Representative bodies of judges and lawyers have agreed on key aspects of the impending Assembly Bill 2049, aimed at transforming the summary judgment practice in California, a move we are seeing for the first time in over 20 years. This comes from a recent piece on Law.com. The new bill, due to be heard in…
Renowned law firm Clark Hill has announced its recent merger with LaszloLaw, a boutique law firm based in Boulder, Colorado. Clark Hill revealed that this merger aids in their strategy of adding depth to existing practice groups as well as expanding their geographic influence in regions where they’ve already established a presence. The integration signifies…
Allen & Overy (A&O) and Shearman & Sterling are all set to name their respective UK and US managing partners as they prepare for the official launch of their collaboration on May 1, according to an announcement made on the international legal industry report site Law.com. The exact details of these appointments, as well as…
In a recent declaration that might alter the trajectory for some legal proceedings, New York’s highest court has decided shy away from accepting amicus curiae briefs that may cause professional conflicts. Although specific details of the content behind this change in stance are presently unavailable, the fact remains that it has considerable potential to impact…
Recent developments indicate that a group of rental applicants in Massachusetts have succeeded in reaching a $2.28 million settlement agreement against SafeRent Solutions, a tenant screening service. The applicants contended that the company’s use of an AI-powered screening program disproportionately harmed Black and Hispanic applicants who relied on federally funded housing choice vouchers. The ruling…
Former President Donald Trump is in the limelight again, for attacking Todd Blanche, his lawyer behind the scenes and threatening to withhold legal fees. Todd Blanche had given up a Biglaw partnership to deal with Trump’s legal matters. The developments have raised eyebrows and are prompting further investigation. For more information on this development, the…
Federal Trade Commission Chief, Lina Khan, has issued a statement suggesting that new technologies may be facilitating price-fixing and discriminatory practices against consumers. According to Khan, companies can now establish fixed prices without explicit coordination, thanks to advancements in AI and algorithmic technology. This represents a fresh hurdle for regulators tasked with overseeing the market….
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday its decision not to revisit the terms of a settlement that Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, entered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) six years ago. This means that a ruling by the Second Circuit, which upheld the conditions of this agreement, remains in effect. As part…
In a dramatic verdict, a Colorado federal judge handed down a near 22-year prison sentence to a former National Security Agency (NSA) employee for an attempt to sell classified national security information to an individual believed to be a Russian agent. The judge termed the actions “‘as close to treasonous as you can get’”. The…
On Monday, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released the latest version of its enforcement guidance on workplace harassment. The newly updated guidelines reflect significant recent developments such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s impactful Bostock ruling and the increasing prevalence of remote work. The Bostock ruling, handed down by the U.S.’ highest court, portrayed…
On May 1, A&O Shearman is set to go live, marking a unique amalgamation of British legal powerhouse Allen & Overy with American stalwart Shearman & Sterling. This fusion is to yield a $3.5 billion law firm, surpassed in stature only by industry behemoths such as Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins. This merger,…
With a focus on the ever-evolving landscape of legal developments, we turn our gaze towards the ongoing matters of significance at the Supreme Court. As shared by Ellena Erskine on April 30, 2024, a number of key topics were brought to light in the morning’s roundup. An interesting ensemble of cases are slated for review…
In a deal that is raising eyebrows within the retail and legal sectors, esteemed premium personal care brand L’Occitane is reportedly being valued at $6.4 billion. This arresting valuation is raising queries and stimulating legal discourse, especially considering the brand’s relatively modest sales growth. L’Occitane is acknowledged globally for its quality products, operators majorly in…
The world’s largest sports brands are allegedly investing hundreds of millions of dollars to associate themselves with the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Another avenue of sports sponsorship has centered around the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the organization responsible for the development and coordination of anti-doping policies across athletic events. Since as early as the…
Two leading law firms, Dentons US LLP and Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, are under scrutiny by a former client who alleges that they engaged in racketeering and fraud in relation to a power deal in Senegal. The accusations come from plaintiff Frank Corsini and his corporations Liberty-Citic Energy Cayman Ltd. and Liberty Eco Energy LLC….
HSBC Holdings Plc’s CEO, Noel Quinn, has unexpectedly announced his decision to step down, as per a report covered on Bloomberg Law. This development comes amidst heightened tensions between China and the United States, putting the Europe’s largest lender in a challenging predicament. Quinn, who has been leading the banking giant for nearly five years,…
Sen. Chuck Grassley has expressed concern about the effectiveness and transparency of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) whistleblower program. He has specifically requested for the SEC to release details on staffing levels within this program. Grassley cites concerns over investigative delays and a notable decrease in the number of awards as the basis for…
New York has positioned itself as the first significant US city to integrate climate impacts into its budgetary considerations. This strategy, referred to as climate budgeting, aims to assess the city’s spending implications on emissions, discern areas that require additional investment, and increase the city’s resilience. In an effort to offer practical and applicable solutions,…
In a series of notable developments, law firms DLA Piper, Goodwin, and Morgan Lewis have seen significant team shifts in Germany. Top on the list is DLA Piper, which has acquired a pensions team from Advant Beiten. The recent move from Advant Beiten follows an earlier loss of a group of 25 lawyers to competitor…
Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. Among the major legal narratives of the day is the story of Susman Godfrey’s Justin Nelson and white-collar defender Danya Perry assisting former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen in taking down a false One…
Mayer Brown, a renowned US-based law firm, is reportedly parting ways with its Greater China offices, potentially affecting approximately 170 lawyers across Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai. It follows from information given by four firm insiders. The reason for this surprising split has not been detailed publicly, although indications suggest that the market downturn, data…
In a move towards environmental transparency, almost nine in ten companies have stated that they will voluntarily disclose extensive data on their carbon footprints, according to a study by global consulting firm Workiva. This disclosure extends beyond standard requirements, showing a momentum within corporations for further climate consciousness. A significant 86% of American participants in…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to find a strong foothold in the realm of law, with its implications still being unraveled by law firms globally. A recent report reveals a fairly stark and transformative impact on the way these firms function. This report, a part of the Law.com Pro Fellows study, points towards decreasing revenue per…
State lawmakers across America are taking inspiration from California’s efforts in improving online safety for children to fortify their own bills against potential constitutional dissent. Recently, a California law, designed to prioritize the welfare of children who are likely to visit certain sites, encountered a barrier when a federal judge blocked its implementation. This law,…
Employment discrimination litigation and discovery of relevant employment records pose a unique challenge in New Jersey, especially when it affects a plaintiff’s current workplace. In response to this unique situation, New Jersey courts have been able to develop a balanced approach that navigates the need for plaintiffs’ employment records in proving or defending against claims…