The United States Supreme Court recently delivered a momentum-shifting decision concerning the scope of environmental reviews mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). By reversing a decision from the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the Court narrowed the scope of environmental scrutiny for major infrastructure projects, such as the construction and…
The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, has issued a cautionary statement to Rwanda regarding its fiscal strategies, particularly concerning the cuts in social protection funding. Speaking on Rwanda’s budgetary approach, De Schutter highlighted the necessity for wealth distribution to safeguard populations living below the poverty line, especially those…
The United States Supreme Court recently rendered a decision favoring developers in Utah by clearing the path for the construction of a railroad line intended to connect the Uinta Basin to the national freight rail network. Central to the case was whether a federal appeals court had overstepped by blocking the approval based on environmental…
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating multiple significant legal issues, with the potential to impact government contractors, election procedures, and capital punishment proceedings. Here’s a closer look at what’s on the docket: Government Contractors’ Immunity In The GEO Group, Inc. v. Menocal, the Supreme Court is being asked to resolve a crucial question regarding federal…
The European Union (EU) has announced the lifting of economic sanctions on Syria, following the ousting of the long-standing Assad regime. This decision marks a significant turn in international policy, aiming to assist in the economic recovery of a nation that has endured years of civil strife and economic collapse. Details of this announcement can…
The competition is heating up as several prominent law firms vie for Morocco’s $16 billion in infrastructure mandates in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. A&O Shearman, Gide Loyrette Nouel, and Asafo & Co are among those leading the charge in securing these high-stakes deals. In contrast, firms like Al Tamimi are currently navigating…
In a move that highlights the ongoing competitive dynamics within the legal industry, Paul Hastings has strengthened its real estate capabilities by hiring a five-partner team from rival firm Latham & Watkins. This team, which focuses on land use and environmental matters, represents a significant addition to Paul Hastings’ real estate practice. The new hires…
The Supreme Court recently upheld a federal fraud conviction against Stamatios Kousisis and Alpha Painting and Construction despite no economic harm being identified to the victims. They were convicted for violating a contractual provision intended to promote diversity during major construction projects in the Philadelphia area. Specifically, they failed to genuinely engage with “disadvantaged business…
Womble Bond Dickinson has announced that R. Kyle Hawes has joined the firm as a partner in its Houston office’s business litigation practice group. This strategic move aims to bolster the firm’s legal expertise and client service capabilities in key sectors. Read more from the firm regarding their plans for expansion. Hawes brings extensive experience…
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have raised questions regarding the federal judiciary’s courthouse design specifications and its demand for substantial funds to accommodate construction projects. In a recent hearing conducted by a subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a government watchdog report became the focal point of discussion. The report, issued…
Husch Blackwell has announced the recruitment of Erin Hughes as a partner in their real estate, development, and construction industry group located in Nashville. Erin Hughes brings her expertise, particularly in navigating the intricate landscapes of leasing and real estate acquisitions, to the firm, strengthening its capabilities in assisting clients with their business plans. The…
In a significant development emerging from Thailand, a court has issued arrest warrants for 17 individuals in connection with the catastrophic collapse of a skyscraper in Bangkok. These warrants, which encompass construction executives and engineers, stem from charges of felony negligence leading to death. This incident is intertwined with the March 28th earthquake that struck…
U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood recently upheld a jury’s decision to award nominal damages of $1 in a contract dispute involving a major wind turbine project. The subcontractor, The Boldt Co., had filed a motion to alter the verdict, aiming to recover payments it claimed were owed by the defendant, Black & Veatch Construction…
In a strategic move to bolster its commercial litigation capabilities, Frost Brown Todd has announced the hiring of Michael Richter as a partner. His expertise spans complex commercial litigation, which he handles in both state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration settings with the American Arbitration Association, the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service,…
A United Nations expert on human rights in Somalia has urged the Somali government to hasten its reform agenda and bolster protections for its citizens amidst persistent conflict and political ambiguity. This call to action follows the conclusion of Isha Dyfan’s fourth official visit to the country, as reported by the Office of the High…
The US Court of Federal Claims has ruled that a Federal Highway Administration contract dispute must proceed as planned, despite claims from a US Department of Justice attorney that tariff litigation responsibilities warranted a delay. The attorney involved, cited their workload of eight cases defending the President’s imposition of tariffs as grounds for requesting an…
In a significant policy shift, US President Donald Trump announced the decision to lift sanctions on Syria, a move welcomed by Refugees International (RI) as a pivotal step towards recovery following prolonged conflict. The sanctions were initially imposed to curb resources empowering the Assad regime, but RI has noted that they inadvertently obstructed humanitarian aid,…
The recent decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to accept a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Qatari royal family as a temporary replacement for Air Force One is raising significant ethical concerns. The jet, characterized as a “palace in the sky” and valued at around $400 million, is to be retrofitted for use by…
Legal professionals monitoring new developments in corporate law and firm dynamics will note with interest the recent addition at Clark Hill. Cami Perkins has been brought on as a member of Clark Hill’s corporate group, operating out of their Las Vegas office, as the firm confirmed in their announcement. Perkins joins the firm with a…
In a recent wave of legal actions, at least 10 antitrust class action lawsuits have been filed against major players in the construction equipment rental sector. These suits accuse the companies of engaging in a price-fixing conspiracy. Central to the allegations are claims that the rental companies, in collaboration with Rouse Services and its parent…
In a significant development for Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, the law firm has announced the addition of Sana Suhail as a partner in its class action and mass torts practice based in New York. Suhail’s expertise spans complex civil litigation with a particular focus on product liability, construction law, and general liability. Her arrival is…
In the evolving landscape of technology in commerce, litigation is increasingly targeting practices such as algorithmic pricing, ‘reject cookies’ banners, and how search results are listed. Construction rental companies are notably under scrutiny for using algorithmic pricing strategies. These tools, which adjust prices based on demand, are raising concerns about fairness and transparency in the…
The UN Human Rights Committee has recently found Guatemala accountable for infringing the rights of several generations of Mayan Indigenous Peoples amid the 1980s armed conflict. This ruling acknowledges the transgenerational effects of state-led human rights breaches, representing an important development in how such impacts are addressed at an international level. The decision arose from…
Polsinelli, a pre-eminent law firm with a strong emphasis on business, industry, and their myriad interfaces, has announced the addition of Robert Nelson Jr. as a principal in the firm’s global project finance practice, stationed in San Francisco. The strategic hire, announced Wednesday, constitutes a significant development in the firm’s endeavor to bolster its capabilities…
Jones Walker LLP has bolstered its litigation practice group with the addition of Matt Maranges as a partner in its Miami office. The firm made the announcement Tuesday. Maranges will bring his extensive expertise in managing construction-related risks to this established legal services provider. With a practice centered around the identification and management of construction-related…