Recent data reveals that only 11% of attorney appointments in multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases went to attorneys of color in 2023. This statistic has sparked concerns about the lack of diversity in prominent legal roles. U.S. District Judge William Orrick, in an interview, emphasized the importance of diversity in determining excellence and equity within the…
Hacking allegations brought against the law firm Dechert LLP by aviation executive Farhad Azima do not meet the criteria for racketeering claims and should be dismissed, according to a recent non-binding opinion by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Willis. The ruling, issued on September 26, 2024, came days after Azima and Dechert agreed to settle the…
Honigman LLP has strengthened its real estate practice group with the appointment of Jackie Cook as a partner. Located in the Bloomfield Hills office, Cook brings substantial experience in litigating property tax and state and local tax cases. Her portfolio includes representing a diverse array of clients ranging from publicly traded companies to non-profits, covering…
Ropes & Gray and Kirkland & Ellis are providing legal counsel for KinderCare Learning Cos. Inc.’s proposed $648 million initial public offering (IPO). Ropes & Gray is representing KinderCare, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and backed by private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG. Post-offering, Partners Group will retain a 71% stake in the company….
The city of Joliet, Illinois, is set to transition its drinking water source to Lake Michigan by 2030. This initiative comes as the aquifer currently supplying water to the city is expected to run dry by the end of the decade, a consequence of climate change and declining groundwater levels. By sourcing water from Lake…
In the heat of election seasons, political rhetoric often reaches fever pitch, with candidates and their supporters disseminating dire warnings about the supposed catastrophic economic fallout should their opponents win. The recent commentary on whether the economy would collapse if Vice President Kamala Harris were to ascend to the presidency is no exception, echoing similar…
The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in the legal profession has raised concerns regarding its impact on training opportunities for young attorneys. Sarah Murray at Trialcraft highlights that while the strength of AI lies in its pattern detection capabilities, this very feature might limit young lawyers’ ability to engage in foundational legal tasks. These preliminary…
FCC Chief Quotes Taylor Swift in Tough Stance on Deepfakes Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has taken a strong position on the enforcement of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) against AI-generated robocalls. During a speech on Friday, she underscored the importance of combating misinformation with clear and transparent information, quoting pop singer…
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal industry has introduced both opportunities and challenges. A recent analysis by Sarah Murray at Trialcraft emphasizes a concerning trend: AI’s remarkable ability to detect patterns might inadvertently limit the essential learning experiences for young attorneys. Specifically, the advent of AI tools could reduce opportunities for…
A former competitive strategy director for Johnson & Johnson, who is accused of stealing confidential files as he transitioned to a position at Pfizer, has requested a New Jersey federal court to pause the civil suit against him. This request comes after the executive discovered he is under criminal investigation. The case highlights the high…
Latham & Watkins has successfully secured the dismissal of a legal malpractice suit against a company and its General Counsel (GC), who were alleged to have failed in their advisory duties to a former treasurer. The plaintiff claimed the defendants neglected to provide an Upjohn warning—a significant procedure when a company’s and an individual officer’s…
In a strategic move to bolster its corporate and securities practice, Mayer Brown has added Vinita Sithapathy as a partner based in New York. Sithapathy brings extensive experience in representing a diverse portfolio of clients that includes public and private companies, private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and other investors. Her work encompasses a wide…
In a strategic move to bolster its transactions practice group, McDermott Will & Emery has appointed Sebastien Bonneau as a new partner in its London office. Announced by the firm on Monday, Bonneau will contribute his extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and joint venture transactions. Bonneau’s practice areas also extend to real…
Article Locke Lord has announced that Indira Sharma has joined its litigation practice group as a partner in the Washington office. Sharma, who previously practiced at Saul Ewing, has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal courts across a broad spectrum of disputes. These include contractual issues, commercial transactions, real estate, commercial leases,…
Quarles & Brady has recently expanded its litigation practice with the addition of Michael Charles Brown as a partner in its Phoenix office. Brown, who specializes in construction and real estate litigation, brings his extensive experience in advising and representing owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers through all phases of public and private construction…
The Supreme Court of Tasmania ruled on Friday that the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) was within its legal rights to bar men from attending a women-only art exhibit aimed at addressing gender inequalities. The exhibit, titled the “Ladies Lounge,” was designed to highlight the exclusion of women from male-dominated spheres of society…
Marsh McLennan has announced an agreement to acquire McGriff Insurance Services in a substantial $7.8 billion cash deal, making it the largest acquisition in Marsh’s history. This acquisition aims to bolster Marsh’s portfolio across several lines of business, including property and casualty, management liability, employee benefits, and personal lines. The transaction, which the New York-based…
Foley & Lardner LLP has recently bolstered its business litigation and dispute practice by welcoming Rajiv Dharnidharka and Jeanette Barzelay as partners in their San Francisco office. This strategic move aims to enhance the firm’s capabilities within the innovative technology sector. Rajiv Dharnidharka brings a wealth of experience representing both public and private companies across…
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has welcomed back Jeff Westcott as its new director of practice technology and AI innovation, based in London. This strategic hire, announced on Monday, is expected to reinforce the firm’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies in legal practice. Westcott, who will report to Chief Information Officer Aaron Ruleman, is…
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has taken a significant step forward in its ongoing battle against the state’s mail ballot dating requirement. On Friday, the organization filed a petition to the US Supreme Court seeking a determination on whether Pennsylvania’s stipulation for voters to include a handwritten date on their mail ballot return…
In a recent update to its legal team, Covington & Burling LLP announced that Sarah Harrington will join the firm as a partner in its appellate and Supreme Court practice starting December 1. Harrington’s addition to the team was confirmed on Monday, bringing a wealth of experience in various areas of appellate law. You can…
In a notable expansion, Squire Patton Boggs has onboarded Ben Morgan as a partner in its global corporate practice based in London. Morgan’s extensive expertise covers the full spectrum of UK equity capital markets legal work. This includes advising on IPOs, market introductions, and secondary offerings on the London Stock Exchange, as well as block…
Mega Biglaw firm, known for its significant presence in the legal industry, announced its strategic intent to expand even further, with a particular concentration on strengthening its New York operations. The firm, already a formidable entity with a wide-reaching influence, aims to leverage the robust legal market in New York to enhance its profitability and…
The recent proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced machine learning technologies is significantly altering the landscape of legal document review. While human involvement in the first pass of document reviews is not entirely obsolete, its prominence is undeniably waning. The conventional approach, where associates and paralegals diligently sift through mountains of documents, is increasingly…
Amnesty International has reported a significant increase in the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, stating that the kingdom has executed over 198 individuals so far in 2024, marking the highest such toll in decades. The organization criticized Saudi Arabia for escalating executions while frequently neglecting international fair trial standards and safeguarding measures…