China’s Han Kun Law Offices have announced the addition of Chuo Ming Leong as the second partner to its Singapore outfit. Leong previously served nearly a decade as a partner at Withers KhattarWong, advising on high-profile corporate acquisitions, listings, and commercial investments. For more details, visit the full article.
By Hailey Konnath (July 31, 2024) — The U.S. Department of Justice’s watchdog has reportedly criticized former Attorney General William Barr for his actions during the Trump administration. This latest critique highlights Barr’s “chaotic and disorganized” response to the 2020 protests and civil unrest that ensued following the murder of George Floyd, according to a…
In the ongoing effort to foster diversity and inclusion within the legal industry, innovative approaches are being examined to ensure fair work allocation. At a recent hackathon organized by Diversity Lab, three out of four winning projects concentrated on the equitable distribution of assignments. Ensuring fair allocation of work is considered a crucial step toward…
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has recently announced the hiring of a new funds partner from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The move is part of Paul Weiss’s ongoing strategy to strengthen their footprint in London. The firm’s expansion plans appear to align with their broader goals of increasing influence and capacity in the…
The Attorney General of Washington, D.C. has initiated legal action against StubHub, alleging that the ticket resale giant’s fee structure constitutes a “convoluted junk fee scheme.” According to the complaint filed in District of Columbia Superior Court, StubHub is accused of engaging in unfair and deceptive practices by charging hidden fees to consumers purchasing tickets…
The Eleventh Circuit has upheld the constitutionality of a strip search conducted on a female inmate, despite recognizing the potential for its demeaning nature. The panel composed of Judges Robin Rosenbaum, Kevin Newsom, and Gerald Tjoflat, delivered their decision on July 29 with Rosenbaum penning the majority opinion. Both Rosenbaum and Newsom expressed apprehensions over…
In-House Moves of the Month July saw significant shifts in the legal leadership across numerous prominent companies. These transitions reflect the dynamic nature of the corporate legal landscape. While the full details of these moves are documented in a recent article, some notable transitions include top positions being filled and vacated at several major corporations….
UBS has initiated a legal battle against Bank of America, seeking $200 million in damages for an alleged breach of indemnification. The complaint, lodged in Manhattan state court on Wednesday, revolves around Countrywide Financial, which was acquired by Bank of America in 2008. UBS claims Countrywide had agreed to cover legal costs associated with residential…
Recent legislative efforts aimed at enhancing children’s online safety have ignited a heated debate over potential censorship and First Amendment rights implications. Legal professionals and advocacy groups, including Jenna Leventoff from the ACLU, have voiced concerns about government overreach in deciding the appropriate educational resources for children. This controversy underscores the delicate balance between protecting…
Live Nation Legal News Live Nation is currently informing a New York federal judge that none of its in-house counsel can comply with the stringent access rules to highly confidential documents in the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust trial against the company. As previously indicated, the live events company maintains that no in-house attorneys…
The Fifth Circuit on Wednesday upheld an injunction against three Texans who were accused of infringing on the trademark of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. According to the court, the defendants created the infringing entity with the clear intention “to ride on the back” of the reputable BigLaw firm’s name. The court’s decision emphasizes…
In a recent representation to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), technology companies, drugmakers, and various industry organizations expressed divided opinions on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in assessing the novelty of inventions in light of prior art. The debate highlights the industry’s struggle to adapt to AI’s growing influence in the patenting…
A Florida jury has awarded Perry Ellis $8.3 million after determining that United Legwear Co. intentionally reduced the value of Perry Ellis’ Pro Player brand under a licensing agreement. The finding suggests that United Legwear sought to avoid paying the fair market value when it subsequently acquired the brand. This recent decision adds a significant…
An attorney from San Fernando Valley is facing an uphill battle to evade an ethics charge that accuses him of planning to hack the email and phone of a judge involved in a public utility class action case. The California Bar has made a strong case to the State Bar Court, asserting that the attorney’s…
A Delaware federal court ruling on Wednesday has cleared the way for Indian pharmaceutical company Lupin to market a generic version of a kidney disease treatment. The decision blocked an attempt by a major Japanese competitor to use patent law to prevent Lupin’s entry into the market. The verdict is a significant development in the…
In a recent development, pharmaceutical giant Novartis has initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alleging that the federal body unlawfully approved a generic version of its heart failure medication, Entresto. The lawsuit has been filed in the D.C. federal court. The heart drug, a cornerstone in Novartis’ cardiovascular portfolio, has…
The Federal Circuit has ruled that a “private” sale of approximately 15,000 laptop ports does not constitute “a public disclosure” under patent law. This decision upholds a previous ruling by a patent board panel. The judgement reaffirms the legal interpretation that private transactions, such as these, do not meet the criteria for public disclosure, which…
A Virginia appellate court recently reversed a historic $2 billion trade secrets verdict in a highly scrutinized case. This decision is part of a broader trend influencing the legal landscape in 2024. Additionally, the Seventh Circuit Court has underscored that the federal trade secrets law applies to conduct abroad, thereby expanding the scope for damages…
By Gina Kim (July 31, 2024) — A California federal judge has agreed to dismiss video game publisher Krafton’s copyright suit against Google and Apple. The lawsuit accused both technology giants of distributing infringing versions of the popular game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds on their respective platforms. Meanwhile, Krafton and YouTube indicated they are close to settling…
In a significant development for class action litigation, two class members in a protracted airline price-fixing lawsuit have petitioned the United States Supreme Court to reconsider a secondary distribution of over $5 million in settlement funds. The petitioners argue that the unclaimed funds should have been allocated to state treasuries rather than class counsel. The…
A new bipartisan bill in Congress aims to ease the process for federal courts to issue injunctions in patent cases. Proponents argue that the change could streamline patent litigation and offer stronger protections for patent holders. However, critics contend that it may disproportionately benefit companies often labeled as “patent trolls” — entities that hold patents…
International law firm Duane Morris LLP finds itself embroiled in a class action filed on Wednesday by Meagan Garland, a non-equity partner at the firm. Garland’s lawsuit alleges that Duane Morris intentionally misclassified her and potentially other non-equity partners under the “partner” designation to cut down on business and tax expenses. According to the complaint,…
A Texas federal judge granted preliminary victories to American Airlines Inc. and Skiplagged Inc. in a lawsuit brought by the airline, which accused the booking site of exploiting a “loophole” to sell unauthorized tickets for connecting flights. However, the judge expressed clear concerns regarding the business practices of Skiplagged. More details on the judge’s decision…
A California federal judge has recently dismissed an unfair competition claim from a class action suit brought against OpenAI Inc. by a group of notable authors. The plaintiffs allege that the ChatGPT creator has been improperly copying their protected works. With this ruling, the only remaining claim in the lawsuit pertains to direct copyright infringement….
Legal professionals may find more than a little amusement in a diverse array of recent issues making headlines. One of the prominent figures spotlighted is Attorney General Merrick Garland. His office’s decor has drawn attention, with observers suggesting it might be sending an implicit message that could be lost on some, such as Judge Aileen…