The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has released its 2023 Annual Report, highlighting noteworthy trends and developments. The report marks a 13% increase in the number of disputes referred to the LCIA compared to 2022, essentially returning to 2021 levels. This positive shift comes amidst an increasingly volatile global landscape, suggesting resilience and potential…
The French Court of Cassation has annulled an arbitration award rendered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in 2020, citing concerns over the impartiality of the presiding arbitrator, Thomas Clay. The decision follows a series of legal proceedings initiated by “the PAD company” after it emerged that Clay had written a eulogy for Emmanuel…
The Supreme Court of Canada affirmed on Friday that Ontario public school board teachers are entitled to protection against unreasonable search and seizure in their workplace under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision reinforces that public school boards are an arm of government, making them subject to the Charter. The case involved…
Transitioning from Biglaw to an in-house counsel position can often necessitate a recalibration of skills, yet the robust foundation built within the high-stakes environment of a major law firm remains invaluable. Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz’s reflections on the essential skills honed during her tenure in Biglaw shed light on how these competencies translate seamlessly into…
Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, has recently found himself without legal representation in his ongoing litigation over a $5 million award related to his “Prove Mike Wrong” challenge. This development comes after Lindell’s long-time lawyer, Andrew Parker, withdrew from multiple cases representing Lindell. Evidently, Parker’s decision to withdraw came shortly after Lindell announced on Steve…
Matthew Badrov has joined Littler as a partner in the firm’s Toronto office, the firm announced this week. Badrov brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in workplace health and safety matters, making him a significant addition to Littler’s expanding team. Before joining Littler, Badrov was associated with Sherrard Kuzz, where he specialized in…
Simon Chapman KC, a long-term partner at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) with nearly 18 years at the firm, was recently appointed global co-chair of international arbitration. In a recent interview, Chapman, who is based in Hong Kong and also serves as regional head of dispute resolution for Asia, shared his Pride story with Law.com International….
As foreign investment flows into Africa, arbitration has emerged as a preferred method for dispute resolution. This growth is reshaping the strategies of law firms and corporate legal departments operating in the region. For a detailed analysis, visit the full article at FeedBlitz.
Gabrielle Levin has joined Mayer Brown as a partner and co-leader of the firm’s employment litigation and counseling practice in New York, the firm announced Tuesday. Levin brings significant experience in handling various complex employment litigation matters, including whistleblower protection litigation, discrimination and retaliation claims, executive compensation disputes, restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation, and…
In a clear sign of the continued ascendancy of litigation finance, a new firm, Arcadia Finance, has emerged with over $100 million in capital, aiming to invest in a diverse array of legal ventures. This launch reinforces the robust health of a sector that has grown significantly over the past decade, helping level the playing…
Paul Hastings LLP has announced the addition of Manuel Berrelez as a partner in its complex litigation and arbitration practice in Dallas. Berrelez, who previously served at Vinson & Elkins, brings with him extensive experience in representing financial institutions and other corporations, including their directors and officers, in sophisticated commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement matters….
Three former employees of the litigation funder Validity Capital, which entered “harvest mode” last year, have announced the formation of Arcadia Finance, a new firm with access to at least $100 million in capital. The ex-Validity trio—Dave Kerstein, Ronit Cohen, and Joshua Libling—plan to focus on investing in U.S.-based commercial and IP litigation, as well…
In a trend that is reshaping the strategic growth of law firms, lateral whole group hires are becoming increasingly popular. This approach, as highlighted in the American Lawyer, presents a “Goldilocks solution” to firm expansion, balancing the benefits of new talent with the stability of existing firm culture. In litigation news, the attorney representing the…
The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs filed a claim with the UN on Friday to formally recognize the boundaries of its underwater continental shelf in the South China Sea, granting it exclusive rights to utilize the area’s resources. The claim, filed with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, follows more than…
Alston & Bird has received approval to move claims from a former employee to arbitration. Joanne Halvorson, who was terminated after refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine, alleged in her complaint that her dismissal constituted religious and disability bias. The law firm had initially moved the case to the US District Court for the Northern…
Alston & Bird Legal Victory In a pivotal legal development, Alston & Bird LLP has secured the right to arbitrate claims from a former aide alleging wrongful termination due to her refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. On Thursday, a federal judge in Georgia approved the motion, effectively suspending the ongoing litigation until arbitration is…
A Michigan state judge recently delivered a strong rebuke to law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP for keeping its former client, MGM, unaware of the firm’s merger with another entity. The judge characterized Taft Stettinius’ position that MGM should have independently discovered the merger as “repugnant to civility.” Despite this harsh criticism, the judge…
The American Arbitration Association (AAA) and its international division, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), have launched ClauseBuilder AI, a new generative AI tool designed to simplify the drafting of arbitration and mediation agreements. This tool, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, aims to provide more than 500 curated clauses, facilitating the creation of clear…
The estate of a Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP partner who passed away last year must adhere to a partnership agreement stipulating that disputes be resolved through arbitration. This was the ruling of a Massachusetts judge who dismissed a suit filed by the attorney’s widow. According to Law360, the judge’s decision underscores the binding…
Elon Musk’s X Corp. has reportedly demanded money back from at least six former employees in Australia, claiming the company accidentally overpaid them. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that X is threatening to take legal action if the ex-employees do not return the overpaid sums, which are claimed to range from $1,500 to $70,000 per…
Prominent trial lawyer Michael Scoville has joined McGuireWoods LLP as a partner specializing in disputes and government investigations, according to an announcement by the firm on Wednesday. Scoville brings extensive experience as a former federal prosecutor, focusing on a range of legal areas that include product liability, commercial disputes, and arbitrations. His practice spans multiple…
In an illuminating interview, Paula Hodges, who spent her entire 37-year career at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), shares her journey and insights into building a robust arbitration practice. Hodges joined HSF in 1987 as an articled clerk and steadily progressed, eventually taking silk in 2014 and leading the firm’s global arbitration group for 16 years….
China has made a significant move to strengthen its position in the field of international arbitration with the inauguration of the Hong Kong branch of the Shanghai International Arbitration Center, its first branch outside mainland China. This development, as noted by Hong Kong’s deputy justice secretary, Horace Cheung, during a speech on May 5, 2024,…
“`html The use of arbitration to resolve commercial disputes is reportedly on the rise in Canada. Factors contributing to this trend include court backlogs and the presence of an attractive environment with experienced practitioners. For further details, read the full article here. “`
Norton Rose Picks Up 12-Lawyer Team from Bryan Cave in US Build Norton Rose Fulbright is reinforcing its commitment to expand its US headcount by bringing in a 12-lawyer team from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. The group, which includes three new partners in St. Louis—Jeff Kalinowski, Eric Martin, and Jeff Ziesman—and one in Denver, Laura…