Amnesty International has released a report drawing attention to the decline of human rights worldwide since Donald Trump assumed office, citing a surge in authoritarianism and corporate greed. The report suggests that the Trump administration’s policies have emboldened these regressive trends. While Amnesty International commended positive instances in international justice, such as the arrest of…
The number of Juris Doctor (JD) degrees awarded has reached a nine-year high in 2024, with a significant increase in the diversity of the recipients. According to recent data, there were over 3,400 more JD degrees awarded compared to 2023, with an all-time high number awarded to people of color. This marks a pivotal shift…
Legal professionals and innovators across the United States have an opportunity to showcase their contributions to the evolving legal landscape, as nominations are now open for the 2025 American Legal Technology Awards. These awards aim to honor and acknowledge those driving innovation and excellence within the legal industry. The nomination window remains open until July…
Human Rights Watch has issued an urgent report highlighting the threats posed by autonomous weapons, often referred to as ‘killer robots’. These weapons systems, driven by artificial intelligence, have the capacity to make lethal decisions without human intervention or oversight. The report comes ahead of the inaugural United Nations General Assembly meeting on autonomous weapons…
The legal landscape in Michigan encounters a new twist as Kevin Kijewski, a defense attorney for one of the 15 Republicans indicted on charges of falsely certifying the 2020 election results for Donald Trump, steps into the political arena. Kijewski has announced his candidacy for the post of Michigan Attorney General, presenting himself as a…
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) has launched the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), an initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration among global victims’ associations and ensuring that victims’ needs and rights are prioritized in counter-terrorism efforts. This was a significant outcome of the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism. The…
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has vociferously criticized Macao authorities for the detention of two journalists, Ian Sio Tou, the editor-in-chief of All About Macau, and another reporter, who faced an 11-hour detention following their attempts to cover legislative discussions on national security. The journalists were detained after authorities accused them of disrupting operations…
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has not only revolutionized various aspects of industry but has also introduced sophisticated challenges in the realm of financial crime. Former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco previously emphasized the need for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to adopt a proactive stance towards AI-related offenses, an area which demands heightened…
Matthew Hodgson, a distinguished arbitration partner from Allen & Overy Shearman, has moved to Linklaters. In his new position, Hodgson will lead the public international law team based in London. Known for his expertise in handling disputes from cross-border investments, Hodgson has a track record of representing clients as counsel and advocate in numerous high-stakes…
In a rapidly evolving legal environment, the dismissal of Bill Burck, co-managing partner of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, stands as a case study of the intricate balancing act law firms must negotiate when navigating political alliances. Burck’s tenure with the Trump Organization, which began in January amidst enthusiastic endorsement from Trump allies, was curtailed…
Ashurst has appointed Noam Ankri as the new head of its Paris office, effective May 1, marking the first time a restructuring partner takes on this leadership role. Ankri will oversee the office following its more than thirty-year history of being led by corporate and transaction partners. His leadership comes at a time when major…
Global law firm Clifford Chance has announced the promotion of 31 lawyers to partner status, effective May 1. This move is consistent with the firm’s recent partner promotion cohorts, which saw 29 promotions last year and 32 in 2023. Notably, among the new partners, several are based outside Europe, including three in Singapore, one in…
The nondescript building on South Main Street in Kalispell, Montana, serves a grand purpose—at least on paper. Inside its modest walls lies the headquarters of All Day $49 Registered Agents, an enterprise facilitating out-of-state owners to establish limited liability corporations (LLCs) in Montana, part of a decades-old strategy to evade hefty sales taxes, registration fees,…
In the competitive environment of Supreme Court litigation, few attorneys have the opportunity to stand at the lectern multiple times within a single term. Michael McGinley, a partner at Dechert, is among this select group, having been appointed to argue his first case before the US Supreme Court in January and by April, he will…
If recent discussions about tax code adjustments are any indication, the Atlanta Braves might find themselves at the crux of a significant policy debate. This debate arises from a pending change to tax code Section 162(m), which aims to cap salary deductions for top earners at public corporations. Although this legislative adjustment does not specifically…
The landscape of securities enforcement in the United States is undergoing a notable shift, particularly in light of evolving federal policies under the Trump administration. As the federal government appears to scale back its aggressive pursuit of securities violations, states are increasingly stepping into the breach. This shift has been enabled by the longstanding “blue…
When a seasoned attorney at a major law firm struggled to record a straightforward video, requiring almost fifty takes, it became clear that appearing on camera can present unique challenges, even for the most experienced legal professionals. Despite her extensive courtroom experience, the camera lens caused her to display stiff body language and monotone delivery,…
“`html The Supreme Court of the United States has scheduled the release of opinions for Tuesday, April 29. During this session, the Court is expected to announce its decisions on one or more argued cases from the current term. This release is part of the regular cycle in which the Court makes its holdings public,…
In recent developments, Texas intellectual property lawyer Bill Ramey, alongside two other attorneys, reported to a California federal court that they have started paying fines amounting to $64,000. These fines were imposed as part of sanctions against them. On the same day, the legal team pressed the Federal Circuit to sustain their appeal against the…
Ed Martin, the nominee for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, recently submitted responses extending over 100 pages to the extensive inquiries posed by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Martin’s statement comes amid scrutiny over his actions while serving as an interim U.S. attorney. Notably, he chose to sidestep questions pertaining to his…
The acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has directed the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to examine potential ties between a chipmaker and Intel Corporation. This directive comes as an effort to determine if such a relationship could affect challenges against patents held by a former Texas Instruments executive. The underlying…
The federal government has successfully settled a lawsuit brought by Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), which accused the government of engaging Microsoft and L3 Technologies Inc. for night-vision goggle weapon systems that allegedly utilized infringing display technology. This resolution marks the conclusion of a legal dispute that has significant implications for government contracting and intellectual…
In recent legal proceedings, a company challenging the validity of a VLSI Technology LLC patent has informed the Federal Circuit that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) director exceeded their authority by ordering discovery in the case. The controversy centers around a patent dispute that had previously resulted in a $1.5 billion infringement verdict,…
Kennedys has expanded its Hong Kong office with the addition of Wilson Fung, a commercial disputes and regulatory partner from Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM). Fung’s expertise lies in financial services regulatory disputes and banking and enforcement litigation, and he regularly represents clients in market misconduct investigations initiated by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission….
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has concluded its deliberations on the patent infringement case filed by Optimum Communications Services Inc. against several Chinese technology firms. The case focused on allegations of infringement concerning network switching and routing patents. In its determination, the ITC opted not to advance the proceedings further, effectively closing the matter….