In a noteworthy development, the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) has put forth a new amendment, termed “Zero-Point Offender Adjustment.” Aimed at assisting first-time offenders, this proposed amendment is a part of a more significant, ongoing recognition of individuals’ diverse backgrounds during the sentencing process. The amendment is part of several changes the USSC recently…
Despite the increase in both popularity and accessibility of cryptocurrency investments in the recent years, there remains a startling lack of clarity about the primary function or use of cryptocurrency. This has led many to draw parallels between cryptocurrency and gold. Both are seen as valuable due to their perceived scarcity, but unlike cryptocurrency, gold…
Yet another slew of undisclosed gifts for Justice Clarence Thomas have been reported, racking up to several hundred thousand dollars in value. These dealings have raised serious ethical concerns over conflicts of interests within the judiciary. ProPublica delve further into the specifics. In efforts to diversify the legal field, the American Bar Association (ABA) is…
A California state judge making national headlines was arrested last week on accusations relating to his wife’s homicide. Despite his arrest, the judge was released shortly after posting a $1 million bail. Furthermore, he has managed to retain the services of a highly reputed criminal defense attorney for his legal proceedings, although he has not…
According to recent developments, California employers must brace for a significant regulatory change. Starting from October 1, 2023, alterations to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regulations governing the utilization of criminal history in employment decisions will come into effect. This is a modification of the California Code of Regulations Title 2, Section 11017.1….
In a recent turn of events, Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, has petitioned the Los Angeles County Superior Court for a civil forfeiture order. This move is intended to enable the state to collect unpaid taxes and fees from an unlicensed marijuana business, by taking possession of its assets. This action by the…
The criminal trial of ex-Perkins Coie LLP partner, Michael Sussmann, has commenced. Federal prosecutors portrayed Sussmann, a former attorney to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, as a wealthy insider from Washington, D.C. According to the prosecutors, Sussmann leveraged his “privileged” position to misuse the FBI as a political instrument during the 2016 campaign. Sussmann, a pivotal…
Amid rising legal concerns in the UK real estate market, recent litigation case has sounded a clear warning to landlords over the consequences of tenant planning breaches. In this instance, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”) was invoked to confiscate rent earned from a tenant who failed to comply with a planning enforcement notice….
On July 24, 2023, the California Office of Administrative Law endorsed alterations made by the California Civil Rights Council (CCRC) to the regulations associated with California’s Fair Chance Act. The latter prohibits employers with a workforce of at least five from asking prospective employees about their conviction history until a job offer has been extended….
In an era of rising cross-border transactions and heightened threats to national security, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has become an essential element in the U.S government’s arsenal. With a focus on identifying, tracking, and blocking financial transactions associated with criminal enterprises, terrorist activities, and other threats, OFAC has consistently shown its growing…
Former Hogan Lovells partner and one-time Trump legal team member, Ty Cobb, weighed in on ex-President Donald Trump’s present legal predicaments in a televised interview with CNN. A point of discussion revolved around current Trump attorney John Lauro’s First Amendment defense in connection with pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence into reversing the 2020 election outcome….
In the sixty-ninth episode of Trekking Through Compliance, titled “Whom Gods Destroy”, an intriguing narrative on mental health, criminal insanity, leadership and strategy is explored. This episode takes us back to January 3, 1969, occurring on Star Date 5718.3, and provides a lens into how these themes are interwoven within the larger context of organizational…
A recent libel suit filed by attorney Mark Geragos against the Los Angeles Times has come to an abrupt end. The suit concerned the Times’ reportage on payouts from a $37 million settlement for Armenian Genocide victims, which was also under investigation by the State Bar. A Californian state judge has now concluded this case,…
Major law firms in Washington, D.C. like Baker Botts, K&L Gates, Sidley Austin, and Thompson Hine are in a race to bolster their litigation and dispute teams, as client demand in such practices is helping to balance out slowdowns in transactional work. This wave of recruitment is a response to a robust Q2 for countercyclical…
Former Fisher Phillips partner Claud Lee “Tex” McIver III is once again seeking a bond from an Atlanta judge ahead of a retrial slated for October, over allegations concerning the fatal shooting of his wife. According to McIver, he has now procured a local apartment for living arrangements. Fisher Phillips, an internationally recognized law firm,…
In light of the recent case in the Court of Federal Claims (COFC), “CACI Inc.–Fed. v. United States”, it’s become compellingly clear that adhering to post-government employment restrictions is paramount. In a decision that could potentially impact thousands of corporations and law firms, the COFC upheld a contracting officer’s decision to exclude CACI from competing…
Each year, the United States Supreme Court pronounces numerous decisions which carry far-reaching implications. It’s especially consequential in criminal cases where a single court decision can dramatically impact the fate of hundreds or even thousands of defendants across the nation. A recent report by Kenneth Notter highlights key trends and takeaways from the high court’s…
With the fast-approaching implementation of new UK cryptocurrency marketing regulations, it is essential for anyone involved in the crypto industry, regardless of their location, to be aware of these changes and how they will affect crypto business practices. Starting 8 October 2023, anyone who offers a cryptoasset or service to investors or users in the…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) of Hong Kong has taken a step further to appeal the High Court’s judgement, which initially refused to grant an injunction prohibiting the popular protest song titled “Glory to Hong Kong”. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam on behalf of the DOJ, applied for the injunction, with the intent to uphold…
In a recent development that highlighted the crucial role of objectivity in the courts, a Federal Judge was reported to have remarked that a defendant under his judgement ‘Looked like a criminal to him.’ The case in question saw Leron Liggins undergoing trial for drug-related charges under the purview of Eastern District of Michigan Judge…
On Monday, US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a significant shift in foreign policy: the US Department of Justice (DOJ) will now support Ukraine’s ongoing investigations into Russian war crimes. This will also extend to the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a departure from past practices where the Department of Defense (DOD) impeded cooperation with…
US District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan recently dismissed former President Donald Trump’s counter-defamation suit against author E. Jean Carroll. Carroll publicly accused Trump of sexual assault, with a jury finding that Trump had sexually assaulted and defamed Carroll by accusing her of lying. In response to these charges, Trump had claimed that Carroll’s statements on…
A recent survey published by the UK Association of Prison Lawyers (APL) reveals a concerning trend among prison lawyers, indicating a significant reduction in numbers due to inadequate legal fees. The exhaustive and underpaid work expected of these legal professionals have reportedly pushed prison law legal aid work past the point of sustainability. The survey…
In recent legal news, a series of events have unfolded that might leave one questioning the integrity and ethics among esteemed members of the legal community. The stories range from questionable finance practices to suspicion of heinous crimes, painting a disturbing picture. The everyman image of Justice Clarence Thomas seems to be specifically under question…
In a high stakes legal challenge, a woman who was found guilty of drug trafficking is disputing the use of expert testimony that led to her conviction. Labelled a “blind mule”, Delilah Diaz argues that she was unaware of the nearly 28 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed within the door panels of her boyfriend’s car when…