In a recent legal development, a federal judge in California has dismissed Build-A-Bear Workshop’s request to inspect approximately 3,000 Squishmallows stuffed toys. The decision comes in the context of a trade dress infringement lawsuit where Build-A-Bear is defending against claims made by the creators of Squishmallows. The judge characterized Build-A-Bear’s demand as excessively broad and…
In a recent development, a California federal judge has dismissed some copyright claims made by music publishers against the artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The publishers had accused Anthropic of infringing upon their lyrics during the development of its large language model, Claude. This decision follows closely on the heels of the court’s denial of a…
Senate Republicans have voiced their support for a legislative push spearheaded by the House to restrict the ability of federal trial judges to issue nationwide rulings. This move emerges as a response to a series of judicial decisions that have counteracted policies proposed by the Trump administration. The initiative is part of a broader Republican…
The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals has partially unraveled the cyberstalking conviction of former K&L Gates partner Willie Dennis. Initially convicted by a New York jury on charges related to the sending of thousands of messages to former colleagues, the appeals court found these messages distressing but stopped short of classifying them as “true…
A Texas federal court has affirmed a $27 million trial award to Whirlpool, deciding that the sum, together with a permanent injunction against two Chinese firms, sufficiently compensates the company. The judgment addresses the infringement on the exterior design of Whirlpool’s well-known KitchenAid stand mixer. The order comes after Whirlpool sought a higher financial recompense,…
North Carolina’s business court recently declined to halt an antitrust lawsuit filed by the 1983 North Carolina State University men’s basketball national championship team. The former players allege that the NCAA has been using their likenesses without permission, in violation of antitrust laws. The court found that the organization had not demonstrated that it would…
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson has bolstered his senior leadership team with the appointment of new deputy directors for two of the commission’s key bureaus. An associate from Susman Godfrey LLP has been appointed as the deputy director for the Bureau of Competition, and a partner from Kelley Drye & Warren LLP…
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) is asserting that a Texas federal court does not have jurisdiction over a trademark lawsuit filed by the Texas Stock Exchange. The lawsuit revolves around allegations that the Texas Stock Exchange is using marks similar to those of the TSX. The TSX has argued its involvement was limited to sending…
Navigating the transition from a federal prosecutor to a role in BigLaw presents a series of challenges and opportunities. Attorneys often make this move during shifts in government administration, as they adjust from a public service-focused mindset to a business-driven environment. Michael Beckwith, who shared insights from his 15-year tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney,…
Attorneys making the transition from government positions to private practice often encounter a unique set of challenges as they adjust to a more business-centric environment. Michael Beckwith, now at Dickinson Wright, reflects on his experience moving from a federal prosecutor role to a position in a major law firm. Beckwith, who served as an assistant…
According to a recent report, a significant cohort of bar associations and over 20 state attorneys general have taken the unusual step of releasing letters encouraging attorneys to actively voice their opposition to what they perceive as threats to the rule of law. This call to action has been spurred by President Donald Trump’s recent…
In a recent decision, the Third Circuit has affirmed the ruling of a New Jersey federal judge, dismissing a breach of contract counterclaim in a prolonged fee dispute between two attorneys who were once partners. This case presented an intricate examination of professional relationships turned contentious, as the court ultimately concurred with the lower court’s…
Burford Capital, recognized as the largest publicly traded litigation funder, has appointed Jessica Zall as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Zall brings a wealth of experience from her prior marketing roles at notable financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan and Fidelity. Starting her new position on a recent Monday, Zall’s transition from traditional financial services…
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a prominent firm in the legal industry, has achieved a significant increase in its revenues, reaching record highs in 2024 due to an uptick in corporate work. The firm navigated through a challenging capital markets environment, persisting over three years, yet managed to engage in several impactful transactions. Managing partner…
Moore & Van Allen experienced notable growth in 2024, with transactional work playing a crucial role in elevating the firm’s financial performance. According to insights from Tom Mitchell, the chair and managing partner of the firm, robust contributions across various practice areas led to a 10% increase in gross revenue, totaling $298.7 million. Additionally, the…
An evolving landscape of legal challenges has prompted significant reshuffles in the legal departments of DNA testing companies Ancestry.com Inc. and 23andMe Holding Co. These changes come amid mounting concerns regarding data privacy and policy regulations (Bloomberg Law). In a notable development, Gregory Packer, who served as Ancestry’s top lawyer for the past five years,…
In a recent development, an Alabama federal judge has mandated that four law firms, which represent hospitals opting out of the $2.8 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust settlement, must disclose if their decision was influenced by “quick payment” offers from litigation funders. This ruling comes as part of ongoing scrutiny into the financial motivations…
In a recent legal development, a federal court has determined that Sysco is unable to withdraw from a $50 million agreement with JBS. The deal was originally made for JBS’s exit from extensive litigation, which accused the company of participating in a scheme to fix the prices of poultry, beef, and pork. Notably, this decision…
In a notable turn of events, a legal challenge against the use of Signal, a commercial messaging app, by members of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet has been assigned to Judge James Boasberg. The same judge previously issued a pivotal ruling on the deportation of Venezuelan nationals, raising tensions between the White House and the…
“`html In a recent legal development, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell rejected a motion by the Department of Justice to disqualify her from a lawsuit initiated by Perkins Coie. The legal action seeks to challenge an executive order from the Trump administration aimed at targeting the law firm. Judge Howell stated that the motion did…
Benjamin “BitBoy” Armstrong, a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency community, was arrested in Florida on a fugitive warrant linked to a series of threatening emails allegedly sent to Judge Kimberly A. Childs in Georgia. Judge Childs is overseeing a legal battle involving Armstrong, initiated by Hit Network and BJ Investment Holdings. The companies accused him…
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has announced plans to close its offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, marking a retreat from the Asian market. This decision is part of BCLP’s strategy to refocus its priorities and invest in its transatlantic platform. The firm aims to concentrate its operations in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and the…
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has refuted the allegations by Luigi Mangione’s defense that claim discovery violations in his case. Prosecutors asserted in court that their extensive provision of data, amounting to one terabyte, does not breach discovery laws. They argued that any delays in discovery are due to the case’s complexities and timing since…
A recent decision by a federal appeals court panel has upheld the halt on the Trump administration’s deportation policy concerning certain Venezuelan individuals, specifically those alleged to be gang members. This ruling maintains the suspension of President Donald Trump’s proclamation from March 15, which utilized the Alien Enemies Act—a statute with limited historical application, having…
At Legalweek 2025, a panel of active and retired federal judges emphasized the ongoing significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal field, acknowledging both its permanence and the necessity for careful risk management. U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard of the Southern District of California underscored the critical need for diligence, highlighting the risk of…