Mamdani has recently appointed an esteemed figure from the legal community to lead New York City’s legal department, marking a significant appointment in the municipal legal landscape. Seann Malloy, who formerly led the pro bono program at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, will now serve as the top lawyer for the city. Malloy’s…
In 2025, the legal industry witnessed a pronounced shift towards lateral group moves as Big Law firms aggressively pursued talent acquisition strategies to maintain competitive edges. This trend was marked by an uptick in group laterals and lift-outs, which became integral to the strategic playbooks of these firms. Leaders in the industry increasingly recognized that…
Florida’s legal community is poised to witness Governor Ron DeSantis’s next move regarding the appointment of a new Florida Supreme Court justice. The anticipation centers around three nominees: John Daniel Couriel, a federal prosecutor; Carlos G. Muniz, the state’s former solicitor general; and Meredith Sasso, currently serving on the Fifth District Court of Appeal. As…
In 2025, law schools across the globe transformed their approach to integrating cutting-edge technology within legal education. These efforts emerged as a response to the swiftly evolving landscape of legal tech, where firms demand graduates who are adept at navigating new tools and methodologies. A significant trend observed this year was the partnership between law…
The legal landscape this year has been shaped by a confluence of high-profile events, with significant ramifications for big law firms across the globe. The legal challenges surrounding Donald Trump, an uptick in merger activities, and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into legal practice have introduced new dynamics into the industry. Former President…
This year marks a significant pivot in Mayer Brown’s hiring strategy. The firm has amplified its lateral partner acquisitions from 26 to 56, emphasizing intentional recruitment over mere opportunism. By empowering practice leaders to spearhead recruitment efforts, Mayer Brown has fine-tuned its focus on six key areas that intersect with high-value sectors, reflecting a strategic…
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, a renowned firm in the legal industry, has announced a significant addition to its team. Matthew Friestedt has been appointed as the new head of the firm’s Activism Defense Practice. This move comes as activism defense becomes increasingly crucial for corporations navigating complex shareholder landscapes, emphasizing Cleary Gottlieb’s strategic focus…
In a significant development in the ongoing multidistrict litigation involving allegations of sexual assaults by Uber drivers, the Consumer Attorneys of California have rallied against Uber’s motion to delay a bellwether trial set for January 13. This opposition underscores heightened tensions as legal battles over corporate responsibility intensify. The attorneys have described Uber’s motion as…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is witnessing a notable departure as Nekia Hackworth Jones, a prominent leader, exits after a five-year tenure. Jones, one of the highest-ranking Black lawyers within the agency, led the Atlanta Regional Office prior to her appointment as one of the Division of Enforcement’s four deputy directors in April. Her…
In the contentious case of Hamm v. Smith, the Supreme Court is faced with the complex issue of addressing intellectual disabilities within the framework of capital punishment. The crux of the matter is whether Joseph Clifton Smith, sentenced to death over 25 years ago, has an intellectual disability, and thus should be exempt from execution…
The question of federal agency independence is again before the Supreme Court as it examines whether the president can fire members of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors for cause. This issue will be deliberated in the case of Lisa Cook, a member of the board whom former President Donald Trump attempted to dismiss over…
On December 30, 1853, the historical Gadsden Treaty was signed by the U.S. minister to Mexico and the president of Mexico, clarifying U.S.-Mexico border boundaries. This treaty remains relevant today as it features prominently in an upcoming case before the Supreme Court that will determine whether asylum seekers must be physically present in the U.S….
The idea that Generation Z lawyers are prone to frequently switch firms is a perception that might not hold up under scrutiny. As the legal industry grapples with shifting workforce dynamics, this assumption warrants closer examination. Recent discussions have illuminated how the supposed trend of “firm hopping” among young lawyers could be overstated. A Bloomberg…
Several lawyers with connections to former President Donald Trump have established significant roles in major law firms, setting a path to potential influence within the White House’s legal apparatus. This development underscores the enduring link between political roles and prominent positions in private legal practice. Among these lawyers, Pat Cipollone, who served as White House…
The ongoing struggle between insurers and litigation funders is stirring substantial debate in the legal community, particularly concerning liability policies. This clash centers on insurers’ efforts to address the increasing involvement of litigation funders in legal disputes, a trend which some insurers argue is driving up the costs of litigation and settlement values. Recent developments…
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has formally initiated an investigation into potential corruption within the nation’s military procurement contracts, casting a spotlight on public sector integrity and the allocation of defense resources. The probe targets contracts awarded between 2023 and 2025, encompassing 158 major projects, each valued over RM500,000 (approximately US$100,000), alongside more than 4,500…
In response to a sophisticated fraud scheme siphoning millions in federal food aid intended for Minnesota’s vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FBI is intensifying its investigative efforts. FBI Director Kash Patel announced a substantial deployment of investigators and resources to the state, following revelations of sham vendors and shell companies that funneled funds…
Marc Kasowitz, the founder of the law firm Kasowitz, is facing a lawsuit from former partner Eric Herschmann, who alleges that Kasowitz misrepresented the firm’s financial health and owes him millions in unpaid compensation. Herschmann, who rejoined the firm in 2021 after serving as a legal adviser to former President Donald Trump, claims he was…
China has executed joint military drills around Taiwan, involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket forces. This action is described as a “stern warning” against Taiwanese independence, escalating tensions in an already fraught relationship. The exercises aimed to demonstrate China’s capabilities in integrated operations around Taiwan, focusing specifically on neutralizing potential threats at long…
In a recent development from Brazil, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered ten individuals to be placed under house arrest for their roles in a plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after his electoral defeat in 2022. This decision reflects ongoing judicial actions to address attempts to destabilize Brazil’s democratic order….
In a continuing legal tussle that has caught the attention of legal insiders, Marc Kasowitz’s firm Kasowitz Benson Torres is facing another lawsuit from a former partner. Ty Cobb, the lawyer who famously defended Donald Trump during the Mueller investigation, is the latest to file a lawsuit against the firm. This development follows a string…
In a significant development within the realm of mass tort litigation, a special master has determined that the law firm Heninger Garrison Davis, along with two of its partners, Lew Garrison and Bill Bross, and former attorney Taylor Bartlett, failed in properly vetting nearly 1,000 claims. These claims were submitted on behalf of Ugandan citizens…
The intricate intersection of cryptocurrency and international law has taken a compelling turn as families of terror victims pursue a striking legal claim. They are attempting to seize billions of dollars in Bitcoin, which they argue links back to Iran’s covert crypto-mining operations. This unusual case stems from a hacker’s controversial act of turning over…
In an innovative move for legal education, Gregory Duhl, a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, is set to introduce an AI-integrated contracts course this spring. The course promises to provide law students with a contemporary understanding of contractual practices as artificial intelligence increasingly influences the legal landscape. For more information, visit the announcement….
As 2025 draws to a close, the legal landscape continues to grapple with significant changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. This year has witnessed a substantial federal crackdown on DEI programs, with executive orders and agency guidance reshaping compliance and litigation exposure. Law360’s Expert Analysis series offers critical insights into these intricate issues…