Every weekday, the team at SCOTUSblog curates a concise selection of news articles, commentary, and other noteworthy items related to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Wednesday morning read for September 25 includes several significant pieces that legal professionals will find particularly valuable. Among the curated content, one notable article highlights an important issue regarding judicial…
In a notable development, the full Federal Circuit announced on Wednesday that it will review a panel’s decision requiring Google to pay $20 million to EcoFactor for infringing on a smart thermostat patent. Google’s argument centers on the claim that the court has purportedly allowed patent owners to “manufacture a royalty rate.” This review decision…
In the current legal landscape, corporate clients are increasingly prioritizing relationships with individual lead attorneys over the branding of law firms themselves. According to legal market observers and law firm leaders, clients are now more inclined to diversify their legal work across multiple firms, each selected for its specific strengths in particular legal areas. For…
DiliTrust, a French company headquartered in Paris that provides an all-in-one corporate governance suite for in-house legal teams, has acquired the U.S.-based enterprise legal management company doeLEGAL. DoeLEGAL specializes in software for matter management, e-billing, and e-discovery, catering to corporate and law firm customers. This strategic acquisition will expedite DiliTrust’s entry into the U.S. market…
Relying on recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit precedent, a federal judge in Missouri has allowed a religious discrimination lawsuit to proceed. The judge ruled that “perfect adherence” to religious beliefs is not necessary for an employee to clear their discrimination claim against a former employer. This decision underscores the broad protections…
In a recent development signaling a significant shift in France’s immigration policy, Bruno Retailleau, the newly appointed interior minister, announced a series of stringent measures aimed at curbing illegal migration during his first public speech. Speaking before police unions at the ‘Cour de l’Hôtel de Beauvau,’ Retailleau emphasized the need to end illegal migration and…
In a significant legal challenge, a collective of South Sudanese lawyers has filed a petition in the Constitutional Court of South Sudan, contesting the government’s decision to extend the transitional period by two years. This extension, which delays the general elections until December 2026, was authorized by the administration of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The…
LexLab at UC Law San Francisco has announced the second cohort for its Justice Technology Accelerator Program. Since its inception in 2019, LexLab has been a pivotal hub for fostering innovative legal tech startups. However, the program recently pivoted to concentrate on justice technology—targeting startups that develop solutions to aid communities impacted by the justice…
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) led by Human Rights Watch have formally requested the UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate the killing of journalist Issam Abdallah. Abdallah was reportedly killed by an Israeli strike in early December 2023 while covering the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The NGOs released a letter on Monday urging the Commission to address…
“`html Over the last decade, many of the largest law firms in the UK have faced challenges in growing their revenue at the same rate as their mid-tier rivals. This trend, noted in a detailed analysis by Law.com International, highlights significant shifts within the legal market that have seen some firms rise and others fall….
Burford Capital, the widely recognized litigation finance firm, has announced the launch of phase three of its Equity Project, committing an additional $150 million to the initiative. This new allocation will specifically support commercial matters that feature women or “racially diverse” lawyers in leading roles. This follows the previous phase, which dedicated $50 million to…
In a strategic move within the legal and professional services market, the Australian Legal and Professional Services Group, Hamilton Locke, has expanded its portfolio by acquiring Salinger Privacy. This acquisition underscores Hamilton Locke’s commitment to enhancing its privacy and data protection capabilities. For more details, the full article is available here.
An Allen & Overy Shearman partner has resigned following a drink-driving conviction. The partner was sentenced in July, fined, and banned from driving for 24 months. The details of the incident are not fully available due to a paywall restriction, but more information can be found in the original article.
Legal News Doug Stipanicev, Dentons’ Australia chair and Australasia region CEO, is standing aside while the firm investigates claims he sent anti-vax and anti-Semitic material to another partner at the firm. The allegations surfaced in an employment-related legal suit filed in the Federal Court by former partner Guy Albeck against Dentons and Stipanicev. For more…
A recent lawsuit challenging the structure of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has reignited debates over the constitutional legitimacy of certain federal agencies. Kenric Steel LLC, a steel fabrication company based in New Jersey, filed the lawsuit on September 17, seeking to halt enforcement of a substantial $348,000 safety fine. The…
As the US 2024 presidential campaign enters its final phase, Project 2025 has become a focal point for discussions related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. This comprehensive conservative blueprint, envisioned for a potential Trump administration, delineates strategies to curtail various ESG efforts, including diversity programs. The document, titled “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative…
In a recent strategic move, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has announced the recruitment of April Kim as a new partner in their projects and energy transition practice. Kim, who will be based in Southern California, comes with extensive experience in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy. Her areas of expertise include advising…
The IRS’ recent enforcement efforts aimed at cleaning up the pandemic-era employee retention credit program have left numerous businesses in a precarious legal situation. Many companies, which had anticipated receiving substantial cash infusions through the employee retention tax credit for maintaining their workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, are now finding themselves contemplating legal action due…
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, employers have the latitude to match contributions to retirement plans corresponding to qualified education loan payments. This provision aims to attract and retain top-tier talent, but it imposes additional financial and administrative responsibilities on employers related to certifying that the payments meet stipulated criteria. In an effort to facilitate the…
When it comes to complying with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers must be well-versed in the concept of overtime exemptions for certain employees—commonly referred to as “white-collar” exemptions. These exemptions apply to executive, administrative, and professional roles, as well as certain computer and outside sales employees. Qualifying for these exemptions involves passing…
In a recent study conducted by law professors Stephen Choi of New York University and Mitu Gulati of the University of Virginia, a comprehensive evaluation of federal appellate judges appointed by former President Donald Trump has surfaced some intriguing findings. Choi and Gulati, known for their methodology that assesses judicial performance based on productivity, influence,…
“`html Davis Polk & Wardwell and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, alongside Big Four Japanese firms Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, are advising Tokyo Metro in preparation for its initial public offering in Japan, which aims to raise $2.24 billion. The IPO is scheduled for October 23 on the prime market of…
Sterlington, New York has appointed Paul Jebely, the former head of asset finance at Withers in Hong Kong, as a partner. Jebely will remain based in Hong Kong and is expected to travel extensively across Asia, the Middle East, and North America to meet and manage clients. The full article detailing his new role and…
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that it has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Visa, alleging that the payment processing giant has violated Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act by monopolizing debit network markets. This legal action marks a significant challenge to Visa’s dominant position in the debit…
Dentons Accused of Hacking Laptop, Aiding Vape Co. Usurper Dentons is facing serious allegations from Avid Holdings, a manufacturer in the vape industry. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in California federal court, Avid Holdings claims that Dentons assisted the founder of vape distributor Next Level in a series of activities aimed at sabotaging and usurping…