In a bid to address ongoing issues with the February California bar exam, the state’s committee of bar examiners has sought further intervention following a series of troubling results. The committee has moved to approve two new remedies, aimed at assisting applicants who did not pass. One significant proposal involves requesting the California Supreme Court…
Ropes & Gray LLP has announced the relocation of its Silicon Valley office to downtown Palo Alto, California, as part of its strategy to bolster its footprint in the tech sector. This tactical move, detailed in a recent announcement, illustrates the firm’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the region that harbors a significant concentration…
H. Lee Godfrey, a founding member of the litigation boutique Susman Godfrey LLP, has passed away, according to firm representatives. Godfrey leaves behind a commendable legacy characterized by his exceptional skills as a trial attorney and his role as a thoughtful leader. His contributions to the legal industry were widely acknowledged by peers and adversaries…
Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP has announced the return of a seasoned privacy and cybersecurity attorney, who had been with Cooley LLP, to its partnership ranks. This strategic move highlights Weil’s commitment to bolstering its expertise in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence. The attorney’s extensive experience in navigating the complexities of privacy and cybersecurity in…
The decision by the Trump administration to prosecute a Wisconsin state judge has triggered significant controversy within the legal community. The judge is under scrutiny for her refusal to assist immigration agents in arresting an undocumented immigrant. This prosecution has been described as an “extraordinary and direct assault on the independence of the entire judicial…
A Womble Bond Dickinson partner has appealed to the Fourth Circuit, requesting the reversal of a contempt order. The attorney argues that a series of federal court errors resulted in the unjust holding of contempt amidst a $28 million trademark conflict involving a Dutch technology firm and its previous U.S. collaborator. The brief, submitted to…
Ned Weinberger, a prominent partner at Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP, has recently achieved an unprecedented feat in the legal arena by securing a $1 billion settlement in a lawsuit against Dell Technologies Inc. The case questioned a $23.9 billion stock swap orchestrated by Dell, which has culminated in the largest prejudgment recovery ever reported in…
A recent Canadian report reveals a high level of adoption of artificial intelligence within legal departments, with over 97% of in-house lawyers finding AI to be somewhat or very useful. This sentiment was shared by Scott Stevenson, CEO of Spellbook, which co-sponsored the report. The rapid uptake of AI tools, as highlighted by Stevenson, reflects…
Preliminary findings on the impact of attorney gender on trial outcomes suggest there is little evidence of a clear, universal bias against lawyers based on gender. The study conducted by Jill Leibold, Olivia Goodman, and Alexa Hiley from IMS Legal Strategies provides insight into this nuanced issue, challenging common assumptions about gender disparities. These conclusions…
Consensual judicial references are emerging as a valuable mechanism for resolving complex disputes, especially within jurisdictions grappling with a shortage of judges and an increase in case complexity. As articulated by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero in her 2025 address to the California Legislature, these challenges underscore the growing relevance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Attorneys…
In a strategic move to bolster its intellectual property capabilities, Honigman LLP has announced the recruitment of Joseph Mahoney and Erick Palmer as partners to its IP litigation practice group in Chicago. The announcement, made by the firm on Monday, marks a significant enhancement of their life sciences sector expertise. Mahoney comes equipped with a…
As the landscape of legal disputes continues to evolve, legal professionals increasingly consider consensual judicial references for resolving intricate cases. This method is gaining traction for its potential to bring specialization and efficiency to complex disputes. In her recent address, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero highlighted concerns over the rising complexity of cases in California, suggesting…
In a strategic move reflecting the shifting dynamics in the legal sector, Foley & Lardner LLP has launched a new office in Nashville, Tennessee, marking its expansion into a burgeoning market for the health-care and life sciences sectors. This development comes with the addition of prominent partners Jesse Neil, Brent Bowman, and Jon Gaston, who…
In a recent move within the legal sector, Jeffrey Fickes and Christopher DePizzo have joined Akerman LLP as partners in the firm’s corporate practice group. The announcement was made earlier this week, drawing attention to the noteworthy talents of the pair as they transition from their previous positions at Blank Rome LLP. According to Bloomberg…
Gregory Hendershott has joined Fisher Phillips as a partner based in their Seattle office. The firm, known for its expertise in labor and employment law, announced the addition on Monday, citing Hendershott’s extensive experience in handling complex litigation matters. Hendershott’s practice is centered around defending employers in high-stakes litigation, including class actions that involve wage…
Mayer Brown has announced the addition of Rich Stieglitz as a partner and co-leader of its restructuring practice in New York. Stieglitz brings extensive experience in advising lenders and agents in complex bankruptcy cases, including debtor-in-possession (DIP) and exit financings, out-of-court restructurings, and liability management exercises. His expertise further extends to representing companies in financial…
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has announced the addition of Chelsea Pizzola as a partner in its asset management department and digital works practice based in Washington. Pizzola, whose expertise encompasses derivatives, commodities, securities, and banking regulatory and enforcement matters, will also focus on emerging areas of cryptocurrency and digital assets regulation. Prior to joining Willkie,…
Google has enlisted the services of law firm Paul Hastings to represent it in an Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) lawsuit currently pending in the District of Connecticut. The case revolves around allegations of discrimination linked to the termination of a Google employee diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. The plaintiff, Peter Martin, claims…
In a strategic move that underscores its commitment to bolstering its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) capabilities, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has announced the addition of Iliana Karaoglan as a partner in its New York office. Karaoglan, a seasoned M&A expert, joins the firm from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, bringing with her a wealth of experience…
During the summer vacation period, a mere fraction of the legal profession truly disconnects from work, as reported by the American Lawyer. Their recent mental health survey has indicated an increase in the use of vacation days among lawyers. However, the data also reveals that most attorneys find it challenging to completely unplug from their…
“`html In a strategic expansion, Cole Schotz has announced the opening of its new office in Miami, marking a significant move into the bustling legal landscape of South Florida. The office’s establishment comes with the addition of prominent legal professionals Luis Salazar and Jose Ceide, who have joined the firm as partners. This development was…
Vedder Price, a law firm with a well-established presence in the real estate sector, has announced the addition of Robert Salame as a shareholder in its real estate practice based in New York. Salame is recognized for his expertise in handling commercial real estate transactions. His role at the firm will focus on representing sponsors…
Holland & Knight has made a strategic addition to its real estate practice by appointing Kate Pennartz as a partner in its Dallas office. This move reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding its expertise in key practice areas and geographies. Kate Pennartz brings a wealth of experience from her previous position at Squire Patton…
In a strategic move, Dentons has appointed Evan Sherwood as a partner within its government contracts practice, operating out of Washington D.C. This was confirmed by the firm earlier this week. The addition of Sherwood is aligned with Dentons’ objective of strengthening its capabilities in managing complex contractor disputes and compliance issues. Sherwood brings considerable…
In a series of noteworthy in-house legal department appointments during May, several high-profile companies have made significant personnel changes. Tech giant Adobe, pharmaceutical leader Takeda, and energy company Duke Energy have all announced new key hires. These appointments reflect a continuing trend for corporations to strengthen their legal capacities in response to an evolving regulatory…