Urgent Need for Deepfakes Law The U.S. Copyright Office has raised concerns over the rapid expansion of deepfakes generated by artificial intelligence, signaling an “urgent need” for new federal legislation. In a report delivered to Congress, the office highlighted that “an era of sophisticated digital replicas has arrived,” underscoring the potential legal and ethical ramifications…
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered federal agencies to coordinate and intensify efforts to disrupt the supply chain of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In a national security memorandum addressed to agencies ranging from the FBI to the Postal Service, Biden wrote, “Tackling the deadly scourge of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids has been…
The Federal Circuit has upheld the invalidation of Sherwin-Williams’ paint patents following a legal challenge by industry competitor PPG. At trial, PPG contended that it had developed the technology in question over twenty years ago, challenging the validity of Sherwin-Williams’ patents on these grounds. For a detailed account of the case proceedings, refer to the…
Amid rapid advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the conversation surrounding the right of publicity is becoming increasingly significant. The right of publicity, or the ability to exploit an individual’s name, image, voice, and likeness (NIL), faces a complex legal landscape influenced by a disparate array of state laws. As AI continues to evolve,…
White & Case is ramping up its hiring of regulatory and white-collar lawyers across its global offices in response to a surge in demand for such expertise. The firm emphasizes that more local hires can enrich the political, social, and economic context surrounding their clients’ issues. For more detailed information, you can read the full…
Faced with fierce competition and rising operating costs, firms are increasingly under pressure to build sophisticated marketing and business development teams that align with strategic priorities. This drive for growth, however, comes amid a constrained talent market, necessitating creative and flexible approaches to recruitment and team building. Rather than traditional recruiting practices, firms might explore…
Faced with fierce competition and rising operating costs, firms are under pressure to build well-oiled marketing and business development teams that align with strategic priorities. According to Ben Curle at Ambition, these firms will need to be flexible and creative given a tight talent market. As Curle suggests, every point of differentiation can potentially offer…
Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP has announced the addition of an experienced intellectual property attorney from Fowler White Burnett PA to its team. The new partner brings over 20 years of expertise and will be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This strategic hire is part of Lewis Brisbois’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its IP…
Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader, along with two other critics, has called on Sullivan & Cromwell LLP to reconsider its current policy of screening potential job applicants based on their participation in protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The critics have formally communicated their concerns to the BigLaw firm, urging a policy…
Article The European Union (EU) has voiced significant concerns regarding the legitimacy of Venezuela’s recent presidential elections, prompting calls for independent verification of the results. This was highlighted in a statement by the EU’s High Representative, Josep Borrell, delivered on Tuesday. The controversy follows the declaration by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) that the incumbent…
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its legal market, Japan has recently simplified the registration process for foreign lawyers. This regulatory change is expected to create a more accessible legal landscape, potentially attracting a significant number of international legal practitioners. The Ministry of Justice led this initiative to facilitate smoother operations for overseas lawyers…
White & Case, traditionally known as a Wall Street firm, has transformed over the past three decades into a globally focused legal powerhouse. This transition involved substantial investments in foreign offices, positioning the firm across nearly every continent except Antarctica. The firm is betting that hiring locally in these international outposts for white-collar and regulatory…
By Gabriel Culver and Peter Hillegas (July 31, 2024, 4:13 PM EDT) — The U.S. Department of Commerce is ramping up the frequency of grant award announcements under the CHIPS and Science Act, pushing recipients to be mindful of their pledges to construct new semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Of particular importance to patent litigators, these promises…
Ryan Young Park, the solicitor general of North Carolina and nominee for the Fourth Circuit, defended his record and commitment to the law amid attacks from North Carolina’s U.S. senators, who claim they were not properly consulted on his selection. Sen. Thom Tillis and Sen. Ted Budd have voiced strong opposition to Park’s nomination, raising…
The First Circuit has left intact most of a $5 million post-trial award levied against a life sciences recruiting firm, which was found to have misappropriated trade secrets from a competitor concerning placements at reputable companies, including Takeda and Vedanta Biosciences. This decision highlights the serious legal ramifications companies may face if found guilty of…
A suspended director of the troubled Indian educational tech firm Byju’s must pay $10,000 a day until he helps locate $533 million that his company is accused of hiding from US lenders, a judge said Wednesday. Riju Ravindran, brother of Byju’s founder, has been at the center of a nearly two-year-old fight over the missing…
Holland & Knight has added Taylor Speers to its financial services team as a partner based in Dallas. Speers, who previously worked at Winston & Strawn, brings extensive experience in structured finance transactions. His practice is particularly focused on residential mortgage loans, servicing rights, and servicing advance financing. The announcement was made publicly on Wednesday.
As the legal community gears up for the latter half of 2024, five high-profile trials warrant close attention. One such case involves star lawyer Tom Girardi, who faces allegations of fraud. Another major case centers on Hunter Biden’s tax issues. Additionally, Washington state’s “patent troll” law will be put to the test, marking another significant…
Today, Legaltech Hub (LTH), a leading provider of a global directory of legal technology solutions, tools, and services, released its second installment in an ongoing series of competitive analyses on provider categories within the legal tech market. This latest report scrutinizes due diligence automation providers. In this installment, LTH evaluates key players focused on automating…
Rhett Butler has joined Shumaker as an associate in the corporate, tax, and transactions service line, the firm announced Wednesday. Butler’s practice will focus on mergers and acquisitions, capital financing, and both domestic and international tax laws. Butler brings extensive experience in stock and asset acquisitions, as well as tax-free reorganizations, which are transactions that…
The ongoing legal battles of former President Donald Trump have resurfaced once again as he seeks to lift a gag order related to his hush-money criminal case. Trump has asked a New York appeals court to revoke the gag order, arguing that it restricts his ability to counter Vice President Kamala Harris’s claims, which portray…
J.C. Penney’s bankruptcy plan administrator is pursuing the phone records of former bankruptcy judge David R. Jones. The goal is to determine if Jones engaged in undisclosed communications with attorneys who appeared before him. According to a notice filed in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, the subpoena aims to collect…
Legal-operations professionals are increasingly facing challenges due to conflicting power dynamics and decision-making authority within their legal teams. A recent survey of 200 respondents highlighted this friction as a significant issue impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of legal operations. Additionally, these professionals are also dealing with the complexities of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in…
Investors have initiated a class action lawsuit against cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, with the complaint being spearheaded by the Plymouth County Retirement Association. The group is represented by New York-based legal firm Labaton Keller Sucharow. Further details of the suit allege misrepresentations or omissions by CrowdStrike, potentially affecting shareholder value. For a closer look at the…
The legal industry has been abuzz this week with discussions around compensation structures, political maneuvers, and judicial conduct. A recent conversation gaining traction is whether law firms should consider restructuring their compensation models to offer associates higher pay while reducing the earnings of partners. This suggestion comes from a client’s perspective that could potentially set…