In a recent strategic move, Reed Smith has expanded its Asia practice by acquiring a corporate trust team from Allen & Overy’s joint venture with Shearman & Sterling (A&O Shearman) in Singapore and Hong Kong. This team includes three lawyers: a partner, a counsel, and an associate. Tim Beech, formerly a partner and co-head of…
An Illinois federal judge has dismissed the criminal charges against disbarred attorney Tom Girardi following the government’s decision to drop the case. This step was influenced by considerations of Girardi’s age and his prior conviction in California. Girardi’s legal troubles have been a focus of attention given the high-profile nature of his career and subsequent…
The Department of Justice’s use of the state secrets privilege was recently called into question by a federal judge in Maryland amid litigation concerning the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. The judge noted that the Trump administration offered minimal justification for its invocation of this privilege, which is meant to prevent the…
A panel of judges from the D.C. Circuit recently expressed skepticism regarding restrictions imposed by a lower court that hindered the Trump administration’s plan to significantly reduce the workforce of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This panel seemed inclined to support the administration’s argument that it is within its rights to enact substantial staff…
The U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed that alleged Venezuelan gang members cannot be removed from the United States while they contest the basis of their detention under the Alien Enemies Act. This decision acts as a continuation of the pause on deportations, underscoring the Court’s stance against the use of a 1798 wartime law invoked…
In a strategic move reflecting the evolving dynamics of Australia’s energy sector, Clayton Utz has appointed Alexander Danne as the new leader of its energy practice. Danne joins the firm from Gilbert+Tobin, where he notably established and headed their energy and infrastructure team over a period exceeding 13 years. His transition to Clayton Utz is…
Three British and Swiss attorneys, including former FIFA anti-corruption counsel Mark Pieth, have lodged a formal complaint challenging FIFA’s decision to award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup. They argue that the sports body violated its own human rights policy. The complaint criticizes an allegedly “flawed” assessment by AS&H Clifford Chance, which purportedly overlooked significant…
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges accusing her of obstructing immigration enforcement activities. The allegations revolve around an April 18 incident where Dugan reportedly aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a noncitizen without legal status, in evading arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Prosecutors allege Judge…
The detention of Chad’s opposition leader, Succès Masra, by Chadian security forces has sparked international concern, as reported by JURIST. Masra, who heads the nation’s principal opposition party Les Transformateurs (The Transformers), was arrested on May 16 in N’Djamena. This arrest follows violent clashes in Logone Occidental province that resulted in 42 fatalities. Authorities have…
In a recent ruling, the First US Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed the Trump administration’s bid to reinstate a controversial policy aiming to deport migrants to so-called “third countries”—nations where migrants have no prior connections or history. This decision is rooted in the government’s inability to demonstrate the high necessity for such extraordinary relief,…
In a significant development emerging from Thailand, a court has issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals in connection with the catastrophic collapse of a skyscraper in Bangkok. These warrants, which encompass construction executives and engineers, stem from charges of felony negligence leading to death. This incident is intertwined with the March 28th earthquake that struck…
The United States Supreme Court delivered a consequential decision regarding the rights of deportees under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA), affirming that individuals detained under this statute are entitled to due process and “reasonable notice” prior to deportation. This ruling particularly impacts members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang President Trump classified as a…
Ashurst has strengthened its cross-border practice with the hiring of partner Alexis Werl from Eversheds Sutherland, who is set to lead the firm’s white-collar crime and investigations team in Paris. Werl, who arrives with an associate, brings extensive experience in criminal business law and compliance matters. This includes his expertise in cross-border investigations, anti-corruption and…