The Wisconsin Supreme Court has disbanded a lawyer who attempted coercion by threatening to sue his client’s relatives. The motive behind the threat was to persuade the woman to waive her attorney-client privilege in order for the attorney to source material for a tell-all book about a murder trial. This unique case of misconduct involving…
For centuries, owning a home has been marketed as part of the American dream. Historical figures like George Washington, who committed a significant portion of his time to the delicate art of home renovations, serve to cement this notion in our societal consciousness. However, my experiences as a homeowner and observations as a journalist suggest…
Renowned attorney Stephanie Marcantonio has taken a new directive at Sheppard Mullin, joining the firm as a healthcare partner based in the New York office. This information was divulged by the firm itself in a recent press release on Wednesday. Marcantonio’s portfolio is rich with cases related to divestitures, mergers, affiliations and joint ventures, a…
An emerging trend among the legal community has highlighted the possible shortage of expert witnesses for medical malpractice and other healthcare lawsuits. This scarcity appears to be driven by an increase in demand and a constrained supply of permissible experts, governed by standards established by the US Supreme Court several decades ago. Malpractice verdicts of…
The UK Parliament on Tuesday approved the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, a controversial piece of legislation that designates Rwanda as a “safe country” for certain asylum seekers awaiting application assessments. This bill effectively allows for the deportation of irregular migrants under the UK-Rwanda international treaty on asylum partnership. Interestingly, the advancement of…
Nicholas Maxwell, a recently made partner at Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna, advocates that legal professionals strive to give every assignment, irrespective of its source or the magnitude of the case, their full attention. Maxwell emphasizes this practice not just as a strategy aimed at personal growth and development in the legal field, but also…
In an evolving legal landscape, one particularly interesting case is the recent talcum powder trials involving Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Since the failed bankruptcy filings of J&J’s subsidiary last year, two verdicts have been reached – yet, the outcomes differ greatly. While the full details of the case remain under review and are complex, keeping…
When investor Denis Grosz made a $1 million investment in software startup Toptal LLC back in 2012, he was hopeful that this significant bet would lead him towards a potentially lucrative return. The opposite, however, became his reality, as this decision has since embroiled him in a lawsuit that has already resulted in over $2.6…
As an increasing number of legal professionals are seeking to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their everyday practice, they must concurrently wrestle with the concern of ensuring the security of sensitive client information. A key point of consideration is the enormous potential AI holds for revolutionizing various aspects of legal work. Tasks such as data…
In a seldom-seen move, Slaughter and May has enriched its pensions group with the addition of a veteran Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner. Charles Magoffin, who has been with Freshfields since 2010, will join Slaughter and May in the capacity of senior counsel this upcoming September, as reported in a recentfirm release. Magoffin, an intrinsic part…
Despite the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposing a year ago a nationwide prohibition on all employment noncompetes, states continue to independently chart their course on this matter. The final rule issued on April 23 would ban all past, present, and future non-competition agreements in the US, with exceptions for existing noncompetes with senior executives earning…
The Biden administration has announced plans to nominate April Perry to a US district court seat in Chicago. This follows the failure of Perry’s previous nomination for the role of the first female federal chief prosecutor in the city, a nomination that had been blocked in the Senate. April Perry, who had been selected for…
In what appears to be a significant shift for both firms involved, Baker McKenzie has drawn a substantial portion of Munger, Tolles & Olson’s corporate department, to its team, with only three members electing to stay behind. A majority of the deal and finance teams initiated the move, motivated by the opportunity to leap onto…
Colin Stretch, former legal chief for Facebook, was enticed into a role at Etsy with offerings far exceeding crafted curiosities. His appointment as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for the e-commerce company in February 2023 was rewarded with compensation totaling $7.15 million USD. This lucrative recruitment package was disclosed in a recent proxy statement filed…
As the world of law evolves with generational shifts, understanding and managing these changes is paramount for corporate legal departments. Failure to do so may result in rising tensions, impacting productivity and morale. An ALM Global’s General Counsel Conference Midwest in Chicago hosted a panel discussion titled “Mastering the Art of Managing Different Generations In…
In a recent press release, international law firm Sheppard Mullin announced the arrival of Kwan-Ho Chung to their Intellectual Property Practice Group and Life Sciences Industry Team based in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Sheppard Mullin, Chung held a partner position at Perkins Coie. His extensive experience is proven as he has represented a broad…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, general counsels have had to navigate among various roles – whether it is to support startups in their sustained growth or to pave the way for the development of regulated artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. One such multifaceted legal professional is Eric Topel. Topel recently assumed duties as the…
In an unprecedented legal maneuver, attorneys Jeb Butler and Matt Kahn, principals at Butler Kahn, refuted conventional wisdom to clinch a $28 million victory. The verdict favored the family of a man who tragically lost his life in a head-on collision, following an unusual approach marked by the testimony of a vast number of witnesses….
Reed Smith, a multinational law firm, recently claimed victory in a Miami federal court on behalf of Edith Newman and her son Michael. After seven long years following the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma on their South Florida estate, the verdict provided a welcome resolution. The jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern…
Last week, U.S. law firm Lowenstein Sandler made history by launching its own generative AI-powered client-facing chatbot, becoming the first of its kind in the country. The chatbot is designed to provide users with effective navigation assistance across the firm’s website. Kevin Iredell, the Chief Marketing Officer at Lowenstein Sandler, shared his perspectives on the…
Miami, often compared favorably for its growing prowess in the field of international arbitration with New York, has continued its stride in housing international arbitration cases. Miami is showcasing its steady strength in settling international disputes, emerging as a key player in the field. The data from the American Arbitration Association notes that 91 cases…
In a recent move, Ohio has enacted legislation that formally excuses nursing mothers from serving jury duty. Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, signed the bill into law, which stipulates that prospective jurors who are nursing infants can be exempted from this civic responsibility. The law aims at ensuring that the duties of motherhood do not act…
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral argument in the case of Moyle v. U.S. at 10 a.m. EDT, according to a recent post by Ellena Erskine on SCOTUSblog. This case is garnering considerable attention from legal circles and is one example of the court’s comprehensive docket. Although details surrounding the specifics of…
In one of the most high-profile legal proceedings in recent years, the criminal trial revolving around alleged activities of Donald Trump’s former Lawyer, Michael Cohen, has provided unexpected turn of events. Notably, David Pecker, the CEO of the National Enquirer, has been granted immunity to testify. The pivotal trial provides fresh insights each day, bringing…
At the recent General Counsel Conference Midwest 2024 in Chicago, Legal Speak held live on-location discussions with senior in-house counsel from multinational companies based in the United States. Conference participants shared key takeaways and successful approaches for leveraging C-Suite relationships, managing litigation crises, and optimizing resources. One of the conference’s notable guests was Carolyn Burbrink,…