For first-generation lawyers, the experience of entering Big Law can be both challenging and rewarding. These new attorneys often navigate the legal profession alone, lacking familial connections that could open doors and provide insight into the industry’s nuances. Despite these hurdles, the journey can lead to significant personal and professional growth. First-generation lawyers carry the…
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced the No Kings Act on Thursday, which aims to clearly establish that US presidents and vice presidents do not enjoy immunity from federal criminal law. The legislation leans heavily on the US Constitution, including the Necessary and Proper Clause under Article 1, Section 8, which grants Congress the…
In a significant development for customers of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, U.S. federal courts are deliberating on how to manage the multitude of claims from affected customers. Following questions from the federal district court in Miami, Adam Moskowitz, managing partner at the Moskowitz Law Firm, indicated that all FTX victims might potentially be made…
Legal News In a dual opinion delivered on Thursday, the Eleventh Circuit Court has revived a copyright infringement claim by software firm Compulife. However, it dismissed Compulife’s effort to compel Zurich American Insurance Co. to cover a judgment against an insurance agent accused of aiding three other individuals in the misappropriation of Compulife’s trade secrets….
Amazon secured a default judgment Thursday in Washington federal court against sellers involved in the distribution of counterfeit luxury goods. These sellers had collaborated with social media influencers to market fake Hermes, Chanel, and Christian Dior products. The court’s decision came after the defendants did not respond to Amazon’s complaint by the designated deadline. For…
An Ohio federal judge is required to add Cold Chain LLC to a patent infringement case involving overhead doors used in commercial trucking. The decision was handed down by the Federal Circuit on Thursday, making Cold Chain LLC a necessary party to the litigation initiated by its licensee. This ruling highlights the complexities of patent…
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has once more invalidated a vape patent held by an R.J. Reynolds unit, following a legal challenge pursued by Philip Morris Products SA. This decision reverses a brief period of relief for the patent holder granted by the Federal Circuit. This case marks another chapter in the ongoing…
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) recently delivered a significant ruling affecting Amazon affiliate sites. In a precedential decision on Wednesday, the board upheld its refusal to register a trademark for a culinary website operating as an Amazon affiliate. Despite earning commissions by directing consumers to products sold by third parties, the website was…
The alter egos of bankrupt pool supply company Blueworks Corp. have rebuffed claims that they “simply refuse to answer” requests for discovery from rival Hayward Industries Inc. Hayward Industries is seeking a $16 million judgment for alleged false advertising and deceptive trade practices. For more details, see the full article.
A Black attorney has initiated legal proceedings against Duane Morris LLP in a California federal court, alleging systemic underpayment of female and nonwhite attorneys. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the firm engaged in an employee misclassification scheme, which purportedly allowed Duane Morris to transfer firm expenses to nonequity partners. For further details on the case,…
Elon Musk and his social media platform X are facing allegations from former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who claims they lured him with “false promises and representations” regarding a proposed partnership for a talk show and other exclusive content. According to a lawsuit filed Thursday, Lemon asserts that the deal was abruptly canceled before it…
Senate Passes Bill to Create 66 New Trial Court Judge Seats The Senate has unanimously passed a bill to create 66 new federal district court judgeships, marking a significant moment of bipartisanship in an area traditionally fraught with political gridlock. The bill, numbered S. 4199, aims to ease the burden on overworked courts by authorizing…
An ex-merchandising company executive has been accused of exploiting trade secrets to sabotage a $47 million deal with home improvement giant Lowe’s Cos. Inc., according to a recent [federal lawsuit in North Carolina](https://www.law360.com/articles/1864737/merchandising-co-says-ex-vp-sunk-47m-deal-with-lowe-s). The former employer alleges that the executive’s actions directly led to the collapse of the substantial commercial agreement, raising significant concerns about…
Medical monitoring startup AliveCor Inc. has petitioned the Ninth Circuit to revive its antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc. The core of AliveCor’s argument is that Apple’s decision to remove access to heart rate data on its Apple Watch was a strategic maneuver to stifle competition and not a genuine attempt to enhance the device’s functionality….
Two artificial intelligence startups announced on Thursday that the major record labels’ monopolistic grip on the music industry will inevitably nullify their federal lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that the AI companies infringed copyrighted works while using them to train neural networks aimed at generating original music from user prompts. The plaintiffs argue that the pervasive…
Manhattan litigator Roberta Kaplan is strengthening her new litigation boutique, Kaplan Martin, by adding former colleagues from her previous firm. The firm announced Thursday that Christopher Le Coney and D. Brandon Trice have joined as partners. Both lawyers transitioned from Kaplan Hecker & Fink, where they were involved in complex litigation in counsel roles. Roberta…
The legal landscape continues to evolve with significant developments making headlines. One notable story is the fresh expansion by Sidley Austin LLP, which has added another office to its California portfolio. This move underscores the firm’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the region. To learn more about these developments, you can read the full…
In a recent article, Above the Law commended their advertisers, highlighting their contributions to the legal community. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of advertiser support in facilitating the diverse range of legal content and resources provided by the publication. The article emphasizes how these partnerships enable Above the Law to deliver high-quality news, commentary, and…
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has highlighted the increasing importance for General Counsels to play an active role in preventing “greenwashing.” The regulator’s focus on greenwashing—where companies misleadingly promote their products or policies as environmentally friendly—has intensified, with indications of potential prosecutions on the horizon. Legal professionals working within corporate settings should stay…
A Georgia federal judge on Thursday blocked a biomedical technology company’s bid to seize the digital devices of a former executive accused of downloading thousands of internal files containing sensitive product information in the days and weeks leading up to her ouster from the company this year. The decision marks a significant development in the…
Google has successfully convinced the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to invalidate all patent claims held by Flypsi Inc. that were tied to a $12 million infringement verdict against the tech giant in the Western District of Texas. This ruling effectively nullifies Google’s financial liability in the case, marking a significant legal victory for…
A North Carolina songwriter has decided to end her legal battle against rapper French Montana. The lawsuit, which accused French Montana of not providing financial compensation for using her music as was allegedly agreed upon, has been formally dropped according to recent court filings. This development brings closure to the dispute over the unpaid sample…
Abridge, an AI-focused healthcare startup valued at $850 million, has appointed former Google AI policy lead Tim Hwang as its first general counsel. The announcement follows Abridge’s recent Series C funding round, in which it raised $150 million. Hwang, who will be responsible for leading a legal team of three, overseeing legal strategy, and managing…
Legal News The Federal Circuit confirmed that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) was correct in invalidating a patent held by Voice Tech Corp. This patent pertained to the utilization of voice commands and had been challenged by Unified Patents LLC. The court indicated that the PTAB did not introduce a new theory to…
Airbnb is currently contesting a $1.3 billion tax bill in the U.S. Tax Court. The dispute centers around income the IRS allocated from the company’s operations overseas, specifically focusing on the valuation of intellectual property (IP) that Airbnb licensed to its Irish affiliate before the company went public. According to Airbnb, the IRS has significantly…