In a move that has sparked considerable debate within the business and legal communities, President Donald Trump has initiated a pause on the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). This pause, directed by the executive order issued on February 10, requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to halt FCPA enforcement for 180 days…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is in the midst of a dramatic shift that has seen an increase in the termination of employees and the potential closure of several facilities, all purportedly in the pursuit of government efficiency. Recent reports suggest that nearly 5,000 employees have accepted a deferred resignation buyout, a move that is…
Navigating the intricate pathways of immigration compliance remains a pertinent issue for many companies, particularly with an increased focus on enforcement activities by the federal government. According to a column by Rob Chesnut, companies would be wise to take proactive steps such as conducting internal I-9 audits and preparing for government site visits to mitigate…
Private equity interest in professional services firms is growing, yet traditional law firms continue to present a challenge for direct investment. While non-traditional legal services are seeing investment growth, the partnership model of traditional law firms makes them harder targets. However, navigating these obstacles might lead to innovative solutions that could usher in a new…
Maurice Blackburn, a prominent Australian class action law firm, plans to take a firm stance amidst an ongoing pay dispute by standing down lawyers who do not log billable hours. The firm has decided it will not compensate these lawyers during their participation in industrial action. They plan to strictly adhere to work rules and…
“`html On Wednesday, March 5, legal professionals and court observers will closely monitor developments as the Supreme Court is set to release opinions in one or more argued cases from the current term. This event is anticipated by those tracking significant pending cases that could impact a range of legal and corporate interests. The announcement…
WilmerHale has announced an increase in its in-office requirement for lawyers, moving from three to four days a week, as the firm aligns itself with a growing trend among major law firms to tighten return-to-office policies. This shift reflects ongoing adjustments within the legal industry as firms navigate the post-pandemic work environment. For more details,…
A federal judge has taken an unusual approach in a case involving a former partner at Jackson Walker, expressing disbelief at the law firm’s lack of rigorous inquiry into the specific dates concerning a relationship between the partner and a former bankruptcy judge. The allegations regarding their relationship emerged in 2021, yet the firm reportedly…
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently updated a directive originally issued in January, which called on agency heads to identify probationary employees. This revised memo includes a clarification that OPM is not mandating any specific performance-based actions be taken by the agencies. Instead, the memo emphasizes that the agencies themselves retain the “ultimate decision-making…
A Michigan federal judge has urged auto manufacturers involved in a patent dispute with Neo Wireless investors to present tangible evidence, rather than relying on judicial opinion from another state. This directive emphasizes the need for concrete proof that Neo Wireless investors failed to disclose critical information about a competitor’s project to patent officials. This…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently soliciting public input regarding the ability of owners of standard-essential patents to secure import bans on products found to violate these patents. This inquiry emerges in the context of a recent ruling, where a judge determined that Amazon’s TVs and tablets infringed on video patents held by…
Grocery store chain Meijer is pressing for an immediate appeal concerning a Massachusetts federal court decision that grants Takeda Pharmaceutical’s request for arbitration in an antitrust dispute. This legal contention arises over claims linked to a constipation drug. Meijer argues that the complexity of the case warrants intervention by the First Circuit to address pertinent…
The Federal Circuit has reaffirmed decisions made by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), predominantly ruling in favor of Apple and other parties. The Federal Circuit has upheld most of the claims made about a patent concerning the use of cameras for gesture recognition, determining them to be invalid. However, the court also confirmed…
Apple has requested a Delaware federal judge to impose an injunction against Masimo, a healthcare technology company. This follows a finding of infringement by Masimo on two of Apple’s design patents concerning the W1 smartwatch and charger. Apple has characterized Masimo’s unwillingness to accept the injunction as “telling”. For more information about the legal proceedings,…
A significant legal battle is unfolding in California state court where a startup, previously awarded a $605 million judgment in a trade secrets case, is pushing for an additional $1.2 billion in damages from Phillips 66. The startup asserts that the oil giant’s in-house legal team exhibited “reprehensible conduct,” including alleged attempts to conceal the…
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has supported a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) concerning a stem cell patent. The PTAB’s initial decision faced a challenge from a biotech research outfit, which the Federal Circuit judges declined to reconsider. This outcome approves the board’s prior ruling that…
In a recent development in the ongoing patent litigation involving Apple and Qualcomm Inc., U.S. District Judge Alan Albright has denied a motion to transfer the case brought against them by Red Rock Analytics. The defendants sought to move the case from the Western District of Texas to the Northern District of California. However, Judge…
A longtime animation director at The Walt Disney Co. recently testified in a California federal court, asserting that the acclaimed animated film “Moana” was a product of inspiration drawn from Polynesian mythology and a comprehensive study of the region’s cultural heritage. He emphasized that the film was not influenced by the work of the artist…
A group of amateur art collectors has brought forth a legal complaint involving a Miami art gallery, alleging that they were duped into purchasing $6 million worth of counterfeit Andy Warhol artwork. During a session in a Florida state court, these collectors accused the gallery and its dealer of obstructing requests for financial records, contesting…
The Trump Administration has initiated steps to identify federal courthouses and other public buildings for potential sale as part of a cost-cutting measure. This initiative is spearheaded by the General Services Administration (GSA) and was recently detailed in a GSA document listing over 400 properties, including approximately 20 federal district courthouses. Among those listed for…
In a significant development within the realm of copyright litigation, a California federal magistrate judge has mandated that the CEO of Anthropic, a prominent AI startup, participate in a six-hour deposition. This requirement arises from an ongoing lawsuit involving authors who have filed a copyright claim against OpenAI. The decision is noteworthy as the CEO…
Moderna is currently facing legal challenges regarding its COVID-19 vaccine, as Arbutus Biopharma and Genevant Sciences have filed lawsuits against the pharmaceutical giant. These companies have expanded their litigation efforts globally, alleging patent infringement in several jurisdictions, including Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the Unified Patent Court. These cases center around claims that Moderna’s mRNA technology,…
U.S. Senate Democrats have called for New York’s Grievance Committee to investigate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. The request comes amid allegations of professional misconduct connected to efforts by the Justice Department to discontinue the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This development raises questions about Bove’s conduct, especially as he continues…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has determined that REX Real Estate Exchange Inc., a startup real estate broker, failed to substantiate its claims of an anticompetitive conspiracy in a lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and Zillow Group Inc. REX, represented by Boies Schiller Flexner, alleged that an agreement…
In a notable development within corporate governance litigation, a U.S. District Court ruling has emerged from the Northern District of California involving financial services giant Charles Schwab. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin presided over the case, which centered on claims by the Reynolds Family Revocable Trust alleging misleading practices related to Charles Schwab’s robo-adviser program….