July 2024

Bracewell LLP Expands European Foothold with New Paris Office and Expert Team Specializing in Energy and Infrastructure

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a strategic move aimed at reinforcing its presence in the European market, Bracewell LLP has announced the opening of its new office in Paris, focusing on energy and infrastructure. The firm has welcomed three distinguished partners to spearhead this initiative: Anne Lapierre, Arnaud Bélisaire, and Simon Cudennec [Thursday](https://www.bracewell.com/news-events/bracewell-launches-in-france-with-market-leading-energy-and-infrastructure-team/). Anne Lapierre brings a wealth of…

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Navigating the Legal Complexities of the 2024 Election Cycle: Insights from Skadden’s Ki Hong

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In a discussion with The American Lawyer’s Patrick Smith, Ki Hong from Skadden offers insights into the legal complexities of navigating the 2024 election cycle. Hong elaborates on the evolution of his practice over the past two decades, outlining the shifts in the political landscape and their implications for legal professionals. One notable point is…

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U.K. Legal Developments: The 1975’s Festival Dispute, Spectrum Insurance Controversy, and Police Defamation Case

Pieter Gunst01 mins

This past week in London has seen notable developments in litigation involving prominent entities and individuals. The U.K. band The 1975 faces legal action by Future Sound Asia following the cancelation of a festival in Malaysia attributed to the band’s performance. Additionally, Spectrum Insurance is embroiled in a dispute with The Motoring Organization over alleged…

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Tenth Circuit Emphasizes Appeals Precision in Landmark Qualified Immunity Ruling

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In Sanchez v. Guzman, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision to grant qualified immunity in a Section 1983 excessive-force claim. The court highlighted the critical importance of properly prosecuting appeals, emphasizing that litigants can waive winning arguments if they fail to adequately define the factual universe essential…

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Redefining Excellence: How Legal Professionals are Adapting in the Post-Pandemic Era

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In the post-pandemic world, the concept of “going above and beyond” has evolved significantly. As a team leader explains in this article, the traditional markers of excellence—such as longer hours and increased face time—no longer hold the same value. Instead, excellence now hinges on innovation, proactivity, and adaptability. Legal professionals are encouraged to think ahead,…

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Sheppard Mullin Secures Injunction in Landmark ‘Raiding Exemption’ Case, Curtailing Unfair Recruiting Practices

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Recently, Sheppard Mullin achieved a significant legal victory on behalf of a financial services firm, securing an injunction in a contentious dispute over the ‘Raiding Exemption’ stipulated under broker recruiting protocols. The judge’s decision highlighted predatory actions by the defendants, underscored by digital evidence recovered from their computers that tied them to their recently established…

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Cryptocurrency Donations Shape the 2024 Election Cycle with Unprecedented Influence

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The influence of the cryptocurrency sector on the 2024 election cycle has significantly surpassed previous contributions, marking a new era of digital-asset political engagement. A notable example of this trend is former President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with affluent donors at a Bitcoin conference, reflecting the growing political clout of the industry. According to OpenSecrets,…

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Eighth Circuit Grants Qualified Immunity to Deputy in Police K-9 Mistake Attack on Officer

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The complex legal intersections involving police officers and K-9 units have yet again spotlighted the peculiarities of qualified immunity. In a peculiar case, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided that a Hennepin County Deputy, Keith McNamara, is entitled to qualified immunity after his police dog, Thor, mistakenly attacked another officer, Daniel Irish, during a…

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TikTok Mobilizes Legal and Lobbying Arsenal to Counter Potential U.S. Ban

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok is currently engaged in an intense campaign to prevent a potential US ban. Utilizing the essential tools of American democracy—lawyers, lobbyists, and financial resources—TikTok is leaving no stone unturned in its fight for survival. The push follows a new law that requires its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance Ltd., to…

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Justice Kagan Advocates for Stricter Supreme Court Ethics Enforcement Amid Broader Reassessment of Public Monuments

