In the ongoing Baltimore Key Bridge litigation, U.S. District Senior Judge James K. Bredar has emphasized the importance of early resolution in a memorandum to all involved parties. The court intends to address initial questions of exoneration and limitation of liability in stages, aiming for a swift and efficient process. Judge Bredar’s directive aligns with…
Double Patenting Issue An Indian generic-drug maker is seeking a comprehensive review by the Federal Court on the issue of “double patenting.” This action follows a recent panel decision that the company argues has inadvertently revived certain pharmaceutical patents, specifically those concerning an anti-diarrhea drug. The firm contends that the ruling is flawed and could…
A group of conservative judges expressed strong disapproval over a decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to deny a rehearing of a case concerning overtime exemptions for truck drivers. In a 12-5 decision, the court chose not to review en banc a case involving truck drivers who only transport oil…
HRW Demands Suspension of Niger Database Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged for the immediate suspension of a new database initiative in Niger, citing substantial human rights concerns. According to HRW, an ordinance enacted by Niger’s military general Abdourahamane Tiani on August 27, 2024, aims to compile information on individuals, groups, and entities suspected of…
In a significant development within the legal sector, a well-known midsize Boston law firm has decided to shut its doors permanently following the departure of nearly half of its legal team to larger Biglaw firms. The firm, which has been a staple in the Boston legal community for many years, struggled to sustain operations after…
Recent discussions have surfaced regarding the potential for President Joe Biden to take unprecedented action in “dissolving” the Supreme Court. This discourse has gained traction following remarks made by a prolific author who described the high court as “nothing more than Trump’s harem.” The author’s comments reflect a broader critique of certain justices’ perceived partisanship…
Last week, Congress reintroduced legislation aimed at extending federal anti-discrimination protections to over 30,000 federal judiciary employees, which includes law clerks and federal public defenders. This legislative move underscores a growing recognition that federal judges, while holding significant authority, must also adhere to the principles of fairness and equality embedded in anti-discrimination laws. The newly…
In a recent discussion that captured significant attention, Eric Adams made a remarkable claim concerning the Turkish delights found in his pasties. According to Adams, these treats were not bribes but rather tips. This assertion comes amidst increasing scrutiny of public officials and their interactions with constituents and lobbyists. During a press conference, Adams pointed…
Atari Interactive Inc.’s copyright infringement claim against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. will proceed, following a ruling by a Texas federal judge. The claim stems from State Farm’s use of footage from the 1980s arcade game Crystal Castles in a commercial. However, all other claims in the lawsuit filed by the pioneering video game…
Following site-wide user protests last year that featured moderators turning thousands of subreddits private or not-safe-for-work (NSFW), Reddit has announced that mods now need its permission to make those changes. Reddit’s VP of community, going by Go_JasonWaterfalls, made the announcement on the change in Community Types. Mods will now require Reddit’s approval to make subreddits…
Ninth Circuit DMCA Interpretation A California federal court has called upon the Ninth Circuit to address a complex issue under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Specifically, the court seeks to determine whether the law mandates that an infringing copy must be identical to the original work to sustain claims related to the removal of…
A married couple cannot sue Uber over severe injuries they suffered in a 2022 car accident due to a mandatory arbitration provision in the ride-sharing company’s terms of use, as ruled by the New Jersey Superior Court appellate division. (Read more) In November 2023, a lower court denied Uber’s motion to compel arbitration and dismiss…
Legal Speak at Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024: Carolyn Burbank The Women, Influence and Power in Law (WIPL) conference commenced in Chicago this year, drawing more than 700 women from both in-house and outside counsel sectors. The event, hosted at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and organized by Law.com and Corporate Counsel, has already…
At the upcoming Women, Influence and Power Conference 2024 in Chicago, legal professionals will have the opportunity to hear from Michelle Perrin-Steinberg. This year’s conference will delve into critical topics relevant to the legal field, emphasizing the impact of emerging legal trends, and fostering discussions on the significant role of women within the industry. For…
Adam Levin, the newly appointed Practice Group Chair at Hogan Lovells, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and empowering individuals within a legal practice. “I think it’s critical to be a team player and to put people in position to succeed,” Levin stated. Further insights into his leadership philosophy and approach to fostering a collaborative environment…
Amnesty International has highlighted the persistent failure of successive Iraqi governments to deliver justice, truth, and reparation for the lethal crackdown on the 2019 Tishreen protests. In a recently published report titled “We hold them responsible for the blood of our youth”, the organization examines the ongoing neglect and impunity five years after nationwide demonstrations…
Tesla Inc. has recently turned to a team of lobbyists with Democratic ties, despite a notable political shift from its CEO, Elon Musk, who now backs Donald Trump for president. As confirmed by a disclosure report filed with Congress, the Texas-based company enlisted four lobbyists from Akin, a prominent bipartisan lobbying firm in Washington. The…
On August 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a significant ruling in Allergan USA Inc. v. MSN Laboratories Private Ltd. that has profound implications for patent practitioners. The court held that a “first-filed, first-issued, later-expiring claim” cannot be invalidated for obviousness-type double patenting (ODP) by a “later-filed, later-issued, earlier-expiring reference…
First it was tractors. Then trains. Then cars. Then planes. Now, 45,000 seaport workers are poised to strike for the first time since 1977, potentially causing a significant disruption to the US supply chain, which has already been under stress since the pandemic began. The impending strike, which could start on Tuesday if a last-minute…
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill (SB) 1047, citing concerns that the bill’s regulatory scope was overly broad and lacked sufficient empirical support. Newsom’s decision, announced on Sunday, marks a significant development in the state’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) legislation. SB 1047 aimed to impose stringent standards on large AI models, but…
The Connecticut legislature’s judiciary committee has confirmed state Supreme Court Justice Raheem L. Mullins as chief justice on an interim basis. This elevation positions the 46-year-old career public servant to spearhead significant changes in the state’s judicial system. During the confirmation process, Justice Mullins outlined plans for a “drastic revamp” of courthouse technology, a move…
While Texas attorneys have been upfront about their hope that the state’s newest courts will help raise Texas’ corporate law to Delaware’s level, corporate attorneys across the country are all but unanimous: Delaware remains the champ, and that’s not changing, at least not any time soon. For more details on this evolving legal landscape, you…
BakerHostetler has requested that a Georgia federal court maintain jurisdiction over a lawsuit alleging the firm mishandled a patent application for a smart wardrobe system. The firm contends that the claims, which include accusations of violating professional rules under U.S. patent law, are appropriately addressed at the federal level. For more details, please refer to…
On Monday, a lawyer with the D.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel stated that three attorneys “essentially weaponized their law licenses” to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, thereby subverting the will of voters and undermining public confidence in the electoral process. This assertion was made during an ethics hearing convened in Washington, D.C….
In a recent motion filed on Thursday, Jayson Ruff, a trial attorney for U.S. Trustee Kevin Epstein in Houston, is pushing to move the ongoing Texas talc bankruptcy case involving Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to New Jersey. The move follows the New Jersey bankruptcy court’s refusal to address a similar motion just two days earlier…