November 18, 2025

Class Action Lawsuit Targets Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Following Significant Data Breach

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, a prominent international law firm, is facing a proposed class action lawsuit following a data breach that occurred in April 2025. The breach, which was disclosed in November, compromised sensitive personal information, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and financial account details of approximately 39,573 individuals in Texas. ([federmanlaw.com](https://www.federmanlaw.com/blog/pillsbury-winthrop-shaw-pittman-llp-data-breach-investigated-by-federman-sherwood/?utm_source=openai)) The…

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TP-Link Sues Netgear Over Alleged Smear Campaign: A New Front in Wi-Fi Industry Competition

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal escalation that highlights the competitive tensions in the Wi-Fi hardware industry, TP-Link Systems Inc. has initiated legal action against Netgear Inc., accusing its rival of engaging in an unlawful smear campaign. Filed in Delaware federal court, the lawsuit alleges that Netgear wrongfully portrayed TP-Link’s products as compromised by the Chinese government. This…

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Geof Gradler’s Appointment as CFPB Deputy Director Signals Potential Shift in Regulatory Strategy

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant development for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Geof Gradler has been appointed as the agency’s deputy director. This move positions him as a potential successor to the current acting director, Russell Vought. Gradler, a former industry lobbyist, steps into this role at a time when the agency faces uncertainty amid shifting…

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Cravath Sets 2025 Associate Bonuses as Legal Industry Compensation Stays Competitive

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has announced its 2025 year-end bonuses for associates, maintaining the firm’s position as a leader in legal compensation. The bonuses range from $15,000 for first-year associates to $115,000 for senior associates, with additional special bonuses between $6,000 and $25,000. These figures are consistent with last year’s payouts, reflecting the firm’s…

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Colorado Supreme Court Examines Reasonable Inquiry Standards in CenturyLink Securities Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a pivotal session this week, the Colorado Supreme Court justices expressed uncertainty regarding the boundaries of the “reasonable inquiry” requirement under state law. This issue forms the crux of CenturyLink’s appeal to dismiss a securities class action involving potentially questionable use of pleadings from other litigation. During oral arguments, the discourse centered on whether…

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Federal Circuit Declines to Revisit Key Decision Altering $4 Million Patent Judgment in Hospitality Sector Dispute

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Federal Circuit has chosen not to revisit a panel decision that significantly altered a $4 million infringement judgment, which was initially ruled by a New York federal judge. The case involves two hospitality providers engaged in a complex legal battle over the patent rights to hookless shower curtains. This decision implies a substantial reduction…

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“Rights Groups Urge Japan’s New Government to Prioritize Global Human Rights in Foreign Policy”

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Amid regional tensions and global challenges, rights groups are urging Japan’s newly formed government to prioritize human rights within its foreign policy agenda. Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently highlighted the imperative for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to adopt fortified legal, diplomatic, and institutional measures aimed at addressing human rights abuses both in Asia and globally….

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PTAB Ruling Against Johns Hopkins Cancer Patent Marks Win for Merck and Signals Shift in Pharma Patent Scrutiny

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a decisive conclusion to a significant legal battle, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has invalidated a cancer treatment patent held by Johns Hopkins University. This decision represents the final victory for Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC after initiating nine challenges against patents held by the university. Merck’s successful strategy underscores the increasing…

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Mayotte’s Educational Crisis: Human Rights Watch Highlights Persistent Barriers in French Territory

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In the latest assessment by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the island territory of Mayotte, a part of France located in the Indian Ocean, is under scrutiny for its persistent educational challenges. Despite being integrated within the French Republic, the education system in Mayotte is falling short of national standards, as highlighted in a recent report…

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Attorney Drops Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against Employment Law Firm, Sparking Discussion on Legal Industry Bias

Pieter Gunst03 mins

An attorney has withdrawn a race discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, an employment law firm she claimed had discriminated against her due to her race. The attorney, who has not been named publicly, initially filed the suit alleging that the firm had created a hostile work environment and had unfairly targeted her for termination…

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Federal Judge to Review $304 Million Legal Fees in Steward Health Care Bankruptcy Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A federal bankruptcy judge is set to review requests for $304 million in legal fees connected to the restructuring of Steward Health Care System. The hearing, scheduled in Wilmington, Delaware, places a spotlight on the significant costs associated with high-profile bankruptcy cases. Steward Health Care, a major player in the healthcare industry, filed for bankruptcy…

