Alpha Brady has been appointed as the new executive director of the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA, which serves as the national voice of the legal profession, will now have Brady, a highly experienced legal professional, helming its operations. Despite traditional modes of operation being disrupted as a result of the ongoing global pandemic,…
As the world endeavors to navigate the challenges of work amidst COVID-19, differing policies on work attendance continue to be an important talking point among industry professionals. In a recent development, another major law firm has joined the roster of those insisting on four days of physical presence in the office per week. While a…
In an unprecedented compliance crackdown by the California State Bar, over 1,700 lawyers have found themselves suspended due to their failure to adhere to the newly established trust account rules. As reported, this wave of suspensions marks a stern response to breaches of compliance within the legal community. The failure of a considerable number of…
In the first quarter of 2023, equity investor counsel witnessed some of the highest activist shareholder activity. The increasingly assertive role of shareholders in corporate decision-making is changing the dynamics of corporate governance across the globe. As defined by the Investopedia, an activist shareholder is an individual or group that purchases large numbers of a…
In a recent development, questions have been raised regarding whether Congress can impose an ethics code on the Supreme Court. Offering his opinion on the matter, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has shared his thoughts. Due to the absence of a collective written code of conduct for the Supreme Court justices, these issues have come…
In a move to revolutionize the military justice system, high-ranking military officials have announced sweeping changes to how serious crimes are addressed. For the first time in history, allegations of such crimes will be pursued outside the conventional chain of command. This decision is largely interpreted as a response to the public outcry and frequent…
In a significant development, a judge has dismissed the second bankruptcy case filed by Johnson & Johnson over its talcum baby powder liabilities. Despite expressing some reservations, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in Trenton, New Jersey, ruled in favor of cancer victims who argued that the new bankruptcy case was devoid of goodwill. Johnson &…
In a somewhat unexpected twist within the law industry, associates at an employment law firm have decided to form a union. This move signals a growing trend among legal professionals who are seeking more control over their working conditions and pay. While it is quite common for employees in sectors such as education, healthcare, and…
In a telling display of the ongoing economic impacts of the global pandemic, another high-profile law firm, BigLaw, has announced significant staff reductions. The firm recently let go of 11 lawyers and eliminated a further 24 staff positions. This move was taken in response to a reported drop in partner profits. This latest round of…
In a striking ruling that did not mince words, a Georgia judge refused to block a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump over alleged interference in the state’s 2020 Presidential Election. According to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick, Trump’s legal team failed to show a clear legal right to stop the grand…
In an unexpected twist within the corridors of justice, one notable prosecutor’s day took a dramatic turn, surpassing standard duties of a prosecutor. Her swift response to an unfolding emergency in the courthouse hallways helped to potentially save a life. As lawyers and legal professionals, we are often put in positions where we must act…
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is currently considering a dismissal bid that has far-reaching implications for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At the center of this development is a potential attempt to preserve the status quo, labeled by critics as the ADA ‘gravy train’. Critical to this unfolding situation is Tester,…
In a series of recent rulings, the Supreme Court has dealt with significant labor and employment law issues, leaving lawyers and corporations unsure of their implications and how they will play out in practice. This report explores these decisions, and their potential impact on labor and employment law. With questions being asked more frequently in…
In what is emerging as another chapter in the consumer-food industry’s reality versus expectation saga, popular fast-food chain Taco Bell faces legal heat over allegations that its Mexican Pizza and Crunchwraps are not visually akin to their advertising photos, according to a recently filed lawsuit. As per the filed complaint, the claimants argue that Taco…
In an unexpected move amidst a largely buoyant market, an undisclosed BigLaw firm recently confirmed a “small number” of layoffs, additionally electing to delay the commencement dates for some associates. The firm, among the globally recognised BigLaw entities, opted for this strategy despite the general trend favouring increased hiring and improved retention rates in the…
In a recent legal development, an intense difference of opinion has emerged within the 9th Circuit Court. The bone of contention focuses on the doctrine of ‘state-created danger’, a legal principle which asserts that state entities can be held responsible when they place individuals in harm’s way. The dissension has surfaced in the wake of…
In a development that has captured the attention of the international legal fraternity, a large legal fee amounting to $266.7 million has been approved in relation to the $1 billion Dell settlement. This news has raised the expectations of a number of law firms who stand to benefit from this significant payout. This fee gained…
In a recent development, a prominent biotech company has reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks’ regenerative cells. This case marks a significant stride in the ongoing debates concerning medical ethics and genetic ownership rights. Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman whose cancer cells, collected without her knowledge or consent…
As the upcoming political trial continues to develop concerning former President Donald Trump’s challenges to the 2020 election results, Trump’s legal team is confident and prepared. A key component to their defense strategy, as noted by Trump’s lawyer himself, rests on the selection of what he refers to as a ‘very, very wise and learned…
In a consequential move, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, known for her ruling where she determined former White House counsel Donald McGahn must obey a congressional subpoena, a rebuke to Trump’s claim of “absolute immunity,” is set to oversee the lawsuit filed by the Trump administration asserting election fraud. If her name sounds familiar,…
In a noteworthy move, the Government of India has presented a new digital privacy bill to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) despite voiced apprehensions from opposition leaders. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, follows the withdrawal of a similar privacy bill from last year and has been introduced amid renewed…
On Friday, Ethiopia’s government announced a six-month state of emergency in the Amhara region in the wake of persistent clashes between the military and local Fano militia. As revealed through a press release by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office, the conflicts have prompted the need for emergency measures to restore peace and order. The resolution…
In a recent development, prosecutors have raised concerns to a federal judge in Washington, D.C., regarding a social media post by former President Donald Trump. The post is perceived as a threat of retaliation against those associated with his indictment on charges related to interference in the 2020 election. The post believed to be of…
In an informative and enlightening series of interviews under the theme Report from IMPACT 2023, Thomas Fox, known as “The Voice of Compliance”, sat down with several leading figures in the fields of ethics and compliance. This was part of the programming at ECI’s IMPACT 2023, an event that continues to generate important conversations around…
Through a series of engaging conversations and expert analysis, seasoned criminal compliance commentator, Tom Fox, offers us an invaluable glimpse into some of this week’s most critical compliance news. In his regular feature, 10 for 10, Fox succinctly summarizes the key compliance stories and provides legal professionals with the insights they need to thrive in…