The Illinois Supreme Court has denied Baker McKenzie’s request to consider an appeal regarding a lower-court ruling. The global law firm sought to move a legal malpractice lawsuit out of Illinois, arguing that the case lacked a significant connection to the state. Bloomberg Law reports that the lawsuit was filed by Lehram Capital Investments Ltd….
A magistrate judge has recommended the dismissal of a disbarred North Carolina attorney’s extensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit aimed at acquiring documents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The judge found that the government is immune from the lawsuit and that most of the claims had already been litigated. This latest development…
A Colorado federal judge recently criticized BigLaw attorneys for their “uncanny knack” of insulting the court through briefs. In a statement made last Thursday, the judge highlighted the tendency of employment lawyers to ignore adverse case law, suggesting that their credibility suffers as a result. Acknowledging unfavorable arguments, according to the judge, would lend more…
Asia Moves: Regional Boutiques Gain Talent; Dentons Lee, Linklaters Add to Bench Firms in Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong have made recent high-profile hires. Dentons Lee and Linklaters have both added talent to their benches in the region, further boosting their capabilities. For additional details, refer to the full article here.
DirecTV and Dish Network are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a merger that would establish the largest pay-TV provider in the United States. According to individuals with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, the merger could be publicly announced within the next few days. DirecTV,…
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is increasingly engaging with generative AI technology, positioning it as a crucial ‘co-pilot’ for their legal services. Firm leader Michael Gerstenzang discussed in an interview with Law.com how Cleary collaborates directly with AI providers to refine these tools. This proactive approach aligns with a growing trend among clients who…
The North Carolina Business Court has denied a medical equipment maker’s bid to obtain a win based on pleadings in a complex legal dispute. The case involves allegations of fraudulent concealment and unfair trade practices, specifically accusing the company of stealing a business model and a pregnancy support garment design from a competitor. The decision…
The shift toward brevity in law firm names may contradict another trend in the legal industry: a seemingly endless wave of mergers and consolidations. As legal professionals navigate this evolving landscape, the preference for shorter, more memorable firm names becomes increasingly apparent. This trend is indicative of broader changes within the industry, where the push…
Justice Brett Kavanaugh articulated his stance on the Supreme Court’s recent decision, which affects the authority of federal agencies, during an appearance at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. Speaking on Thursday, Kavanaugh emphasized that the overturning of the Chevron precedent should not be over interpreted or misused by future courts or…
Womble Bond Dickinson is making significant strides to enhance its international disputes practice. The firm aims to provide elite arbitration practitioners, leveraging a competitive fee structure and deep expertise in critical industries known for frequent disputes. While the full details require access to the original article, interested readers can find more information here.
Smartmatic has reportedly reached a settlement with Newsmax, resolving its defamation claims in Delaware Superior Court just days before the trial was set to commence. While a spokesperson for Smartmatic declined to provide specific details on the settlement’s value or any non-monetary terms that may have been agreed upon, the resolution marks a closing chapter…
OpenAI has successfully overcome most of the counterclaims filed by Guy Ravine and his company, Open Artificial Intelligence Inc., in a trademark dispute. The company is engaged in a legal battle to register its name as a trademark, but Ravine has opposed this move. In a ruling, the California federal judge noted that while Ravine…
In a notable development for Silicon Valley, Oracle has compensated its Legal Chief Stuart Levey handsomely, even outpacing CEO Safra Catz in earnings over the past year. CEO Safra Catz described Levey as “one of the sharpest legal minds in the country” when he joined the tech giant two years ago, and the latest compensation…
Smartmatic and Newsmax have settled a defamation lawsuit just before reaching trial. The dispute centered around claims made by Newsmax regarding Smartmatic’s role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. A spokesperson for the London-based Smartmatic revealed that while the settlement’s value and any non-monetary terms remain confidential, both parties have reached an agreement to resolve…
Visa Inc. has announced the allocation of $1.5 billion into a litigation escrow account. This significant financial move, detailed in a recent filing, is intended to cover the company’s ongoing legal costs without specifying any particular legal matters. Among Visa’s notable legal battles is a prolonged dispute over credit-card swipe fees. Earlier this year, Visa…
A judge in the Southern District of New York has preliminarily determined that a golf simulator’s interface meets the “modest requirements of originality” for copyright purposes. This decision, made public on September 26, 2024, is part of an ongoing copyright case. It signifies a noteworthy milestone for the creators of the golf simulator, hinting at…
Nike Inc.’s conduct in its legal dispute with Pennsylvania-based Lontex Corp., which accused the sportswear giant of trademark infringement, has been deemed “bad behavior” and “incivility” by Special Master Jane Greenspan. In a recent report and recommendation, Greenspan asserted that Nike’s actions warrant the case being classified as exceptional, and that Lontex Corp. should be…
Abbott Laboratories has retained a $33.4 million sanctions award after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that a medical product wholesaler, along with its CEO and his wife, waived their right to a jury trial in this trademark infringement lawsuit. Instead, the parties agreed to a damages inquest, precluding a trial…
Nearly a year has passed since university campus protests began over a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Reactions from law firms to these protests, particularly decisions to rescind or withhold job offers based on candidates’ pro-Palestine activism, could create a chilling effect on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the legal profession. This response…
Nearly a year has passed since university campus protests began over a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The reactions of law firms to these protests are raising concerns about potential impacts on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession. According to a recent analysis, law firm decisions to rescind or withhold job offers…
A review left on Google’s platform accusing the law firm Oved & Oved LLP of censorship has left a panel of New York judges puzzled during recent oral arguments. The contentious review claims the firm’s attorneys are “rude” and that the firm practices “high amounts of censorship.” The ambiguity of the term “censorship” used in…
Congressional hearings scheduled for Thursday to mark up several bills related to patents, including measures dealing with patent eligibility, validity challenges, and drug patents, have been postponed until after Election Day due to the Senate’s adjournment. For more detailed information, refer to the report by Law360.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler remains resolute in addressing what he perceives as a regulatory gap in the registration of alternative trading systems (ATS). Speaking recently, Gensler reiterated the need for these platforms, which operate marketplaces for trading securities, to fall under the same registration regimen as traditional brokers and exchanges….
Nearly every union victory in the pandemic rebound has happened because employers had cash to burn—and unions knew it. However, this dynamic is not in play for Boeing Co. The aircraft manufacturer finds itself saddled with an immense $45 billion debt while bleeding millions each day due to an ongoing machinists’ strike in the Pacific…
The US accounting oversight board is poised to scrutinize the recent surge of private equity investments in leading CPA firms, spotlighting potential risks these ownership changes may present to audit quality. According to a recent announcement, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) seeks to gauge the implications of external investments on auditor independence and…