The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) cybersecurity mandates, which were designed to combat increasing cyber threats to water systems nationwide, were recently rescinded following a July decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Originally implemented by the Biden Administration, these mandates faced successful legal challenges, leading to their temporary suspension as litigation…
In a recent case against David Kurzweil, a partner at major international law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, a magistrate judge recommended that a district court dismiss all ADA claims. The accusations came from Jennifer Wagner, a former legal assistant at the firm, who asserts that she was a victim of workplace harassment and discrimination following…
In an important recent ruling, the First Circuit Court of Appeals has provided some much-needed clarity on the notoriously vague Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Administrative Exemption. The case, entitled Marcus v. American Contract Bridge League, dealt with the question of when this exemption, one of three white collar exemptions, applies and the inherent difficulties…
The ongoing class action case Hardwick v. 3M Company in the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit court deals with an interesting, and potentially far-reaching, question: can someone sue now if they believe they may suffer harm in the future due to past events? The case involves everyone in the US who has…
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Tennessee can continue its restriction on the distribution of absentee ballots. This decision is the latest development in a complex legal standing surrounding the state’s voting laws. A group of voters had previously sued the state over its limitations on absentee voting. The plaintiffs argued that…
In a recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the broad discretion given to states regarding gun restrictions, including a ban on high-capacity magazines, has come under dispute. A panel of 11 judges on the Ninth Circuit recently upheld California’s ban on high-capacity magazines, which holds more than ten…
Southwest Airlines is in the process of appealing a ruling in a Texas federal court that favored a flight attendant who alleged her termination was in violation of the Civil Rights Act. Alongside, the airline is also recommending the Fifth Circuit to void a district court sanction that commands three of its in-house lawyers to…
The Fifth Circuit, a federal appeals court, has drawn significant attention for various reasons – with six of its cases already granted for argument before the Supreme Court this term – the highest number from any circuit thus far. Predominantly, the court is comprised of six judges appointed by former President Trump, an aspect which…
In recent years, as the United States grows more politically divided, employers have been dealing with an increasing number of political and social disputes among their employees. A case last week provides critical insight into the standards such disputes need to meet in order to successfully claim workplace harassment. In Yelling v. St. Vincent’s Health…
The Supreme Court has expanded its docket for the 2023-24 term with a second case that questions the landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council. The inclusion of the case, known as Relentless v. Department of Commerce, was announced among a list of orders released last Friday. In addition to Relentless v….
In a significant development in the legal world, one of the nation’s most respected bankruptcy judges based in Houston has opted to step back from his caseload, which comprises potentially hundreds of corporate reorganization cases. This decision comes as he is currently under investigation by the federal appeals court. The matter under investigation revolves around…
The legal community, especially those focused on tax law, awaits with bated breath as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case during its current term: Moore v. United States. Originating from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, this case found national resonance, leading the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in March…
In the complex and often unfathomable world of international corporate law, understanding the differences in the enforcement of arbitration awards and expert determinations can hold the key to a successful resolution of dispute. While on the surface they may present similarly, these two forms of adjudication differ in fundamental ways, as highlighted by a recent…
In an evolving interpretation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently held that an employer can impose conditions on pay for pre- or post-shift activities that are not compensable under FLSA, provided that this policy pertains to a contract or custom adopted by the employer….
In a recent ruling, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has invoked the precedential Supreme Court ruling of the ‘Alice’ case to dismiss patents on the grounds of them being directed to abstract ideas. The case in question is Realtime Data LLC v. Fortinet Inc. (Fed. Cir. 8/2/2023) 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 19857. Renowned law…
The Californian Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a measure geared towards halting arbitration delay strategies. Based on the newly enacted bill S.B. 365, companies and employers situated in California will no longer automatically receive stays on orders while they appeal a denial or dismissal of a motion to compel arbitration. The decision was delivered earlier…
In a recent development, Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, has submitted a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization to resolve a mass tort claim. A notable aspect of this development is the involvement of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) who seemingly encountered difficulties with the third-party releases in the Purdue Pharma opioid…
Southwest Airlines Co. has appealed for a new trial with regards to a $5 million religious bias verdict the company lost in relation to a dismissed anti-abortion Christian flight attendant. The flight attendant was terminated after a contentious incident with a union president over the union’s participation at the 2017 Women’s March on Washington. The…
In an important ruling that underscores the intersection of law and the digital age, the Second Circuit had affirmed a conviction and sentence relating to online threats made against members of the United States Congress. In United States v. Hunt, the case revolved around Brendan Hunt, who used various social media platforms to issue threats…
The New Civil Liberties Alliance, an organization traditionally associated with the promotion of constitutional rights, is challenging the notion that two decades of paying your debts is sufficient. According to Above The Law, the organization appears to be actively discouraging homeownership by advocating for long-term debt, a stance which has sparked controversy within the legal…
Workplace discrimination is something no one should endure, especially over racial factors as was the case with a Malaysian political science professor. But recently, it appears that a glimmer of hope shines on the seemingly bleak atmosphere of workplace discrimination suits in Texas, radically shifting the tides. In a lower Texas court, a professor had…
Former D.C. Councilman John K. “Jack” Evans has seen his law license suspended for a year by the D.C. Court of Appeals. This decision comes after Evans’ resignation from the council in 2020 amidst an ethics scandal. The exact reasons for his legal license suspension have not been disclosed, but the incident represents another significant…
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has issued an order granting a rehearing for the abortion case United States of America v. State of Idaho. This action, in effect, postpones the enforcement of Section 18-622 of Idaho law, which criminalizes those who perform or attempt to perform an abortion unless carrying the…
In a decision that may shape future legal strategies, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a district court ruling that a claim under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act (LUTPA) could not be paused or “tolled” on the basis of a legal dispute with a related company. This court case is…
In a significant development in antitrust enforcement, Illumina Inc., a global leader in genomics, was ordered by the European Union to dismantle its $7 billion acquisition of cancer-test provider Grail Inc. The EU’s move intensifies a legal battle over the transaction, which was concluded without its approval. Bloomberg Law reported. The European Commission issued the…