September 10, 2025

Ghana’s President Ousts Chief Justice Amid Allegations of Misusing Public Funds, Sparking Debate on Judicial Independence and Accountability

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a move that has sparked widespread debate, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo from office. This decision comes on the heels of petitions alleging her involvement in misusing public funds. The removal, announced on September 1, follows the recommendations of a constitutionally mandated committee which found…

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Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster Sue Perplexity AI Over Copyright Infringement

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a significant legal development, Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. and Merriam-Webster Inc. filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against Perplexity AI Inc., accusing the startup of unauthorized replication of their copyright-protected content. This case, initiated on Wednesday, emphasizes the ongoing tensions between traditional publishers and emerging AI technologies regarding the use and distribution of…

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Federal Circuit Upholds Key IP Precedents in Patent and Trademark Law Rulings

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Federal Circuit’s recent decision to uphold its previous rulings in several intellectual property cases has further entrenched key precedents in patent and trademark law. Notably, one of the cases involved Acadia Pharmaceuticals and its Parkinson’s disease drug patent. The core issue in this case was double-patenting, a legal doctrine aimed at preventing patent holders…

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Georgia Supreme Court Expands Attorney-Client Privilege to Include Unlicensed In-House Counsel

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Georgia Supreme Court has issued a ruling that expands the boundaries of attorney-client privilege to include communication between corporations and unlicensed in-house attorneys. This decision addresses the complex dynamics between legal departments and their internal advisors, raising important implications for corporate legal strategies. This determination by the court underscores the evolving nature of the…

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Georgia Appeals Court Upholds Attorney-Client Privilege for Unlicensed In-House Counsel: Key Ruling for Corporations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Georgia Court of Appeals has affirmed that attorney-client privilege can extend to communications between a corporation and its unlicensed in-house counsel, provided certain conditions are met. This decision arose from a contract dispute involving Church’s Chicken and its chief legal officer, where the court upheld the trial court’s determination that the communications were protected…

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Insurers Seek Court Sanction for Late Summary Judgment Motion Against McCarter & English

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In recent developments involving the law firm McCarter & English LLP, two insurance companies are seeking judicial approval to file a belated request for summary judgment on breach of contract claims. This request follows a lawyer’s deposition that allegedly left no factual disputes on these claims, creating a significant point of contention in the case….

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SEC Appoints New Head of Division of Corporation Finance from Gibson Dunn, Enhancing Expertise in Securities Regulation

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed a prominent attorney from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP as the new head of its Division of Corporation Finance. The division plays a crucial role in shaping regulations and guiding publicly traded companies on issues related to shareholder disclosures and other governance matters. This appointment, announced…

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Wisconsin Judicial Commission Faces Lawsuit Over Confidentiality in Misconduct Cases

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Two conservative organizations have initiated legal action against the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, challenging the stringent confidentiality surrounding judicial misconduct complaints. These groups argue that the commission’s policy impedes First Amendment rights by limiting public discourse concerning allegations against a current state judge. This ongoing debate raises questions about transparency within the judicial oversight system. The…

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Former FBI Officials Sue Trump-Era Director Alleging Unlawful Dismissal and Retribution Campaign

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal action that underscores the contentious relationship between former officials and the Trump administration, three ex-FBI senior officials have filed a lawsuit in D.C. federal court. The lawsuit, lodged on Wednesday, accuses current FBI Director Kash Patel of engaging in a “campaign of retribution” by terminating them to ensure his position remained secure….

