WordPerfect Software Co., the company behind the iconic 1990s word-processing application, has reached a settlement with a Washington-based education technology firm. The lawsuit accused WordPerfect of unlawfully using a trademarked name in a 2022 revamp of their software, bringing the legal dispute to a close before the trial’s commencement set for early April in federal…
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has come under scrutiny for its tax practices, as outlined in a recent report by the Senate Finance Committee led by panel Democrats. The report reveals that Pfizer reported no taxable profits in its largest market—the United States—by channeling its income through jurisdictions with more favorable tax laws, such as Puerto Rico,…
The recent decision by the US Supreme Court to restrict a liquidating trustee’s ability to reclaim personal tax payments previously made to the IRS has caught the bankruptcy community off guard. On March 26, 2025, the Court delivered an 8-1 ruling, emphasizing that the Internal Revenue Service’s sovereign immunity takes precedence over the US Bankruptcy…
In an unexpected move, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order that directly impacts the operations of the influential law firm WilmerHale. The order instructs federal agencies to sever contracts “involving” the firm, effectively revoking the security clearances for its lawyers and restricting their access to certain U.S. government buildings. WilmerHale, renowned for its…
As the 119th Congress progresses, a significant focus rests on reforming the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Industry experts, such as Russell Slifer of Schwegman Lundberg and former Deputy Director of the USPTO, advocate for legislative measures to protect smaller innovators from larger corporations misusing the Board’s…
The recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the case of DNA Genotek Inc. v. Spectrum Solutions LLC provides significant insights for professionals involved in drafting and prosecuting patent applications. The court’s decision, announced on February 14, highlights the critical importance of detailed wording and its implications for claim…
Palo Alto Networks Inc., headquartered in Silicon Valley, has secured a favorable ruling in a patent infringement lawsuit concerning cybersecurity technology. A California federal judge ruled that the company did not infringe upon three patents, which had been the basis for a legal action demanding at least $100 million in damages. The resolution of this…
The Delaware legal framework is known for its comprehensive roadmap for handling legal actions involving Delaware-based companies, as noted by Uri Itkin, a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. In a recent development, a Delaware judge has ordered Switchboard, a company involved in cryptocurrency, to disclose its crypto token records. This decision represents…
The legal proceedings surrounding Luigi Mangione have taken a new turn with his defense team successfully securing an amended motion schedule. This development arises after their allegations of discovery violations, claims which were assessed during a private hearing. After careful review, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro issued an order that grants the defense team…
The Walt Disney Co. is seeking $5.7 million in attorney fees following its legal victory over an animator’s claims of trade secret and copyright infringement regarding the creation of the film “Moana.” The animator had alleged that Disney used his Polynesian adventure story as a basis for the movie. However, Disney contends that the plaintiff…
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has been urged to reconsider a panel decision that reinstated a retaliation claim brought by a University of Illinois in Chicago law professor. The professor had faced disciplinary action for including a redacted racist slur in an exam. The request highlights that the ruling poses questions of significant importance…
Latham & Watkins, Fieldfisher, and Baker McKenzie are experiencing significant growth and shifts in leadership within their Spanish operations. Latham & Watkins has appointed Ignacio Pallarés as the new managing partner in Madrid. Pallarés has been with the firm since 2007 and was instrumental in its local expansion, boosting its fee earners from 20 to…
In a recent decision, a San Francisco federal magistrate judge imposed over $60,000 in personal sanctions on William Ramey III, a Texas intellectual property attorney, along with two other lawyers from his patent firm. The ruling cites unauthorized practice of law due to practicing in California without obtaining the necessary state license and avoiding the…
A San Francisco federal magistrate judge has imposed over $60,000 in sanctions on Texas intellectual property lawyer William Ramey III and two additional attorneys from his patent firm. According to the ruling, the attorneys were found to have practiced law in various cases without obtaining a California license, thereby circumventing out-of-state admission fees amounting to…
“`html Litigation boutiques and midsize law firms are increasingly vocal about President Trump’s executive orders against certain firms, contrasting with the silence of Big Law firms. Among those actively speaking out are New York’s Hecker Fink and Washington’s ZwillGen. These boutiques emphasize support for the “rule of law” amidst debate within Big Law about drafting…
The Chapter 11 trustee managing the estate of Miles Guo, a convicted Chinese exile, has taken action to retrieve funds through legal settlements. The trustee has petitioned a Connecticut bankruptcy judge to authorize 10 clawback settlements with parties including law firms Hodgson Russ LLP, BakerHostetler, and luxury brand Versace, among others. These settlements will resolve…
In a strategic move to bolster its intellectual property capabilities, Fox Rothschild LLP has expanded its Princeton, New Jersey, office by welcoming a new partner from McCarter & English LLP. This addition brings to the firm expertise in patent prosecution, particularly within the domains of medical devices and technology-enabled hardware. The new partner’s specialization is…
In a reflective piece, Scott Felder from Wiley shares insights from his experiences at the St. Louis Cardinals fantasy camp, which he says have contributed positively to his performance as a lawyer. In his narrative featured on Law360, Felder highlights how engaging in baseball fantasy camps has enriched his professional development. With six such experiences,…
Scott Felder of Wiley reflects on how his time spent at six baseball fantasy camps has positively impacted his legal career. Participating in the St. Louis Cardinals fantasy camp, Felder realized the profound life lessons that baseball offers, which, in turn, have made him a more effective lawyer. These experiences have reaffirmed his career choice…
In a significant legislative development, Georgia’s House of Representatives recently approved measures designed to impose restrictions on third-party litigation funders. This move represents the state Legislature’s inaugural effort to regulate an industry that has been the subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny. These restrictions constitute a critical component of a broader civil litigation reform initiative,…
The mean scaled score for the February 2025 Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) has shown a slight decline when compared to scores from the last two years. This trend is notable even when excluding data from California, which this year opted to administer its own set of multiple-choice questions rather than using the MBE. The National…
During Governor Ron DeSantis’ first term, Florida’s legal budget witnessed a substantial increase, reaching a total of $123 million. This figure significantly surpasses the legal spending of $86 million under his predecessor, now-Senator Rick Scott. The increased budget has enabled a surge of conservative boutique law firms in Tallahassee, as these firms have been the…
Rudy Giuliani is urging a court to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him, arguing that the claims are largely time-barred and undermined by remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noelle Dunphy, a former Director of Business Development for Giuliani’s companies, filed the lawsuit in 2023. She alleges that she was subjected to non-consensual…
In 2024, the U.S. commercial litigation finance industry experienced a reduction in capital commitments for new deals, with a decline of 16% as reported by Westfleet Advisors. This downturn follows a trend initiated in 2023, reflecting an industry contraction of nearly 30% compared to the peak levels reached in 2022. Despite the decline in overall…
In a significant decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has revived an overtime wage dispute against Levering Regional Care Center, raising critical questions regarding the company’s communication of its break policies to employees. The appellate court’s divided opinion questions whether employees were adequately informed about policies related to taking meal breaks,…