The murder trial of the suspected mastermind behind the death of Florida State University law professor, Dan Markel, has gained significant interest within the legal community and beyond. The once brother-in-law of the murdered professor, Charlie Adelson, is now facing the courtroom, as opening arguments begin. Markel was fatally shot in his driveway by two…
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a UK financial regulatory body, has recently publicised the results of an extensive review concerning payment account providers’ practices against money mule perpetrations. The subject of money mules stresses situations where individuals are maneuvered by criminals for the transfer of illegitimately acquired funds. As noted in their publication, the FCA’s…
Clarification is imperative for all those in International Employment Law: as of November 1, 2023, only the new edition of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, will be accepted by U.S. employers. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) first introduced the updated Form I-9 in July 2023, and it has been available for use from…
Understanding the intricacies of Infant ‘Safe Haven’ Laws can help legal professionals in their daily duties, particularly when dealing with cases related to women’s health, adoption, and child protection. While certain contexts, such as the ongoing debates related to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, have highlighted these laws, it’s vital for professionals to grasp…
Illinois has recently amended its Labor Disputes Act (820 ILCS 5) with the enactment of two new amendments, according to jdsupra. These alterations aim to modify the legal framework surrounding labor disputes, influencing both employers and employees. The first amendment, HB 2907 (P.A. 103-0040), restricts the amount of monetary damages an employer can seek resulting…
On a recent occasion, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) turned its attention to the question of whether an employed physician could receive bonus compensation for procedures performed by the physician, without contravening the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”). The inquiry produced a favorable opinion for such a practice,…
The New York Court of Appeals ruled that the state legislature authorized the Commission on Forensic Sciences to create rules that allow police to access the New York state DNA database for identifying relatives of potential suspects. This decision effectively enables New York police to continue using the state’s DNA databank for such searches. The…
In a dramatic turn of events, a vital witness in a case being heard at a federal court in Boston admitted to disseminating what he termed a “series of lies”, a strategy he confirmed was devised by federal agents. This chain of fabricated stories ultimately resulted in criminal charges being filed against an attorney from…
On October 25, 2023, the Supreme Court declined a request by two Florida-based casinos to halt a prior decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that permitted a Native American tribe to accept online sports bets. This request was part of a larger effort by the casinos to secure…
Jenna Ellis is the latest lawyer to take a plea deal in an ongoing case surrounding the alleged meddling in Georgia’s presidential election. According to Law.com, this case, described by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as a criminal racketeering enterprise, is believed to have been orchestrated by former President Donald Trump. Already, three lawyers,…
The defense attorney, Mark Cohen, has notified Judge Lewis Kaplan about the defendant, Sam Bankman-Fried’s, decision of taking a stand in his criminal trial. Given the robust accusations made against Bankman-Fried during the legal proceedings, his testimony is likely to face intense scrutiny. Several damaging claims have been raised during the hearing that include his…
In January 2021, the United States Congress introduced new regulatory measures with the passing of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which forms part of the larger Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. The CTA aims to prevent the misuse of corporate structures, such as shell companies, by criminal entities for the purpose of money laundering and…
Commencing on January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) will mandate a significant number of closely held entities to disclose certain particulars to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This broad-reaching legislation seeks to deter the employment of shell corporations utilized to cloak and transfer illicit funding through the introduction of…
In a significant turn in corporate governance, a new regulatory stance on corporate compensation has been set in motion. This bold step taken by American authorities could reshape modes of compensation among some of the world’s largest companies. On October 4, 2023, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco announced a “safe harbor” policy for voluntary…
In the wake of real estate market recovery post-2008, numerous purchases came not from intending residents but corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs). Concerns were raised about the opaque nature of the real owners of these entities, including reports of involvement in illegal activities like money laundering, tax evasion and even kleptocracy controlled entities. These…
In a twist in the high-profile case against Sam Bankman-Fried, the former cryptocurrency mogul will testify to counter allegations of fraud. The unexpected move follows reproaches from erstwhile comrades who portrayed him as the architect of an extensive scheme to deceive customers and investors. Read the full coverage here. Bankman-Fried’s reputation as an esteemed figure…
In the complex sphere of cannabis banking, it has been reported that a new episode of Payments Pros, a popular legal podcast, delves deep into the multifaceted challenges faced by financial institutions operating in this space. This insightful episode features hosts Keith Barnett and Carlin McCrory along with Jean Gonnell and Agustin Rodriguez, the co-leaders…
It’s no longer be just tittle-tattle at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer that the Magic Circle firm aims to be counted as a “top player” in the US legal market. The firm’s aggressive expansion into Silicon Valley and conquering of the New York legal landscape has certainly turned quite a few heads among both internal and external…
In a noteworthy piece on Bloomberg Law written by Andrew Kline from Perkins Coie and Shane Pennington from Porter Wright, they highlight the potential benefits of reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance. The authors argue that such a change would facilitate the legal use of this plant for medical purposes…
A recent report by REDRESS and the Clooney Foundation exposed a drift of the UK from its historical commitment to international justice. The report persuasively argued for the reform of existent laws to foster greater universal jurisdiction, which would pave the way for more international human rights violations claims in the UK. The report shed…
The exploration of legal concepts in popular culture, and the lessons professionals and the public can draw from these depictions, forms the basis of the ‘Pop Culture Docket.’ This series by Law360 provides insight and reflection by state and federal judges on art or entertainment involving the justice system. For example, in one critique byJudge…
Mexico’s Congressional activities for this week, October 22–29, 2023, have been centered around the progression of multiple legislative pieces intended to modify the Federal Labor Law (FLL). These potential alterations touch on a wide and impactful range of employment matters. The amendments posed in congress include, first and foremost, changes to the wage and hour…
In an intriguing turn of events, LawNext strayed somewhat from its standard discussion topics towards the dark but vital legal issue of wrongful convictions. In this episode, the spotlight was placed on Brian Banks, whose dreams of an NFL career were derailed when he was falsely accused of sexual assault at the tender age of…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has expanded its legal team with the addition of Avi Perry as a partner based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, a move announced by the firm earlier this week on Monday. Perry will step into multifaceted leadership roles. Notably, he will serve as co-chair of both the securities litigation…
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is adding Avi Perry, a former Justice Department official, to their partnership in Washington, D.C., further strengthening the firm’s securities litigation, commodities, derivatives, and investigations groups. Prior to his move, Perry served as chief of the market integrity and major frauds unit in the criminal division’s fraud section at the…