In a significant shift within the legal departments of major corporations, Rashida La Lande has transitioned from her role as chief legal officer at Kraft Heinz Co. to become the new general counsel at Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. La Lande will succeed Deirdre Stanley, who stepped down recently after joining Estée Lauder in 2019. La…
Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate brings a policy advocate known for his diverse legislative portfolio to the forefront of the campaign. Walz, a former lawmaker, has been a strong supporter of veterans’ rights and public education. His progressive stance extends to issues such as…
Thompson Hine LLP has moved to dismiss a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former attorney, asserting that the claim does not sufficiently demonstrate a connection between gender bias and the workplace conflicts experienced during her employment. The firm made this argument in a recent filing with a New York federal court. For more details…
In the highly anticipated criminal fraud trial of disbarred attorney Tom Girardi, opening statements delivered on Tuesday highlighted two starkly contrasting viewpoints. A California federal prosecutor accused Girardi of misappropriating millions of dollars from vulnerable clients, alleging he used these funds as his “personal piggy bank.” Conversely, Girardi’s defense argued that he is an elderly…
Amidst an escalating dispute, attorneys from Dechert LLP representing Microsoft responded on Tuesday to Delta Air Lines’ recent threats of litigation. The core of the dispute lies in the substantial losses Delta claims to have suffered from last month’s global CrowdStrike outage. Notably, Microsoft’s legal team highlighted that Delta had repeatedly declined Microsoft’s offers for…
A ruling by a federal court in Washington D.C. on Monday found that Google maintains its search engine monopoly illegally. The decision has been described as pivotal, experts believe it could affect not only Google but also the broader internet landscape. The case offers a clear illustration of how current antitrust regulations can be adapted…
A Delaware federal judge has upheld a jury’s decision that AstraZeneca owes $107.5 million in royalty damages for infringing patents related to Pfizer’s cancer treatment. On Tuesday, the court rejected AstraZeneca’s claims that the patents in question were unenforceable and that the asserted claims were invalid. This ruling solidifies the jury’s determination and requires AstraZeneca…
A Florida restaurateur’s intellectual property company has initiated legal action in Colorado federal court against a Japanese restaurant and its interim manager in Aspen. The complaint, grounded in trademark infringement, alleges that the defendants continued to use the name and logo created by the IP company without proper authorization. More details on this developing case…
In a recent ruling by the Federal Circuit, it was held that Meril Life Sciences is protected under a patent safe harbor when presenting its preapproval transcatheter heart valve system at an industry conference. This decision comes amid claims from Edwards Lifesciences, which Meril argues are merely delay tactics aimed at stalling their progress. The…
Legal News Thomas V. Girardi was introduced to a Los Angeles jury by prosecutors as a celebrity-turned-villain who worsened the pain of clients he promised to champion. His lawyers argued that the real story is not a Hollywood movie, but rather a complex interaction that has been exaggerated by media portrayal. The opening arguments painted…
The head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Kathi Vidal, has decided to allow Samsung another opportunity to challenge infringement claims levied against the company concerning its Galaxy Watch. These claims, which are being asserted by a patent licensing outfit, are currently being contested in a Texas federal court. Samsung’s renewed petition to…
The Federal Circuit on Tuesday sided with a cognac distilling industry trade group, overturning an administrative board’s decision that allowed a small record label to register a trademark using the term “cognac.” This ruling establishes new precedent on assessing the fame of “certification marks.” For more details, you can read the original article here.
A Pakistani national with connections to Iran has been charged in a New York federal court in relation to a murder-for-hire plot aimed at US government officials. Asif Merchant allegedly orchestrated the plan, initially contacting a confidential source ostensibly to sell clothing in the US. Merchant then paid $5,000 to the source, who was actually…
In a detailed examination of the legal landscape, Above the Law has recently compiled a commendation of notable developments and achievements, encapsulated in the piece titled “Giving Roses To The Best Of Them — See Also”. This article offers insights into various accomplishments and pressing issues within the legal community. Recent Law School Grad Taking…
The D.C. Circuit ruled on Tuesday that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is entitled to refuse to confirm or deny the existence of documents related to its oversight of detainees at Guantánamo Bay. The court’s decision arose from a case where a military lawyer contended that the records in question were already part of the…
Tampa Bay area attorney Matthew Weidner is known for sharing his legal work online to assist self-represented litigants. However, a recent incident highlighted the risks associated with this practice. Legal Service Co. used one of Weidner’s old pleadings as a template, which inadvertently led to his identity being misused in a Sixth Circuit case. This…
Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP has taken a stand against a bid by a Lloyd’s of London syndicate to unseal the law firm’s complaint, which seeks $1 million in coverage for a data breach that occurred in November 2022. The firm contends that Lloyd’s has resorted to “mock and insult their own customer” while revealing…
French luxury brand Louis Vuitton Malletier SAS is pursuing statutory damages amounting to $2 million per counterfeited mark from the operator of a Connecticut flea market. According to a federal lawsuit, the counterfeit goods were sold repeatedly despite a 2018 agreement aimed at halting such activities.
The European Union on Monday condemned Kosovo authorities’ closure of nine Post of Serbia branches, asserting that the actions breach agreements established under the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The EU emphasized that any actions taken unilaterally by Kosovo, without engaging or consulting Serbia, will obstruct the ongoing process aimed at normalizing relations. This…
In a recent legal development, the attorney for former Texas Mayor Laura Maczka-Jordan, who has been convicted of fraud, contended that allegations of racketeering against his client and her husband should be dismissed. The argument before the Fifth Circuit Court emphasized that the matter in question pertains to a lease dispute, rather than a racketeering…
In a significant legal challenge, Apple and three other prominent technology companies have once again petitioned the Federal Circuit to abolish the Fintiv rule, which allows the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to decline patent reviews based on concurrent litigation. The companies argue that the rule is unlawful because it was implemented without the…
UK law associations expressed significant concerns on Monday regarding the proposal to implement 24-hour “night courts” to handle the aftermath of the recent far-right riots throughout the country. The associations emphasized the already severe workload and insufficient compensation facing solicitors. Both the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), Magistrates’ Association, and UK Law Society voiced their opposition…
The 2024 A-List from The American Lawyer reveals a competitive roster of law firms excelling across various metrics: revenue per lawyer (RPL), pro bono commitment, racial and gender diversity, associate satisfaction, and the percentage of equity partners who are women. The top two firms, Munger Tolles and Ropes & Gray, maintain their positions from the…
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Tuesday that Chad’s military was responsible for the deaths of several detainees following their arrests during the October 2022 protests. According to HRW, the detainees faced dire conditions while being transported from the capital, N’Djamena, to Koro Toro prison. Basic supplies such as food, water, and medical care were…
In a significant turn of events, Jenna Ellis has agreed to cooperate with Arizona prosecutors in the state’s high-stakes election fraud case. Ellis, previously known for her controversial tactics and close association with former President Donald Trump, has signed a plea agreement dropping multiple felony charges against her in exchange for her cooperation. Above the…