The recent settlement between T-Mobile and Kaifi LLC underscores the nuances and potential pitfalls associated with the wording of settlement agreements, especially concerning ex parte reexaminations (EPRs). The case revolves around T-Mobile’s strategic use of a contingency payment to finalize litigation, shedding light on the challenges faced by alleged infringers when contesting patents through the…
Altria Group Inc., the parent company of Philip Morris, has signaled its intent to appeal a ruling by a North Carolina federal judge regarding a sublicensing agreement between R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. and Juul Labs Inc. This decision, as reported by Law360, exempts R.J. Reynolds from paying continued royalties under a 2022 jury verdict. The…
A recent ruling by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has highlighted the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights in the legal sector. A former associate of a personal injury and medical malpractice firm was unsuccessful in her attempt to register the trademark “Birth Justice” for birth-injury legal services. She developed the concept during her tenure…
Orkin LLC, a prominent name in pest control services, has recently confronted a legal challenge stemming from its 2025 acquisition of a central Pennsylvania pest control company. In a development that could set a precedent for merger and acquisition practices, Orkin has taken to a federal court, alleging that several employees who joined the company…
In a significant decision, an appellate court has denied an attorney’s attempt to secure a referral fee in a high-stakes $10 million legal case. The dispute centered on the interpretation of a retainer agreement, highlighting a crucial aspect of legal practice— the necessity of explicit language in agreements. Judge Debra Walker found that the “plain…
Amid increasing scrutiny of noncompete agreements, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently expressed reservations about changing state law to allow exceptions for high-ranking employees. During a hearing, the justices explored whether these agreements, often part of compensation packages involving equity or other incentives, should remain tightly controlled across the state. Currently, Massachusetts law imposes restrictions…
In May 2026, Woods Rogers expanded its footprint into Northern Virginia by opening a new office in Tysons, a move driven by client demand and regional growth. ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/woods-rogers-launches-in-the-northern-virginia-market-with-three-experienced-attorneys-302771991.html?utm_source=openai)) Leading this initiative is Neal Seth, who joined the firm as a Principal and Tysons Office Managing Partner. Seth, along with James A. Kelley and Mary Sylvia,…
In a recent development involving two leading law firms, attorneys from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP have been fined in a False Claims Act suit that has been settled. This case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the involved law firms and the implications…
The ongoing legal saga between New Jersey and Kalshi over the regulation of sports betting on prediction markets has taken a significant turn. Recently, New Jersey reached out to the Supreme Court, seeking clarity on whether states hold the authority to regulate such betting activities. This comes in the wake of a decision by the…
A software developer has petitioned the full bench of the Federal Circuit to revisit a previous panel decision that set aside a $12.7 million award in the company’s favor against the federal government. The case revolves around allegations of unauthorized reproductions of the developer’s software. The developer contends that the panel improperly sanctioned a hypothetical…
An Arkansas sports agency has petitioned a federal judge in Michigan to maintain jurisdiction over a lawsuit involving a North Carolina rival. The case concerns allegations that the rival used acquisition discussions to glean confidential information and subsequently poach a key college basketball player. The agency contends that the defendant purposely conducted business related to…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has determined that Nevada has the authority to regulate Kalshi Inc.’s sports event contracts as gambling, diverging from a previous ruling by a sister circuit and creating a significant circuit split. The court found that these contracts are essentially bets and not swaps, which fall under…
Prediction markets, platforms where participants can trade contracts on the outcomes of uncertain events, continue to face complex legal challenges in the United States. The evolving legal landscape has prompted calls for the Supreme Court to weigh in on issues that intertwine with securities and gambling laws. As these platforms gain popularity, the need for…
In a notable decision, the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has determined that Kalshi’s attempt to sidestep Nevada’s gambling laws by branding its sports bets as “swaps” under federal law does not hold water. This ruling marks a significant moment for prediction markets, particularly in the context of differing regulatory landscapes across…
Across the United States, municipalities are increasingly withdrawing from contracts with Flock Safety, a company known for its license plate reading cameras. A Bay Area-based advocacy group has reported that 214 cities and counties have terminated agreements with Flock since 2021. In a dramatic display of this trend, 90 of these terminations occurred in August…
In a significant legal development, Judge Rita F. Lin of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the Pentagon’s blacklisting of Anthropic was an act of “unlawful retaliation.” This judgment underscores the judiciary’s role in scrutinizing government actions, particularly when those actions intersect with the evolving field of artificial intelligence….
The legal landscape is witnessing notable shifts as several emerging litigation trends gain traction. Key areas of interest include challenges to “anti-moonlighting” clauses, disputes over “made with avocado oil” labeling, and the scrutiny of employee background checks. In Washington state, a growing number of employment cases are questioning the legality of “anti-moonlighting” clauses. These contracts,…
In a surprising twist, a small law firm in Houston found itself at the center of a controversy when the federal government mistakenly announced that it had secured a no-bid contract worth $150 million to represent thousands of immigrant children in deportation proceedings. The firm’s leader expressed shock at this unexpected announcement, leading to questions…
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is embroiled in a contentious legal battle with its former client, Enel. The firm has filed a lawsuit seeking $3.2 million in unpaid fees, but Enel has firmly contested the claims. According to a representative from Enel, the allegations presented by Davis Polk are “self-serving and a complete mischaracterization of…
In the swiftly evolving landscape of intellectual property (IP) law, due diligence in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has become a crucial concern. Federal courts have recently sanctioned IP litigators in cases involving patents, trademarks, and copyrights for submitting work generated by AI without adequate human verification. This trend highlights the importance of…
A recent legal development has emerged in the ongoing trade secrets dispute between a Colorado consulting firm, Innovate Consulting, and a tribal business corporation. The consulting company, together with its founder, has petitioned a federal judge to dismiss the contract claim made by the tribal entity. The legal contention centers around the revivability of the…
In a renewed move within the ongoing legal battle over contract disputes in the cannabis industry, a pot distributor has reasserted its counterclaims against both a former consulting partner and a competing distributor. The central issue in this multifaceted legal conflict is the alleged deliberate interference by the rival distributor with an existing exclusivity agreement…
The ongoing legal dispute between a former Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP client and the firm has intensified, as the energy client counters the firm’s $3.2 million fee demand. This case revolves around alleged unpaid legal fees, prompting wider discussion on contractual clarity and the management of client-firm relationships. According to the report from Bloomberg…
The Third Circuit has breathed new life into XTO Energy Inc.’s attempt to arbitrate disputes over allegedly underpaid natural gas royalties. This decision marks a significant development for the ExxonMobil subsidiary, which for over four years has been entangled in litigation concerning class claims made by royalty owners. The ruling underscores the court’s interpretation that…
In a notable decision, a New York federal court upheld an arbitration award of $3 million against Sun Pharmaceuticals, following a breach of agreement regarding an acne medication. This ruling confirmed the arbitrator’s determination that Sun Pharmaceuticals violated the terms by seeking regulatory approval to market a generic version of the drug in Canada. The…