Last week on Law360, a collection of legal stories and analysis captivated the attention of legal professionals across various sectors. As a hub for dynamic legal reporting, Law360 published over 200 pieces daily spanning numerous topics such as industry trends, practice areas, and global jurisdictions. This coverage serves legal practitioners by empowering them with timely…
A recent ruling by the Federal Circuit Court has placed new constraints on presidential tariff powers, specifically scrutinizing the actions of former President Donald Trump. This development arises from the court’s determination that Trump’s emergency tariffs were improperly imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a statute that does not explicitly authorize the…
In a significant ruling, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a recently enacted Texas law demanding that financial firms disclose their investment policies concerning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the role of ESG considerations in financial markets. The Texas legislation, part of a…
The Federal Public Defender’s Office in Los Angeles has recently filed a motion in a California federal court seeking to disqualify Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. The request arises from the allegation that Essayli’s 120-day temporary appointment has expired, effectively allowing him to stay in office beyond the limitations established by Congress. This development raises…
In a recent development in the legal proceedings surrounding the killing of a Florida State University law professor, disturbing allegations have emerged about potential witness tampering. During a court session, jailhouse informants revealed that they were allegedly solicited to fabricate testimony. According to these inmates, promises of gifts were made in exchange for providing false…
The Federal Circuit recently affirmed the application of the prosecution laches doctrine in rejecting inventor Gilbert Hyatt’s appeal. This decision maintains that excessive delays during the patent prosecution process can render a patent unenforceable, showcasing the judicial system’s stance on the importance of timely filing. Hyatt’s case revolves around several patent applications filed decades ago,…
Epic Games Inc., creator of the immensely popular Fortnite, has moved to dismiss a lawsuit in a North Carolina federal court, arguing that the patent infringement claims brought against it lack specificity and are too abstract for legal standing. The controversy involves player-to-player messaging features within the game, which a California company alleges infringe on…
In a high-stakes legal maneuver, a home designer has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review decisions that exonerated real estate agents from allegations of copyright infringement. The crux of the designer’s argument is the need for the justices to reassess how lower courts interpreted the principle of fair use in these cases. This litigation…
The recent decision to extend the suspension of Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman marks another chapter in a series of significant internal judicial reviews. On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in a unanimous decision by its 11 other judges, extended Judge Newman’s suspension from hearing cases for another…
In a decision that underscores ongoing tensions within the Federal Circuit, Judge Pauline Newman has had her suspension from the bench extended by another year. The decision, rendered unanimously by Newman’s 11 fellow judges, signals persistent concerns about her capacity to fulfill her judicial duties effectively. The court’s opinion offered no signs of reconciliation following…
In a continued emphasis on discretion, Acting U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Coke Morgan Stewart has once again largely sided with challengers in the most recent batch of decisions regarding Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) petitions. Over the past week, Stewart issued a limited number of rulings on whether to exercise discretion in…
In a notable development within the Texas legal circle, retired U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn has opted to join the Dallas-based litigation boutique, Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann. Lynn, who retired earlier this year, is renowned for her extensive judicial career and leadership as the Chief Judge of the Northern District of Texas, where…
Cox Communications Inc. has raised a pivotal challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court, questioning a $1 billion copyright liability judgment related to its customers’ music piracy activities. This appeal stems from a decision by the Fourth Circuit, which upheld a Virginia federal jury’s verdict against the telecommunications company. The case centers on whether Cox can…
Recent developments from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have brought the doctrine of “settled expectations” into sharp focus. The acting director, Coke Morgan Stewart, has discretionarily denied several motions for inter partes review (IPR), invoking the reasoning that a patent owner accrues certain settled expectations when a patent has been active for six…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its scrutiny on major law firms and technology giants, accusing them of obstructing antitrust investigations. The DOJ’s top antitrust official criticized both Big Tech companies and their legal representatives for employing what was termed “gamesmanship” to withhold crucial information from merger and conduct probes. In a significant…
In a recent legal maneuver, a North Carolina-based Tex-Mex restaurant chain has filed a lawsuit in the North Carolina Business Court, asserting that a former employee illicitly took the chain’s proprietary recipes, menus, drinks, and decor to establish a new restaurant in Missouri. The accusation highlights the intricate legal tensions that often surface in the…
In a recent statement, the newly appointed chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan issued a cautionary note to attorneys regarding the rising use of artificial intelligence in legal practices. Addressing the complexities that AI introduces, the judge emphasized the importance of diligence and accuracy when leveraging such technologies…
A Texas state appeals court recently overturned a $765,000 summary judgment previously granted to attorney Tony Buzbee in a legal battle involving a former campaign attorney. The case arose from a dispute where the attorney alleged she was not compensated for her contributions to Buzbee’s 2019 Houston mayoral campaign. This ruling marks a significant development…
In the midst of the summer slowdown, the Boston legal market is experiencing a notable reshuffling. Significant personnel changes are taking place as prominent law firms bolster their teams with strategic hires. Prince Lobel Tye LLP has expanded its capabilities by bringing in a seasoned cybersecurity lawyer. This move reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity…
Military attorneys, part of the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, are now being deployed to Washington, D.C., to fill critical vacancies in prosecuting crimes. This move is a direct result of efforts by the Trump administration to strengthen law enforcement in the capital as part of a broader federal surge initiative. The deployment is seen…
In a case that has garnered attention within academic and legal circles, University of Pennsylvania law professor Amy Wax has lost her federal discrimination lawsuit against the university. The suit arose after she was suspended for making disparaging remarks about minority groups. The judge ruled that the suspension was a response to racist speech rather…
In a strategic move that underscores the dynamic landscape of legal leadership within the healthcare sector, Emory Healthcare has appointed a new chief legal officer from the ranks of prominent law firm K&L Gates. The healthcare provider, renowned for its comprehensive network of hospitals and specialist care facilities, has selected a partner with extensive experience…
This week, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP emerged as the standout firm in Law360’s esteemed Legal Lions rankings. This recognition followed a significant legal victory concerning the short-selling market. The Fifth Circuit Court vacated two Biden-administration regulations designed to enhance market transparency, marking a critical win for the firm’s clients. This decision reflects ongoing debates about…
A Colorado law firm is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in federal court after a Utah woman alleged that the firm failed to adequately protect the personal information of over 5,000 individuals, which was compromised in a data breach earlier this year. The plaintiff contends that the firm’s insufficient security measures led to the…
Entering the legal profession as a first-generation lawyer often presents unique challenges that can feel daunting yet surmountable. Many new associates find themselves in a world where adapting quickly is essential for success. For these lawyers, the path differs distinctly from peers who may have a background steeped in legal traditions. It requires navigating unfamiliar…