In a significant development for the North Carolina Business Court, two seasoned attorneys have been nominated to fill vacancies on the court’s bench. This follows the recent retirements of two judges. The nominees, drawn from the ranks of Williams Mullen and Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson PA, bring a wealth of experience to the state’s specialized…
The potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to manage entire enterprises is generating both interest and controversy. Delaware’s proposal to enable companies to be operated solely by AI agents, named as Artificial Intelligence Companies (AICs), has caught the attention of lawmakers and industry experts alike. This novel approach could redefine corporate structure, allowing humans to step…
A security company recently filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against a group of comedians. The controversy stems from the comedians’ use of the company’s uniforms in a series of comedic videos. These videos depict a fictitious security guard engaging in unprofessional behavior towards skateboarders, raising questions about the balance between creative expression and trademark rights….
This week, Harvard Law School and DePaul University College of Law announced unprecedented financial contributions received from alumni. Both institutions were the beneficiaries of historic gifts, significantly bolstering their financial resources. These donations, made by graduates from the class of 1976, reflect a growing trend of substantial alumni contributions that have become vital for the…
In a legal skirmish that has drawn attention within intellectual property circles, Smucker is defending its trademark registrations for crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches against allegations by Trader Joe’s. The grocery chain claims that the trademarks were obtained fraudulently, leading to a request for their cancellation. However, Smucker countered in an Ohio federal court…
In a significant decision, the Eighth Circuit Court has ordered the Federal Reserve to abandon the 21-cent cap on debit card swipe fees. The court found that the Federal Reserve improperly considered banks’ fixed costs when determining this cap, raising questions about the balance between regulatory controls and financial institutions’ operational expenses. More details on…
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that a copyright on a compilation of writings does not extend to an individual article within that collection. This decision came with the affirmation of summary judgment in favor of two individuals who included the article in a published book. This pivotal ruling clarifies the scope of…
In a notable development in the music industry, a lawsuit accusing the rapper Drake of copyright infringement has been withdrawn. The plaintiff, a music producer, had claimed that Drake used an unpublished hook from the producer’s demo in one of his hit songs, allegedly copying it “word-for-word, note-for-note”. This decision to drop the suit was…
In a significant development for intellectual property law professionals, a Connecticut federal judge has ruled against former partners at the law firm Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle LLP in their dispute over client origination credits. This decision marks the conclusion of a prolonged disagreement among key members of the firm, highlighting persistent challenges within the…
In a strategic move to enhance its cross-border tax advisory services, DLA Piper has announced the addition of a seasoned expert from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This new hire aims to fortify the firm’s capabilities in assisting multinational corporations navigate complex international tax regulations. The newly appointed team member, who previously led a key…
The Fourth Circuit has affirmed a district court’s decision that West Virginia’s Daniel’s Law is unconstitutional, a development stirring conversations around the First Amendment’s reach in regulating privacy protections for government officials. This legislation, passed in West Virginia, sought to limit the dissemination of home addresses and phone numbers of law enforcement and judicial figures….
Hogan Lovells has strengthened its disputes team by appointing Julissa Reynoso, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain and Andorra under the Biden administration. Reynoso brings her extensive experience in government investigations, congressional inquiries, and cross-border disputes to the global law firm as reported by Law360. During her tenure as ambassador, Reynoso played a critical role…
In a recent legal development, a former Jefferies Financial Group Inc. fund manager who has faced indictment has been granted the right to pursue coverage of his legal costs by the company. The decision from a federal court addresses the obligations of financial firms to cover legal expenses for employees entangled in legal difficulties stemming…
The general counsel at 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. recently experienced a substantial increase in compensation, with total pay reaching approximately $1.5 million in 2026. This amount is nearly double the remuneration received in the previous year. This significant uptick in compensation reflects the growing trend among corporations to invest heavily in their legal departments, recognizing the strategic…
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP has strengthened its regulatory practice with the recruitment of two partners from Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. This strategic move occurs amid ongoing challenges for Weil, especially after its recent and unsuccessful merger discussions with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. The transition of these attorneys highlights the shifting…
In the latest development within the legal sector, McDermott Will & Emery has reported a decline in partner promotions, following its recent merger with Schulte Roth & Zabel. This dip marks a significant shift for the firm, which had previously seen consistent growth in partner elevations over the past few years. The merger, completed last…
The legal intricacies of high-profile cases often reveal unexpected connections, and the recent proceedings involving Elon Musk have highlighted such a network. A Texas judge, who recently ruled against a request by Governor Greg Abbott to dismiss a challenge in a Musk-related case, has emerged as a figure of interest not only for her judicial…
The compensation landscape for first-year associates in plaintiff law firms has shown considerable variability, with the average salary reaching $131,000. However, the structure of subsequent raises and bonuses varies significantly across the industry. Only about 49% of surveyed firms have adopted a structured or lockstep pay raise system, while 21.5% of firms have no official…
As corporations increasingly seek cost efficiencies, legal departments are turning their focus toward artificial intelligence as a solution to streamline operations. Greg Williamson, managing partner of Boston-based law firm Outside GC, has observed a notable shift in client inquiries regarding AI’s role in legal practice. Companies are keen to understand how such technologies can reduce…
Fenwick & West LLP has announced plans to increase associate salaries, joining the ranks of several prestigious law firms that have recently adjusted their pay scales to remain competitive in the market. This adjustment will align their compensation with the widely adopted $235,000 salary scale for associates at equivalent levels. This move reflects ongoing trends…
Venable LLP has announced the addition of Susan Poklemba as counsel in its Government Division, enhancing the firm’s securities and financial regulatory capabilities. Poklemba brings nearly a decade of experience from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where she served as a senior special counsel. Her expertise encompasses market structure, broker-dealer and exchange regulation,…
The recent advisory collaboration between Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP highlights a significant move within the legal restructuring field. Davis Polk’s team, advising Weil, includes prominent restructuring attorney, Dan Resnick, further positioning the firm as a key player in complex financial restructurings. Resnick’s involvement underscores the depth of expertise…
Kirkland & Ellis LLP has strategically strengthened its private equity practice by recruiting a prominent secondaries partner from Ropes & Gray LLP. The move underscores Kirkland’s ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities in the private fund space, especially in secondary transactions, an area that has seen significant growth in recent years. The new recruit, based…
The Supreme Court has declined to revive a regulation from the Biden administration that would allow immigration judges to exercise “administrative closure” to suspend certain deportation proceedings. In a recent order, the Court refused to grant a request from multiple cities and a legal service group aiming to halt an agreement that nullified the regulation….
The ongoing debate over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has taken a complex turn as U.S. officials push for legislative action amidst concerns over a sealed court ruling. According to two Democratic senators, the Trump administration is allegedly withholding critical court findings to influence congressional decision-making. Senators Ron…