Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report detailing Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians in Kherson as violations of international law. These actions have been characterized by HRW as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report provides evidence from survivors, witnesses, and video documentation from Russian Telegram channels, painting a troubling picture…
Holland & Knight LLP has initiated legal action to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the firm that accuses one of its partners of colluding in fraudulent activities concerning bankrupt GWG Holdings Inc. The GWG trustee has demanded damages amounting to at least $148.4 million, claiming a scheme by the law firm to “loot” the bond…
With the possibility of a process to refund tariffs looming on the horizon, attorneys specializing in customs law are poised to guide importers through what could be a complex and large-scale operation. The discussions surrounding this initiative come in the wake of regulatory changes initiated during the Trump administration. Michael Cone, a practitioner in international…
Former President Donald Trump has announced his first group of judicial nominees for his second term, all of whom have ties to the Federalist Society. This legal group, known for its conservative influence on the judiciary, continues to play a significant role in the selection of U.S. judges. However, in a twist, Trump has criticized…
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review the scope of legal immunity for military contractors in war zones, specifically considering a lawsuit involving a suicide bombing at an Afghan military base. The case under review was initiated by former U.S. Army Specialist Winston Hencely against Fluor Corp., a Virginia-based Pentagon contractor. Hencely asserts that…
Pfizer Inc. has taken steps toward addressing legal challenges surrounding its contraceptive drug, Depo-Provera, by seeking coordination of related lawsuits in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. As of May 29, Pfizer reported that only two lawsuits had been officially filed. However, one significant action encompasses claims brought on behalf of 100 individual plaintiffs. This…
Tom Girardi, the disbarred attorney known for his involvement in high-profile legal cases, was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his conviction on wire fraud charges. The sentence, handed down by a federal judge in California, was issued on Girardi’s 86th birthday. The court opted to impose a sentence below the sentencing guidelines,…
In a recently filed complaint in the North Carolina Business Court, a former senior account manager for a company in the public and investor relations technology sector stands accused of pilfering valuable company secrets. Allegations indicate that the manager emailed these confidential materials to himself and attempted to lure away clients prior to joining a…
Radio frequency filter firm Akoustis Technologies has decided to abandon its appeal against a jury verdict awarding $39 million to its competitor, Qorvo Inc., due to claims of patent infringement and trade secrets misappropriation. The financial burden of the verdict led Akoustis to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. This development has significant…
The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced people, Paula Gaviria, has underscored the urgent need for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to fortify its national ownership in addressing the ongoing internal displacement crisis. Following her official visit to the DRC, Gaviria emphasized the importance of developing government-led strategies and…
In a move that underscores its strategic legal maneuvers, Google has retained Donald Verrilli, a distinguished former solicitor general under the Obama administration, to bolster its legal team in the ongoing antitrust litigation against the United States. Verrilli, a seasoned litigator, is currently challenging an executive order related to law firms issued during Donald Trump’s…
The legal challenge from the former head of the U.S. Copyright Office against her dismissal by President Donald Trump hit a procedural hurdle this week. A federal judge in D.C. has decided against accelerating the former official’s lawsuit, effectively compelling the case to proceed at the standard judicial pace. The lawsuit, which aims to contest…
“`html The U.S. Department of Justice has increasingly resorted to national security arguments to defend the policies of the Trump Administration, encompassing areas such as immigration, global trade, and economic measures. This strategy reflects a growing trend among administration lawyers to rely on the broad presidential authority traditionally accorded in matters of national security and…
The American Economic Liberties Project has requested that the State Bar of California initiate a disciplinary investigation into Kent Walker, Google’s Chief Legal Officer. This call to action is rooted in allegations that Walker orchestrated a scheme to systematically conceal and destroy evidence pertinent to several federal cases. According to the nonprofit’s letter, Walker’s actions…
As the legal industry witnessed a robust rebound in client work in 2024, leading law firms across the United States capitalized on this trend through strategic growth initiatives. The top tier of the Law360 400 rankings experienced significant reshaping due to a surge in hiring, mergers, and strategic maneuvers. The shift not only underscores the…
The rebound in client work experienced in 2024 has propelled many of the United States’ largest law firms into a growth trajectory, as evidenced by the latest Law360 400 rankings. This resurgence has sparked a wave of hiring initiatives, mergers, and strategic decisions, reshaping the upper echelon of large law practices. The list provides insight…
The legal battle over the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) is escalating as major law firms Freshfields, Skadden, and Gibson Dunn move to challenge recent decisions at the EU Court. These challenges are part of a broader response from the tech industry, with companies like TikTok, Meta, and Amazon…
The Berlin administrative court recently delivered an urgent ruling declaring the German government’s new policy of rejecting asylum seekers at the border to be in violation of European Union law. This decision arose following the case of three Somalian asylum seekers, two men and one woman, who were forcibly returned to Poland. The court cited…
Latham & Watkins continues to strengthen its structured finance team in London, with the addition of nine lawyers from Allen & Overy’s recent merger with Shearman & Sterling. This move further consolidates the firm’s position in the competitive London legal market, following the departure of two key partners, Franz Ranero and James Smallwood, who transitioned…
Tom Girardi, a once-renowned name in both Hollywood circles and legal corridors, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, marking a significant moment in ongoing discussions around attorney misconduct and client trust. Girardi, long recognized for his role in the landmark case depicted in “Erin Brockovich” and for his appearances on “Real Housewives of…
Attorney Jeffrey P. Goodman of Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky is spearheading efforts to challenge the legal protections historically afforded to social media companies. For decades, these companies have relied on Section 230 as a robust defense against legal accountability, often irrespective of the nature of the content disseminated on their platforms. However, according to Goodman,…
The legal industry continues to analyze trends that could influence its future trajectory. In the most recent roundup of data insights from the Law.com Newsroom, a noteworthy aspect is ALM’s Mental Health Survey which sheds light on mental health issues within the legal profession. This survey provides essential perspectives on how legal environments are affecting…
“`html Gregory Rosen has been appointed as a shareholder at Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, enhancing the firm’s capability in the realms of white collar criminal defense and government contracts. His addition underscores the firm’s commitment to strengthening its practices in Washington. Rosen, previously associated with the Justice Department, will be focusing on representing clients grappling with…
Buchalter has announced the addition of Bruce Kelson as a shareholder in the firm’s litigation and securities practice groups in its San Francisco office. Known for his focus on securities litigation and complex commercial litigation, Kelson brings a wealth of experience representing clients from varied sectors, including financial services, real estate, venture capital, software, and…
In a recent strategic move, Proskauer Rose has expanded its private client services department by hiring Rachel Harris as a partner. Harris, known for her expertise in representing ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, has joined the firm’s Los Angeles office. This latest addition was officially announced on Monday. Rachel Harris’s practice emphasizes estate planning, estate and…