The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has initiated legal proceedings against two Florida men, accusing them of defrauding investors out of $125,000 through a litigation finance scheme. The SEC filed a complaint on September 6, 2024, against Michael Chhabra and his father, Vineet “Vincent” Chhabra in a federal court in Washington. The agency alleges that…
A federal judge in California has put a pause on the $2.75 billion NCAA settlement proposal, directing attorneys from Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, Winston & Strawn, and Wilkinson Stekloff to revisit the terms concerning third-party collectives, or boosters, in the post-settlement era. This move places the antitrust settlement in House v. NCAA at potential risk,…
On September 1, Judge Marialyn Barnard transitioned from her position at the 73rd District Court to the newly established Texas Business Court. In an interview with Law360, Judge Barnard expressed that the implementation of a dedicated business court in Texas was overdue. The creation of this court is expected to streamline the adjudication of complex…
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leadership plays a critical role in driving workplace innovation and enhancing organizational performance. Despite recent debates and some organizations scaling back their efforts, many companies continue to invest heavily in DEI initiatives. According to a Forbes report, a 2023 study by TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group revealed that mature DEI programs…
In a significant ruling, a Delaware vice chancellor determined that Johnson & Johnson owes over $1 billion to a medical robotics developer and entrepreneur in a post-acquisition dispute. This decision has propelled Ross Aronstam & Moritz LLP and Selendy Gay PLLC to the forefront of this week’s Law360 Legal Lions. The judgment underscores the intricate…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a prominent partner and leader from WilmerHale will serve as the next counsel to the governor. The attorney has an extensive background, having previously served as New York Deputy Attorney General, Chief of Staff for the Attorney General, and Senior Adviser to the New York City Mayor. For…
Partner Exits Newest Canadian IPH Group Firm For More Entrepreneurial Pastures Former Bereskin & Parr patent attorney Louis-Pierre Gravelle has joined Canadian boutique IP firm Dipchand as a partner. Gravelle aims to help develop Dipchand’s patent prosecution practice and explore new entrepreneurial opportunities. Gravelle described the operational model of Bereskin & Parr as “ill-suited” to…
Appellate judges expressed skepticism on Friday regarding the potential reversal of a previous legal defeat faced by a litigation finance company. During the proceedings, the judges questioned the legitimacy of the fraud and other allegations made by Signal Funding LLC against its former law firm, Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Helsinger LLP. One key point of…
This past week in London has seen several notable legal actions that could have wide implications for the concerned parties. In one case, Rockfire Capital has taken legal action against its former director, Liam Kavanagh, who is accused of manipulating accounts to extract £150 million ($197 million) from Thurrock Council. Additionally, FedEx has initiated a…
The past week in London has featured several noteworthy legal battles. Rockfire Capital initiated legal action against its former director, Liam Kavanagh, amidst allegations that he defrauded the financially strained Thurrock Council to the tune of £150 million ($197 million). Additionally, FedEx has lodged a claim against an Israeli supply chain business, which could have…
The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. According to Juniper Research, fraud accounts for 22% of yearly digital advertising expenditures, resulting in losses of up to $84 billion for advertisers annually. This raises important concerns for…
Newly-merged firm A&O Shearman is initiating significant post-merger transformations by cutting 10% of its equity partnership, closing its Johannesburg office, and ending its consulting division. These changes are set to be executed over the next several months, with the reduction in their global equity partnership—currently around 800 members—expected to be completed by April 2025. Interestingly,…
In a significant development in Google’s ongoing legal battles, U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema has denied Google’s motion to exclude lay opinion testimony from its second antitrust bench trial concerning its advertising practices. The approval means that key industry voices, including Andrew Casale, president and CEO of Index Exchange, and Benneaser “Ben” John, vice…
Locke Lord and Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders are set to merge on January 1, 2025. As firm leaders focus on closing 2024 strong, significant decisions remain to be made to ensure a smooth integration. Leaders of both firms are working diligently on finalizing operational, cultural, and client relationship adjustments ahead of the merger. For further…
Fox Rothschild LLP has recently welcomed a new attorney from Netflix, a move that has brought considerable attention within the legal community. The attorney, whose name was not disclosed in the information available, is known for his deep-rooted passion for film, complemented by a robust background in writing and producing. This unique blend of skills…
A weaker-than-expected jobs report has heightened worries that companies might reduce hiring in legal departments or even resort to layoffs. Despite continued yet cautious hiring, recruiters indicate that the outlook varies across sectors due to ongoing speculation about an impending recession. John Gilmore, co-founder of BarkerGilmore, expressed cautious optimism, noting that predicting the outcome for…
The legal sector continued its decline in August, shedding 2,300 jobs. This marks the fourth consecutive month of job losses, as revealed by preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The persistent downturn highlights ongoing challenges within the industry, which has faced various pressures over the past months. Further insights can be gathered…
The recent decision in Liggett v. Lewitt Realty LLC, rendered by the Court of Appeals in June 2024, has significant implications for longstanding stipulations of settlement and the drafting of future agreements within the scope of the Rent Stabilization Law. The court held that a so-ordered stipulation of settlement entered into more than two decades…
This past week in corporate legal news saw significant developments that may impact the obligations and strategies of general counsels. One of the noteworthy headlines centers around a $59 million malpractice lawsuit filed by a contracting company against the law firm Troutman Pepper. The contracting company alleges that Troutman Pepper and a partner within its…
Cipriani, a well-known operator of high-end hotels, members’ clubs, and restaurants, has appointed Thayer Thompson as its new general counsel as the company embarks on a global expansion. Thompson joins Cipriani from Standard International LLC, where he served as the chief legal officer for the boutique hotel chain, Standard, Peri, and Bunkhouse brands. Thompson becomes…
As Pennsylvania’s election litigation escalates, significant backing from prominent law firms is becoming evident. The increasing number of disputes surrounding the state’s electoral process has attracted substantial legal firepower. According to Martin Black, a partner at Dechert, systemic issues within the current election infrastructure are unprecedented, driving more top-tier legal support into these cases. For…
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, in his first public comments since being arrested by French authorities, emphasized that his platform is not an “anarchic paradise” and assured that Telegram is ramping up its moderation of harmful content. Addressing the claims, Durov stated, “the claims in some media that Telegram is some sort of anarchic paradise are…
The role of chief compliance officers (CCOs) is rapidly evolving, leading to significant increases in their compensation, particularly in public companies and industries under intense regulatory scrutiny. This shift reflects the growing complexity of regulatory environments, the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, and the integration of compliance with broader enterprise risk management…
The Internet Archive, a nonprofit digital library known for offering free access to digitized media such as websites, software, music, and print materials, encountered a legal challenge on Tuesday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a previous ruling in the case of Hatchett v. The Internet Archive, affirming that the organization’s…
Article New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Brian Mahanna, vice chair of the regulatory and government affairs practice at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, as the top legal counsel in her administration. This appointment follows the planned departure of Elizabeth Fine from the role. The governor’s office confirmed the appointment on Friday. Mahanna’s…