Haynes and Boone has announced the appointment of Ben Herd as a new real estate partner in its Dallas office. Herd, who brings extensive experience in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and other structured programs, joins from Holland & Knight. His practice focuses on representing lenders, particularly Wall Street firms, in large…
Barnes & Thornburg has recently announced that Matthew Michaels has rejoined the firm’s corporate department in Los Angeles. Michaels is expected to bring his extensive expertise in addressing regulatory and business challenges specific to federal government contractors. His practice encompasses a wide range of services, including bid protests, commercial disputes, federal investigations, compliance, due diligence,…
Trial lawyer Randy Mastro has officially withdrawn from consideration for the role of New York City’s corporation counsel, a decision coming two weeks after a particularly contentious nomination hearing. The hearing raised concerns regarding Mastro’s professional connections, prominently highlighting his ties to former mayor Rudy Giuliani. For more details, you can read the [original article…
Anne Voigts has joined Pillsbury as a partner, taking the helm of its US appellate practice in their Silicon Valley office, the firm announced Wednesday. Voigts brings a wealth of experience in privacy and cybersecurity litigation, with an extensive track record that includes appearances before the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, and…
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has announced the recruitment of Emma Game as a partner in its tax practice located in London. Game brings with her extensive expertise in tax matters related to corporate and financing transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, de-mergers, and IPOs. She will also provide standalone tax advisory services, such…
A recent ruling has seen a Missouri judge firmly reject the state’s Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft’s, efforts to terminate a proposed abortion amendment that seeks to enshrine reproductive rights within the state constitution. The showdown represents an ongoing saga within Missouri’s legal landscape, where reproductive rights continue to be a matter of significant contention….
Just a couple of days into the Google ad tech antitrust trial, it seems clear that the heart of the US Department of Justice’s case is proving that Google Ad Manager is the key to the tech giant’s alleged monopoly. Google Ad Manager is the buy-and-sell side ad tech platform launched following Google’s acquisition of…
Phelps Dunbar LLP has strategically expanded its footprint by hiring six lawyers in Raleigh to bolster their capabilities in serving the business and litigation needs of companies across North and South Carolina. This addition enhances the firm’s expertise in key areas such as health care, construction, labor, and intellectual property. The recruitment move is anticipated…
Three law firms at the forefront of litigation against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) regarding claims that its talc products cause cancer are now engaged in legal battles against each other. The contentious dispute involves Beasley Allen, Smith Law Firm, and Porter Malouf. According to recent court filings, Alabama’s Beasley Allen sued Smith Law Firm and…
The Mindbody Inc. board’s negotiation strategy in a take-private deal with Vista Equity Partners Management LLC came under scrutiny by the Delaware Chancery Court, as discussed on Wednesday before the state’s highest court. Mindbody and Vista, alongside former Mindbody CEO Richard Stollmeyer, contest the basis of the March 2023 ruling which awarded an additional $1…
A London judge has ruled against easyGroup in its lawsuit against EasyFundraising Ltd., determining that the two companies’ trademarks do not infringe on each other as they provide fundamentally different services. easyGroup, well-known for its budget-friendly brands, claimed that EasyFundraising Ltd. was infringing on its trademarks. However, the court found that the diverse nature of…
A former longtime Troutman Pepper attorney who previously led the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee has recently joined the legal recruiting firm Major Lindsey & Africa in Philadelphia. Leveraging his extensive experience in mentorship and counseling, he aims to assist with lateral moves within the firm. For further details, you can read more about this…
Amnesty International has released a report detailing the systematic discrimination and rights violations faced by the Pamiri minority in Tajikistan. The authorities in Tajikistan are accused of widespread suppression of Pamiri cultural and religious institutions, political oppression, and violent repression. The report, published here, outlines a disturbing pattern of abuse. The Pamiris, a distinct ethnic…
The U.K. Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) announced on Wednesday that it has maintained “continued high performance” in the face of increasing demand over the past year, driven in part by its ongoing digital transformation. This evolution in the digital realm has seemingly played a critical role in improving the efficiency and accessibility of the trademark…
In the ongoing bankruptcy case of fire protection equipment manufacturer Kidde-Fenwal Inc., California Attorney General Rob Bonta has formally raised objections regarding the escalating fees associated with the mediation process. Bonta has urged an end to the mediation, labeling the legal fees as “exorbitant” and accusing the company of “unbridled billing.” The objections were filed…
Lawyers representing Lenovo have called upon a London appeals court to issue a ban preventing Ericsson from allegedly infringing on one of Lenovo’s wireless patents. This legal action is part of a broader dispute between the two electronics giants, revolving around a cross-licensing agreement for intellectual properties critical to 5G technology. The conflict underscores the…
The New York City Council has urged Mayor Eric Adams to nominate a candidate for the city’s law department that embodies a “unifying rather than divisive” approach, following the withdrawal of Randy Mastro’s nomination. Mastro, a partner at King & Spalding, stepped back from his nomination as corporation counsel amidst scrutiny, particularly regarding his connections…
In an ever-evolving legal landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. An upcoming webinar, hosted by Above the Law, promises to equip legal professionals with insights on how they can harness the power of generative AI. The event, scheduled for September 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. ET, aims to…
In an era where technology permeates various facets of legal practice, Filevine’s Depo CoPilot has emerged as a significant innovation in the realm of litigation. Depo CoPilot leverages generative artificial intelligence to optimize the deposition process, a critical element in legal proceedings that often demands considerable time and resources from legal teams. This AI-driven deposition…
Ellen Blain, who served 15 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, has transitioned to the New York-based commercial litigation boutique Clarick Gueron Reisbaum. During her tenure at SDNY, Blain held multiple formidable roles, most recently acting as the deputy chief of the Civil Division and the chief of…
William Fry has announced the recruitment of Sean Murray as a partner in its tax department. With expertise in financial services tax matters, Murray will offer counsel to both domestic and international clients on areas such as investment management, structured finance, banking, capital markets, and private equity. Murray is a chartered accountant and a chartered…
The latest Critical Mass update by Amanda Bronstad on Law.com highlights two significant developments in the legal landscape. Johnson & Johnson has increased their proposed talc bankruptcy plan to a total of $9.1 billion. Meanwhile, there are questions surrounding the stability of a $2.75 billion NCAA class settlement. For further details on these updates, you…
House supporters of a bipartisan Senate-passed measure aimed at broadening the judiciary have expressed their ambition to advance the legislation to the president’s desk this year. Despite the limited time and an already crowded legislative schedule ahead of Election Day, backers remain optimistic. Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who leads the Judiciary Committee’s courts panel and…
Kirkland & Ellis LLP has faced a significant setback in its legal battle against a former female associate’s claims of gender discrimination and pay bias. The federal court largely denied the law firm’s motions to dismiss Zoya Kovalenko’s lawsuit. The court’s decision included a refusal to dismiss the case on all but one ground. Additionally,…
In a recent overview of the UK’s legal landscape, “The UK Top 50: The Richest Biglaw Firms Across The Pond” provides a detailed look at the financial standings of leading law firms. The report, prominently featured on Above the Law, indicates that Biglaw remains a highly lucrative venture for firms operating within the UK. Legal…