In the wake of calamities from the Eaton and Palisades fires, Altadena, California, has transformed into a hub of legal activity. Lawyers are arriving en masse, drawn by the prospects of substantial settlements in lawsuits against Southern California Edison. Legal heavyweights such as Erin Brockovich and Benjamin Crump are at the forefront of a campaign…
The landscape of litigation finance is undergoing a notable shift as new funding deals have reached their lowest point in over five years. A recent report by Westfleet Advisors highlights a downturn in new litigation finance commitments, which declined by 16% from 2023 and 30% from 2022, with total funding standing at $2.3 billion last…
Slater and Gordon, an Australian plaintiff class action law firm, has referred a former employee to the police following an investigation into a malicious email incident. The email, sent in February to over 900 staff members, allegedly contained a spreadsheet detailing salaries, bonuses, and performance ratings, alongside criticisms of key executives and concerns regarding the…
A recent ruling by a US federal judge has underscored the contentious intersection of immigration enforcement and First Amendment rights, as seen in the case of a Columbia University student. Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the Southern District of New York issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, effectively halting any near-term efforts by immigration…
Institutional investors in the real estate sector are encountering heightened legislative activity in several U.S. states aiming to prioritize housing for owner-occupants over corporate acquisitions. Several bills have been introduced by lawmakers in states such as Florida, Nevada, and Tennessee, with governors in Arizona and New York also advocating for measures to create a more…
The US Supreme Court convened on Monday to hear oral arguments concerning Louisiana’s newly redrawn voting map. This legal contention centers on the construction of two Black-majority districts. The case challenges the compliance of the map with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a crucial provision from the Civil Rights Era aimed at…
Trent McCotter, a partner at Boyden Gray, is set to make his long-awaited debut at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26 in a case that has gained considerable attention within legal circles. After nearly eight years since his previous opportunity to present before the court, McCotter is slated to argue in FCC v. Consumers’…
The current trajectory of auditing standards in the United States has been marked by increasing scrutiny over the auditing profession, primarily influenced by the stringent measures adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Recent years have seen the PCAOB amplify its enforcement fines, adopt an aggressive standard-setting agenda, and establish an opaque audit…
In recent months, President Donald Trump’s confrontational approach toward law firms—highlighted by his actions against entities such as Jenner & Block—has largely been met with reticence from many within Big Law. Despite the silence, some firms have taken definitive steps; Perkins Coie initiated legal action against the administration, and Paul Weiss negotiated a resolution. The…
The Supreme Court’s decision in Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. v. Moab Partners has garnered significant attention among legal professionals, particularly those involved in securities litigation. Initially perceived as a decision with limited impact, largely affecting one type of claim under securities laws, the ruling has proven far more advantageous for defendants in securities fraud cases. At…
The transition towards renewable energy is being bolstered by tax credits designed to spur investment and development. However, the financial world is facing new uncertainties due to the ability to transfer these renewable energy tax credits, a change instigated by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This ability to transfer credits has introduced a novel…
The onset of a renewed political landscape under the Trump administration has generated significant discussions at Paul Weiss, a premier corporate law firm, particularly concerning its recent agreement with the administration. This accord involves a transaction with potential consequences for its associates, leading to a broader reflection on the initial motivations that led these legal…
Cooley LLP has demonstrated impressive financial growth, attributed to its diverse mix of legal practices and involvement in numerous high-value transactions. The firm’s gross revenue increased by 5.8% in 2024, reaching a substantial $2.15 billion. This boost aligns with a marginal rise in lawyer headcount, with the revenue per lawyer escalating by 4.7% to $1.63…
In a recent development, Amnesty International has voiced strong criticism against the United States for the deportation of 238 Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. The rights organization argues that this action not only endangers the lives of the migrants but also defies a court order intended to protect them from removal. This order was designed…
On March 26, the Supreme Court is set to release opinions from the current term, an event that will be closely covered by SCOTUSblog through live blogging. This occasion presents an opportunity to gain insights into the Court’s positions on pressing legal issues that have been argued during this term. The opinions could potentially address…
In a notable development within the entertainment industry, a federal judge in New York has issued a warning to the attorney representing a former music producer who worked with Sean “Diddy” Combs. The admonishment came in the context of civil litigation concerning sexual assault allegations. The judge expressed concern over what they described as a…
The Federal Circuit Court has upheld a decision by an administrative patent board, nullifying the claims in patents related to a 3D photography system utilized in medical imaging and clinical trials. This decision marks a significant development for Medical Image Co., which successfully contested the patents held by its competitor. The case highlights the ongoing…
In the ongoing legal battle between Intel Corp. and VLSI Technology, Intel has petitioned U.S. District Judge Alan Albright to ensure that the trial chiefly addresses the contentious ownership structure. This matter’s focus remains pivotal in deciding whether VLSI possesses the necessary license to operate under the disputed chip patents. This case involves complex patent…
Deutsche Bank’s chief legal officer has offered strategic advice for firms navigating regulatory investigations, emphasizing the importance of starting the remediation process early. Speaking at a recent panel, which convened the legal leaders from some of the world’s most prominent banks, lessons on preventative measures and the effective use of outside counsel were shared. The…
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has recently seen new guidance issued by its chief judge regarding the exercise of discretion in the denial of patent reviews when related litigation could be a deciding factor. This comes in the wake of a prior directive that was retracted last month. Addressing the complexities surrounding patent…
A seasoned attorney from Vinson & Elkins LLP, who has devoted over three decades to energy regulatory matters involving natural gas and the electric power industry, is transitioning his practice to Kirkland & Ellis LLP. This move marks a significant shift in his distinguished career. Having spent the past 31 years at V&E, his expertise…
FIFA has asked a federal judge in Puerto Rico to impose sanctions against attorneys who have accused the organization of attempting to suppress rival soccer entities on the island. The basis of FIFA’s request centers around a claim that these attorneys, in their defense against allegations of using artificial intelligence to cite nonexistent cases, have…
McCarter & English LLP announced an enhancement of its cybersecurity and data practice by appointing a seasoned FBI attorney to its team. This attorney previously played a significant role in directing the FBI’s strategies for handling data breaches and provided counsel to senior officials on issues concerning civil liberties, reflecting the firm’s commitment to addressing…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has partially overturned the convictions of a former K&L Gates attorney. Initially convicted on three counts of cyberstalking and harassment, the attorney saw one of these counts reversed after the appellate court found inadequate evidence to substantiate the accusation of making “true threats” towards one of…
Perkins Coie has been retained to defend Amazon.com Inc. and its subsidiary, Amazon Advertising LLC, in privacy class action lawsuits filed in Washington federal court. These lawsuits target Amazon’s use of software development kit technology, which allegedly collects users’ geolocation data without their consent. Further details reveal that Perkins Coie partners Erin Earl, Nicola Menaldo,…