June 2025

Slaughter and May: Navigating Change While Preserving Tradition Amid Global Shifts

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Slaughter and May, an esteemed law firm, has undergone significant changes over the past two decades, a transformation which may not be fully appreciated by the market. As the global economy continues to evolve rapidly, questions arise about how the firm will maintain its distinctive approach. [Law.com International](https://www.law.com/international-edition/2025/06/30/can-slaughter-and-may-carry-on-being-slaughter-and-may-a-deep-dive/){:target=”_blank”} offers insight into these developments through interviews…

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Paul Hastings Targets $2.5 Billion Revenue with Strategic Hiring and Sector Growth

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Paul Hastings is positioning itself for a substantial revenue increment this year, targeting an estimated 12% growth that could see its earnings exceed $2.5 billion. This ambitious projection is a reflection of the firm’s strategic hiring efforts, aimed at strengthening its practice areas by acquiring talent from competing firms. The law firm’s chairperson, Frank Lopez,…

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Proskauer Rose Strengthens Private Equity Practice with New Hire Sarah Stasny

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Proskauer Rose has brought on a notable addition to its legal team, hiring former Paul Weiss partner Sarah Stasny to lead its United States private equity transactions practice. Stasny, who commenced her new role on Monday, is expected to leverage her extensive experience to recruit partners and strengthen Proskauer’s client relations in the competitive realm…

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Judge Blocks Ripple and SEC Settlement Efforts, Leaving Cryptocurrency Case in Legal Limbo

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Ripple Labs Inc. and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) find themselves in a precarious position after Judge Analisa Torres blocked their efforts to settle a securities enforcement case that is currently on appeal. The decision, which marks the second denial from the judge, leaves both parties with limited strategies to consider moving forward….

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U.S. Justice Department Lawsuit Against Maryland Judges Sparks Debate on Judicial Independence

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The legal and judicial community has found itself in an unusual spotlight as the U.S. Justice Department initiates legal action against all federal district judges in Maryland. This lawsuit is directed at a standing order imposed by the Maryland federal court that protects detainees who file habeas corpus petitions from immediate deportation. The situation is…

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Proposed 32% Tax on Litigation Funding Raises Concerns Over Impact on Whistleblower Cases and U.S. Revenue Recovery

Pieter Gunst04 mins

A proposed 32% tax on litigation funding arrangements within a Senate bill draft is raising concerns among legal experts and government accountability advocates. This provision, introduced as an apparent measure to curtail mass tort litigation and raise federal revenue, could disproportionately affect U.S. taxpayers by undermining litigation financing—a key enabler of whistleblower initiatives under the…

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Federal Circuit Clarifies IPR Estoppel in Ingenico v. IOENGINE, Signaling Strategic Shifts in Patent Litigation

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In an intriguing development for patent litigation, a recent ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the case of Ingenico Inc. v. IOENGINE, LLC, has clarified the reach of IPR estoppel, casting a spotlight on potential shifts in legal strategy for parties embroiled in patent disputes. The court’s decision…

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U.S. Senate Advances Stablecoin Regulation with Passage of GENIUS Act

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate passed the GENIUS Act with bipartisan support, representing a significant legislative endeavor to regulate the growing stablecoin market. As stablecoins, pegged to traditional assets like the U.S. dollar, continue to expand in usage and market value, the need for a cohesive regulatory framework is increasingly critical. The stablecoin sector,…

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Safeguarding the Rule of Law: A Call to Action for Today’s Legal Professionals

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The concept of the rule of law is foundational to the legal profession, representing a delicate balance of principles that must be protected and nourished. As highlighted by Paula Boggs, former Chief Legal Officer of Starbucks, the current state of this idea is increasingly tenuous. Instances of constitutional crises, defiance of judicial authority, and executive…

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Building Effective Legal AI Teams: Emphasizing Human Expertise and Multidisciplinary Approaches

Pieter Gunst04 mins

As the legal industry continues to embrace artificial intelligence technologies, the creation of a well-balanced team remains a critical yet often underestimated component of successful AI implementation. Integrating AI into legal practices demands a reevaluation of traditional skills with the aim of fostering legal innovation, and this involves new multidisciplinary approaches and roles. The need…

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Innolux’s $1.1 Billion Acquisition of Pioneer Signals Strategic Shift in Electronics Sector

