January 20, 2026

Former DOJ Attorneys Warn of Political Influence, Stress Need for Department to Reaffirm Independence

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In recent discussions, former U.S. Department of Justice attorneys have expressed their concerns regarding the significant impacts of alleged political interference by the Trump administration. These revelations come from several who either resigned or were dismissed over the past year. Former federal prosecutors described an unsettling environment within the DOJ under the administration. They acknowledged…

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Pakistan Faces Constitutional Crisis Over High Court Judge’s Dismissal Due to Invalid Law Degree

Pieter Gunst05 mins

In a significant development, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved the removal of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from the Islamabad High Court in December 2025. This came after a court ruling determined that he did not possess a valid law degree at the time of his appointment. This unprecedented decision has unfolded a constitutional crisis,…

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Keith Griffin’s Plea Signals Intensified Legal Scrutiny in Girardi Keese Embezzlement Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the defunct Los Angeles-based firm Girardi Keese, former attorney Keith Griffin has agreed to a plea deal in a federal case in Chicago. The plea agreement, highlighted in recent court documents, addresses allegations of Griffin’s involvement in assisting Tom Girardi in violating court orders and…

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Federal Judge Denies Shkreli’s Bid to Enlist Wu-Tang Clan Members in Album Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a case that starkly highlights the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights and contractual obligations within the music industry, a federal judge in New York has rejected Martin Shkreli’s attempt to involve two prominent members of the Wu-Tang Clan in his ongoing litigation concerning the album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.” The judgement, which…

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USPTO’s Selective Patent Review Decisions Highlight Balance Between Innovation Protection and Market Competition

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent decision marked by selectivity, John Squires, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), approved eight petitions for America Invents Act (AIA) reviews of patents, while rejecting sixteen others. This decision underscores a rigorous approach to patent evaluation that aims to balance innovation protection with market competition. The AIA review process,…

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Virginia Eastern District Seeks New Interim U.S. Attorney Following Halligan’s Term Expiration

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent development impacting the legal landscape of Virginia, U.S. District Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck, presiding over the Eastern District of Virginia, has initiated the process to appoint a new Interim United States Attorney. This move follows the expiration of Lindsey Halligan’s term, who had been serving as the district’s interim top prosecutor….

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Supreme Court’s Fee Waiver Ban for Indigent Prisoners Sparks Justice Jackson’s Dissent on Judicial Access

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a recent series of decisions that have ignited discussion within the legal community, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to permanently bar three indigent prisoners from seeking fee waivers. This move drew a strong dissent from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who characterized the actions as “foolish” for prioritizing administrative convenience over access to justice. The…

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U.S. Supreme Court Classifies Mandatory Restitution as Punitive, Influencing Sentencing Practices

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant decision for criminal law practitioners, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that mandatory restitution constitutes a form of criminal punishment. This ruling implies that restitution falls under the Constitution’s ban on retroactive punishments, impacting how legal professionals approach sentencing and post-conviction proceedings. The case emerged from a challenge concerning adjustments to penalties…

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Delaware Chancery Court’s Recent Rulings Highlight Its Pivotal Role in Corporate Governance and Legal Precedents

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Delaware’s Chancery Court remains a pivotal arena for high-stakes corporate legal battles, consistently influencing corporate governance and offering illuminating lessons for legal professionals globally. Recently, the court concluded its sessions with significant cases involving deal litigation, governance conflicts, and disclosure disputes. Among these was a proposed settlement concerning a contentious medical device sale and a…

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New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Estate Lawyers’ Liability to Nonclients in Landmark Decision

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant legal decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court has clarified the extent of an attorney’s liability towards nonclients. On Tuesday, the court established a formal framework restricting the circumstances under which estate lawyers can be held accountable for malpractice claims from parties indirectly involved in legal transactions, such as disappointed heirs. The ruling…

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McDonald Hopkins Launches Practice Group to Navigate Law Firm-Private Equity Transactions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC has introduced a new practice group targeted at facilitating transactions between law firms and private equity investors, a venture it acknowledges as a logical progression from its past engagement with litigation funding and private equity investments in other service sectors. This strategic move was announced on Tuesday and aims to…

