In a pivotal move, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold existing precedents that permit states to employ juries with fewer than 12 members in serious criminal cases. This plea by the DOJ underscores the potential significant disruptions that could arise should this long-standing practice be overturned. Unsettling thousands…
In a recent session, Texas Supreme Court justices displayed a cautious approach regarding a proposal to ban the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for transcription during depositions. The justices deliberated on the potential implications of this technology in legal proceedings, acknowledging the existing safeguards that ensure accuracy and reliability of such transcriptions. As the legal…
The California Supreme Court’s decision to revive a racial slur bias suit has significant implications for race discrimination litigation in the workplace. The case involves a Black employee from the San Francisco prosecutor’s office who alleges long-term distress caused by the city’s inaction after she was subjected to a racial slur by a coworker. This…
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a notable step by unsealing arrest warrants for senior Taliban officials, accusing them of crimes against humanity. This development focuses on the severe persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan, with warrants issued for Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Habibullah Agha, and Neda…
Determining jurisdiction over crimes in Indian Country remains a complex legal challenge in Michigan. During a recent state summit, a federal prosecutor highlighted the intricate dynamics between tribal, state, and federal authorities regarding who has the right to prosecute crimes. This issue is particularly acute in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people and human…
Angel S. Willis, who has effectively guided Kraft Heinz Co. as its global general counsel and corporate affairs officer for the past two years, is poised to step down from her role later this month. During her tenure, Willis played a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of legal affairs within the global food industry,…
Ben Diessel, a prominent partner at Wiggin and Dana, has been recognized as a finalist for Attorney of the Year. This recognition underscores his significant role in advising high-profile clients, including the Murdoch family, and his ability to secure major cases for his New England-based firm. Diessel credits much of the firm’s success to the…
The FBI recently arrested Wanying “Heather” Zhang in California on allegations of spying on a Taiwanese government official, acting as an unregistered agent for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Zhang, a realtor from California, was taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport as she was about to board a flight to China. This…
John F. Duffy, a respected professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, has assumed the position of general counsel and acting solicitor at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This appointment marks a significant transition as Duffy, known for his expertise in patent law, takes on a pivotal role in shaping…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced the appointment of John F. Duffy, a distinguished professor from the University of Virginia School of Law, as its new general counsel and acting solicitor. This appointment places Duffy in a pivotal role within the agency responsible for managing and overseeing the nation’s patent and trademark…
On October 6, 2026, John F. Duffy from the University of Virginia School of Law joined the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as its general counsel and acting solicitor. This significant appointment places Duffy—a noted expert in intellectual property law—at the forefront of legal oversight at the federal agency responsible for patents and trademarks….
The recent arrest of August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has raised significant concerns over internal security breaches within Germany’s intelligence community. Hanning, who led the BND between 1998 and 2005, was taken into custody amid serious allegations of espionage and attempted treason. Accompanying him in these accusations is his…
In a recent legal development, Lululemon’s quest for attorney fees was denied by a New York federal judge. This decision came after a Nike patent, which was the foundation of a $355,450 infringement verdict, was declared invalid. The invalidation of the patent effectively erased Lululemon’s legal win, impacting their ability to recover legal costs in…
This autumn, the North Carolina Business Court is navigating significant developments, including a major $590 million settlement and challenges in antitrust litigation. The court has approved a settlement involving DuPont and Chemours concerning “forever chemical” contamination, a crucial issue given its environmental and health impact. These chemicals, known for their persistence in nature and the…
Retired Judge Michael Panter, a former circuit court judge in Cook County, Illinois, has transitioned to a role that often sees attorneys momentarily mistaken about his function: he is not deciding cases, but rather helping to resolve them. As mediators, former judges like Panter employ their extensive courtroom experience to facilitate negotiations and settlements, leveraging…
In a significant development in antitrust litigation, a Washington federal judge has appointed two pension funds as lead plaintiffs in a proposed securities class action targeting an allegedly anticompetitive deal between Zillow Group Inc. and Redfin Corp. The court’s decision also established Keller Rohrback LLP and Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP as local and…
A Manhattan federal judge has handed down an 18-month prison sentence to a musician from North Carolina who was found guilty of orchestrating an $8 million streaming royalty fraud. The scheme involved using artificial intelligence to create an array of fake accounts and generate streams of AI-composed music, undermining the integrity of streaming platforms and…
In a pivotal hearing this week, the Federal Circuit Court is considering whether BeSang Inc. can continue its pursuit of patent infringement cases against technology giants Micron Technology Inc. and Intel Corp. The cases revolve around BeSang’s computer memory patents, which a tribunal had previously upheld. However, the court had also ruled in a way…
In a decisive move to conclude a contentious series of patent disputes, Micron Technology Inc. has agreed to settle with Netlist Inc. for $600 million. This resolution brings an end to multivenue litigation concerning memory technology patents, as detailed in Law360. The settlement not only encompasses a financial payout but also includes a significant five-year…
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has become a pivotal arena for patent disputes, particularly through its Inter Partes Review (IPR) process. Recent discussions have highlighted the need for PTAB panels to revamp their approach to merits decisions on IPRs. The current process, while thorough, has faced criticism for its perceived inconsistency and the…
In September, notable stock transactions by general counsels captured attention, particularly within major corporations such as United Therapeutics and Apple. Chief among these was United Therapeutics’ general counsel, Paul Mahon, who executed a significant stock sale amounting to $8.1 million. This transaction highlights the financial strategies some top executives are employing amidst fluctuating market conditions….
The Federal Circuit recently issued a pivotal decision by overruling former U.S. District Judge Alan Albright’s refusal to transfer a patent lawsuit involving the University of Southern California and Google. Initially, the case was to be heard in the Western District of Texas; however, the appeals court mandated its transfer to California, underscoring broader implications…
Legal counsel from Uber and Netflix recently addressed significant concerns at the Association of Corporate Counsel’s annual meeting in Boston, highlighting the intricate challenges and risks associated with the growing accessibility of artificial intelligence within corporate environments. As reported, they emphasized that the rapid evolution of AI technologies is rapidly reshaping internal company protocols, thereby…
The proliferation of data sharing practices in corporate fraud investigations has come under scrutiny, as evidenced by recent discussions initiated by the Alvin Bragg-led Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. A panel, formerly led by Cyrus Vance Jr., has highlighted the complex interplay between data accessibility and privacy rights, raising concerns within the legal community. According to…
In a recent decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reaffirmed the state’s $250,000 cap on damages recoverable from the state government. The 5-2 decision underscored the legislature’s constitutional authority to enforce such a limit. Yet, the court simultaneously called for legislative action to address potential inequities arising from the cap’s current level. The ruling comes from…