Visa is pressing a New York federal court to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit by challenging the DOJ’s market definition. Represented by Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer and Wilkinson Stekloff, Visa argues that the DOJ’s perspective on the debit transactions market is overly narrow and omits key participants, thereby overstating Visa’s influence….
In a notable development within the legal sector, Goodwin Procter has opted to terminate its contract with Mosaic Search Partners. This decision follows a public critique by Mosaic’s founder, Bryson Malcolm, concerning the law firm’s handling of a federal diversity investigation led by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The severance of ties between Goodwin…
The global law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is embroiled in a legal malpractice suit in which esports athlete Jarvis Khattari accuses the firm, along with attorney Sarah Link Schultz, of negligence in drafting a settlement agreement. This case revolves around a $1 million payment allegedly due from Simply Greatness Productions to…
In the modern legal landscape, corporate legal departments are facing demands to cut costs while delivering results with greater speed, prompting a reevaluation of how they measure value and manage external counsel. Chris Ochs, Vice President of Legal Operations at UnitedLex, notes that some may focus merely on discounts from law firms, missing the broader…
Harvard Law School alumnus and leading Washington, D.C. litigator, Kannon Shanmugam, has been appointed to the Harvard Corporation, the university’s governing board. His selection, effective July 1, highlights his considerable contributions to the legal field and academic institutions. Harvard University President Alan Garber and Senior Fellow Penny Pritzker have lauded Shanmugam’s deep commitment to Harvard…
A California federal judge has recently denied The Walt Disney Company’s request to block the Brazilian judiciary from taking injunctive measures in an ongoing patent dispute. The conflict involves Disney and wireless technology developer InterDigital Inc., centering on the use of specific video codec technology. The judge concluded that Disney did not sufficiently demonstrate the…
Summer associateships in law firms present a delicate balancing act: gaining enough visibility without attracting undue negative attention. According to insights shared on a recent episode of the podcast “On The Merits”, Kate Reder Sheikh, a partner with Major, Lindsey & Africa, outlined these challenges for budding legal professionals. Sheikh emphasized potential pitfalls ranging from…
The California Supreme Court is considering adjustments to the rules governing the administration of the state’s bar exam. The proposed amendments aim to clarify the responsibilities of the Committee of Bar Examiners, particularly emphasizing its role in reviewing and approving all questions utilized in the exam. This initiative comes amid ongoing challenges with the state’s…
In a recent development, a New Jersey appellate panel has supported the state pension board’s decision that a workers’ compensation judge is not entitled to acquire 36 months of service credits for his previous military service. The ruling clarifies that the statutes that govern the judge’s pension do not permit such a purchase. This decision…
Education Corporation of America (ECA), a significant player in the for-profit education sector, finds itself embroiled in legal proceedings following a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information. The incident, which targeted the records managed by Thompson Coburn LLP, led to the filing of a federal class action lawsuit, revealing the breach of privacy endured…
An Alabama federal court is reviewing a proposed class action against a for-profit college operator. The lawsuit alleges that the operator inadequately secured sensitive data and failed to promptly notify students of a cyber attack targeting its law firm, Thompson Coburn LLP. This breach reportedly led to the unauthorized access of sensitive student records. For…
QVC Group Inc., facing significant liquidity challenges, has prompted a group of its bondholders to engage Centerview Partners and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld for advisory roles amid ongoing financial pressure. The collective of ad hoc creditors has substantial investments in QVC’s Liberty Interactive segment, also known as Linta. With approximately $2.5 billion in…
Mexicans are poised to head to the polls on Sunday to elect new judges, signaling a major change in the country’s judicial selection process. This shift, according to legal experts, moves away from a merit-based appointment system where judges were chosen based on qualifications through exams. Concerns have been raised regarding potential increases in judicial…
Jake Paul, the multifaceted boxer, influencer, and entrepreneur, has expanded his growing business ventures with the strategic recruitment of two seasoned legal professionals, each experienced in navigating highly regulated industries. This development underscores Paul’s commitment to solidifying the legal foundations of his expanding portfolio. Betr Holdings Inc., a sports betting startup co-founded by Paul, recently…
The current political climate is causing organizations to reassess their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A growing fear is spreading across DEI departments in law offices, corporations, and educational institutions as political rhetoric increasingly targets these programs. Law offices, law schools, and corporations may need to consider rebranding their DEI programs as…
Elizabeth “Beth” Graham, a principal at the law firm Grant & Eisenhofer based in San Francisco, has secured her place as a prominent figure in the world of plaintiffs’ law. Graham is a respected member of Grant & Eisenhofer’s executive committee and made notable contributions in securing a $600 million settlement last April. The agreement…
The United States Supreme Court recently rendered a decision favoring developers in Utah by clearing the path for the construction of a railroad line intended to connect the Uinta Basin to the national freight rail network. Central to the case was whether a federal appeals court had overstepped by blocking the approval based on environmental…
Andrew Hedden, the seasoned General Counsel who played a pivotal role in navigating Scholastic through a recent succession challenge, is relinquishing his legal responsibilities. However, rather than embarking on a full retirement, the 84-year-old legal veteran will assume the position of senior counselor. This move comes at a critical juncture for Scholastic, a publishing company…
In a significant shift within the Mexican judicial system, voters will cast their ballots on Sunday to elect nearly 900 federal and hundreds of local judges. This move is part of a sweeping change replacing the long-standing merit-based appointment system with a democratic process. The transition has sparked concern among legal experts, who fear that…
As multinational companies pursue international expansion, general counsels (GCs) are navigating a complex landscape riddled with potential challenges. Regulatory compliance in diverse jurisdictions is paramount, as variations in international laws and regulations can present significant obstacles. This highlights the crucial role of data management in facilitating legal processes and ensuring adherence to global compliance mandates….
Plaintiff T. Craig Travis is challenging a judge’s ruling due to alleged undisclosed conflicts of interest in a defamation case. Travis has requested that the court consider invalidating the order issued by Special Superior Court Judge Hoyt G. Tessener, who dismissed the lawsuit. The core of Travis’s argument is that Judge Tessener did not reveal…
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating multiple significant legal issues, with the potential to impact government contractors, election procedures, and capital punishment proceedings. Here’s a closer look at what’s on the docket: Government Contractors’ Immunity In The GEO Group, Inc. v. Menocal, the Supreme Court is being asked to resolve a crucial question regarding federal…
In a significant move, Harvard Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University, has appointed Paul Weiss lawyer Kannon Shanmugam as its newest member. This decision comes as the university faces scrutiny from the US government. Shanmugam, a distinguished alumnus of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, is set to succeed Ted Wells, who will step…
Norton Rose Fulbright, Gowling WLG, Goodmans, and Stikeman Elliott are leading the advisory efforts on a significant transaction involving InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust. The CA$2 billion take-private sale of InterRent will see the Canadian REIT being acquired by a newly formed entity, Carriage Hill Properties Acquisition Corp. This entity is owned by CLV Group…
In a recent development that could reshape the judicial nomination landscape, the Justice Department has decided to exclude the American Bar Association (ABA) from its long-standing role in evaluating President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees. This decision was articulated by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who expressed concerns regarding the ABA’s perceived biases towards nominees associated with…