The law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has announced a change in the leadership of its global arbitration practice. Simon Chapman KC and Andrew Cannon have been named as successors to Paula Hodges, who is slated to retire from the firm at the beginning of next month. Hodges has had a long tenure at HSF,…
The labor union representing Major League Baseball (MLB) players significantly reduced its external legal fees in the past year following the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement. The union halved its outlays, spending around $1.7 million on law firm services in 2023, compared to the nearly $3.7 million the organization spent the previous year….
A lawsuit involving Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, launched by a former associate of the firm, should be reverted to state court, according to a recommendation from a New York federal judge. The ex-associate accuses the firm of dismissal due to her raising concerns about instances of sexual harassment. The judge’s advisement is based on…
Law firm Hogan Lovells has broadened its footprint in Paris, hiring a six-lawyer team that includes the former French energy regulator. This move strengthens their regional presence and signals an ambitious growth strategy within the French market. The legal sector in France has also seen other significant strategic changes recently, with veteran banking and finance…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is set to receive $40 million in litigation funding from Longford Capital, with the aim of financing lawsuits for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. The agreement, which was made public last Thursday, is designed to provide funding for private equity clients wishing to pursue litigation without impacting profit…
Hogan Lovells has expanded its Paris office with the hiring of a six-lawyer team, including a former French energy regulator. This strategic hire aligns with the firm’s expansion strategy in the energy sector given the team’s specialty in energy regulations and transactions. Details on the new hires are limited due to a paywall. Interested parties…
Hughes Hubbard & Reed has announced the addition of Gaela Gehring Flores, a high-profile partner from Allen & Overy, to co-chair its international arbitration group. The move signifies the continued trend of top talent specializing in international arbitration transitioning to new firms. Gehring Flores, who will be based out of Washington, D.C., is renowned for…
At the foreground of the legal system’s interaction with COVID-19 vaccination issues is a vigorous dispute involving Alston & Bird LLP. The firm recently made an appeal to a Georgia federal court, pushing for the rejection of a former aide’s refusal to heed the advice of a magistrate judge. This advice steered towards the necessity…
A recent lawsuit raised against legal recruitment firm Major Lindsey & Africa LLC by a former employee, alleging sexual assault, will now head to arbitration, following the decision of a judge in New York state. The Law360 reported yesterday. This development comes amidst a growing trend of sexual harassment cases increasingly being adjudicated through the…
Eduardo J. De la Peña Bernal has expanded the legal capacities of Shutts & Bowen by joining as a partner in the law firm’s Miami office, according to a statement released by the firm. De la Peña Bernal brings new strength to the international litigation and arbitration practice group, an integral facet of Shutts &…
In a bid to reexamine California’s worker-protection law, rideshare companies are asking the Supreme Court to reconsider the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). The crux of the matter is an arbitration agreement which, under the PAGA, has been seen as unenforceable by state courts. PAGA, enacted 20 years ago, enables workers to file lawsuits…
The $600 million judgment against NortonLifeLock over infringement of Columbia University patents has been labeled as “indefensible” by both the company and its former law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP. This judgment, which is partly founded on a contempt finding against the law firm, has led to fierce opposition from both parties before…
The case currently before the Georgia Court of Appeals carries a unique set of circumstances, raising eyebrows in the legal community. At the heart of the issue is last year’s arbitration decision where an attorney fee award, originally set at $524,000, was eventually reduced to $78,000. This dramatic decrease is now under scrutiny with the…
In a recent discussion on the heritage of judicial dissent, 9th Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay underscored the value of “vigorous dissent.” Simultaneously, 20 groups are advocating for Congress to restrict the capacity of parties to “shop” for favorable judges in the American judicial system. As detailed by the Law Journal, law firms and corporations, particularly…
Morgan Lewis has announced the appointment of Daja Apetz-Dreier as a litigation partner in its Munich office. With a strong track record in commercial litigation, financial services disputes, and international arbitration, Apetz-Dreier is expected to significantly bolster the firm’s European operations. [Bloomberg Law] Before her move to Morgan Lewis, Apetz-Dreier managed the Munich office for…
Three major law firms – Dentons, Yang & Yang, and Drew & Napier – have recently bolstered their respective legal teams, a move poised to further reinforce their presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Dentons, as widely known, is one of the largest global law firms and has made notable hires within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region….
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has decided against a Virginia-based defense contractor’s objections over a $192.7 million contract for U.S. Army technical and engineering support. Despite allegations of potential conflicts of interest, Crowell & Moring LLP attorneys representing the contractor received no reprimand. The defense contractor lodged a protest challenging the award of the…
A seasoned attorney from Hogan Lovells recently made her U.S. Supreme Court debut in dramatically differing circumstances, after spending two decades at the firm. Initially, her arguments, concentrated on complex arbitration issues, garnered little attention outside the confines of the courtroom, hinting towards the complex and often underappreciated nuances legal professionals encounter in their work….
An aide from Alston & Bird LLP, who was terminated due to her refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, has made a request to a Georgia federal court to not push her discrimination lawsuit into arbitration. The fired staffer argues that her employment agreement should not be deemed as a subject of interstate commerce. The…
MyPillow CEO, Mike Lindell, recently introduced a bankruptcy lawyer onto his team, but not for the expected reasons. Lindell is fighting a financial battle as a number of major retailers have discontinued carrying his products. However, the addition of lawyer, Thomas Miller, is not aimed at tackling these financial troubles. Instead, the legal expertise of…
Online gaming and sports betting firm, GAN Ltd., recently made headway in handling claims made by its former chief legal officer involving wrongful termination, whistleblowing allegations, and objections to the hostile work environment. A United States federal court in California has mandated that the dispute between the parties will be settled in arbitration. The former…
Construction disputes, a significant facet of the legal profession in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are anticipated to gain in complexity with the ever-expanding industry. For firms operating in the region, these emerging scenarios require a strategic approach to navigate intricate government policies, contend with fierce competition, leverage advancing technology and bridge communication gaps effectively….
Global law firm Paul Hastings has made a significant addition to its team by hiring Jonathan Hamilton, a former partner from White & Case, as co-chair of its international arbitration practice. Reported by the National Law Journal, Hamilton previously held the position as head of White & Case’s Latin America arbitration practice. In related news,…
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, an internationally reputed law firm, has recently approached the courts to enforce a $1 million judgment against a former client. According to the proceedings, the firm has opted for an Article 75 petition that was drafted in support of an arbitration agreement formalized in November. The name of the ex-client, the…
Philippine authorities have accused China’s Coast Guard of a hostile attack against a Philippine supply boat in the contested waters of the South China Sea. This attack allegedly resulted in substantial damage to the boat and injuries to multiple crew members. According to reports, the Philippine supply boat was undertaking a routine rotation and resupply…