Private equity giant, Blackstone, has recently made an unusual disclosure regarding the hefty $165 million legal fees it owed to Kirkland & Ellis over a period of just three years. This revelation has been made in compliance with conflict-of-interest rules following the induction of Kirkland partner Reginald “Reg” Brown onto Blackstone’s board in 2020. The…
The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Joe Biden’s inaugural appointment to a U.S. district court in Florida, visibly shaping the legal landscape. Jacqueline Becerra, now confirmed as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, has been serving as a U.S. magistrate judge for the district since 2019. Her confirmation,…
On Monday, former President Donald Trump appealed a decision by a New York judge to impose $354.9 million in penalties on him, following a civil fraud trial. Trump, who allegedly exaggerated his net worth to secure better loan terms, now owes the state of New York at least $454 million, with interest on the penalty…
Global law firm, Hogan Lovells, has expanded its team by hiring a new partner, Jonathan Lewis – a prominent Shearman capital markets lawyer in the fiercely competitive Brazil market. Jonathan Lewis, formerly a counsel at Shearman & Sterling, has made the strategic move to Hogan Lovells, bolstering the firm’s presence in this crucial South American…
This discussion raises some pertinent issues about the efficacy and ethical implications of the “anonymized” review process some prestigious legal journals employ. The critique, presented in an open letter format by an author who identifies himself as “LawProfBlawg,” expresses frustration and disillusionment with the current law review game. Drawing on his experience of over 20…
While a law firm’s primary goal may not necessarily be profit-maximization, the value of considering law practices within the ambit of business models cannot be downplayed. Aging law firms, like one wise and successful painter starting late in her years, could benefit by reassessing their firm’s technology at any stage in the life of the…
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen makes a plea for the world’s largest advanced economies to innovate mechanisms to “unlock the value” of immobilized Russian assets, a move aimed at aiding Ukraine’s defense and long-term reconstruction post-war with Russia. Yellen’s moral argument stakes a leadership role for international finance in helping economies devastated by conflicts, such…
In a recent unfolding of events, the US Supreme Court has expressed doubt over the existence of stringent deadlines governing district court’s authority to enforce forfeiture orders against convicted criminals. The court’s stance came into light during its review of the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure, which mandates that preliminary forfeiture orders should be set…
Judge Michael Baylson from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania recently drew attention with his standing order on lawyers writing briefs employing artificial intelligence (AI). This has been recognized as among the earliest in the country to address the technology. It is important to note, Baylson stated he is “not banning AI”. This instance highlights the…
Jonathan Lewis, an experienced player in capital markets, has joined international law firm, Hogan Lovells. The company announced Lewis’ enlistment on Tuesday, with his role designated as a partner in the corporation’s corporate and finance practice group, based in São Paulo. With a strong legal background in both New York and English law, Lewis’ expertise…
On Monday, the Canadian government introduced a bill known as the Bill C-63, designed to address online hate and promote internet safety by bringing into force the Online Harms Act. This proposed legislation will also offer amendments to both the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act. A central aspect of Bill C-63 is…
In the midst of a cyber breach with over 48 updates, Optum’s Change Healthcare is under significant strain. Change Healthcare, a major clearing house for patient claims, first recognized this malicious attack on its systems on February 21, which has since hampered its payment processing capabilities. While the majority of recent updates consistently report their…
For the eighth consecutive year, women have outnumbered their male colleagues in law school enrollment. This apparent uptick in female representation, however, has seemingly riled up a certain individual who has chosen to voice his displeasure through a series of cryptic text messages to female law professors. The FBI is now running an investigation into…
Over the course of the past three years, the New York-based private equity firm Blackstone has paid the Chicago-based law firm Kirkland & Ellis a whopping $164.6 million in legal fees, according to a recent regulatory filing. In a year-on-year analysis of the disclosed figures, Kirkland received $41.6 million from Blackstone in fees in 2023,…
Orrick has made a valuable addition to their Los Angeles roster – Laura Wytsma now assumes the role of partner within their Intellectual Property (IP) litigation team[1]. This move fortifies Orrick’s expertise in matters of patent law. Ms. Wytsma specializes in patent matters that come before the federal courts. Prior to joining Orrick, Wytsma has…
The recently concluded inquest into the tragic death of Vanessa Ford, professionally known as Heap, has shed light on the extreme pressure of her professional life. A coroner’s inquest, delivered on Monday, concluded that Ford’s untimely death in September 2023 occurred following an acute mental health crisis, exacerbated by her intense workload. Ford, at the…
Sheppard Mullin has announced an expansion to its intellectual property practice in San Diego with the addition of a new partner, Jaime Choi. Highly skilled in patent prosecution, Choi has expertise in creating global IP portfolios, preparing opinions, and conducting product clearance for clients in the life sciences and high technology sectors. This information was…
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, one of the largest multinational law firms in the world, has recently expanded its financial services regulatory practice. This expansion was marked by the addition of a new partner, Alison Hashmall, who has now joined the firm’s New York team, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Law. Hashmall, a specialist in…
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. recently announced the appointment of Lanesha Minnix as their new Global Chief Legal Officer. This news comes on the heels of former legal chief Danielle Gray’s departure from the company. Before taking on this new role, Minnix spent the last two years serving as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Ecolab…
Bloomberg Law reports that Naheem Harris has recently become a part of the esteemed law firm, Akerman. He now serves as a partner within the real estate finance practice, operating out of the firm’s New York office. Accomplished in his field, Harris has substantial experience representing domestic and international real estate companies, as well as…
Husch Blackwell, an established legal firm, has decided to step into the era of artificial intelligence by inaugurating an exclusively dedicated artificial intelligence team. This initiative underscores the firm’s firm commitment to staying ahead of the legal curve by innovating and adapting to the transformative power of technology. Read the full announcement on Bloomberg Law….
In a recent development, Rachel Rodman has become a partner at White & Case, joining the global white collar and fintech practices in Washington, D.C. According to the company’s announcement, Rodman brings considerable experience and expertise to the firm, particularly in defending fintechs, banks, and technology companies. Her distinguished career includes working against investigations and…
Notable legal journalist and technology expert, Bob Ambrogi, recently made an appearance on the File Notes podcast hosted by Luke Campbell, CEO of VXT, a VoIP system provider based in New Zealand. The discussion entailed an explorative dive into Ambrogi’s distinguished career that knits together the realms of law, journalism, and tech. The interview encapsulated…
Fast-fashion firm Shein Group Ltd. is contemplating a shift in its initial public offering (IPO) location from New York to London due to anticipated challenges related to listing in the United States. However, experts suggest the retail giant may not find a breezier path in London either. The China-founded, now Singapore-headquartered company, known for its…
The legal battle surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried’s prison sentence is set to intensify on Tuesday when his attorneys will outline their recommended sentence duration, a preface to his official sentencing on March 28. Bankman-Fried, the 31-year-old former FTX cryptocurrency exchange executive, could potentially face up to 20 years in prison for each of his most severe…