The Council of Ministers in Lebanon has marked a significant move towards acknowledging the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) within their territory. The Council is instructing their Foreign Affairs Ministry to submit as a declaration to the ICC, enabling the court to investigate and prosecute crimes that have occurred within Lebanese jurisdiction since…
In a bid to aid ongoing peace talks, Colombian Attorney General Luz Camargo temporarily suspended arrest warrants for nine members of the illegal armed group Second Marquetalia. This move, which was confirmed on Thursday, shows a novel approach in Colombia’s longstanding struggle to secure lasting peace from decades of internal conflict. Camargo gets the power…
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General recently called upon Haitian authorities to promptly execute the transitional governance arrangements after the creation of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s official resignation. This call is in direct response to the escalating gang violence in Haiti and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, now categorised as…
This week, President Joe Biden signed into law a bill requiring ByteDance Ltd., the parent company of viral video app TikTok, to sell the platform in less than a year or face a ban in the United States, laying the groundwork for an anticipated legal contest. The imposed ban responds to fears that the Chinese…
On Law360 last week, multiple law firms, stories and expert analyses sent ripples through the legal community. Offering a spotlight on fast-moving legal trends and developments, Law360 helps legal professionals stay updated and ready, given the complexity and speed of today’s legal landscape. The noted law firms and stories generated considerable attention last week, marking…
A recently proposed rule intending to introduce a separate round of briefing for Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) hearings is stirring up some controversy amongst patent owners. This rule, which was laid out to determine whether the board should employ its discretion to reject review appeals, could potentially limit the pool of available arguments…
An innovative approach utilizing Legos and referencing the 1988 film “Working Girl”, taken by a father-son attorney duo, paved the way for a significant legal victory related to a bitter family feud over a multi-billion dollar real estate business. The client, together with his brothers, turned the court’s judgement favorably, resulting in a verdict worth…
In an interesting development, U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has dismissed a bid from Microsoft to transfer an infringement lawsuit over its cloud software to the firm’s home ground in Washington State. Albright detailed his decision last Friday, citing his own experience and effort spent grappling with patents associated with what he described as a…
In a relentless campaign spanning a quarter of a century, Justice Clarence Thomas continues to strive to reverse a controversial precedent concerning jury trial rights – a paradigm he once supported. Thomas casts a pivotal vote against these rights, a decision he quickly came to lament. Now, his campaign is gaining traction and taking the…
A former chief legal officer at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, lauded for his time spent fostering and protecting innovation within the realms of intellectual property law, has recently taken a new position at Carmichael IP PLLC. This highly experienced intellectual property attorney is expected to be a valuable asset to the firm, bringing…
TikTok, the remarkably popular social media app, confirmed last Friday that its General Counsel, Erich Andersen, has taken a step back from his role which he’s held for four years. Andersen’s departure was prompted by the pressing need to head off a new U.S. federal law. This law, if unchecked, will ban TikTok in the…
The Tennessee House of Representatives recently approved a bill that would criminalize adults aiding minors in receiving gender-affirming care outside the state, without parental consent. The legislation, introduced as HB 2310 by Representative Bryan Richey, stipulates that violations result in a Class C felony, imposing a sentencing range of three to six years for first-time…
In what can be seen as a major reshuffle within TikTok, the company’s global general counsel, who also serves for the parent company ByteDance, has decided to resign from his role. The transition, set to take place in June, will not see the legal heavyweight leaving the social media titan altogether. Instead, the counsel is…
The Alabama House of Representatives recently voted 72-28 to advance a controversial bill, HB 385, which seeks to prohibit public libraries from providing materials that are deemed “harmful to minors” or “obscene”. This decision marks an important turning point in the state’s legislative process as it now awaits deliberation in the Alabama Senate. This proposed…
In a recent high-stakes intellectual property showdown, tech giant HP Inc. has emerged victorious. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has decided to terminate a patent lawsuit brought against HP by VideoLabs Inc. This lawsuit had centered around key patents related to video coding. VideoLabs Inc. had asserted that HP violated its patent rights, but…
The Supreme Court recently held a historic hearing on presidential immunity, a case titled Trump v. United States. Legal experts from around the globe have been analyzing the details of the hearing and commenting on the implications for the principles of separation of powers and the rule of law in the United States. One of…
In the unfolding legal drama over the estate of the late musician Prince, four family members have approached the Delaware Chancery Court with a pressing request. Claiming to have superseded the control of two music industry veterans entrusted with the estate’s management, the heirs now ask the judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them…
In an interesting development in federal law, the Fifth Circuit upheld a decision not to preliminarily enjoin a statute widening the scope of background checks on firearms purchases made by 18-to-20-year-olds, thereby suggesting its likely constitutionality. The law is intended to provide an additional safeguard in an era of rising concerns over issues of gun…
In a noteworthy development this week, Cox Enterprises Inc. has taken legal action against two of its insurers, alleging their failure to reimburse the company for the substantial expenses it incurred in the course of a unique lawsuit. The litigious dispute, which was ultimately settled, sought to establish the Internet service provider’s liability for illegal…
Truist Financial Corp. and its real estate finance unit have successfully defended a dismissal bid, permitting them to proceed with a major portion of their lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses three former executives of departing to a rival firm along with numerous colleagues. This development comes after a business court judge in North Carolina mainly denied…
Great American Insurance Co. found itself free from coverage obligations in a recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit. The case involved a treasure hunter who argued that his former associates had neglected to hand over maps and other intellectual property post their partnership dissolution. A $7.5 settlement was the crux of the issue, with the…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP has formally consolidated its presence in Saudi Arabia by obtaining a licence to practice law in the Kingdom. The firm plans to operate out of the capital, Riyadh, through a Saudi professional company arrangement, continuing its partnership with local firm Alrubayyi & Attorneys established in 2022. Details on this…
A recent legal development in the state of North Carolina could substantially impact the practices surrounding attorney fees in debt collection cases. Two Republican lawmakers from the state have put forth a proposal for state legislation designed to address what is viewed as a loophole in the current system. The proposed legislation appears to give…
There are some major shifts taking place in regulations surrounding Chapter 11 bankruptcies, changes that could significantly benefit claimants in sex abuse cases. Most notably, the Boy Scouts of America, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware in February 2020, had a reorganization plan confirmed after facing an unprecedented volume…
In recent news, the Utah State Bar (USB) emerged victoriously from a court case where it faced allegations of using mandatory member fees to fund political activities unrelated to the legal profession. The lawsuit was initiated by an aggrieved member of the Bar. The legal action was spearheaded by Amy Pomeroy, who argued that the…