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Each weekday, SCOTUSblog provides a curated selection of news articles, commentary, and significant links related to the Supreme Court. In this Friday edition, the focus includes a call by Justice Elena Kagan for enhanced enforcement of the Supreme Court’s ethics code, captured in a piece by Politico’s Josh Gerstein. Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom has…

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Unseen Heatwave Crisis: The Overlooked Mental Health Toll of Rising Global Temperatures

Pieter Gunst02 mins

On July 26, 2024, Lisa Jarvis explored the detrimental impacts of extreme heat on mental health in an article published by Bloomberg. As the planet experiences unprecedented heatwaves, surpassing previous records, the consequences extend beyond physical ailments to psychological well-being. Jarvis highlights that global temperatures have reached their highest level ever recorded, a worrying trend…

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Vinson & Elkins Enhances London Dispute Resolution Team With Key Fried Frank Hire

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Vinson & Elkins has bolstered its dispute resolution capabilities in London by hiring James Barratt from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. Barratt, who spent five years at Fried Frank, will co-lead V&E’s European international disputes practice alongside Louise Woods. For more details, see the original article. Lateral activity between U.S. firms in London continues…

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Federal Appeals Court Extends Suspension of Judge Newman Amid Ongoing Legal Battle

Pieter Gunst01 mins

This week, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recommended extending Judge Pauline Newman’s suspension for an additional year. Newman’s suspension stems from her non-compliance with an investigation into her competence. Judge Newman has publicly stated that she will continue to fight the allegations and plans to challenge the judicial…

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Apple Joins Biden-Backed AI Safeguard Initiative, Integrates ChatGPT Amid Security Concerns

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Apple Inc. has become the latest tech giant to adopt a set of voluntary artificial intelligence (AI) safeguards developed by President Joe Biden’s administration. The guidelines, aimed at steering the evolution of this rapidly advancing technology, join the commitments of other major players like OpenAI Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and Microsoft…

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Federal Judge Temporarily Halts DOL Fiduciary Rule Amid Legal Challenge by Insurance Industry

Pieter Gunst05 mins

A Texas federal judge has granted a request by an insurance industry trade association to temporarily block a US Labor Department rule that classifies more retirement advice providers as fiduciaries. The plaintiffs, including the Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice (FACC) and five other insurance industry stakeholders, may likely succeed on the merits of their…

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Legal Scholars Warn of Programming Bias Amid Rising AI Training in the Workforce

Pieter Gunst02 mins

As companies increasingly train employees in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), there’s growing concern among legal scholars that these initiatives could lead to claims of programming bias. The fast-paced adoption of AI in the workplace disproportionately impacts women and other historically underrepresented groups in tech fields. Many of these individuals are employed in sectors…

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Ferrari Thwarts Sophisticated Deepfake Scam Targeting CEO-Like Communications

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Earlier this month, Ferrari NV faced an unusual cybersecurity incident when an executive began receiving a series of unexpected messages on WhatsApp, purportedly from CEO Benedetto Vigna. The messages, asking for assistance with a fictitious large acquisition, appeared convincing at first glance. They featured a profile picture of Vigna in front of Ferrari’s prancing-horse logo,…

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Murdoch Family Succession Battle Intensifies as Top Law Firms Join the Fray

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a complex and closely watched legal battle within the Murdoch family, major law firms have taken prominent roles. Three of Rupert Murdoch’s children are represented by Cravath’s Gary Bornstein against their father, while Rupert Murdoch, with Lachlan Murdoch set as his successor, has retained Sheppard Mullin’s Adam Streisand. This dispute over control of the…

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Surge in Law Firm Lateral Hires Driven by Market Forces and Anticipated Economic Shifts

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Law Firm Lateral Partner Activity Recent data indicates that the largest law firms in major cities have seen a significant uptick in lateral partner hiring, particularly in corporate, finance, white-collar, and investment management practices. The first half of this year has shown a marked increase in lateral moves in these areas, fueled by large group…

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