In a further advancement of its AI-driven legal tools, Thomson Reuters has unveiled CoCounsel Drafting, a novel document drafting aid. This innovation integrates seamlessly within Microsoft Word, leveraging the acquired capabilities from Casetext and the invaluable content from Practical Law. Initially available in the U.S., CoCounsel Drafting will also roll out in the U.K. and…
Tax incentives for corporate relocations typically evoke polarized responses. While some hail them as catalysts for economic growth, others see them as costly subsidies with minimal impact. Between 2018 and 2023, 465 corporations relocated their headquarters within the US, according to CBRE data, with 122 companies citing favorable business climates, lower taxes, or other incentives…
Rudy Giuliani’s attempt to leverage bankruptcy as a strategic defense against a $148 million defamation judgment has notably backfired. On Tuesday, US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane dismissed Giuliani’s bankruptcy, effectively ending a procedural quagmire that did little to alleviate his financial woes. Giuliani had filed for bankruptcy shortly after a jury found him liable for…
Legal professionals dedicate extensive hours to the rigorous process of reviewing and managing contracts, a task central to safeguarding business interests, ensuring compliance, and shaping long-term business relationships. However, this critical function often becomes a tedious, time-consuming endeavor that is not immune to human error. Historically, contract management technology has evolved around traditional Contract Lifecycle…
Former Philippine senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a criminal complaint of graft and plunder against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, rekindling legal scrutiny over Duterte’s term. This latest complaint follows an earlier investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged crimes against humanity connected to Duterte’s controversial…
A recent federal court ruling halting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) sweeping ban on worker noncompete agreements underscores that regulatory authority over these contracts will likely remain with individual states. Judge Ada Brown’s preliminary decision on July 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas suspends the FTC’s April rule, which…
In a recent development, a Texas federal judge has blocked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from enforcing its rule banning noncompete agreements against tax preparation company Ryan LLC and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The judge suggested that the regulation should be invalidated. This decision is significant as it temporarily halts the FTC’s efforts to…
A federal judge has recently issued a delay on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) planned near-total ban on noncompete agreements, marking a significant development in a legal battle set to influence worker mobility across industries. U.S. District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas ruled in favor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a Texas-based…
Fox Rothschild has announced that Shveta Kakar has joined its corporate department in the New York office as a partner, focusing on nonprofit law. Kakar brings extensive experience advising nonprofit organizations on corporate, transactional, and governance issues. She will also offer counsel on fiduciary duties of directors and officers, conduct board trainings, and provide advice…
In a significant ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has delivered a favorable outcome for Samsung in a protracted mass arbitration dispute. The three-judge panel determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the assertion that all of the thousands of claimants are existing Samsung customers who have valid arbitration agreements…
A recent federal appeals court ruling against Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., may significantly impact the legal landscape surrounding employment discrimination. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has decided that US citizens have standing to file bias claims under Section 1981 of the 1866 Civil Rights Act, originally designed to address…
Gerald Griffiths has joined Littler Mendelson as a partner within their employment and labor law practice in Toronto. Griffiths, who previously worked at Sherrard Kuzz, will be accompanied by four associates in this move. He brings extensive experience advising multinational and multi-jurisdictional entities on a wide range of employment and labor law matters. According to…
An insurance dispute involving a Markel Group Inc. unit has concluded following the dismissal of an underlying malpractice suit against Harris Sliwoski LLP. The litigation, initiated by Evanston Insurance Co., which insures the law firm under a professional liability policy, aimed to address coverage issues prior to the exhaustion of policy funds. The insurance company…
International law firm Bird & Bird has chosen the AI platform Leya to trial throughout its global offices. Following an evaluation of various generative AI legal assistants, the firm will test the platform over a six-month period. The trial will focus on tasks such as analyzing local laws, reviewing case law, drafting contracts, and document…
The Second Liquidator Court for Criminal Cases of Panama’s First Judicial Circuit has acquitted all defendants in the “Panama Papers” and “Operation Car Wash” cases. This significant legal development pertains to 28 individuals implicated in the “Panama Papers” case, derived from leaked documents of the now-defunct Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca & Co., and 31…
The US Supreme Court has significantly narrowed the application of a federal anti-corruption law, known as 17 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(B), which previously prohibited public officials from accepting gratuities or gifts valued over $5,000 related to official business. This 6-3 decision, as outlined in the majority opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, distinguishes between bribes promised…
In a notably divided decision, the US Supreme Court has overturned the bribery conviction of former Portage, Indiana mayor James Snyder, underscoring the partisan lines that define the current Court’s landscape. Snyder was initially convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 666(a)(1)(b) for allegedly accepting $13,000 related to the city’s purchase of garbage trucks from Great Lakes…
Egypt’s ambitious $35 billion Ras El Hekma project is set to dramatically reshape its North Coast, triggering a surge of interest from major law firms. The seaside development is expected to attract more than $150 billion in further investments over time. This massive inflow of capital and the complexity of deals involved have drawn the…
The Supreme Court has ruled that a federal anti-bribery law does not criminalize state and local officials’ acceptance of gratuities for past actions. This decision narrows the interpretation of Section 666, which previously barred state and local government officials from “corruptly” accepting “anything of value” in exchange for official acts. The case involved James Snyder,…
Advances in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have the potential to significantly affect the practice of law, particularly for junior lawyers. A 2023 Thomson Reuters report forecasts an “immense” impact, noting tools that can draft complaints using factual inputs. In light of the anticipated decline in manual tasks such as due diligence review and routine document…
George Triantis, JSD ’89, currently the Charles J. Meyers Professor of Law and Business and senior associate vice provost for research at Stanford, has been appointed the new dean of Stanford Law School. The announcement was made by Provost Jenny Martinez in March. Triantis, who has been a member of the SLS faculty since 2011,…
The European Commission has preliminarily determined that Apple’s App Store practices may violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Specifically, the Commission’s findings suggest Apple is hindering app developers from steering consumers to alternative channels for offers and content, which could adversely affect competition and consumer choice. On June 24, the Commission informed Apple of these…
A bill in Louisiana that regulates the litigation finance industry was signed into law last week. The measure (SB 355) bars outside funders from controlling cases in which they invest, including whether to settle, appointing or changing counsel, choosing expert witnesses, and anything related to litigation strategy. The bill also requires parties in lawsuits to…
In a pivotal decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has provided definitive guidance on the state’s Prompt Pay Act, marking its first ruling on the matter. The court affirmed that parties involved in construction contracts are required to either approve or reject payment requests within strict time limits, emphasizing the necessity of transparency and adherence…
The inception of the 2022 Chips and Science Act has been a significant driver in the allocation of federal funds towards the development of advanced technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing. Companies such as GlobalFoundries and Intel have already harnessed funds from the Chips Act to bolster their technological capabilities. However, the attractiveness of federal funding comes…