Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) has recently appointed former in-house counsel at an insurance company, Rick Da Costa, as the head of its national corporate and regulatory insurance and reinsurance team. Da Costa, who joins from the law firm Cassels Brock & Blackwell, brings to the team his rich in-house experience from his time as VP…
The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, is currently being represented by a Florida defense attorney in federal charges related to his efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election. Known amongst his peers for his methodical, understated approach and respected reputation, some lawyers familiar with the counsel have voiced surprise…
On Thursday, Singaporean authorities carried out the execution of 39-year-old former delivery driver, Mohamed Shalleh Bin Abdul Latiff, for the trafficking of 54.04 grams of diamorphine, a controlled substance. This amount exceeds by four times the threshold required to impose the mandatory death penalty as stated under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act. This marks the…
Security has been heightened in Atlanta, most notably around the Fulton County Courthouse, in anticipation of potential charges against former President Donald Trump. As per the announcement made by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon, the main route encircling the courthouse will be off-limits for general traffic from Monday morning onwards. The augmented…
Celebrations are on as Vincent Dunn, the New York co-partner-in-charge at Norton Rose Fulbright, basks in the joy of seeing his daughter, Crystal Dunn, perform at her second FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. The proud father shared his excitement and the stress that comes along with watching a family member play in a high stakes…
Harneys, a globally acknowledged offshore law firm, has entered into concrete agreements to dispose of its fiduciary business in an operation supported by Hillhouse, a worldwide private equity firm. The sale, the precise details of which remain confidential, is anticipated to endow Harneys with the capital necessary to stimulate the law firm’s strategic growth. The…
In a recent turn of events, a well-known attorney from Washington, D.C. has received a six-month suspension as a result of misleading behaviour and document falsification. These fraudulent actions were aimed at reducing a client’s tax liability during a convoluted real estate deal focused on a local establishment. The involved attorney deliberately misled disciplinary investigators…
In a noteworthy trend, 2022 saw stellar financial rewards for law school graduates. Data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reveals that the median starting salary reaches a new high at $85,000, a 6.3% increase from 2021’s $80,000. The professional prospects for these graduates just took an upturn, as per the job roles….
In June 2023, the Australian government issued an updated Statement of Expectations to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). The statement mandates the APRA to adopt climate reporting standards, primarily focusing on promoting prudent practices and transparency for climate-related financial risks. This new mandate includes monitored financial institutions and regulated entities within its scope. The…
In the dynamic sphere of legal technology, securing company secrets has become increasingly paramount, especially in the unfolding era of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). In this context, many firms are turning a spotlight on their employment contracts to ensure stringent protection of their confidential assets. Last month, Kira Systems, an entity that specializes in…
In a recent episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, leading legal professionals expounded on the pervasive and challenging issue of corporate theft, discussing potential preventative measures and technological strategies designed to protect firms. The podcast was hosted by partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs, and featured Troutman Pepper Partner Chris Willis as a key…
In recent developments across the legal industry, various Am Law 200 firms have ceased utilization of ChatGPT and generative AI for client services due to potential vulnerability such as data breaches and computational hiccups colloquially known as ‘hallucinations’. However, these setbacks are far from spelling the end of AI use in the legal sector. Contrarily,…
The long-standing Philadelphia law firm, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, is set to cease operations after almost 90 years. The firm’s litigation partner and generan counsel, Keith Whitson, has confirmed that a dissolution plan is being organized in collaboration with the firm’s stakeholders and bank. The exact timeline for voting and finalizing this plan remains…
Timely regulatory interventions continue to shape our legal landscapes, and one such recent development comes in the field of I-9 Employment Verification. On July 21, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the institution of a new final rule which provides employers a remote option for inspecting employee documents in compliance with I-9 employment…
In a recent landmark ruling, the US Supreme Court has determined that race-based college admission programmes are unlawful. The implications of this decision are now resonating globally as it underscores a shift in the approach to diversity and inclusion, particularly as it pertains to affirmative action. As reported by JDSupra, the court’s decision deviates from…
In August 2023’s edition of the Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Newsletter, a highlighted case presents a noteworthy argument about the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Land Court. The case in question is DiNicola v. Ely, et al., No. 23 MISC 000128 (2023). At the heart of the legal issue stands a family trust that holds record…
The U.S. sanctions landscape continues to transmute in response to geopolitical changes, economic policy considerations, and global security issues. Keeping track of these alterations is crucial for multinational companies and law firms to ensure compliance and prevent any potential legal pitfalls. One resource for such updates is the quarterly trade compliance report which is sent…
In a significant regulatory shift, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has initiated new cybersecurity rules that were instated on July 26, 2023. The regulations are primarily aimed at enabling investors to have a clearer understanding of the cybersecurity risks associated with public companies. One of the key stipulations includes the liability on the part…
In a recent development, a New York federal judge dismissed a suit against law firm Paul Hastings LLP, simultaneously levying sanctions on the U.S.-based Chinese nationals responsible for launching the accusation. Those involved had alleged that Paul Hastings failed to register as an agent on behalf of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese…
Effective July 1, 2023, new revisions to the Florida statutes allow individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit, a move that holds significant implications for those involved in the leasing industry in the state. Interested parties can still obtain permits from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ensuring a level of choice…
In an intriguing twist to an accident case in Cerritos, a driver, injured in the said accident, has alleged that attorneys representing a local waste-hauling company violated the state’s code of professional conduct. The violation, he argues in a motion for sanctions, arose when they refused to provide the address of an employee who was…
Legal professionals and compliance teams across the globe may find Compliance Notes – Vol. 4, Issue 31 a pertinent read. Published by Nossaman’s Government Relations & Regulation Group, the installment offers a comprehensive digest of key developments in areas including campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law, and government ethics at the federal, state, and local…
In a recent development, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit addressed contributory trademark infringement for the first time, determining that specific knowledge is needed for liability to be assumed. The case in question is Y.Y.G.M. SA, DBA Brandy Melville v. Redbubble, Inc., Case Nos. 21-56150; -56236 (9th Cir. July 24, 2023), presided…
Yesterday, former President Donald Trump entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ in response to the charges of conspiracy and obstruction related to alleged plans to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome. These charges stem from accusations that imply Trump sought to disseminate fraudulent claims about the election’s integrity and attempted to pressure various state and…
Recently, Columbia Law School made headlines with its abrupt implementation and subsequent rollback of a mandate for video statements from law degree transfer applicants. This decision sparked a flurry of controversy, with some media outlets accusing the school of attempting to sidestep the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on race-based college admissions. The Washington Free Beacon…