Apple Inc. has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit stemming from allegations that its Siri voice assistant recorded user conversations without consent. The claims, which date back five years, highlight ongoing concerns regarding privacy and digital assistance technologies. These allegations centered on the purported unauthorized recordings made by Siri,…
In the ongoing legal proceedings concerning former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, defense counsel has urged for a sentence of less than two years, arguing that the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, which propose a minimum of 24 years, are not appropriate in this context. This stance contrasts with the recommendation from the Probation Department, which has…
Patrick Donnelly is stepping down from his role as General Counsel at Sirius XM Holdings after nearly 27 years of service. His departure was officially disclosed in a regulatory filing by the New York City-based audio entertainment company. Although his employment agreement expired recently, Donnelly will remain with the company through the end of this…
In the arena of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the year 2024 saw Kirkland & Ellis maintaining its stronghold as the leader in global principal deal value, according to data from financial intelligence firm Dealogic. The firm emerged ahead of its closest competitors, Latham & Watkins and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, amid a notable…
In a surprising turn for the legal community, law clerks have become pivotal figures in 2024’s Lawyer of the Year competition. Capturing more than half of the votes, Ryan Protter, a recent graduate serving as a law clerk in the New Jersey Appellate Division, emerged as the winner. This reflects an unexpected shift in how…
Ogletree Deakins, a global labor and employment law firm, is expanding its presence in Canada by opening an office in Calgary. This marks the firm’s third Canadian office, complementing its existing locations in Toronto and Montreal. The Calgary office will be staffed by two partners who have transitioned from McCarthy Tétrault, a prominent national law…
The telecommunications industry in the United States has long resisted federal oversight, relying heavily on lobbying efforts to thwart regulatory measures. For the past three decades, telecom giants—and the entities financially backed by them—have continuously opposed various forms of regulation, from modest privacy protections to essential pricing transparency measures. The prevailing argument leaned on the…
Clyde & Co. LLP has announced a merger with a Dallas-based boutique firm, Tillman Batchelor LLP. This strategic move is aimed at expanding Clyde & Co.’s insurance capabilities within Texas, further enhancing its footprint in North America. This merger signifies a continuation of Clyde & Co.’s growth strategy in the region, as the firm seeks…
In a noteworthy move within the cryptocurrency legal landscape, Stuart Hoegner, General Counsel for Tether and Bitfinex, has announced his retirement. Hoegner’s departure was confirmed by the company on Friday, marking the end of his tenure at two of the most prominent names in the digital currency sector. As Hoegner steps down, Michael Hilliard is…
A Texas-based insurance company has filed a legal malpractice claim against the law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson, seeking to recover an $11 million jury award from a personal injury case. According to claims from the insurance company, the firm allegedly failed to provide adequate guidance regarding Proposition 51, along with the significant joint and several…
Despite the Biden administration’s recent decision to block Nippon Steel’s $14 billion acquisition of United States Steel, legal experts anticipate that this will not deter future mergers and acquisitions between Japan and the U.S. The volume of Japan’s outbound M&A activity has witnessed significant growth, with a 36% increase last year to nearly $45 billion….
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to reinstate net neutrality rules, marking a significant development in the ongoing, contentious debate over internet regulation. This decision challenges the FCC’s authority to regulate internet service providers (ISPs) under the reinstated rules, which treated them as “telecommunications services”…
Sirius XM Holdings Inc., a prominent player in the satellite radio industry, has announced the upcoming retirement of its long-standing general counsel, Patrick Donnelly. As revealed in a recent disclosure, Donnelly, who has been acknowledged as one of the highest-paid legal leaders in the media sector, will step down from his role in April. He…
In a dynamic landscape for mergers and acquisitions, Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have emerged as the leading law firms in Dealogic’s 2024 Global M&A Legal Rankings. The latest figures show an 11% increase in global M&A activity from 2023, driven in part by these top firms’…
In the latest development in the transatlantic legal market, U.K.-based Clyde & Co. has announced a merger with American firm Tillman Batchelor LLC. This move comes in the wake of the recent A&O Shearman merger, another significant U.K.-U.S. firm combination. Known for its expertise in insurance law, Clyde & Co. recorded a gross revenue of…
In a strategic move to bolster its tax practice, Ward and Smith has announced the hiring of David Heeren in their North Carolina office. Heeren’s experience in tax planning, compliance, and business transactions is expected to augment the firm’s growing expertise in these areas. The announcement was made public this Thursday by the firm. Ward…
In a recent announcement, Novogradac & Company LLP has elevated Joe Abbott, Justin Chubb Lurya, and Don Sabine to partner positions. The promotion, reported on Thursday, highlights the firm’s strategic emphasis on strengthening leadership across various practice areas. The San Francisco-based Joe Abbott specializes in real estate taxation, offering expertise in general tax consulting and…
The High Court of Justice in Israel has invalidated a critical element of the 2022 “Ben Gvir Law,” a provision that had expanded the National Security Minister’s authority over police investigative policies. The annulment was delivered on Thursday, drawing attention to the potential for the politicization of law enforcement and its undermining of professional standards…
The Judicial Conference recently dismissed a request by Democratic lawmakers Sheldon Whitehouse and Hank Johnson to refer Justice Clarence Thomas to the Department of Justice. This decision stems from allegations concerning undisclosed financial dealings and gifts received by the Justice, which some argue could violate federal disclosure laws. According to a top judiciary official, there…
David Grubman, a seasoned partner from Jones Day, is transitioning to Sidley Austin, where he will take on the role of co-leader in the global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) practice. Grubman’s move comes after nearly 13 years with Jones Day, where he served as the M&A chair for the Americas region within the firm’s corporate…
This week’s legal developments in London have sparked considerable attention, particularly involving high-profile individuals and entities. Chris Eubank Jr., a notable figure in the boxing world, is confronting a libel claim brought forth by a boxing promoter. Meanwhile, the fragrance industry is also under the legal spotlight as a perfume executive faces proceedings tied to…
The past week in London has witnessed a flurry of legal activity, with notable proceedings emerging in multiple sectors. Among the high-profile cases, boxer Chris Eubank Jr. is facing a libel claim filed by a boxing promoter. In a different arena, a prominent figure in the perfume industry is contending with legal challenges from his…
In a noteworthy series of deals, some of the top law firms are playing pivotal roles in advising on substantial transactions in Germany. Notably, the Adler Group’s controversial €1.2 billion refinancing and Carlyle’s €450 million buyout of SNP’s majority shareholder are under the legal guidance of these distinguished firms. Kirkland & Ellis, Paul Hastings, White…
The federal courts have announced that they will not be referring complaints against Justice Clarence Thomas to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation. This decision comes from the Judicial Conference of the United States, following a request by Democratic lawmakers who accused Thomas of ethics violations related to undisclosed luxury travel and gifts. The…
In a recent installment of Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog—the Internet’s inaugural platform focused on appellate litigation—a compendium of notable legal developments was compiled. Here are a few of the prominent items covered in this week’s digest. Free Speech and TikTok: A contentious discussion surrounding the implications of a U.S. ban on TikTok emerged, suggesting…