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Trump Administration’s Energy Deregulation Agenda Faces Legal Hurdles and Industry Uncertainty

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The attempt by the Trump administration to rescind multiple energy regulations faces notable legal and practical obstacles, contributing to a climate of uncertainty within the energy sector. This push to dismantle regulatory frameworks is rooted in a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth by reducing what is perceived as regulatory overreach. However, questions arise concerning…

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Senate Banking Committee Advances Trump-Aligned Economist to Federal Reserve Board, Sparking Debate on Central Bank Independence

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The nomination of Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board has been advanced by the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, moving next to a full Senate vote. This decision follows significant debate over Miran’s potential alignment with former President Donald Trump, as raised by Democratic members of the committee. Concerns have been expressed regarding Miran’s independence…

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Disney Seeks $500K Sanctions Over Alleged Forged Evidence in Moana Copyright Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Disney’s legal team recently urged a California federal judge to impose $532,815 in sanctions against the attorneys representing an animator who claimed that Disney’s “Moana” copied elements from his Polynesian-themed adventure story. Central to Disney’s argument is the assertion that the plaintiff’s legal team relied on a forged document during the course of this litigation,…

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Disney Seeks Sanctions Against Attorney Team Over Alleged Forged Evidence in ‘Moana’ Copyright Case

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Walt Disney Company has petitioned a California federal judge to impose $532,815 in sanctions against the legal representatives of animator Buck Woodall, who alleged that Disney’s 2016 film “Moana” was derived from his own Polynesian adventure narrative. Disney contends that Woodall’s attorneys either knew or should have known that a pivotal document in the…

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Authors Challenge Microsoft and OpenAI in Landmark Copyright Lawsuit Over AI Training Practices

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a pivotal development within the realms of copyright litigation and artificial intelligence, a proposed class of authors has made a significant move against Microsoft and OpenAI. This legal maneuver, unfolding in a Manhattan federal court, seeks to compel Microsoft to divulge documents that may reveal unauthorized use of copyrighted works to train ChatGPT. This…

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FTC Warns Healthcare Employers on Noncompete Clauses Amid Antitrust Concerns

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a cautionary notice to healthcare employers and staffing firms regarding their use of noncompete clauses. These notifications urge organizations to review existing contracts to ensure they are not imposing overly broad restrictions on employees, which could potentially violate antitrust laws. This move is part of a broader effort…

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Attorney Departure Complicates Federal Judge Newman’s Fight Against Suspension

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent development concerning the Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman, her chief attorney has stepped down amidst ongoing litigation challenging her suspension from the appeals court. Formerly aligned with the New Civil Liberties Alliance, the attorney’s departure has left his previous associates to continue the legal battle. This shift in the legal team comes…

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Legal Battle Over Judge Newman’s Suspension Intensifies Amid Key Attorney Departure

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In a significant turn of events for the legal community, the legal battle surrounding the suspension of Federal Circuit Judge Pauline Newman has taken an unexpected turn. The primary attorney representing Judge Newman, who had been instrumental in challenging the suspension, has left the New Civil Liberties Alliance. This departure has prompted his former colleagues…

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Democratic Senator Peter Welch’s Historic Vote for Trump’s Judicial Nominee Signals Potential Shift in Senate Dynamics

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a significant development within the U.S. Senate, Senator Peter Welch of Vermont has broken party lines by casting a decisive vote for a judicial nominee of President Donald Trump in his second term. This event marks the first time a Democrat has endorsed one of Trump’s judicial appointments since the inception of his current…

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Recusal of LA Judges Highlights Concerns Over Impartiality and Judicial Integrity in High-Profile Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent development within the Los Angeles judicial system, multiple Los Angeles Superior Court judges have been recused from a motion aimed at disqualifying Deputy District Attorney Essayli from a prominent case. The cause of recusal stems from potential conflicts of interest, as indicated by court filings. This decision raises significant considerations about impartiality…

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Verizon’s $46.9 Million Fine Upheld: A Landmark Ruling in Data Privacy Enforcement

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal landscape surrounding data privacy experienced another development as the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit rejected Verizon’s attempt to overturn a $46.9 million fine. This fine was imposed for selling customer location data without obtaining users’ consent. The court’s ruling underscores the complexity and variability in legal interpretations of data privacy…

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Broadcom Appeals Netflix Patent Ruling: Implications for Software Patent Eligibility Standards

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Broadcom Corporation has petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to overturn a California federal judge’s decision that invalidated two of its data patents asserted against Netflix. The company contends that the judge erred in determining that the patents covered processes that could be performed by a traffic officer or a 19th-century…

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