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Sullivan & Cromwell is representing Taiwan-based LCD and touchscreen manufacturer Innolux in the $1.1 billion acquisition of Japanese consumer electronics brand Pioneer. The involvement of major law firms highlights the significance of the deal in the tech and manufacturing sectors. Morrison & Foerster, White & Case, and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu are providing legal advice…

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Allens Advises Brookfield in Australia’s Largest-Ever Real Estate Deal: $2.5 Billion Aveo Sale

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Australia’s esteemed law firm, Allens, is providing counsel to asset manager Brookfield in relation to the $2.5 billion sale of Aveo, one of the leading retirement living providers in the country. This transaction marks Australia’s largest-ever direct real estate deal. Aveo’s extensive portfolio encompasses over 10,000 units across 67 retirement villages, primarily located in high-value…

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Scott Wise Joins Crowell & Moring as Partner, Strengthening International Trade Practice with Expertise from Microsoft

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The legal community is abuzz with news that Scott Wise has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in its international trade group based in Washington, D.C. Wise’s transition from Microsoft, where he served as assistant general counsel for global trade, marks a significant addition to Crowell & Moring’s capabilities in handling complex trade and…

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Tech Industry Group Challenges Arkansas’s Social Media Law in Pivotal First Amendment Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal challenge with potential national implications, the tech industry interest group NetChoice has initiated a lawsuit against the state of Arkansas. The group is contesting Act 901, a newly enacted social media regulation law, arguing that it infringes on the First Amendment by imposing restrictions on content distributed via social media platforms. NetChoice,…

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Evolving Abortion Laws and Pregnancy Criminalization Post-Dobbs: A Legal and Ethical Quandary in the U.S.

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The comprehensive landscape of abortion laws in the United States has dramatically evolved since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs, overruling Roe v. Wade. This shift is manifesting beyond civil courtrooms and legislative environments, extending its influence into the sphere of criminal law. Legal experts have identified a troubling trend wherein individuals are…

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Judge Questions Potential Religious Bias in Security Clearance Revocations by Executive Branch

Pieter Gunst01 mins

A recent legal hearing in Washington, D.C., has put a spotlight on the discretion of the executive branch regarding security clearances, particularly when allegations of bias are involved. The D.C. federal judge presiding over national security lawyer Mark S. Zaid’s case has raised critical questions about whether the White House’s actions against Zaid, which ostensibly…

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“State-Level Legal Battles Intensify Post-Dobbs as Abortion Rights Debate Fragments Nationwide”

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, the battle over abortion rights has shifted dramatically to the state level. The ruling, which ended nearly fifty years of federal constitutional protection for abortion, left states to independently decide on the legality…

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Supreme Court Ruling on LGBTQ Storybooks Highlights Tensions Between Parental Rights and Educational Content

Pieter Gunst01 mins

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a ruling impacting educational policy in Maryland, with significant implications for the balance between religious rights and educational content. The decision, issued on Friday, addressed the issue of whether the Montgomery County Public Schools’ decision to include LGBTQ-themed storybooks in its K-12 English curriculum infringed upon the religious rights…

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Legal Strategists Quickly Adapt to Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship Challenges

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In a swift reaction to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, organizations challenging President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order have adjusted their legal strategy. The Court’s decision, which restricts federal judges from imposing nationwide injunctions, prompted these groups to transition from seeking these injunctions to filing class action complaints. This tactical change was observed…

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State High Courts Challenge Mandatory Life Sentences for Young Offenders: A Legal and Scientific Debate

Pieter Gunst02 mins

A recent shift in legal perspectives across the United States has seen several state high courts rethinking the use of mandatory life without parole (LWOP) for young offenders. This change, largely driven by advances in neuroscience and advocacy efforts, was highlighted by the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year, which ruled such sentences unconstitutional…

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Global Law Firms Shift Focus Amid Profit Margin Prioritization in Volatile Market

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In an unpredictable and volatile global environment, law firm leaders are making difficult decisions about where to expand and contract. Fast-growing markets such as the Middle East and Greater China, once appealing for their potential, can quickly become less attractive as firms prioritize profit margins. This is evident in the recent decisions of law firms…

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Borden Ladner Gervais Appoints Melinda Park as Head of Calgary Office, Strengthening Leadership and Client Engagement

Pieter Gunst01 mins

Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) has appointed corporate partner Melinda Park to lead its Calgary office. Park, who has been with BLG for over two decades, has a strong record of leadership positions within the firm. Her new role will emphasize growing client relationships, nurturing local talent, and bolstering the firm’s dedication to service, integrity, and…

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