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Washington Appeals Court Revives Religious Bias Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit Against State Attorney General

Pieter Gunst04 mins

An assistant’s religious bias lawsuit against the Washington State Attorney General’s Office is set for reconsideration, following a recent decision by a Washington state appeals court. This comes after a divided panel overturned a lower court’s dismissal of the case, which stems from allegations of the wrongful denial of her request for a religious accommodation…

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Court Blocks Tennessee National Guard Deployment to Memphis Amid Legal Challenges

Pieter Gunst04 mins

A Tennessee court has granted a temporary injunction blocking the deployment of Tennessee National Guard personnel to Memphis, a move that has sparked considerable legal debate. The case, initiated by Shelby County and Memphis officials, challenges the state’s decision to deploy the Guard under the federal “Memphis Safe Task Force,” which was purportedly authorized under…

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First Circuit Court Signals Support for Blocking Trump Administration’s Funding Restrictions on States

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a case that has raised eyebrows among legal observers, the First Circuit Court of Appeals recently suggested that a lower court may have acted within its rights by blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to withhold funds from certain states. The case centers on the administration’s policy to condition federal funds on compliance with specific…

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Attorney Appeals Fifth Circuit Trademark Dispute Ruling, Citing Unresolved Issues in Damages Assessment

Pieter Gunst03 mins

An attorney involved in a trademark dispute with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP has petitioned the Fifth Circuit for further review. The attorney contends that several unresolved issues remain critical to the case’s progression in the district court. This appeal follows the Fifth Circuit’s decision to vacate a $1 million damages award previously granted…

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Trademark Dispute Unresolved as Attorney Urges Fifth Circuit Review on Key Legal Issues

Pieter Gunst03 mins

An ongoing trademark dispute involving attorney Michael Norwick and the firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP remains unresolved as Norwick recently requested the Fifth Circuit to revisit and address several pertinent matters. The appellate court had vacated a $1 million damages award previously sanctioned against Norwick but did not touch on numerous outstanding issues…

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IBM Tops S&P 100 in Patent Innovation, Outpacing Qualcomm and Microsoft

Pieter Gunst03 mins

IBM Corp. has once again demonstrated its leadership in innovation by holding the largest number of patent families among S&P 100 companies. This accolade comes from a recent report by IFI Claims Patent Services, which highlights IBM’s continued commitment to technological advancement. Alongside IBM, Qualcomm Inc. and Microsoft Corp. follow closely, securing significant positions in…

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Federal Circuit Reverses $39M Verdict Against Sandoz, Citing Insufficient Patent Description in Key Eyelash Drug Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Federal Circuit has overturned a $39 million jury verdict against Sandoz, a subsidiary of Novartis, which had been found liable for infringing a patent held by Allergan for an eyelash growth treatment. The appellate court determined that the Colorado federal jury should have invalidated the patent claim in question due to an inadequate written…

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UN Experts Condemn Belarusian Crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers Amid Growing Concerns

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Recent developments in Belarus have drawn the attention of international human rights monitors, with UN experts voicing concern over governmental actions against the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers (BAHRL). This association, crucial for legal advocacy within the country, has been designated as an “extremist formation” by the State Security Committee of Belarus. Consequently, BAHRL…

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When DEI Leaders Become Plaintiffs: Navigating the New Landscape of Employment Litigation

Pieter Gunst04 mins

A new trend in employment litigation has emerged, with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leaders themselves stepping into the role of plaintiffs. This phenomenon signals a shifting legal environment, where DEI professionals allege retaliation following the rollback of initiatives they championed. As organizations navigate this terrain, they face legal challenges not only from those advocating…

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McDermott Will & Emery Aligns Associate Bonuses with Cravath in Competitive Legal Compensation Shift

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a notable development within the legal sector, McDermott Will & Emery has announced that it will match Cravath, Swaine & Moore’s $140,000 associate bonus scale. This move positions McDermott alongside other top law firms recognizing the increasing importance of competitive compensation packages in retaining talented associates. The bonus scale reflects not only an acknowledgment…

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