In a significant development for New Jersey’s legal community, a state appellate court has resuscitated an effort to disqualify the law firm Harwood Lloyd LLP from a probate case. This follows concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving a retired judge who joined the firm after awarding substantial fees to one of its attorneys….
Chris Cartrett’s impending departure from Aderant has stirred notable interest in the legal tech community, as he steps down as president and CEO effective August 1st after a 12-year tenure. As highlighted in a recent discussion, Cartrett underscores that his decision was driven not by a desire to leave Aderant but by an intriguing opportunity…
Ellie Norris’s journey to partnership at Norton Rose Fulbright offers valuable insights into navigating a legal career. Her reflections highlight the dynamic nature of a lawyer’s career path, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and self-advocacy. As she explains, career trajectories often defy expectations due to influencers like mentors, unanticipated opportunities, or challenging matters. While such…
Todd Blanche, President’s nominee for Attorney General, is expected to undergo rigorous questioning during his forthcoming confirmation hearing. Several attorney groups have entered the fray, urging the Senate to reject his nomination due to concerns about his past affiliations and decisions. This momentum against Blanche underscores the contentious atmosphere surrounding his potential appointment to one…
In a strategic move, Crowell & Moring LLP has appointed a former senior Google lawyer to lead its congressional investigations unit. This appointment highlights the firm’s commitment to bolstering its expertise in high-stakes investigations and regulatory compliance. The new leader, Rishi Varma, brings significant experience from his tenure at Google, where he managed global investigations,…
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has announced the promotion of a seasoned real estate attorney to the dual role of Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating Officer. This leadership move reflects the real estate firm’s strategy to strengthen its operational oversight while ensuring robust legal governance amid a competitive market environment. The appointee, whose legal…
Richard “Dick” Wood, credited as Wawa’s first General Counsel and a former CEO, passed away at the age of 88. Wood played a pivotal role in shaping the convenience store chain’s legal and business frameworks during its formative years. His leadership and insights were instrumental in transforming Wawa from a small regional entity into a…
The State Bar of California has recently settled with the administrators responsible for the malfunctioning February 2025 bar exam. The exam was plagued by technical issues, leaving many candidates unable to complete the test, which prompted an outcry among aspiring lawyers and legal professionals. This resolution aims to address the fallout from the event that…
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Matthew Schwartz, recognized as one of former President Donald Trump’s personal attorneys, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The vote, which concluded at 50-45, strictly followed party lines and further underscores the ongoing partisan tensions surrounding judicial appointments. Schwartz has been a notable partner at…
In a significant move within the legal community, Baker McKenzie has bolstered its Washington, D.C. office by recruiting a key figure from the U.S. Department of Justice. The firm announced the addition of the former assistant director of the DOJ’s Tax Litigation Branch, a strategic decision that underscores its commitment to enhancing its capabilities in…
Cooley LLP has strategically expanded its cybersecurity and data privacy expertise by recruiting Lisa J. Sotto from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. With an impressive career focused on data protection, Sotto’s addition to Cooley highlights the firm’s commitment to strengthening its cyber group. Lisa J. Sotto, recognized as a leader in privacy and data security law,…
In a significant transition for the legal technology sector, Chris Cartrett has announced his resignation as president and CEO of Aderant, a leading company providing business management and practice-of-law software to major global law firms. Cartrett’s departure, effective August 1, marks the end of a 12-year tenure at the Atlanta-based company. He will assume the…
Via, an innovator in the realm of transportation technology, has appointed a new leader for its legal team. The company has named the former General Counsel of Clear, who boasts a robust legal career, as its new Chief Legal Officer. This strategic appointment comes as the legal department’s role undergoes recalibration to align with Via’s…
Shannon Reaney, recently appointed as the Chair of the Patent Practice at Morrison Foerster, underscores the importance of aligning personal and professional goals with the broader objectives of her firm. Her path to the chairship at a prominent law firm like Morrison Foerster is informed by a distinct blend of experiences. From her doctoral studies…
In the competitive landscape of the legal profession, building a transformative career is more than just climbing the corporate ladder. It’s about cultivating a mindset that encourages self-leadership, a concept eloquently explored through Aiko Bethea’s framework of being anchored, aligned, and accountable. This approach emphasizes the importance of daily practice in self-leadership amid the pressures…
Aaron Reitz has been appointed as the new U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, a key position given the region’s significant role in immigration and trade on the Mexico-United States border. Prior to this appointment, Reitz was a deputy to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a role that has placed him prominently in…
The issue of retirement for attorneys takes on a new dimension as a New Jersey panel recommends that lawyers undertake a rigorous introspective process before stepping away from their practice. Highlighting the importance of self-reflection, the panel underscores the need for attorneys to confront not just the financial and logistical aspects of retirement, but also…
A former banker, who shifted his career towards an artificial intelligence startup, has found himself embroiled in legal troubles. After having started a venture described by himself as “boring,” the entrepreneur has pleaded guilty to insider trading charges. His plea represents a significant development in ongoing efforts by authorities to clamp down on financial crimes…
In the competitive landscape of corporate law, securing a partnership position involves more than just billable hours and client wins. Drew Newman from Moore & Van Allen emphasizes the significance of cross-practice networking in forging a successful path to partnership. He reflects on his career journey, noting the importance of building relationships with attorneys in…
Peter S. Canellos, a distinguished journalist and author, offers insights into the life and philosophy of Justice Samuel Alito in his latest biography, Revenge for the Sixties: Sam Alito and the Triumph of the Conservative Legal Movement. As explored in an interview on SCOTUSblog, Canellos delves into the factors shaping Alito’s judicial perspective, from his…
Cecillia Wang, the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), recently reflected on her experience arguing the high-profile case Trump v. Barbara at the Supreme Court. The case challenged an executive order by former President Donald Trump that aimed to end the guarantee of U.S. citizenship for nearly everyone born in the…
A former associate attorney at Jackson Lewis PC has filed a lawsuit against the employment law firm in California state court. The attorney, who was on the partnership track, alleges that the firm failed to accommodate her temporary medical restrictions after she returned from leave, subsequently pressuring her to accept a demotion or resign. This…
In a significant shift within the legal finance landscape, Sidley Austin LLP has successfully brought on board a five-partner finance group from Clifford Chance. This move is seen as a strategic acquisition aimed at strengthening Sidley’s position within the finance sector, particularly in structured finance and related practices. The group joining Sidley includes leading partners…
In a strategic move that underscores the growing demand for top-tier legal expertise in employment law, Sanford Heisler Sharp LLP has announced the appointment of renowned former federal prosecutor George Cardona to its San Diego office. With over two decades of experience in high-stakes litigation, Cardona’s transition from the U.S. Attorney’s Office signals a significant…
As corporate landscapes continue to evolve, the role of in-house counsel in maintaining legal and ethical standards becomes increasingly complex. Recent discussions highlight an uncomfortable truth: when corporate legal departments fail to address wrongdoing, in-house lawyers may find themselves in the role of whistleblower. This dynamic adds layers of complexity to both corporate governance and…