The open and royalty-free promise of AOMedia Video 1 (AV1) is under scrutiny following a lawsuit filed by Dolby Laboratories Inc. against Snap Inc. The complaint accuses Snap of patent infringement, raising significant concerns within the tech industry about the future of AV1 as a truly royalty-free codec. This legal action challenges AV1’s standing as…
In a recent disclosure, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that hackers, allegedly affiliated with Iran, breached the personal email of FBI Director Kash Patel. This incident underscores the persistent challenges that even high-ranking officials face in cybersecurity. The breach became public after the hackers, known as the Handala Hack Team, posted content online claiming…
In recent months, leaders within the Am Law 100 have been keenly listening to a novel pitch from private equity (PE) firms. The ongoing dialogue reveals a significant shift in how these law firms view potential partnerships and investments. PE firms, known for their strategic investments and financial prowess, are increasingly targeting large law firms…
In a recent discussion, D.C. Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas reflected on the evolution of originalism, tracing its journey from a once controversial concept during his time as a law student to its current status as a widely respected judicial philosophy. Originalism, the judicial interpretation of the constitution that aims to follow the original understanding “at…
The adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the legal field is opening new avenues for efficiency and automation. However, this advancement is fraught with potential downsides that could overwhelm companies unprepared for the challenges that AI-generated legal documents might present. As firms increasingly rely on these technologies, they are exposed to several risks,…
Akerman LLP is pioneering its recruitment strategy by testing a proprietary artificial intelligence tool aimed at enhancing its lateral hiring process. This innovative approach seeks to evaluate potential hires, particularly partners, by analyzing their likelihood of success within the firm. This development signals a growing trend among law firms to integrate data analytics and AI…
The issue of law firm succession is becoming a critical concern as many senior partners approach retirement. A plausible solution is the integration of Multi-Disciplinary Service Organizations (MSOs) and the infusion of outside capital. These strategies offer a potential remedy to the challenges faced by law firms in ensuring their continuation and growth. Traditionally, law…
Volvo Cars, along with its subsidiary Mack Trucks, faces litigation in a Texas federal court as Longhorn Automotive Group claims infringement on several patents related to advanced automotive technologies. The allegations focus on several of Volvo’s key products, including its celebrated long-hauler sleeper truck, purportedly featuring technologies developed by Longhorn. The complaint, filed recently, alleges…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is set to introduce new artificial intelligence tools designed to assist trademark attorneys in searching for images and drafting descriptions for trademark registrations. These developments were disclosed during a recent webinar, where officials also addressed ongoing challenges related to pendency issues. More details about this initiative were discussed…
Husch Blackwell LLP is expanding its consulting arm with a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) advisory service. Announced recently, this initiative reflects the growing trend among law firms to not just use AI but also guide clients through its complexities. This service focuses on the non-legal aspects of AI adoption, highlighting the firm’s commitment to addressing…
During the highly anticipated Legal Week 2026, the Legal Speak podcast featured an insightful episode with Tom Baldwin, the CEO and founder of Entegrata. Co-hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith led the discussion, focusing on the evolving landscape of legal technology and its implications for law firms and corporate legal departments. The conversation centered around…
In 2025, the legal industry reached a pivotal milestone as the majority of lawyers began utilizing generative AI, despite continuous concerns regarding the technology’s reliability. This shift is highlighted in the 2025 State of the Legal Industry report released by SurePoint Technologies. The report provides a detailed examination of how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal…
The recent guidance issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has been dubbed a significant step towards providing the clarity the cryptocurrency industry has long sought. This guidance, as explained in a report, categorizes digital assets into four groups: digital commodities, digital collectibles, digital tools, and…
Polsinelli, a prominent law firm, recently announced a policy decision regarding their billing practices that reflects a broader challenge within the legal sector as firms navigate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into their workflows. According to a report, lawyers at Polsinelli will not receive billing credit for the time spent on AI training,…
In a move that could streamline a long-standing administrative burden for legal professionals, a new startup is aiming to automate lawyers’ timesheets. This innovative approach seeks to address one of the more cumbersome aspects of legal practice: the intricate and often tedious task of time-tracking. Bloomberg Law reports that by reducing the manual effort involved,…
The debate among attorneys regarding the implementation of mandatory hyperlinks in legal documents to mitigate the spread of erroneous cases generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying. This discussion is rooted in instances where AI tools have produced inaccurate or fabricated legal precedents, inadvertently causing significant legal challenges. Lawyers are increasingly divided over the viability…
The legal community is increasingly grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence misuse, as illustrated by a recent incident involving attorneys representing the City of New Orleans. The attorneys faced judicial sanctions after they inappropriately relied on AI tools that produced fabricated legal citations in their filings. This case underscores the challenges and potential pitfalls…
In a significant legal development, the High Court of Kenya has ruled against the automatic recycling of dormant phone numbers by telecommunications companies. Justice Lawrence Mugambi’s decision underscores the constitutional right to privacy, recognizing mobile numbers as integral components of digital identity rather than mere communication tools. This judgment came in response to a petition…
As legal costs continue to rise, in-house counsel are increasingly tasked with finding innovative strategies to manage these expenses while maximizing their value to the business. A more strategic approach involves leveraging data, technology, and collaborative practices. Utilizing data analytics has become a cornerstone for legal teams aiming to control spending. By analyzing historical legal…
The legal industry, long characterized by its traditional methods and substantial billable hours, is on the brink of a significant transformation. This change, driven by the emergence of AI-native firms, signals a shift that could dramatically challenge the longstanding model of legacy law firms facing financial constraints. A report from Bloomberg Law outlines how these…
The United States recently cast the sole vote opposing the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions from the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), marking a departure from nearly seven decades of consensus among the commission’s 45 member nations. Concerns over language related to gender ideology, abortion rights, and artificial intelligence regulation were central…
As digital platforms grapple with ensuring user safety, age-verification technology is becoming increasingly pivotal. Despite its necessity, the adoption of such systems often encounters resistance from users. This was recently highlighted when Discord proposed a global rollout of an age-verification system. The platform’s swift retraction, in response to widespread user dissatisfaction, underscores the complexities involved…
The rapid growth of cryptocurrency markets presents unique challenges for regulatory frameworks globally, and the United States tax code is no exception. As digital assets continue to gain prominence, the current U.S. tax reporting guidelines need significant updates to accommodate these innovations effectively. Currently, the U.S. tax code is struggling to integrate cryptocurrencies adequately. The…
The increasing reliance on artificial intelligence in tax preparation has prompted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to consider implementing standards that could safeguard businesses. This initiative aims at ensuring accuracy and compliance, protecting both businesses and the IRS from potential errors and liabilities. The adoption of AI tools in tax preparation offers substantial advantages, including…
The legal community has been stirred by the recent unveiling of the American Arbitration Association’s AI Arbitrator, specifically designed for documents-only construction cases. This development signals a significant shift in arbitration, a field traditionally driven by human judgment. While the prospects of incorporating artificial intelligence into arbitration processes offer considerable potential for efficiency and cost-cutting,…