In a recent ruling, a Texas state judge decreed that Littler Mendelson PC, a prominent U.S. law firm, is obligated to disclose details pertaining to a forensic search conducted in relation to a lawsuit against one of its former associates. The firm accuses the former associate of illegally absconding with integral documents. The judge’s pronouncement…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making an increasingly visible mark on numerous sectors, with the legal field being no exception. While no lawyer expects AI to eliminate human roles entirely, many perceive a shift in the role of a law firm associate due to rapid technology adoption within the practice of law. Some attorneys have made…
In a noteworthy development, three attorneys for Southwest Airlines Co. have been sanctioned by a federal judge in Dallas. The sanction comes as a result of their failure to comply with a court order in the aftermath of the airline’s loss in a religious bias lawsuit. The judge has now ordered them to attend “training…
In the wake of the scandalous embezzlement case involving Girardi Keese, a proposal has been introduced that California banks are vehemently opposing. The proposal requires banks to release information regarding California attorneys’ client trust accounts to the state bar. However, banks counter that such an initiative would not only overburden them with additional work, but…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has initiated a lawsuit against USASF Servicing (USASF), a Georgia federal district court. According to JD Supra, the CFPB claims that USASF is in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act, engaging in several unfair acts or practices. USASF services retail installment sales contracts (RICs) that are originated by…
In a recent case presided over by Manhattan Commercial Division Justice Melissa A. Crane, an infrequently-litigated question has been in focus – can a shareholder causing a derivative lawsuit face a countersuit individually? The case in question, Simon v FrancInvest, S.A. (2023 NY Slip Op 32422[U] [Sup Ct, NY County July 7, 2023]), has been…
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP has recently reinforced its partnership bench with an infusion of expertise and experience, following the addition of four former attorneys from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP who are specialized in insurance, national trucking, and construction matters. The firm made this announcement on Monday. Given the existing legal…
The Fourth Circuit has made a pivotal alteration in its milieu on attorney’s fees for injunction wins, negating an old rule which previously impeded litigants from pursuing these fees unless they had been awarded a final judgment. In a recent ruling, the court decided that litigants in unique circumstances can be deemed a “prevailing party”…
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the legal profession, particularly in electronic discovery (e-discovery), has brought new possibilities, as well as challenges, to legal professionals and corporate entities. One such AI technology making waves in the industry is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an AI language model that has the potential to transform document review and…
Making partner at a prestigious law firm is no small feat. Yet, Genevieve G. Weiner of Sidley Austin makes it clear that communication is key in this process. Recently Weiner shed light on her journey of becoming a partner at the law firm, presenting practical advice for ambitious legal professionals on the verge of making…
An Arkansas federal judge has decided to maintain a lawsuit that contests a state court’s failure to provide indigent clients with legal representation before their bail hearings. The decision further stresses that state-appointed lawyers offer “critical assistance” during these bail proceedings. The suit is led by Abigail Farella and Logan Murphy who claim that they…
The potentially harmful consequences of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have become a hot topic of discussion among environmentalists and legal professionals. The PFAS Emerging Contaminants Handbook by law firm Steptoe & Johnson PLLC offers a comprehensive analysis surrounding the disturbing aspects of PFAS chemicals and their effects on our environment. Akin to many substances…
In a recent unsettling incident, Jeffrey Ferguson, a California criminal court judge, has been arrested on the suspicion of his wife’s murder. The arrest took place outside of his home in Anaheim Hills, California, where his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, was later discovered dead from at least one gunshot wound. More information can be found in…
Ex-Girardi Keese attorney Keith Griffin is making moves to confront attorney Jay Edelson and two others from his eponymously named firm in person at an imminent ethics trial. This trial concerns alleged actions of Keith Griffin, specifically his believed instrumental role in the theft of several millions of dollars from clients. Griffin, it seems, is…
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) applications are significantly transforming the efficiency and innovation of many sectors, while simultaneously introducing unique legal and operational risks. This emerging technology is primarily governed by end-user license agreements (EULAs), which establish the legal relationship between the AI software developer and the end-user. As the use of GenAI expands, it is…
The European Central Bank (ECB) has entered the rapidly evolving landscape of digital currencies with the project of the Digital Euro, a response primarily driven by the global rally of cryptocurrencies, the emergence of payment fintechs and the increasing reliance on electronic transactions. The introduction of the Digital Euro represents a new format of digital…
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, a renowned law firm, announced on Monday its plan to initiate a full buyout of its pension. This move comes as the firm is reportedly in the process of seeking a merger with another firm. The pension buyout has been voted on and approved by a requisite majority within…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its Summer 2023 Supervisory Highlights on July 26, detailing a range of Unfair, Deceptive, and Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAPs). These findings span across an array of consumer financial products and violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). Products identified in this report encompass auto origination, auto servicing,…
In a recent move, legal representatives for Wells Fargo investors have appealed to a New York federal judge to confirm their fee request of $180 million. The proposed fee amounts to 18% of a significant $1 billion settlement. The settlement in question goes toward resolving allegations that the banking institution conveyed misleading information regarding its…
In the increasingly digitized corporate world, understanding both the rewards and risks attached to AI utilization in the workplace is of paramount importance. A forthcoming webinar, titled ‘ChatGPT and Generative AI – How to Manage the Risks and Rewards in the Workplace’, presents a fantastic opportunity to delve into this complex terrain. The webinar, scheduled…
On June 3, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) proposed a comprehensive overhaul of new auditing standards that would mandate auditors to take into account a company’s noncompliance with laws and regulations when conducting an audit. The proposed measures, identified as PCAOB Release No. 2023-003, were approved by a 3-2 vote, with both Certified…
In a significant development, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has stopped the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from implementing and enforcing the small business lending rule, also known as Section 1071. The Court’s decision to grant an injunction is pending the Supreme Court’s judgement in a related case, Community Financial…
Defamation law carries subtle complexities that can often be misunderstood. The ease with which information, opinion, and rumor can spread in today’s digital age underscores the importance of understanding the elements of defamation. To bring a successful defamation claim, there are several key components that must be met. Defamation, generally speaking, is a false statement…
The concept of unionization among associates in major law firms is a topic of contemporary discourse, eliciting a spectrum of viewpoints from legal professionals worldwide. Most recently, this discussion resurfaced following a significant event last month, when associates at Outten & Golden succeeded in forming a union, subsequently recognized by the firm. Given these developments,…
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has recently published its Annual Report for calendar year 2022. Key points have emerged from the report, offering an intriguing insight into the workings of the Committee. The report suggests a significantly challenging, yet manageable, CFIUS process. A standout trend is the marked increase in…