December 23, 2025

Navigating AI Integration in Legal Practice: NYC Bar Association Offers Guidance on Ethical Use

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The New York City Bar Association’s Professional Ethics Committee recently released an opinion regarding the use of artificial intelligence tools by attorneys for recording, transcribing, and summarizing client conversations during audio and video calls. This development is of significant interest to legal professionals navigating the complexities of technology within ethical frameworks. The opinion explores the…

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Federal Judge Upholds $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee, Affirming Executive Authority on Immigration Policy

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., upheld a controversial $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B visa applications introduced during the Trump administration, affirming the executive branch’s authority to regulate the entry of noncitizens. This ruling came as a setback for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which contested the fee, arguing it would significantly impact businesses reliant…

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“Former DOJ Employees Challenge Alleged Political Influence in Federal Court Dismissal Case”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal confrontation highlighting ongoing tensions within federal employment, three former employees of the U.S. Department of Justice are contesting their dismissals in court. These individuals, including an ex-assistant U.S. attorney, are challenging the government’s attempt to dismiss their lawsuit, which alleges unlawful termination. The matter was brought before a federal court in Washington,…

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Federal Circuit to Tackle Key Patent Law Issues in January 2025 Decisions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In January 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is poised to address several significant intellectual property disputes that could have far-reaching implications for patent law and practice. Among these, three cases stand out for their potential to influence legal standards and industry practices. Gen Digital Patent Judgment and Contempt Proceedings The…

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Amazon’s Trademark Dispute Highlights Tensions in International Intellectual Property Law

Pieter Gunst03 mins

An intellectual property lawyer residing in Japan has recently challenged Amazon.com Inc.’s lawsuit in a Washington federal court, intending to dismiss allegations that he collaborated with a Chinese entity to bypass U.S. trademark regulations. This legal confrontation centers on accusations that the attorney, utilizing his credentials, sought to circumvent a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office…

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Amarin Pharma Seeks Supreme Court Dismissal in Key Generic Drug Patent Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Amarin Pharma Inc. has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss the U.S. solicitor general’s request to review a patent case involving the use of “skinny labels” on generic drugs. The case centers on Amarin’s heart medication, Vascepa, and presents factual complexities that, according to Amarin, are inappropriate for the highest court’s review. Amarin contends…

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Jack Herer Estate Lawsuit Highlights Posthumous Intellectual Property Challenges in Cannabis Industry

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The estate of Jack Herer, a well-known advocate for cannabis legalization during the 1970s, is embroiled in a legal battle over intellectual property rights associated with his name and legacy. Herer’s family has filed a lawsuit in a California state court, alleging that his name, image, and likeness have been appropriated without proper permission. This…

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Fitness Trademark Battle Reaches U.S. Supreme Court: Implications for Digital Platforms

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A fitness company behind the cycling app Bike+ has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Ninth Circuit decision that dismissed its trademark infringement claims against Peloton. The primary contention from the app developer is that the appeals court erred in evaluating the likelihood of consumer confusion, a key tenet of trademark infringement cases,…

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Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration’s National Guard Deployment to Chicago, Upholds State Rights

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The United States Supreme Court recently thwarted the Trump administration’s efforts to dispatch National Guard troops to Chicago. The court, through an unsigned order, denied the administration’s request to overturn a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by Judge April Perry of the Northern District of Illinois. Perry’s TRO had stated that there was “no credible…

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Hydrafacial Patent Review Paused by USPTO as ITC Decision Influences PTAB Proceedings

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The ongoing legal battle involving Hydrafacial LLC’s patents has taken a significant turn as U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires has decided to pause the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) review of a Hydrafacial skin treatment patent. This decision followed a related ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that sided…

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US Judge Orders Trump Administration to Address Legal Rights of Deported Venezuelan Migrants

Pieter Gunst03 mins

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to ensure due process for Venezuelan migrants who were removed from the United States and sent to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). The ruling, delivered by Judge James Boasberg of the District Court for the District of Columbia, described the deportation of 137 Venezuelan individuals as…

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Malaysian Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Ex-PM Najib Razak, Rejects House Arrest Plea

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Kuala Lumpur High Court recently dismissed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s request to serve the remainder of his corruption sentence under house arrest. This decision arose amidst questions around the powers exercised by former king Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. The former king’s supplementary order, allowing Najib to serve his sentence at…

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Exploring Creativity: How a U.S. International Trade Lawyer Delves into Children’s Literature with a Whimsical Santa Tale

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a creative detour from her duties as assistant general counsel at the U.S. International Trade Commission, Michelle Klancnik has taken a break from her legal undertakings to step into the world of children’s literature. Exploring a whimsical premise, her new book imagines a world where Santa takes a year off from his Christmas Eve…

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Legal Expert Turns Author to Explore a Santa-Less Christmas, Reimagining Holiday Traditions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Michelle Klancnik, an assistant general counsel at the U.S. International Trade Commission, has authored a children’s book exploring a world where Santa Claus takes a break for a year. Known for her work examining intellectual property rights violations and import bans, Klancnik shifts from the intricacies of law to the imaginative realm of children’s literature….

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Legal Mind to Festive Imagination: US Trade Commission Lawyer Publishes Debut Children’s Book on Christmas Traditions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Michelle Klancnik, an assistant general counsel at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), is known for her rigorous work on cases involving intellectual property rights. Her professional life revolves around assessing whether imports infringe and should be banned for violating these laws. Despite her demanding role, Klancnik has ventured into a different arena: children’s literature….

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Washington Court Decision Limits Snap Class Action, Highlights Importance of Compliance with Labor Laws

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a notable decision last week, a Washington state court denied class certification in an employment-related class action lawsuit against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. The litigation focused on allegations that the company had violated state labor laws by not displaying pay ranges on job advertisements targeted within the state. This decision marked…

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China Criticizes U.S. Over Venezuelan Oil Tanker Seizures amid Tensions in Global Trade Norms

Pieter Gunst04 mins

China has strongly criticized the United States for its recent seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, labeling the actions as a “serious violation of international law.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the U.S.’s arbitrary seizure of other countries’ vessels grossly violates international law and emphasized China’s opposition to unilateral sanctions lacking United Nations…

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Federal Circuit Upholds PTAB Ruling, Validates Ford’s Challenge of MIT Patents

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld a series of rulings by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), confirming the invalidation of certain claims within Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s fuel management patents, as challenged by Ford Motor Co. This decision effectively prevents delays in review processes from derailing Ford’s PTAB…

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