As Johnson & Johnson readies its third attempt to resolve talc-related cancer litigation through bankruptcy, a spotlight has been cast on the issue of what constitutes a “good faith” filing in Chapter 11 cases. There is no standardized method of evaluating good faith filings in the US Bankruptcy Code, leading to varied interpretations across different…
When company executives sell their shares at inflated prices due to misrepresentations, it often suggests a motive to commit fraud. In securities fraud cases, defendants frequently use “trading plans” established under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act to counter such accusations. These plans create predefined transaction schedules to deflect allegations of suspicious trading activity….
A trio of top firms have been enlisted to provide counsel for a major acquisition in Singapore. U.S. private equity firm Warburg Pincus and Australian construction company Lendlease are collaborating to purchase a portfolio of industrial assets valued at $1.2 billion. The legal advisory panel includes Big Four Singapore firm Allen & Gledhill, Latham &…
A California bankruptcy judge ruled on Tuesday that the now-defunct Orange County debt relief law firm, Litigation Practice Group, operated as a “criminal enterprise” and potentially a Ponzi scheme. This decision will likely empower representatives for the firm’s court-appointed bankruptcy trustee to reclaim funds from investors. For further details, visit Law360.
California lawmakers have approved a groundbreaking proposal to set safety and security standards for large artificial intelligence models. This legislative effort marks the first of its kind in setting a regulatory framework designed to address the risks and challenges posed by advanced AI technologies. The bill, which garnered significant support, aims to impose rigorous oversight…
California lawmakers on Wednesday approved a proposal to establish safety and security standards for large artificial intelligence models. This legislative action represents a new approach to regulating AI technologies, aiming to address potential risks associated with their deployment. For more details, you can read the coverage on Law360 .
The federal government’s lawsuit challenging TikTok’s policing of children’s activities on its platform, coupled with the increasing legislative efforts to enhance online protections for teenagers, is putting significant pressure on a wide array of website operators. This situation underscores the necessity for companies to reassess their current compliance strategies and consider going beyond existing legal…
In late 2022, generative artificial intelligence tools witnessed a significant boost in their sophistication and capabilities, making a notable impact on the legal sector. These advancements mark the start of AI’s deepening influence in legal work and the pertinent legal frameworks governing these activities. As generative AI models continue to evolve, they are poised to…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a summary judgment in favor of Oregon State Bar officers, stating that a member attorney successfully demonstrated that the bar violated his constitutional right to freedom of association. This decision was based on the bar’s publication of statements that the attorney objected to, which criticized former President…
Yelp has initiated legal action against Google, filing a lawsuit in California federal court on Wednesday. The crux of Yelp’s complaint is the search giant’s alleged self-preferencing of its own local search offerings, which Yelp argues constitutes illegal monopolization. This move follows years of public lobbying by Yelp against Google’s practices. For more details, you…
An Illinois federal judge has revived a 7-year-old judgment against a farmer accused of preventing the collection of patented Monsanto soybean seed crops planted on his land and selling them without permission. This legal development underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding patent laws in the agricultural sector. The original judgment, detailed here, highlights the ramifications of…
CyDex Pharmaceuticals has initiated legal proceedings against Bexson Biomedical, alleging a breach of contract in Delaware Chancery Court. The core of CyDex’s claim centers on the accusation that Bexson improperly utilized a molecule designed by CyDex to create unauthorized non-ketamine formulations. Additionally, CyDex contends that Bexson subsequently filed for a patent on these formulations, an…
A lawyer for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged a California federal judge on Wednesday to stop Meta from censoring pro-Kennedy posts on Facebook and Instagram. The attorney emphasized that Kennedy “remains a presidential candidate” and could “conceivably still win the election,” despite his recent announcement about suspending his campaign. Further details of the lawsuit and…
A Ninth Circuit panel concluded on Wednesday that Hawaii’s state court rules requiring the automatic sealing of medical and health records in both civil and criminal proceedings are unconstitutionally overbroad. This decision marks a significant shift in how sensitive personal information is handled within judicial processes in the state, balancing privacy concerns against the principles…
A recent legal decision permits a Michigan cannabis company to continue its lawsuit against an intellectual property attorney and his wife. The couple is accused of posting defamatory comments about the company on social media. According to the federal judge overseeing the case, the cannabis business successfully demonstrated that the court has jurisdiction over the…
A company managing the intellectual property rights of the late Major League Baseball sportscaster Harry Caray has initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit in a Texas federal court. The suit, filed on Tuesday, targets a Dallas restaurateur for allegedly using Caray’s well-known catchphrase “holy cow!” without authorization. The move represents an effort to protect the legacy…
Earlier this month, more than 4,000 legal industry professionals gathered outside Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for the International Legal Technology Association Conference (ILTACON) 2024. The record attendance, noted in terms of registrations and countries represented, brought a palpable energy from the exhibit hall to various sessions and social events. Generative…
Jones Day has strengthened its international M&A practice in South Asia by hiring Parveet Singh Gandoak, a corporate partner from King & Spalding, based in Singapore. Gandoak’s experience spans advising multinationals, sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and venture capital firms on a variety of cross-border corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, exits,…
The Federal Circuit ruled Wednesday that the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) cannot pursue new allegations that Apple infringes its circuit patent. This decision comes after a previous $506 million verdict against the tech giant was thrown out on appeal. This ruling is significant for patent litigation and highlights the challenges faced by patent holders…
Yelp has initiated legal proceedings against Google, alleging antitrust violations. The lawsuit, brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and argued by Hausfeld attorneys Sathya Gosselin and Swathi Bojedla, accuses the tech giant of abusing its dominant position as the “largest information gatekeeper in existence.” Yelp claims that Google violated…
End-payor plaintiffs have requested final approval from a New Jersey federal judge for a $35 million settlement to resolve their antitrust claims against Pfizer over the cholesterol medication Lipitor. The proposed agreement seeks to address allegations that Pfizer engaged in anti-competitive practices that hindered generic versions of the drug from entering the market, thus inflating…
The video game developer behind “Farmville” and “Words with Friends” faced a setback this Wednesday when a Delaware federal judge ruled that claims in an IBM patent are not too routine for patent protection. This decision allows IBM to proceed with its claims before a jury trial, which is scheduled for early next month. For…
In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit held that a Japanese manufacturer of power drills cannot compel the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to resume adjudication of a patent dispute involving a competitor. The ruling came after the rival company dropped its infringement allegations. This case highlights the complexities involved in international patent disputes and…
Tom Girardi was convicted on Tuesday of four counts of wire fraud, raising the question of whether the 85-year-old will serve a prison sentence. While Girardi faces up to 80 years in prison, federal prosecutors suggest that the sentencing guidelines could place him in the range of nine to 14 years. Following Girardi’s conviction, U.S….
Latham & Watkins, Goodwin Procter, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett have emerged as leaders in private equity and venture capital activities for the first half of 2024, according to recent league tables. The findings, reported by the London Stock Exchange Group, indicate that while private equity activity remained relatively subdued compared to the high marks…