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California’s AI Transparency Law Faces Legal Challenge from XAI

Pieter Gunst03 mins

XAI, a leading developer in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), is challenging a new California law that mandates AI developers disclose their training data. Filed in federal court, XAI’s lawsuit argues that the law infringes upon its rights by compelling the disclosure of proprietary trade secrets, potentially giving competitors an unfair advantage. This raises significant questions…

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Orrick Expands Intellectual Property Litigation Practice with Strategic Partner Hires

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has significantly bolstered its intellectual property litigation practice by welcoming three seasoned partners: Danielle Tully and Mike Powell from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, and Josh Glucoft from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. This strategic expansion underscores Orrick’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the technology and life sciences sectors. Danielle…

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Allegations of Tax Fraud and Financial Misconduct Engulf Prominent Supreme Court Lawyer

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a Maryland federal court, testimony from a former office manager has brought to light intriguing details about financial transactions linked to Thomas Goldstein, a prominent U.S. Supreme Court lawyer. During Goldstein’s ongoing tax fraud trial, the witness stated that substantial wire transfers to Goldstein’s poker associates were falsely recorded as business transactions by the…

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Texas Jury Finds Chinese E-Bike Manufacturers Guilty of Patent Infringement in Landmark Ruling

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent verdict delivered by a jury in the Western District of Texas, two Chinese electric bike manufacturers were found to have infringed on a design patent held by a competitor. While the specific damages have yet to be determined, this ruling underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding intellectual property rights within the rapidly expanding…

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Judge Limits Discovery in OpenAI Copyright Lawsuit, Urges Continuing Negotiations

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In the ongoing legal battle involving OpenAI, a Manhattan federal magistrate judge has largely pushed back against the expansion of discovery requests made by a coalition of authors and news publishers. These parties have accused the tech giant of copyright infringement, though the court directed both sides to continue discussions over specific material productions. Details…

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Eight Law Firms Recognized for Excellence as Law360’s 2026 Firms of the Year

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Law firms achieving top-tier status often do so through notable litigation victories and significant market transactions. In an announcement on January 20, 2026, eight law firms have been distinguished as Law360’s Firms of the Year. Collectively, these firms secured 48 Practice Group of the Year accolades, underscoring their strategic success in high-stakes legal battles, including…

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Top Law Firms Shine in 2023 with Record-Breaking Practice Group Awards

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Eight law firms have achieved recognition as Law360’s Firms of the Year, collectively garnering 48 Practice Group of the Year awards. Each firm has demonstrated expertise and success across various specialties, from securing pivotal victories at the U.S. Supreme Court to negotiating significant merger agreements worth eleven figures. Such accomplishments underscore the firms’ roles in…

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Duke University Sues Quarterback Darian Mensah Over NIL Agreement, Raising Major NCAA Transfer Portal Questions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Duke University has launched a legal battle to prevent sophomore quarterback Darian Mensah from entering the NCAA transfer portal. The university argues that Mensah is violating the terms of his name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement, which is set to last until the end of 2026. This development marks a significant intersection of sports law…

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Amnesty International Urges Cuba to Free Political Detainees Amidst Concerns Over Due Process

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of seven prisoners in Cuba, detained for political reasons, urging the government to end political detentions entirely. According to Amnesty, the Cuban government’s process for releasing political prisoners lacks transparency and fairness, operating with arbitrary conditions. The organization’s Regional Director for the Americas, Ana Piquer, emphasized that…

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Federal Circuit Revives DePuy Synthes Spinal Implant Patent Suit Highlighting Importance of Expert Testimony

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Federal Circuit has breathed new life into a patent infringement lawsuit involving DePuy Synthes Cos., sending the case back to the courtroom for further proceedings. At the heart of the case, which revolves around spinal implant technology, is the exclusion of critical expert testimony by a lower court. The Federal Circuit’s ruling stated that…

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