In a significant move within the legal sector in Hong Kong, former partners from globally recognized law firms Dentons and Baker McKenzie have joined a boutique firm linked to China’s Yingke. This development highlights the evolving legal landscape in Hong Kong, where local firms are increasingly establishing connections with major Chinese legal entities. Vivian Hui,…
Antony Sassi, currently serving as the Asia head for the London-headquartered law firm RPC, has been named the firm’s global managing partner. Sassi, who took on the role of Asia managing partner in 2019, will begin his four-year term in May. He has been with RPC since 2010, leading the firm’s efforts across the Asian…
In a recent development, the D.C. Circuit has issued a temporary halt on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of MSN Pharmaceuticals’ generic form of Novartis’ prominent heart failure medication, Entresto. This decision arrived on the heels of separate rulings on the same issue, wherein federal judges in both D.C. and Delaware opted not…
Gilead Sciences and the federal government have agreed to terminate all claims and counterclaims involved in a protracted intellectual property and contract dispute regarding the HIV prevention medications Truvada and Descovy. This legal resolution was documented in stipulations of voluntary dismissal filed this week in both the Federal Circuit and Delaware federal court. The conclusion…
The creator of the Apple+ show “Servant” recently took the stand in a California federal court to address allegations of intellectual property theft. The screenwriter firmly denied stealing the “reborn baby” concept from an independent film. In his testimony, he emphasized that he had never viewed the plaintiff’s movie and asserted that the idea was…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a decision favoring a North Carolina-based solar manufacturer in a patent dispute involving a solar “trunk bus” transmission system. This decision reverses an earlier determination by an administrative law judge that ruled the system infringed upon a patent held by a competing company, Shoals Technologies Group. The…
The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that litigation under the False Claims Act (FCA) has resulted in just over $2.9 billion in settlements and judgments during the most recent fiscal year. This figure marks a 5% increase over the previous year’s total and represents the largest sum collected in three years. The DOJ’s announcement…
A Massachusetts attorney has been charged with embezzling $2.5 million from a couple and their various businesses. Federal prosecutors assert that the attorney attributed his actions to an addiction to prostitutes and the fallout from a failed spa investment. This egregious breach of trust highlights vulnerabilities within small business financial oversight when entrusted to legal…
In a recent legal development, a Colorado appellate panel deliberated on whether the alleged professional misconduct of state attorneys could void their governmental immunity. The case arose following allegations from a utility regulator staffer that state lawyers had engaged in a smear campaign against her at work. This pressing issue raises fundamental questions about the…
The Federal Circuit recently confirmed a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), affirming that semiconductor company Microchip Technology successfully demonstrated the invalidity of certain claims within an HD Silicon Solutions microprocessor patent on grounds of obviousness. This development is a significant affirmation for Microchip Technology in its ongoing patent dispute with HD…
The Delaware Court of Chancery has ordered the former executives of a defunct food waste company to pay $1.6 million for the misappropriation of trade secrets. These executives were found to have used a proprietary process for converting food waste into fertilizer and animal feed, benefitting financially from this intellectual property theft. Vice Chancellor in…
Michael Jackson Estate’s Likeness Fight Stays In Vegas The legal battle over the use of Michael Jackson’s likeness in Las Vegas is set to continue, as a Nevada federal judge has ruled that her court will retain jurisdiction over the case. The issue at hand involves allegations that a Michael Jackson impersonator show at a…
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten recently emphasized the importance of rooting out public corruption in Michigan, particularly in cases involving bribery within the state’s emerging marijuana industry. In reflecting on his tenure as the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Michigan, Totten noted the significance of these efforts to uphold democratic integrity. His office…
As the legal world watches with a keen eye, the anticipated shakeup in the U.S. News law school rankings has raised eyebrows with the inclusion of WashU and Vanderbilt in the competitive T14 group. This potential reordering could challenge the longstanding dominance of traditional powerhouses like Yale, prompting fresh conversations about what these rankings truly…
In a recent ruling, a divided panel from the Fourth Circuit has vacated a lower court’s decision that determined the term “moke” could not be trademarked. The appellate court has called for a more detailed examination by the lower court in the ongoing legal contest between two companies vying for trademark rights to the term….
The State Bar of California has succeeded in its appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit vacated a lower court’s ruling that previously determined the State Bar was not immune from a lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), which was initiated by a disabled…
Legal News An attorney associated with Davis Wright has filed a pro se employment discrimination lawsuit in Washington state court. The lawyer alleges that the firm attempted to “strong-arm” him into departing after he reported what he claims was misconduct by a partner. The legal action comes on the heels of the attorney being excluded…
Law firms are encountering tensions surrounding the compensation of nonequity partners. The compensation packages for these partners can be quite similar to, or even surpass, those received by senior associates, counsel, and occasionally, equity partners, according to firm leaders and consultants. This overlap in earnings is generating friction within firms as they navigate the complexities…
The US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has granted the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) the ability to transition into a sustainment period, thereby reducing the federal oversight it has been under since 2013. This decision, rendered by Judge Susie Morgan, initiates a two-year sustainment plan that aims to solidify the reforms…
The recurring wildfires in California have consistently posed challenges, not just environmentally and socially, but also economically, particularly to the insurance industry. As the fires rage, they highlight a critical stress test for the state’s insurance infrastructure. It’s evident from the landscape of the current insurance offerings and limitations that operating as an insurance provider…
As the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) wraps up, legal professionals are left reflecting on the rapid technological advancements and their potential impact on the legal field. A recent piece titled “A Lawyer Goes To CES 2025: My Top 10 Takeaways” highlights key observations from this year’s event and emphasizes the need for legal departments…
As the competitive landscape for legal talent continues to evolve, a prominent Biglaw firm has been consistently expanding its ranks by hiring laterals. While specific details of recent hires have not been disclosed, it’s worth noting that these strategic moves underscore the firm’s commitment to acquiring top-level talent. It seems this firm is maintaining a…
In a noteworthy departure, Stanford Professor Mark Lemley announced his decision to cease representing Meta, citing ethical concerns regarding the actions of the company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Lemley specifically pointed to decisions that he claims foster the spread of disinformation and hate speech across Meta’s platforms. This ethical rift has wide-reaching implications, particularly as Meta…
In a strategic expansion of its tax practice, Jones Day has announced the addition of a seasoned IRS litigator to their Boston office. The new hire will serve as of counsel, bringing a wealth of experience from their tenure at the IRS to complement and fortify the firm’s legal expertise. This move signifies Jones Day’s…
In light of current global challenges to legal structures, Singapore’s Senior Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, underscored the integral role of the rule of law in fostering the nation’s progress during the 10th anniversary of the Singapore International Commercial Court. Addressing over 430 delegates from 15 jurisdictions, Mr. Lee emphasized the commercial certainty and confidence that…