The United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit under the False Claims Act (FCA), that accuses Valeant Pharmaceuticals of fraudulently acquiring a patent to prolong the monopoly over its drug Apriso. The suit had initially been dismissed because of the rule known as the ‘public disclosure bar’ – a federal rule…
Recently, attention has shifted to the Florida public procurement space, specifically with regard to SB 264 (Chapter No. 2023-33, Laws of Florida), a law enacted to restrict foreign investment in the Sunshine State. The law, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, introduces new constraints on select individuals and entities related to countries like…
In the wake of the controversial reception of the new Barbie film, the debate over its allegedly “woke” and “feminist” messages has taken the public and legal domain by storm. This comes in response to a number of commentators across the US, expressing their concern through various acts of protest, including, shockingly, the burning of…
With the rapid rise of social media platforms, it’s not surprising to see many sectors harness these platforms’ potential for their marketing strategies. One such platform making waves recently is TikTok. Interestingly, and somewhat surprisingly, law firms are not exempt from this trend. Published recently on JD Supra, an article titled “TikTok for Lawyers: The…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced significant updates to its fast-track program for certain corporate tax rulings. The new program, known as Revenue Procedure 2023-26, was issued on July 26, 2023, replacing an 18-month pilot program under Revenue Procedure 2022-10. It aims to enhance efficiency by promising rulings within 12 weeks, remarkably even in…
As law school graduates are entering the job market, it’s evident the starting salaries they are being offered are noteworthy. If you would like to delve into the figures, and perhaps compare it to your own remuneration package when you first embarked on your career, you will find the expected digits, as they stand in…
The legal world continues to be a dynamic landscape, wherein corporations, as much as their individual employees, are called out into court for settlement of various disputes. As such, there are significant developments that may be of interest to legal professionals in the corporate sector. Consider the case of President Trump, who continues to assert…
In a recent patent lawsuit involving technology giant Apple and its South Korean competitor Samsung, Western District of Texas Judge Alan Albright demonstrated a contrasting decision in the courtroom. Significant to the legal professionals and corporations worldwide, this occurrence casts useful insights into the current justice system’s decision-making process with respect to patent suits. Apple…
Lordstown Motors, the bankrupt electric automaker, revealed to a Delaware judge that it had received expressions of interest from 13 potential bidders as part of its Chapter 11 sale process. Despite a forthcoming trial over trade secret claims, which has undoubtedly caused estrangement amongst some potential suitors, the judge approved the majority of Lordstown’s proposed…
On July 31, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Ruling 2023-14, a decisive change in how cryptocurrency staking rewards are viewed from a tax perspective. According to the new guidance, the fair market value of staking rewards received by a cash-method taxpayer is now deemed includible in the taxpayer’s gross income for the…
Apple Inc. recently approached the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board with a plea to revise its attempt to register the “Apple Music” mark. This followed a loss suffered by the technology giant at the Federal Circuit. Notably, the request includes the removal of a section concerning live performances. The particular case at the Federal Circuit…
After witnessing relatively subdued activity in 2021 and 2022, Chapter 11 commercial bankruptcy filings appear to be on the rise again. A recent report, released by Epiq Global, revealed that July registered a notable uptick in the number of filings, marking 71% more than the same period the previous year. For those of you interested…
Significant changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law that took effect on August 1, 2023, sees a reduction in the need for shareholder votes on some corporate matters. The alterations that have garnered the most attention are those affecting requirements for shareholder votes, particularly initiating a reverse stock split and changing the number of outstanding…
Welcome, esteemed legal professionals, to the 20th issue review of the so-called ‘Blockbuster Biologics’. As per usual, we take a deep dive into the most recent happenings in the world of biologics and biosimilars, with a particular focus on patent litigation and post-grant challenges. In the wake of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act…
While the Supreme Court’s overruling of affirmative action and Biden’s student loan forgiveness cases certainly garnered a significant amount of media attention, a number of quieter cases may bear profound consequences for various facets of American life. The public health and environmental sectors anxiously await the implications of Sackett, while artists ponder how they will…
Due to his influential tenure as President of the United States, legal professionals worldwide have developed a keen interest in understanding former President Donald Trump’s various legal troubles still being adjudicated. This discussion focuses on the critical points of the three prominent cases currently open against him, which carry a mindboggling maximum statutory penalty totalling…
Global offshore law firm Harneys has entered definitive agreements to sell its fiduciary business, according to a recent announcement. This transaction has received support from prominent global private equity firm Hillhouse. Financial details related to this sale remain undisclosed. As is often the case with such divestment, this strategic move is intended to fuel further…
On July 12, 2023, the European Union initiated the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), a sweeping set of regulations that now apply to all non-EU and EU companies across every economic sector. This legislation effectively fills a void in regulatory oversight that had persisted since 1958. According to legal analysis by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton…
In a bid to address relevant environmental issues, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations on July 28, 2023. These alterations concern the strategies federal agencies utilize when assessing the environmental impacts of federal projects of significant scale. JD Supra reports on this matter. The changes…
With the rise of the legal cannabis industry, businesses seeking to out-perform their competition are investing time and money into perfecting their grow processes or creating unique cannabis extracts. These competitive advantages are investments that businesses need to protect. At the heart of this protection lie the trade secrets that give these companies an edge…
In the continually emerging and intricate field of legal updates, it remains crucial for legal professionals to stay abreast with the most recent significant rulings. As such, we bring to you a procedural summary of specific notable decisions primarily in the food and consumer packaged goods industries for the month of August 2023. First amongst…
Legal matters revolving around E. Jean Carroll, author and plaintiff in a defamation trial against former President Donald Trump, continue to intensify. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan of Kaplan Hecker & Fink, recently called a Manhattan federal judge to grant summary judgment on the merits in anticipation of the trial, relying on the argument that “no…
Healthcare organizations today often grapple with a significant snafu of the digital age: online reviews. These public testimonials, for better or for worse, have a massive influence on a healthcare organization’s reputation. Even a small number of dissatisfied patients can cause substantial harm with negative comments posted on social media and customer review platforms like…
The United States Sugar Corp. may have ended its nearly $10 million legal battle against a proposed class action over toxic emissions from pre-harvest sugarcane burns, but the financial fallout is far from over. After seeking recoupment from its insurer for all incurred expenses related to the suits, a federal judge in Florida has ruled…
Legal professionals worldwide, particularly those working within educational institutions, need to be aware of the latest amendments and introductions to legislation that directly affect their operations. One such significant law is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which went into effect on June 27, 2023. This recent legislation has a direct bearing on how schools, as…