Controversial ex-attorney Lin Wood found himself on the defensive in a Georgia federal court on Wednesday regarding social media posts he made about three former law partners. These posts followed the 2020 dissolution of his firm, and Wood claimed they were attempts at self-defense. As the trial nears its conclusion, the scrutiny surrounding Wood’s intentions…
A woman whose son was seriously injured in a car accident shed tears while testifying in Tom Girardi’s criminal trial. The mother recounted her increasingly desperate attempts to secure a final $1 million owed to her from a lawsuit settlement, as the embattled attorney continually provided varying excuses for the delay in funds. For further…
In a significant legal development, law professors and media groups are advocating for transparency by supporting a nonprofit’s appeal at the Federal Circuit. They aim to unseal documents from a patent lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas, arguing that maintaining secrecy in such cases undermines the public interest. The case, presided over by Judge…
Gratuity Solutions LLC has filed a lawsuit against Boston-based Toast Inc., accusing the point-of-sale software company of misappropriating trade secrets. The case, brought on Wednesday in a Florida federal court, alleges that Toast’s executives improperly obtained confidential information following a failed merger attempt between the two companies. For more details on the lawsuit, click here.
In a significant shift for Tesla’s legal team, Holland & Knight LLP has been replaced by Polsinelli PC as the electric vehicle giant’s counsel in a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla permitted widespread racism at a California factory. This change follows the move of three key attorneys from Holland…
IRS Special Agent Ryan Roberson presented a detailed analysis of bank records during the first six days of testimony against Thomas Girardi in the US District Court for the Central District of California. The bank records demonstrated how Girardi Keese client settlement funds were funneled through business expenses and to accounts of other clients whose…
This week, Law.com has shared critical updates in the ongoing legal landscape through their Class Actions: Critical Mass newsletter. Federal prosecutors have highlighted significant testimonies from former clients and employees in the trial of Tom Girardi, a name familiar to those tracking high-profile legal misconduct cases. Additionally, a pivotal trial in South Carolina involving talc…
A University of Denver law school graduate with disabilities, who was terminated by the Denver District Attorney’s Office during an externship, has been barred from suing the university for discrimination. A Colorado federal judge ruled against the former student, citing misogynistic attacks against opposing counsel and other inappropriate behavior as grounds for sanctions. The case…
The recent editorial by Above the Law shines a light on the increasing delays in first-year start dates at some regional firms. The phenomenon raises important questions about whether this is an isolated issue or indicative of a broader trend in the legal industry. With economic conditions being volatile, such delays might become more common…
Breaking through the competitive ranks of the Am Law A-List, a Biglaw firm has made a significant leap from No. 33 in 2019 to secure the No. 7 spot in the 2024 rankings. This achievement is notable for an institution rooted in the legal traditions of New York since its founding in 1946. Detailed coverage…
By Rachel Riley (August 14, 2024, 8:45 PM EDT) — A company that sells fertilizer to commercial cannabis growers has claimed a competitor used its trademarks as part of an unsanctioned co-branding campaign and on THC lab testing reports that falsely advertise its products as less effective, according to a suit filed in Washington federal…
On Wednesday, Delaware’s Supreme Court upheld a Chancery Court’s decision to award an almost record-breaking $266.7 million in attorney fees to stockholder attorneys who settled a class action lawsuit against Dell Technologies Inc. for $1 billion. The court stated that the Chancery Court did not exceed its discretion in setting the fee percentage. The Supreme…
In a strategic effort to stave off financial ruin, the California Bar has entered into a five-year development contract with Kaplan Exam Services, valued at $8.25 million. The contract marks a significant shift as it involves Kaplan authoring the test, replacing the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ (NCBE) Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) by 2025. The…
In a recent ruling, a Texas federal judge has mandated that litigation firm VDPP LLC and its counsel, Texas attorney William Ramey III of Ramey LLP, compensate Volkswagen to the tune of $207,543 in legal fees. This decision follows the dismissal of a patent lawsuit deemed to lack substantial merit. The judge applied a fee…
A Texas federal judge has ordered litigation firm VDPP LLC and its counsel, Texas attorney William Ramey III of Ramey LLP, to pay Volkswagen $207,543 in fees. This decision comes after a determination that the fee multiplier for “exceptional” cases was applicable due to the patent suit’s “obvious lack of merit.” The now-dismissed case underscores…
A D.C. federal judge has advised Novartis to abandon claims that it would face financial ruin if a generic version of its top-selling drug, Entresto, entered the market. The judge noted that Novartis would still maintain financial stability even if it lost $3 billion in U.S. sales, given its substantial $45 billion global revenue. For…
A divided Missouri appellate panel has upheld a $12 million jury verdict in favor of a Kansas City Southern Railway switchman who was run over by a train in Illinois. The verdict is one of the largest railroad injury verdicts in St. Louis County’s history. In a 2-1 ruling, the majority rejected claims by Kansas…
A significant development occurred in the pharmaceutical patent litigation realm as a federal judge overturned a Delaware jury verdict, effectively freeing AstraZeneca from a $107.5 million liability. The case revolved around allegations that AstraZeneca had infringed on two cancer drug patents owned by a unit of Pfizer. The judge’s decision was based on the finding…
In a significant legal development, a Washington federal judge has nullified a $72 million jury award previously granted to electric jet startup Zunum Aero Inc. against The Boeing Co. The lawsuit accused Boeing of misappropriating Zunum’s trade secrets. However, the judge ruled that Zunum presented “only vague and amorphous descriptions” of the trade secrets during…
Law firms are increasingly relying on engagement letters or online e-billing platforms to alert clients of rate increases, moving away from more personalized communication methods such as direct conversations. This trend, which started around a decade ago, often frustrates clients, according to pricing experts and corporate counsel consultants. One firm chair estimates that more than…
If, after law school, you decide to work at a law firm, on the Hill, at the White House, or for the U.S. Department of Justice, and you are sexually harassed, you might first complain internally to Human Resources (HR). If that fails, you are empowered to sue your employer in civil court under Title…
Artists defending a class-action lawsuit are claiming a major win this week in their fight to stop the most sophisticated AI image generators from copying billions of artworks to train AI models and replicate their styles without compensating artists. In an order on Monday, US district judge William Orrick denied key parts of motions to…
The escalating salary wars among London Biglaw firms are stirring notable unrest among associates, as evidenced by recent comments disseminated through industry channels. A partner at a top-tier U.K.-based firm conveyed his observations to Law.com International, reflecting on how the announcement of increased pay scales for newly qualified (NQ) lawyers has been met with anxiety…
In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit has ruled that the maker of the popular Elfbar vape can challenge a court-imposed order banning it from selling products under the “Elf” mark. The ruling highlights a significant judicial oversight, pointing out that the district judge had “misread” precedent and based the injunction on a “deficient” legal…
An alleged online scammer is using Netgear Inc.’s trademarks to deceive customers into purchasing products and services under the false pretense of being affiliated with the computer networking giant. Netgear has responded with a $4 million complaint, citing trademark infringement and unfair competition as the basis for their legal action. The company alleges this fraudulent…