Insights into Legal Industry Trends: Law360’s In-Depth Weekly Analysis on Regulatory, Corporate, and Technological Developments

As the legal industry continues to evolve, Law360 offers an indispensable weekly roundup of the most talked-about firms and stories, providing insight into pressing legal trends and topics. Last week, interest centered around a range of pivotal issues, from significant legal battles to expert analyses that captivated industry professionals. Such topics are crucial for those…

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Washington State Judge Delays Ashurst Perkins Coie Malpractice Trial Amidst Merger Milestones

A Washington state judge has granted Ashurst Perkins Coie’s request to postpone the trial date in a malpractice lawsuit. The case involves allegations that the firm’s predecessor made significant errors while representing a Middle Eastern screw and nail manufacturer in regulatory proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce. The judge characterized the case as “complex”…

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Federal Court Challenges Patent Infringement Suit Over Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Amidst Settlement Appeal

The U.S. government has petitioned the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to dismiss significant portions of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Arbutus Biopharma concerning Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. The government contends that the court lacks jurisdiction over much of the case due to a substantial consent judgment between Arbutus and Moderna, which is currently under…

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Girardi Firm Legal Turmoil: Lawyer Cites Unawareness Amid Alleged Client Fund Discrepancies

In a recent legal proceeding, an attorney for the renowned law firm Girardi & Keese claimed ignorance regarding millions of dollars allegedly owed to clients. The lawyer, who worked closely with the now-disgraced Tom Girardi, asserted that he was unaware of any financial discrepancies impacting client settlements. This statement emerged amid ongoing investigations into Girardi’s…

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Shifting Dynamics in Patent Challenges: A Surge in Reexaminations as AIA Petitions Decline

The latest figures from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveal an intriguing shift in the dynamics of patent challenge mechanisms. According to a Unified Patents report, the second quarter saw a significant increase in ex parte reexamination requests, alongside a marked decline in petitions for America Invents Act (AIA) reviews. This development signals a…

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D.C. Circuit Temporarily Reinstates Pentagon Escort Rule for Reporters Amid Press Freedom Debate

A split decision by a panel from the D.C. Circuit has temporarily halted a ruling that blocked the U.S. Department of Defense’s requirement for reporters to be escorted within the Pentagon. This decision underscores ongoing legal debates about security measures and press freedom. The panel’s decision was divided, reflecting contrasting views on balancing national security…

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Spokeo Agrees to $10 Million Settlement in Privacy Rights Class Action Suit

Spokeo, the California-based data aggregator, has agreed to a $10 million preliminary settlement in response to a class action lawsuit involving plaintiffs from nine states. The legal battle stems from allegations that the company violated individuals’ rights of publicity through teaser profiles. These profiles reportedly included private data used to entice users to subscribe to…

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Global Surge in Generative AI Patents Highlights Competitive Race Led by China

The global landscape for patents in generative artificial intelligence is experiencing rapid growth, with the number of patent families more than doubling from 2024 to 2025. This trend, as reported by a United Nations intellectual property agency, highlights a surge largely driven by Chinese companies. The increase reflects the expanding scope and application of generative…

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Settlement Reached: Music Publishers and X Corp Resolve Copyright and Antitrust Claims

Music publishers recently reached a settlement with X Corp, ending their copyright infringement lawsuit while X Corp agreed to conclude its claims of collective demands for industrywide licensing. This dual resolution marks a significant moment in ongoing legal battles between technology platforms and content creators. The lawsuit, originally initiated by the publishers, accused X Corp…

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Jerry Schlichter’s 401(k) Litigation Efforts Set New Standards for Fiduciary Responsibility

Jerry Schlichter, a prominent figure in plaintiff-side litigation and founding partner of Schlichter Bogard LLP, is renowned for his legal pursuits in the realm of 401(k) litigation. His firm recently marked significant achievements, notably a substantial settlement to conclude investment litigation against ADP, illustrating a major victory for participants of 401(k) plans. This case underscores…

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Johnson & Johnson Intensifies Legal Battle in Talc Litigation, Disqualifies Beasley Allen Law Firm

In a notable development within the ongoing talc litigation, Johnson & Johnson has disqualified the law firm Beasley Allen from participating in their multidistrict litigation case. This move, spearheaded by Kristen Fournier of Kirkland & Ellis, came after revelations during a July 6 evidentiary hearing in Florida. Fournier highlighted “concerning and newly developed facts” which…

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Van Leeuwen Triumphs in Trade Dress Lawsuit Against Rebel Creamery, Secures $23.8 Million Judgment

A decisive legal victory was secured by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream as a New York federal judge mandated Rebel Creamery to forfeit approximately $23.8 million in profits and alter its pint packaging. This ruling followed a bench trial that concluded Rebel Creamery had deliberately imitated Van Leeuwen’s distinctive pastel and minimalist trade dress, which has…

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Federal Circuit Clarifies Patentee Standing in Wake of Supreme Court’s Decision Not to Review Critical Case

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to review Zebra Technologies Corp. v. Intellectual Tech LLC, the Federal Circuit has made significant strides in parsing the intricacies related to the patentee standing in cases of extensive patent licensing. This has been critical for patent owners seeking to understand the limits of Article…

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Justice Department Subpoenas Target Top Law Firms Over Trump-Era Agreements; Ethical Compliance in Focus

Several major law firms that previously struck deals with the Trump Administration to circumvent restrictive executive orders are now facing scrutiny as the Department of Justice has issued subpoenas related to these arrangements. This legal development is part of an ongoing investigation into whether those agreements complied with the American Bar Association’s ethical standards and…

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Brooklyn and Queens Public Defenders’ Strike Highlights Strains in Legal Aid System

Hundreds of public defenders and social workers in Brooklyn and Queens have initiated a strike, highlighting ongoing tensions between legal aid providers and their employers. This walkout involves staff attorneys from Brooklyn Defender Services, who halted work after failing to secure a collective bargaining agreement by the set deadline. The strike is part of broader…

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University of Kentucky Law School Dean Appointment Contested in Court, Highlighting Calls for Transparent Academic Hiring Practices

A legal dispute is unfolding at the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, where a professor has filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent federal district Judge Greg Van Tatenhove from taking up the role of dean. Originally filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky, where Judge Van Tatenhove currently presides, the case…

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