Connie Brenton and Jeff Franke, prominent figures in legal operations, believe that artificial intelligence is now a pivotal force in reshaping the architecture of legal departments. They perceive their roles, along with those of their peers, as entrepreneurial in nature, driven by innovation and efficiency within the legal industry. Central to their vision is the…
The booming cannabis and psychedelics industries are attracting widespread attention, presenting complex intellectual property hurdles. Over the past five months, activity within these sectors has surged, fueled by both government initiatives and commercial expansion. This rapid growth has brought renewed attention to patent strategies and the protection of innovative developments. Companies operating in cannabis and…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently addressed a legal challenge against the NCAA’s five-year eligibility rule, which limits how long student-athletes can participate in college sports. This rule was initially blocked by a Nevada federal judge, who sided with a college baseball player challenging it. The player argued that the rule restricted his ability…
Linklaters has made a significant move to bolster its New York operations by recruiting a prominent mergers and acquisitions specialist from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. This strategic appointment highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding its influence in the U.S. market. The acquisition of such a distinguished figure from Wachtell marks a notable enhancement…
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has declined to revisit its prior decision to uphold a New Jersey district court’s dismissal of an antitrust lawsuit involving Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. The case centered around allegations that the pharmaceutical company engaged in a pay-for-delay scheme to postpone the introduction of a generic version of Lipitor, a best-selling…
The Delaware Court of Chancery has ruled in favor of Candor Compass LLC, mandating that Italian artificial intelligence firm iDentivisuals SRL transfer ownership of its emotion-recognition technology to Candor. The court determined that iDentivisuals breached a binding agreement by failing to deliver and safeguard the licensed technology. iDentivisuals, established in 2016, developed an AI-based emotion…
In a significant appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, RiseandShine Corp. has brought forward a pivotal argument concerning the determination of trademark strength. The company has challenged the Second Circuit’s approach, which permits judges to decide the strength of a trademark, suggesting that such evaluations should be conducted by juries. This debate centers around how…
The ongoing legal battle between French champagne houses and a Florida-based importer has shed light on the often opaque world of litigation funding. This case has drawn attention to the financial underpinnings that enable such high-stakes legal disputes. The complexities of this transatlantic confrontation are further compounded by the involvement of third-party litigation funders, who…
A North Carolina-based software company has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to resist delaying a forthcoming trademark trial with its former Dutch partner, arguing that proceeding with the trial is the most efficient route to resolve the protracted litigation. As expressed during Tuesday’s proceedings, the dispute revolves around a licensing agreement that complicated relations between…
A New York federal magistrate judge has recommended that a trademark lawsuit involving the artist collective MSCHF move forward. The case centers around MSCHF’s use of “Wavy Baby” for a limited-edition sneaker, which allegedly conflicts with a streetwear company’s trademarked “WaveyBaby” brand. The streetwear company argues that MSCHF’s use of a strikingly similar name is…
ArcherDX is appealing to the Federal Circuit to overturn a revised verdict in a contentious patent dispute with Natera over cancer diagnostic technology. The case, rooted in allegations of patent infringement by ArcherDX, initially resulted in a $19 million judgment against the company. However, a Delaware federal judge recently reduced this amount by $10 million,…
North Carolina’s highest court is poised for a busy September as it reconvenes to hear a series of high-profile legal disputes. First on the docket is a compelling name, image, and likeness (NIL) case initiated by members of North Carolina State University’s 1983 championship basketball team against the NCAA. The players assert that they were…
Two titans of the legal industry, Kirkland & Ellis and Quinn Emanuel, are charting distinct trajectories towards what appears to be a converging goal in litigation strategy: prioritizing value over time. This shift reflects a broader industry trend where the crucial metric is evolving from the duration of litigation to the potential outcome or value…
Winston Taylor’s strategic expansion into Miami is attracting attention as the firm explores the growing opportunities within this vibrant market. As explained by Gustavo J. Membiela, Miami Managing Partner, the firm’s focus since entering the city in 2022 has been on leveraging local dynamics that align with broader strategic goals, including access to Latin American…
In a strategic move to bolster its capabilities, Winstead PC has announced the addition of former General Counsel Sindhu Khatter to its Houston real estate practice. Her transition from an in-house role marks a significant step, reflecting the firm’s commitment to strengthening its real estate legal services. Khatter, who was previously at Transwestern, brings a…
In a significant legal ruling, US District Judge Deborah Boardman has issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of dual executive orders from the Trump administration aimed at curtailing birthright citizenship. These orders, announced in August 2026, sought to revoke citizenship from children born to parents unlawfully or temporarily in the United States, addressing concerns…
In a notable move that underscores the competitive dynamics of the legal industry, King & Spalding has strengthened its litigation team with the addition of Kevin Smith, a seasoned commercial litigator from Cooley LLP. This strategic hire in New York aims to enhance the firm’s capabilities in handling complex commercial disputes. Kevin Smith, whose experience…
Japanese corporate executives and general counsels (GCs) are increasingly encountering the stark contrasts between Japan’s legal system and that of the United States. In Japan, litigation is rare and less confrontational. The adversarial posture and invasiveness of U.S. litigation is often disorienting. In Japan, litigation is rare and less confrontational. The adversarial posture and invasiveness…
In a notable settlement, a North Carolina strip club has agreed to pay $340,000 to a group of models, including former Playboy Playmates and Carmen Electra, best known for her role on “Baywatch.” The case arose from allegations that the club had improperly used the women’s images in advertisements without their consent. This resolution averted…
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP and several of its partners have been drawn into a $1 billion legal malpractice lawsuit involving King & Spalding LLP. The lawsuit, filed by White Oak Advisors, alleges that the law firms participated in schemes aimed at benefiting a lawyer’s acquaintance, consequently disadvantaging the investment firm. The addition of HSF…
A recent ruling by a California federal judge has provided Meta Platforms Inc. a temporary reprieve in an antitrust lawsuit filed by a UK-based company. The British firm accused Meta of appropriating its concept for Instagram’s shopping feature. The judge determined that the claims were filed too late, as the alleged infringement occurred years prior…
Meta Platforms Inc. is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit brought by an Australian doctor, arguing that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields it from liability. The doctor claims that Meta’s advertising tools misused his name and likeness to endorse fraudulent activities. Meta contends in a California federal court that its tools did not…
Ascendis Pharma and BioMarin Pharmaceutical have reached a legal settlement resolving their patent disputes over treatments for a specific genetic disorder in children. Under the agreement, Ascendis has agreed to pay BioMarin royalties, thus bringing an end to ongoing proceedings at the U.S. International Trade Commission and various court venues, including California federal court. For…
Linklaters has made a strategic addition to its New York office by bringing on board a seasoned legal executive from Johnson & Johnson. The firm welcomes Diane Romza-Kutz, who previously served as Vice President of Litigation at J&J, highlighting the firm’s continued expansion of its litigation capabilities. Diane Romza-Kutz brings extensive experience from her tenure…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently affirmed that MSN Laboratories’ efforts to introduce a generic version of the cancer treatment Cabometyx, developed by Exelixis, will be on hold. This decision comes after the court rejected MSN’s challenge against the validity of three patents held by Exelixis on the drug. The ruling…