The Eighth Circuit has diverged from the Third and Eleventh Circuits regarding attorney fees in condemnation actions under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). In the recent case of WBI Energy Transmission v. 189.9 rods, more or less, located in Township 149 North, No. 24-1693, the Eighth Circuit concluded that attorney fees are not authorized in…
In a recent development, Perkins Coie LLP has been removed from its role as legal counsel for Jumio Corp. in a patent infringement case concerning facial recognition technology. A federal judge in San Francisco issued the disqualification order based on the law firm’s previous general corporate and intellectual property work for FaceTec Inc., the plaintiff…
Jones Day has strengthened its energy practice in London with the addition of Paul Jones as a partner, according to an announcement made by the firm. Paul Jones, a seasoned legal expert in the energy sector, is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role, particularly in the areas of…
Freshfields has recently taken down diversity-related content from its website, modifying its DEI approach by replacing the term ‘diversity’ with ‘culture’. The firm has also phased out its previously set diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) targets for the U.S., claiming that it has “met or currently exceeded” these benchmarks. The adjustments come amid scrutiny from…
Finis Tatum IV has joined the law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) as a partner, strengthening its commercial litigation and white-collar defense practices in its Indianapolis office. Tatum’s addition, announced last Friday, is indicative of GRSM’s strategy to deepen its expertise in complex civil litigation and internal investigations. Tatum is recognized for his representation…
In a recent development within the legal industry, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM) has announced the addition of Karen Sullivan to their roster as a partner within the environmental and toxic tort practice, based in their San Diego office. This move, announced this past Friday, marks a significant expansion of the firm’s capabilities in managing…
In a notable development for the legal community, Paul Hastings has expanded its emerging companies and venture capital practice by bringing on board Mike Pestana as a partner. Pestana joined the firm’s San Francisco office, as announced by Paul Hastings recently. His arrival signals a strategic strengthening of the firm’s capabilities in representing companies across…
Amnesty International has raised alarms over the imminent extradition of Syrian refugee and activist Mohamad Alkayali from Türkiye, urging Turkish authorities to immediately halt the process and release him from detention. Amnesty cautions that returning Alkayali to Saudi Arabia could lead to severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, an unfair trial, and potential torture…
French far-right politician Marine Le Pen has been handed a significant legal setback following her conviction by the Paris Criminal Court on charges of embezzling public funds. The court found Le Pen and eight other members of her National Rally (RN) party guilty of improperly using €4.1 million ($4.43 million) in public funds. This conviction…
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken a proactive stance as he faces legal challenges in a Manhattan federal court. On Monday, Adams requested a swift dismissal of his bribery and corruption charges, emphasizing the urgency due to an imminent mayoral election filing deadline. He highlighted the court’s previous assurances of an expedited ruling…
French far-right politician Marine Le Pen is confronting a significant legal hurdle after being found guilty of embezzling public funds. The Paris Criminal Court’s decision not only sentenced her to four years in prison but also barred her from seeking political office until 2030, a verdict that stands even during an appeal. This ruling stems…
In a recent discussion about leadership in the legal profession, Jason Swergold, a partner at Yankwitt LLP in White Plains, New York, shared insights on his journey to becoming a practice group chair. At 39, Swergold oversees the firm’s criminal defense and investigations group, attributing his success to constantly striving to practice law at the…
In recent developments within the realm of legal technology, Factor has unveiled its “GenAI in Legal Benchmarking Report 2025”, a comprehensive study delving into the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) within corporate legal departments. This study, sourced from more than 120 in-house legal teams, sheds light on the current landscape of AI integration in legal…
At Legalweek 2025, the acclaimed podcast “Legal Speak” celebrated its 400th episode amidst an assembly of legal luminaries and industry giants gathered in New York. Co-hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith marked the occasion by conducting interviews live from the Legalweek Leaders in Legal Tech Awards ceremony. These discussions offered insights into ALM’s recent strategic…
On this pivotal Monday morning, the United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in two significant cases. Among them is Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, a case that could have far-reaching implications for religious rights and tax exemptions. The central issue at hand is whether the…
Legal professionals are closely observing a significant case where the Texas abortion law has triggered legal battles far from its geographical origins. At the heart of this matter is Dr. Alan Braid, who acknowledged the potential legal repercussions of performing an abortion in Texas, shortly after the enactment of a controversial law. In a Washington…
In a notable decision, the United States Supreme Court has opted not to provide further clarification on a contentious legal issue regarding the appeals process for federal habeas corpus petitions filed by state prisoners. The matter at hand involves the issuance of a certificate of appealability (COA), a crucial step required for a state prisoner…
The Legalweek Conference 2025, hosted at the New York Hilton Midtown by ALM Media and Law.com, gathered over 6,000 professionals, including counsel, technologists, executives, and industry specialists from multinational companies. Among the highlights of this annual event was an engaging interview conducted by Legal Speak co-hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith with Joshua Upin, a…
In a significant development within the technology and legal sectors, Nokia has announced that it has concluded a patent agreement with Amazon. This agreement pertains to video technology and brings an end to a series of legal disputes between the two tech titans that have spanned multiple continents. This resolution marks a pivotal moment in…
In a significant development within the realm of legal transformation, two prominent think tanks, Digital Legal Exchange (DLEx) and Liquid Legal Institute (LLI), will formally combine efforts from April 1, 2025. This strategic alliance brings together over 1,500 members, encompassing more than 140 multinational corporations and institutions spanning over 20 countries. The objective is to…
In a significant move highlighting the intersection of politics and legal practice, former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema will join the ranks of Hogan Lovells’ Washington, D.C. office. Her transition from the Senate to a key advisory role in one of the world’s largest law firms underscores the increasing value of political experience in legal settings,…
Amnesty International has issued an appeal to the Mexican Senate, emphasizing the urgent need to renew the Citizen Council of the National Search System. The Council has been inactive since May 2024, raising concerns about its role in aiding families searching for missing persons throughout the country. You can find the full report here. The…
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced its decision to hear Sudan’s urgent plea for intervention against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to address severe allegations of genocide. The case highlights Sudan’s accusation that the UAE has breached the Genocide Convention by its purported support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF…
In a recent call to action, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has demanded a thorough investigation into the murder of Guatemalan journalist Carmen Ismael Alonzo Gonzalez. This plea arises amidst rising concerns of violence against journalists in the country. Gonzalez was tragically shot outside his residence in Quetzaltenango by two armed men, suspected to be gang…
In a significant move, Cleary Gottlieb has acquired a team of five seasoned intellectual property partners from Latham & Watkins. This strategic addition aims to bolster their presence in New York, Washington, and California. Notably, this transition includes prominent figures such as Clement Naples, Giri Pathmanaban, and Bert Reiser, known for their expertise and experience…