The Department of Justice (DOJ) is introducing a Mergers & Acquisitions Safe Harbor policy. Unveiled by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco at a Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics event on October 4th, the policy seeks to encourage proactive, voluntary disclosures of potential criminal misconduct by acquiring companies. Under the new policy, the DOJ…
In a ruling issued on Tuesday, the India Supreme Court held that there is no fundamental right for same-sex couples to marry. The decision rendered by a five-judge bench, led by the Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, rejected the recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions for non-heterosexual couples. The ruling came on…
Understanding the fine line between workplace confidentiality and compliance during government agency inquiries can be a complex task for legal professionals. This challenge is deftly tackled in the latest episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast. The episode features a detailed discussion with Troutman Pepper Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs and Partner Abbey Hazlett….
A Washington DC federal judge imposed a partial gag order on former US President Donald Trump on Monday, prohibiting him from making any disparaging statements about potential witnesses, the court or prosecutors ahead of his criminal trial over alleged election interference during the 2020 US presidential election. The trial date is set for March 4,…
At the time of writing, Donald Trump has managed to spend a whole three hours without transgressing the gag order imposed by Judge Tanya Chutkan in a DC election interference case. Following a heated hearing, Judge Chutkan announced a constrained gag order from the bench, with a written memorialization to follow. Trump is forbidden from…
Financial institutions and corporations involved in international trading are facing increasingly complex challenges when it comes to combatting trade-based money laundering (TBML). This form of money laundering, which is one of the most sophisticated, leverages the cover of international trade transactions to move illicit funds across borders, all while concealing the original source and ownership…
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently inaugurated a Mergers & Acquisitions Safe Harbor Policy targeted towards entities that voluntarily disclose criminal conduct discovered during the acquisition of another company. As reported by Dorsey & Whitney LLP on JD Supra, the new enforcement policy could potentially serve as an incentive for acquiring companies…
In a recent legal decision that stands to impact the cosmetic industry and the manufacturing sector more widely, a motion for summary judgment regarding punitive damages was denied for a cosmetic talc manufacturer. The judgement was issued by the Supreme Court of New York, New York County on October 5, 2023, concerning a lawsuit filed…
In a recent landmark ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court has permitted the use of Google search data in a murder trial. The prosecuted is a teenager, accused of instigating a fire that resulted in the death of five individuals in the Denver area. The decision by the top court in Colorado underscores the increasing reliance…
As we navigate through the 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the need for proper awareness and updated defense training is more critical than ever. This event, co-sponsored by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, bears the theme “Secure Our World” this year, driving home the importance of cybersecurity awareness among…
In a disturbing event that unfolded recently, a lawyer believed to have connections within the BigLaw circle got arrested. This followed after young children were reportedly found alone at a beach, raising various legal and ethical questions. What makes this case more peculiar and complex is the suspect’s supposed link to the sphere of BigLaw….
Attorneys and legal professionals need to take note of a recent development which draws attention towards the personal sphere – this time involving a law student and son of a prominent co-founder of Buc-ee’s, a popular Texas convenience store chain. He has been taken into police custody in connection with an alleged secret filming of…
On Friday, Chief District Judge Brian Morris issued a preliminary injunction that thwarted the state of Montana’s attempts to institute and enforce its restrictions on drag performances in public venues. This case is currently making its way through the US District Court for the District of Montana Butte Division. The crux of the plaintiffs’ argument…
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) announced this past Thursday the suspension of portions of its peacekeeping force in response to allegations of “serious misconduct”. In a statement, MONUSCO outlined that precautionary measures are in place, consistent with the United Nations’ zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse,…
Last Thursday, a series of human rights experts raised their concerns about the methods being utilised by European authorities to stifle climate activists. The methods include mass arrests, imposition of longer sentences, and legislation aimed at curtailing the right to protests. Multiple crackdowns on protest groups have been issued in a number of European countries…
On Sunday, President Vahagn Khachaturian signed the decision of the Armenian parliament to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into law. This action puts Armenia under the jurisdiction of the Hague-based institution, despite warnings from its longtime ally Russia. This move follows Armenia’s announcement on September 1st that it was considering…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US District Attorney’s Office (USDAO) have recently declined to charge Border Patrol agents for the fatal shooting of Raymond Mattia, a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, according to announcements by tribal leadership. The decision has been vehemently criticized by the Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon M….
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged Russia to rescind arrest warrants issued against senior judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC judges, who are tasked with investigating and trying individuals charged with significant crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime…
A man convicted in the 2008 bombing of a San Diego courthouse has had his prison sentence reduced from almost 34 years to 30. The decision followed the Ninth Circuit remanding the case back to a California federal judge for resentencing as a result of a minor procedural error. The sentencing revision came after a…
In recent developments, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has made notable policy changes to incentivize corporations to voluntarily self-disclose potential misconduct. Referring to the policy alternations as utilizing both “carrots” and “sticks”, the DOJ aims to strike a balance to ensure corporate culpability and accountability. The changes underpin the fact that late disclosure is considered…
The UK government is making strides toward the introduction of a new corporate criminal offence contained in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. This legislation proposes to impose criminal liability on corporations for offences related to fraud or money laundering. The criminal liability occurs when such offences are committed by associated persons, and the…
As the landscape of antitrust law continues to evolve, there is anticipation about potential changes to the sentencing guidelines for antitrust defendants. The Antitrust Division’s long-held belief is that “individual criminal sanctions, including prison sentences, are the single most effective deterrent to antitrust crimes.” Notably, though, the Division’s sentencing recommendations hinge on an “individualized assessment”….
With the advent of the new M&A Safe Harbor policy, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is throwing a lifeline to corporations facing the daunting question: to self-report or not to self-report discovered criminal conduct within the company. In a corporate world where image is everything, the margin between success and failure can get remarkably…
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently made an announcement that will significantly impact the way corporations approach merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is introducing a new safe harbor policy, designed to motivate corporations to voluntarily disclose any criminal misconduct discovered during M&A transactions. This policy could have far-reaching implications…
On July 26, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia and Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) agreed to a First Amendment to Consent Decree, altering their approach to hazardous substance enforcement along the Anacostia River in Washington D.C. This follows allegations of hazardous materials released into the local environment by the electric company. The…