuits Seek Consolidation Amid Growing Security Concerns

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

The plaintiffs involved in two separate lawsuits against Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP regarding a data breach that occurred at the firm in March, have filed a motion in federal court to consolidate the suits – according to a report by James Mills on Law360. This move is often intended to streamline the hearings, reduce…

JDSupra

Ninth Circuit Upholds Decertification in Junk Fax Class Action Amid Methodology Flaws

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

In a noteworthy development in True Health Chiropractic, Inc. v. McKesson Corp., No. 22-15710, 2023 WL 7015279 at the Ninth Circuit, the district court’s decertification of a “junk fax” class was affirmed. The court made this decision on the basis that individual facts predominated. It was reasoned that the Plaintiff failed to provide a viable…