The criminal trial of ex-Perkins Coie LLP partner, Michael Sussmann, has commenced. Federal prosecutors portrayed Sussmann, a former attorney to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, as a wealthy insider from Washington, D.C. According to the prosecutors, Sussmann leveraged his “privileged” position to misuse the FBI as a political instrument during the 2016 campaign. Sussmann, a pivotal…
In a tense battle of financial and legal proportions, the last of the partners at the once flourishing Virginia-based law firm, LeClairRyan, are facing an opaque tax threat. A mere four years ago, the then top executive was extolling tax benefits tied to an audacious plan, designed to reduce a mounting debt, ensure key lawyers…
The U.S. Senate has affirmed the appointment of four new U.S. attorneys for Alaska, Illinois, Montana, and New Mexico, each a nominee from President Joe Biden. The confirmation for all four appointments was announced on Tuesday and was approved by voice votes. The rigorous and careful selection process that led to these nominations reflects President…
The future of the Structured Finance Spectrum in the summer of 2023 continues to evolve, with noteworthy developments making an impact on the international structured finance markets in both the U.S and the UK. A comprehensive analysis of the structured finance scenario as published by JD Supra, sheds light on the significant trends and challenges…
In a recent case before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claims of negligence, assault, battery, and defamation against a Virginia attorney, Charles “Van” Hardenbaugh, and his wife have been allowed to proceed. This ruling was made in response to Hardenbaugh’s motion to dismiss these allegations, which had been raised by…
In a recent update that could have significant implications for corporations and law firms dealing with environmental law, the Massachusetts Brownfields Tax Credits Program has been extended for an additional five years. The announcement came after Governor Maura Healy signed legislation extending the eligibility deadlines for the program. Introduced as part of a budget bill…
In a recent development, Metrc LLC, a Florida-based cannabis inventory tracking vendor, has requested a Colorado state court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a local marijuana dispensary. In its defense, Metrc LLC argues that the dispensary’s allegation of its “support fees” violating state antitrust and consumer protection laws is without valid ground. The case…
Bank OZK, a reputable financial institution, recently announced a concerning data breach affecting an undisclosed number of its customers. The breach originated not from the bank itself, but one of its business partners, demonstrating that the security vulnerabilities extend far beyond a single organization’s control. The bank discovered the breach on August 7, 2023, and…
The longstanding feud between high-profile celebrity Tory Lanez, known for his Chixtape remixes, and Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion has culminated in a breakthrough legal development: Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for shooting Stallion. This sentencing was confirmed by Reuters, capping off a high-profile conflict that escalated in 2020 with an…
A recent U.S. legal dispute is challenging the boundaries between civil rights protections and religious freedom, causing much debate amongst legal professionals. The case stems from the Supreme Court case Groff v. Dejoy, which sets a new standard for religious accommodations in the workplace. A Christian music teacher, John Kluge, refused to refer to students…
In a recent development concerning governmental regulations surrounding telemedicine, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has indicated its intent to contemplate a potential new Special Registration for telemedicine. The goal of this registration process would be to allow health professionals the ability to prescribe controlled substances to their patients without the necessity of an…
The fallout from COVID-19 has led to a significant number of business interruption lawsuits globally, with various key rulings making waves in the legal and business communities. As companies continue to grapple with the economic implications of the pandemic, courts are being asked to interpret policy language in a context that they never have before….
The 2023 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly closed on June 7, 2023, resulting in numerous bills of particular interest to legal professionals practicing within the sphere of education law that will directly impact Connecticut’s public K-12 schools. Among those acts passed by the Connecticut General Assembly, several introductions and modifications to existing legislation…
Recent trends in excessive fee litigation indicate a shift from the previously confined realm of defined contribution plans to self-funded health plans. Over the past few months, plan sponsors have instigated three separate lawsuits against prominent health insurance providers including Aetna, Elevance Inc—previously known as Anthem Inc—and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. All three…
In an unprecedented development in Canadian law, Alberta has introduced a new tort of harassment, as detailed by JD Supra. This new tort was established by the Alberta Court of King’s Bench during the proceedings of Alberta Health Services v. Johnston (Alberta Health). The decision and scale of adoption by other Canadian provinces remain speculative…
Meta Platforms Inc. and a Boston-based artificial intelligence company have reached an agreement, settling a suit alleging intellectual property theft by Meta from the startup. The parties informed a Massachusetts federal judge of their settlement on Tuesday, just a month before the trial was scheduled to commence. The suit accused Meta of unscrupulous tactics, alleging…
The renowned law firm, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, has managed to achieve a significant victory on behalf of Argentina, in the midst of continuous attempts made by creditors to seize the South American country’s assets due to its significant debt burden. Representatives from the Duane Morris law firm, aiming to collect a 2020 judgement…
In an increasingly complex legal landscape, it’s important to understand specific court rulings and how they may impact various sectors. One such noteworthy case is the Smart v. 3039 RNC Holdings LLC, which offers compelling insights for legal professionals into contract law and mineral rights in Texas. In the case, the presiding court reaffirmed the…
As the legal sector experiences a shift in traditional work paradigms, another Biglaw firm has embraced the trending four-day in-office schedule. The latest to join this emerging pattern is Vinson & Elkins, renowned for their $934,700,000 gross revenue last year, placing them 57th on the Am Law 100. Biglaw corporations like Skadden, Davis Polk, Weil…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Monday that, if finalized, could compel employers to adjust how they accommodate employees experiencing work-related limitations due to pregnancy or related conditions. This development is of vital importance to legal professionals working on employment law issues, particularly those advising corporations and…
In a widely followed case, the Tax Court of Canada has dismissed a claim by a Schedule II bank (hereinafter referred to as “the Bank”) concerning its entitlement to Input Tax Credits (ITCs) for GST/HST it says was payable on expenses arising from the operation of a membership rewards program. The program in question was…
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) appears to be taking measures to extend its authority over health insurance lead generators. A recent meeting of the NAIC Working Group highlighted proposed revisions to the Unfair Trade Practices Act (Model #880) to impose stricter regulatory controls over this particular aspect of the health insurance market. As…
In a recent development that holds broader implications for the legal and construction industries, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is ready to refashion a longstanding norm. On August 8, 2023, the Department declared its intention to bring into effect a rule that amends the prevailing wage calculation for federally-funded construction projects. This decision marks…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently announced the launch of a new primary care model, known as Making Care Primary (MCP). This model is particularly designed for smaller, independent primary care practices and organizations that have expressed interest in independent participation in value-based care initiatives. According to the announcement on JDSupra.com,…
In a recent decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has introduced a stricter standard for the assessment of the lawfulness of workplace rules. This change implicates companies with U.S. operations and should encourage them to review and, more likely, adjust their workforce rules. These rules apply not only to their unionized employees but also…