Barnes & Thornburg LLP has announced the addition of Philip Cooke to its corporate practice, a move that underscores the firm’s ongoing expansion in key legal sectors. Cooke, known for his extensive experience in corporate governance and finance, will be joining the Los Angeles office. His expertise is expected to bolster the firm’s capabilities in…
Sharon Steinerman, now a partner at Alston & Bird, provides a candid perspective on the journey to achieving partnership within a major law firm. Her insight comes as firms grapple with maintaining competitive advantages in an ever-evolving legal landscape. Notably, she emphasizes that excelling in your work is a fundamental expectation rather than an extraordinary…
In a bipartisan effort, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley are calling on the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to enhance transparency regarding the electricity consumption of data centers. Their concern, articulated in a joint letter to the EIA, highlights the need for “comprehensive, annual energy-use disclosures.” The senators argue that such information is vital…
In the fast-paced world of legal practice, finding balance and maintaining sharp analytical skills are crucial. For some attorneys, unexpected hobbies offer unique benefits that extend into their professional lives. Watching Hallmark movies, often seen as mere feel-good entertainment, has been embraced by a few legal professionals as a tool for enhancing various legal skills….
In an unexpected twist, watching Hallmark movies might just refine your legal prowess. Karen Ross explores how this seemingly frivolous pastime can actually enhance skills critical to legal practice. The predictable plots of Hallmark movies offer more than just comfort TV; they train lawyers to anticipate outcomes, a skill crucial for case strategy. According to…
The United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the highly scrutinized case Pitchford v. Cain on Tuesday, addressing allegations of racial discrimination in the jury selection process in Mississippi. Terry Pitchford, the defendant, claims that his death sentence contravenes the Constitution’s ban on racial discrimination within jury selection, a claim fiercely…
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on April 1, 2026, in a closely watched case known as Trump v. Barbara. This case challenges former President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order which sought to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents either illegally or temporarily present in…
Charles Evans Hughes remains an intriguing figure in the history of the United States Supreme Court, not least because his legal and political career was marked by significant transitions and accomplishments. As detailed in various historical records, he is one of only five justices in the court’s history to leave the Supreme Court to pursue…
In the complex landscape of corporate onboarding, the reliance on digital tools like Google search results can give a misleading sense of security. While seemingly comprehensive, these searches often fall short of true due diligence, which remains essential in mitigating risk when onboarding clients, partners, lateral hires, and other key stakeholders. The temptation to substitute…
In a recent discussion, D.C. Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas reflected on the evolution of originalism, tracing its journey from a once controversial concept during his time as a law student to its current status as a widely respected judicial philosophy. Originalism, the judicial interpretation of the constitution that aims to follow the original understanding “at…
Recent revelations have brought to light significant concerns regarding the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorneys. In a detailed investigation, it was uncovered that ICE lawyers fabricated information to justify the detention of individuals. These findings raise serious questions about the integrity of the legal processes employed in handling immigration cases. For more…
The XIV Lisbon Forum, scheduled for June 1–3, 2026, at the University of Lisbon’s School of Law (FDUL), is calling for original research submissions on the theme “New International Order, Technology, and Sovereignty.” This initiative is a collaboration between FGV Justiça (Getulio Vargas Foundation), FIBE (Forum for the Integration of Brazil and Europe), and IDP…
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently curtailed job protections for administrative law judges (ALJs), potentially increasing executive power—a move largely seen as advantageous to the former Trump administration’s policies. The decision hinges on a dispute involving ALJ oversight and appointment processes, amplifying presidential control over federal agency litigation outcomes. Legal experts view this development as…
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, the esteemed international law firm, has restructured its compensation model, setting new benchmarks for U.S. partner remuneration. The latest developments reveal that the firm’s partners in the United States are set to receive compensation packages surpassing $17 million. This adjustment signifies Freshfields’ strategic efforts to enhance its competitive standing within the U.S….
In a significant case for Sidley Austin LLP, partner Jeffrey Loss-Eaton is set to make his debut before the U.S. Supreme Court, representing in a contentious dispute involving alleged Saudi spying. This high-profile case centers on the claims that Saudi operatives conducted surveillance on dissidents residing in the United States. The matter raises complex questions…
The legal landscape surrounding prediction markets may face significant changes, influenced by precedents set decades ago. A recent analysis has highlighted that the enforcement actions against these markets may be significantly restricted by the seminal decision in Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Zelener. This 2004 decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is pivotal…
The adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the legal field is opening new avenues for efficiency and automation. However, this advancement is fraught with potential downsides that could overwhelm companies unprepared for the challenges that AI-generated legal documents might present. As firms increasingly rely on these technologies, they are exposed to several risks,…
A New Mexico jury has found Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, liable for violations of consumer protection laws, resulting in a $375 million civil penalty. The case focused on allegations that Meta’s design and business practices knowingly endangered children and misled consumers about online safety on its social media platforms. The decision…
In a significant legal move that highlights ongoing tensions between artists and technology companies, a Los Angeles-based 3D artist and visual effects creator has initiated lawsuits against four major tech firms. The artist claims these companies neglected to protect the rights of creators when using their works to train large-scale generative artificial intelligence systems. This…
In a pivotal development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) exclusion order against Apple, keeping the spotlight on the evolving landscape of domestic industry requirements in patent disputes. This recent decision, centered around the Apple Watch’s patent conflict with Masimo Corporation, has once again lowered…
A Michigan federal judge recently dismissed a lawsuit against Audi, where the car manufacturer was accused of infringing on a patent concerning location-tracking technology. The decision relied heavily on a creative legal argument that drew parallels to ancient history, specifically Julius Caesar’s fateful crossing of the Rubicon. The judge ruled that the patent in question…
Amidst the backdrop of political tensions and military maneuvers, President Donald Trump recently proclaimed that the United States has emerged victorious in its latest confrontation with Iran. Speaking at a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, he stated that Iran’s military and nuclear capacities have been “practically destroyed.” Trump’s assertion of triumph in Operation Epic Fury comes…
The Ninth Circuit recently took a closer look at a $72 million trade secret verdict against Boeing, bringing attention to the question of venue that was not initially raised during proceedings. During the rehearing, a key moment arose when Judge questioned Donald B. Verrilli Jr., counsel for Boeing from Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, on…
The Ninth Circuit Court recently upheld a foreign arbitration award against a wine importer, presenting a significant development with implications for the legal community. This decision involved attorneys from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, who now face scrutiny over their conduct in what has been labeled a “frivolous” and “self-indulgent” appeal. The court…
In a recent discussion, the heads of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division emphasized that lobbying activities by companies do not influence the outcomes of merger or conduct decisions. These leaders asserted that their determinations are driven solely by legal and factual analyses, refuting any notion that external…