Dorsey & Whitney LLP has announced the addition of David Fountain as a partner in its Commercial Litigation group. Fountain brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). At Duke Energy, Fountain held several key positions, including Senior Vice President of Legal, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer,…
Artificial intelligence developer Anthropic is currently seeking intervention from the Ninth Circuit to address a contentious decision by a California federal judge. The judge refused to delay a trial that involves allegations from authors accusing the company of unlawfully using their works to train its large language model, Claude. The case represents a pivotal moment…
In a recent decision, the United States Supreme Court has issued a unanimous ruling in the ‘Kousisis’ case that is poised to significantly broaden the scope of federal fraud prosecutions. At the heart of the ruling is the expansion of the prosecutorial reach of the wire fraud statute, specifically 18 U.S.C. Section 1343. This decision…
Amidst the recent discussions surrounding intellectual property, attorneys are closely monitoring the situation where the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a profound statement that it could assume control over certain patents held by Harvard University. This unprecedented move has brought to the forefront issues of practicality and legality, inciting considerable debate among legal professionals. The…
A legal dispute involving a group of models, including Carmen Electra, has reached a resolution as the plaintiffs have withdrawn their lawsuit against three Philadelphia strip clubs. These clubs were accused of using the models’ likenesses without permission in their promotional materials. According to court filings in Pennsylvania federal court, the case was officially dismissed…
Greenberg Traurig, LLP has expanded its Corporate Practice in Southern California by appointing Joe Awad as a shareholder in its Orange County and Los Angeles offices. Awad, who previously served as vice president and general counsel at The Gores Group, a Beverly Hills-based investment firm, brings over two decades of experience in private equity and…
R.J. Reynolds has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a $95 million verdict regarding its infringement on Altria’s vape-related patents. Central to the tobacco company’s appeal is the contention that the Federal Circuit’s ruling conflicts with the Supreme Court’s earlier mandates about calculating patent damages. Specifically, Reynolds maintains that such damages should be determined…
The Canadian government’s recent settlement with cherry growers marks the conclusion of a contentious patent infringement case involving the prized Staccato cherry variety. The dispute emerged from claims raised by the Canadian government against two groups of cherry growers, whom it accused of violating intellectual property rights by cultivating the Staccato cherries without proper authorization,…
Subsidiaries of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG have reached a settlement in a lawsuit involving allegations of trade secret theft from Stanford University professors. The case centered around the alleged misuse of proprietary information related to cancer detection technology, a field that continues to draw intense competition and innovation. According to the allegations, the intellectual property…
A personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia has initiated legal proceedings against a rival law firm, alleging unauthorized use of his trademarked advertising slogan, “We Win or It’s Free,” according to a federal court complaint filed recently. The complaint, filed by the Philadelphia attorney, claims that his rival has been leveraging the trademarked phrase to market…
Adil Khan, an esteemed litigator with a track record in complex business disputes, has joined the Los Angeles office of Vedder Price as a shareholder. Khan’s move to Vedder Price, a well-regarded business-focused law firm, is seen as a strategic enhancement of their litigation capabilities in Southern California. His expertise will undoubtedly benefit the firm’s…
The recent decision by a judge to deny an “en masse” opt-out request by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) entities in the Walgreens prescription class action has stirred significant discussion among legal professionals. The request was made by various BCBS entities acting as third-party administrators. They contended that the opt-out terms imposed were “unduly burdensome”…
Kirkland & Ellis, a prominent global law firm, has announced a significant move to expand its footprint into Philadelphia by joining forces with a partner from Butler Snow. This strategic decision is reflective of Kirkland’s ongoing commitment to broadening its reach and influence in key U.S. markets. The Philadelphia office will be spearheaded by David…
Peter Borock, a standout partner at Greenberg Traurig, has recently been spotlighted as one of the “40 Under 40” by Bloomberg Law. This accolade is awarded to young professionals who exhibit remarkable talent and promise within the legal field. His expertise in real estate finance and dedication to high-stakes transactions have earned him this recognition…
In recent developments within the realm of intellectual property law, Baylor University has initiated legal proceedings against Boston University, alleging trademark infringement concerning the usage of an interlocking “BU” logo. Baylor contends that Boston University’s use of a similar mark could potentially lead to confusion in the marketplace, as both institutions prominently feature this symbol…
A bipartisan coalition of 32 state attorneys general has urged Congress to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act of 2025, aiming to provide legal clarity for financial institutions serving state-regulated cannabis businesses. This initiative seeks to address public safety concerns and enhance states’ abilities to collect taxes and conduct regulatory oversight….
White & Case LLP has bolstered its litigation capabilities in Chicago by recruiting a prominent partner from Perkins Coie LLP, who has a background as an assistant U.S. attorney in the city. This strategic move aims to fortify White & Case’s position in the competitive legal market, leveraging the new partner’s experience in high-stakes white-collar…
In the competitive world of law, leadership often transcends titles and hierarchical recognition. Michael Forde, of the Chicago-based firm Forde & O’Meara, exemplifies this ethos, advocating for a proactive approach to career advancement. His philosophy—“Act like an owner before you are one”—encapsulates the mindset necessary for budding attorneys aiming to carve a niche in the…
In a rare move, the Trump Administration has taken steps to possibly invoke march-in rights on patents held by Harvard University, citing unmet obligations related to federally funded research. The action, as reported on August 8, 2025, by Law360, could see the government take control of intellectual property developed with federal assistance. March-in rights, a…
In a significant development for international business arbitration, a federal judge in California has mandated that a Hong Kong-based vape manufacturer must submit its claims against an American competitor to arbitration. The dispute centers around allegations of the competitor attempting to replace the Hong Kong company’s position in the vaping market. Despite the founder of…
The first half of 2025 has seen several judicial decisions in Pennsylvania that could significantly impact legal landscapes both within the state and nationally. Among the most high-profile rulings was the verdict against Monsanto, where a Philadelphia court ordered the company to pay $175 million in a mass tort case concerning its widely used pesticide,…
Democracy Forward Foundation has recently inaugurated an appellate practice, an expansion fueled by a robust hiring campaign that has effectively doubled its legal team. This strategic growth, highlighted by reports, follows a noticeable retreat by some private law firms from litigating cases that challenge current White House policies. The move signifies the nonprofit’s commitment to…
In a pivotal decision, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) recently ruled that a Nike patent integral to a $355,450 damages award against Lululemon is invalid. This patent, which pertained to Nike’s footwear manufacturing process, was central to the earlier infringement case, raising significant implications within the competitive athletic apparel industry. The PTAB’s determination…
In a significant decision impacting the trademark battle over the storied Havana Club rum brand, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has supported its former director’s decision to renew the trademark registration for a Cuban entity. This action comes despite strong opposition from Bacardi, challenging the renewal based on timing issues related to fee…
In a strategic move to bolster its transportation practice, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP has welcomed a prominent industry expert in its Washington, D.C., office. The law firm has announced that a former adviser to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is joining their team as an of counsel. The new addition…