Ropes & Gray chair Julie Jones is set to begin her second term at the helm of the prominent law firm in January. Concurrently, the firm has announced the appointment of Chicago partner and management committee member Neill Jakobe as vice chair. These strategic leadership decisions reflect the firm’s ongoing commitment to maintaining robust management…
Ropes & Gray LLP announced today that Julie Jones, a leading corporate lawyer, will begin her second term as the firm’s first-ever female chair next year. The firm, which comprises 1,500 attorneys, also revealed that managing committee member Neill Jakobe will step into the role of vice chair. For further details, you can find the…
Holland & Knight played a pivotal role in upholding the handgun ban at the State Fair of Texas. This ban was implemented following a mass shooting last year that necessitated the premature closure of the event. While State Fair of Texas Inc. insists it acted independently and maintains that it becomes the “owner” of Fair…
Courthouses on Florida’s Gulf Coast are starting to shut down as Tropical Storm Helene approaches. The storm, anticipated to escalate into a major hurricane, is heading north toward the panhandle. The potential severity of the storm has prompted precautionary measures, including the closure of judicial operations in affected areas. For more details on these developments,…
Snell & Wilmer has bolstered its special litigation and compliance practice by adding Adriana Ochoa as a partner in its San Diego office. The firm announced the news on Tuesday. Ochoa brings extensive experience in advising both private clients and public agencies, including health-care districts and water and wastewater authorities, on governance, operational, and public…
In a recent development, Saul Ewing LLP announced the addition of a seasoned intellectual property attorney to its New York office. The attorney, noted for over three decades of expertise in representing clients on issues related to advertising and branding, joins the firm as a partner. This move aligns with Saul Ewing’s strategic efforts to…
Legal News A federal judge has ruled that a Connecticut boutique law firm must continue its pursuit of a trade secrets case in Florida rather than Connecticut. The decision follows accusations from the law firm that a consultant had appropriated some of its confidential information. The case will proceed in Florida as Connecticut was deemed…
The 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Conference commenced in Chicago, marking its largest attendance yet with nearly 900 participants. The event, hosted by ALM’s Corporate Counsel, has become a vital networking platform for women in legal teams across various sectors from nonprofits to Fortune 100 companies. Among the key issues discussed were…
A recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington serves as a cautionary tale for trade secret litigants. On August 14, the court voided a $72 million jury trial victory awarded to Zunum Aero Inc. against The Boeing Co., stating that Zunum had failed to sufficiently identify its trade secrets….
Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and two businessmen will now face sentencing in 2025 after a New York federal court delayed the dates by three months. The postponement follows their conviction on bribery charges. The court’s decision to reschedule was detailed in the order released on September 24, 2024. For more details, the comprehensive article…
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has unveiled an initiative to create a Bektashi sovereign state within the capital city of Tirana. The announcement was made during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly’s Summit of the Future. Rama emphasized the vision as a testament to Albania’s commitment to promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that aimed to require web browsers and mobile operating systems to allow consumers to send opt-out preference signals restricting businesses’ use of personal data. The bill approved by the State Legislature called for an opt-out signal to communicate the consumer’s choice to prevent the sale and sharing of…
The firm hired to investigate Rudolph Giuliani’s finances in bankruptcy must reduce its Chapter 11 bill owed by the former New York City mayor, but by only a fraction of what Giuliani had requested, a judge said. Global Data Risk LLC, hired by creditors to conduct a forensic analysis into Giuliani’s opaque finances, will have…
Partner and associate mobility data from the second quarter of this year suggest that there’s never been a better time in recent years for law firms to hire lateral candidates, particularly experienced partners. This uptick in lateral movement signifies an active market, as partner mobility is up 20% compared to the previous seven-year average. This…
The legal industry is currently witnessing a significant uptick in partner mobility, with lateral movement across law firms increasing by 20% compared to the previous seven-year average. This trend indicates that now may be an optimal time for firms to strategically hire lateral partners, particularly those with substantial experience. The surge in partner transitions follows…
In a significant move, Coinbase has appointed Ryan VanGrack as the new Vice President of Legal and Global Head of Litigation. With a reputable background in handling complex and precedent-setting litigation, VanGrack’s expertise is expected to be a valuable asset to the cryptocurrency exchange giant. Renato Mariotti, a partner at Paul Hastings who has previously…
Furia Rubel Communications Inc. has unveiled a new team of 12 global legal industry leaders tasked with helping law firms globally navigate emerging risks and seize new opportunities. This initiative aims to support firms in an increasingly competitive global market. For further details, visit the original article on Law360.
The en banc US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit convened to deliberate on the extent of First Amendment protections for public librarians in a contentious case involving the removal of books from a Texas county’s library shelves. This legal dilemma stems from the actions of librarians in Llano County who decided to pull…
At its recent customer conference in Salt Lake City, called LEX Summit, the case management company Filevine unveiled a number of product releases and updates. Among these innovative introductions were several products specifically designed for litigators, driven by generative AI technology. These include two key tools: Depo CoPilot and DemandsAI. Depo CoPilot is described as…
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Kirkland & Ellis have taken lead advisory roles for two major buyout firms in the acquisition of software provider Smartsheet Inc. The transaction, valued at approximately $8.4 billion, underscores the continuing trend of taking public companies private. Blackstone Inc. and Vista Equity Partners, the two buyout firms involved, have agreed…
Legal News Summary On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a decades-old precedent known as Chevron deference, which favored federal agencies’ rulemaking interpretations. Despite this significant shift, attorneys from Venable suggest that agencies with trade responsibilities may be less impacted. This is due to the special deference courts have traditionally shown in cases involving…
By Elizabeth Lowe, Neha Dhindsa, and Maria Stosz (September 24, 2024, 12:41 PM EDT) — On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the longstanding Chevron deference doctrine, which had previously given federal agencies significant latitude in interpreting their regulatory mandates. Despite this pivotal shift, attorneys from Venable argue that courts are likely to continue…
In a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding fintech entrepreneur Charlie Javice, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has granted a request to adjourn the fraud trial to 2025. The decision was made to provide additional preparation time for Javice’s newly appointed lead defense counsel, Jose Baez and Ronald Sullivan. The delay aims to…
Article As Bill Lee navigates his 70s, the seasoned attorney acknowledges the significant toll that high-stakes litigation has taken on him, both mentally and physically. Between February 2021 and November 2022 alone, Lee tried seven cases. This period has reinforced his long-standing emphasis on succession planning within his firm. After decades of practice, Lee is…
Cooley LLP’s preeminent litigation figure, Mike Rhodes, is set to retire at the end of this year. Rhodes, now 66, formerly helmed the firm’s litigation department and has established a formidable reputation as a trial lawyer specializing in internet companies. His tenure and achievements at Cooley have left a substantial legacy within the legal community….