Considerations of conflict of interest have arisen in the wake of an environmental cleanup operation managed by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lawyer, whose husband’s law firm, WilmerHale, represented the company involved in the incident. EPA Deputy General Counsel Natalia Sorgente presided over efforts to address the aftermath of a derailed freight train in East…
Experienced counsel Jason Glover from Simpson Thacher has recently advised long-term client EQT, a Sweden-based private equity group, on a considerable fundraise of €22 billion. This recent development in Glover’s nanagement of the lucrative EQT business has caused speculation within the legal industry about the future leader of this mandate, along with other client relationships….
Jimoh Ovbiagele, once a co-founder of the now-defunct AI legal research startup ROSS Intelligence, is making his comeback to the legal tech space. As CEO of the fresh startup Bench IQ, Ovbiagele aims to exploit generative AI to offer wide-ranging insights into judges’ decision-making behaviors, considering not only their written decisions but also their bench…
In recent years, a notable number of federal judges have made the transition from the bench to big law, reshaping the career trajectory in the legal industry. Abdul Kallon, who served as a federal judge for twelve years before rejoining private practice at Perkins Coie, emphasized the challenge of business development within a law firm….
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s impact on the federal judiciary in the United States is expected to have a lasting effect, even as he plans to step down from his leadership role. The Republican Leader’s strategic moves during his time in office, particularly those around Supreme Court nominations, have significantly altered the judicial…
Experts in the legal industry predict that law firms may increasingly evaluate ‘utilisation rates’ to pinpoint prospects for downsizing within their junior ranks. This prediction comes despite hopes of an upcoming resurgence in the market this year. However, current analyses by recruiters and insiders portray a sluggish hiring market and teams that are less busy…
Four renowned nonprofit organizations; the New York Public Library, Selfhelp Community Services Inc., the WK Kellogg Foundation, and George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, have recently introduced their new legal leaders. The New York Public Library, an institution with over a century of history and strong ties to the U.S. legal sphere, has announced the retirement…
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has challenged the $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos. by Kroger Co., arguing it would decrease competition among unionized grocery workers. This novel antitrust approach to labour markets advocates for competition law as a tool to regulate labour. This is an unprecedented use of competition law, according to John…
The Federal Circuit, the nation’s highest patent court, is currently wrestling with an appeal that could significantly alter the landscape for attorneys involved in patent infringement lawsuits. The impact on patent professionals and practitioners in major corporations and law firms, which represent some of the world’s most prolific filers of such lawsuits, could be significant….
As discussions surrounding intersectionality continue to gain traction, it’s evident that such issues are permeating the legal sphere. A closer look at recent developments in the Californian judicial sector reveals an emerging divide and attention towards the pursuit of claims based on intersectional bias, which refers to discrimination derived from the combination of two or…
California is considering expansion of oversight of private equity firms and hedge funds, requiring them to gain approval from the state’s attorney general before purchasing health care facilities. The proposed legislative measure, known as A.B. 3129, comes as the growth of private equity’s presence in health care over the past ten years comes under increasing…
Law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has recently expanded its London office, with the new Eden House location providing more than triple the space of its former Old Street location. The move has allowed the firm to better accommodate its 39 London-based attorneys, including 12 partners, and 53 staff members. The firm’s new office…
On February 23, the U.S government announced sanctions and export controls on hundreds of Russian entities and persons believed to enable infractions against Ukraine. This move marked the second anniversary of Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions also acted as a protest against the death of imprisoned anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny. The newly enacted…
The European Commission on January 25th announced it was sending infringement letters to Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta for their late adoption of legislation to implement the global minimum 15% tax known as Pillar Two. Read More This move reflects the rigidity with which EU countries must function in contrast…
In the wake of increasing global cybersecurity threats and privacy concerns, firms engaged in communication services, investors in these firms, and product manufacturers incorporating wireless components should be aware of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) escalating efforts around national security enforcement. Various FCC programs have been designed to lessen the risk that foreign threats could…
Today’s world is fraught with numerous challenges for businesses. These range from global conflict, rising costs, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical tensions impacting supply chains to shifts in employee and consumer behavioral patterns post-pandemic, and sudden adverse climate events. This volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world has become the new normal, presenting companies with an array…
In an engaging turn of events, six prominent law firms have been brought on to advise on the upcoming $8.5 billion merger between giants Disney and India’s Reliance. The global entertainment conglomerate is set to blend its operations with one of India’s largest multinational conglomerates – a strategic move that reflects the increasing convergence and…
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP has filed a lawsuit in New York state court against a former client they allege owes over $420,000 in legal fees. This legal action arises from the firm’s defense work in a criminal case for their client, himself a well-known figure in the legal sphere with previous engagements at firms such…
In an administrative move by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an internal personnel currently serving as the deputy director of the examinations division will take on a new role. This individual, a veteran of the SEC, has been appointed to lead the investment management division of the agency, according to an official announcement…
In a bid for appointment to the newest courts of Texas, also known as the Lone Star State, several respected attorneys from Houston have submitted their applications according to records obtained by Law360. Notably, the list of applicants includes the state court judge who famously went viral for a “lawyer cat” video in 2021. This…
An incident revolving around a high-profile investor-state arbitration over mining projects in Australia raises significant concerns surrounding cybersecurity. The alleged hacking incident became public earlier this month. It prompts reflection on the prevalence and secrecy of such events among high-stakes disputes resolved through international arbitration. These forms of arbitration typically involve a vast amount of…
In a recent legal development, a federal judge in Texas decided to penalize an alleged shell corporation, but excluded its argumentative lawyer from this punishment. The reprimand originates from the company’s attempt to assert patents that were notably expired in a prior unsuccessful lawsuit; the modern dispute emerging against television manufacturing company, Vizio Inc. Although…
Spencer Fane LLP recently fortified its growing intellectual property (IP) division with the acquisition of three adept attorneys from McKool Smith. The trio, known for their specialization in patent and trade secrets disputes, have built reputations as experts in high-stakes, ‘bet-the-company’ litigation. This news comes as Spencer Fane is engaged in a period of expansion,…
In a significant development, Spencer Fane LLP has welcomed three experienced intellectual property attorneys from McKool Smith. All three specialize in high-stakes patent and trade secrets disputes, adding a wealth of knowledge and skill to Spencer Fane’s existing team. Of the newly appointed trio, a noteworthy inclusion is a first-chair trial lawyer, known for concentrating…
Paul Weiss, a New York-based law firm with an expanding presence in the UK, is set to further its growth with an expected new hire. This development continues from their aggressive approach to growth within the UK’s legal sector, initiated late in 2020. Details on the pending recruitment are currently limited, however, the new hire…