The Commonwealth of Virginia recently conducted one of the most significant elections in the state’s history. This comes after a massive overhaul in the legislative assembly due entirely to vast redistricting, primary elections, and a mass departure of longtime legislators. With over 635 years of legislative experience lost and a staggering 40% turnover in the…
The latest election cycle in 2023 not only brought forth a shift in political inclinations but also showcased pivotal developments in the nation’s ongoing conversation revolving around abortion rights. As highlighted by McGuireWoods Consulting, Tuesday’s results strongly indicate that abortion rights continue to influence elections across the United States. This trend was particularly salient in…
Riding on the crest of calendar year changes, the year 2023 has opened up with General Assembly Elections in Virginia. In what is being considered a significant instance of political churn during contemporary times, these elections are leading to the largest single-year turnover in the Assembly. Demonstrating the citizens’ active participation in shaping their future,…
Virginia’s political landscape experienced a major shift following the General Assembly elections of 2023. The cozen O’ Conner reports that Virginia Democrats managed to sweep the Assembly, securing a majority in both chambers. This reflects a monumental turn of events in Virginia’s political arena, one that was eagerly watched by political aficionados and pundits across…
The recent general election in New Jersey has offered intriguing insights into the state’s evolving political landscape. In an event that saw every one of the 120 seats in the Legislature up for grabs, the outcome has signalled momentous shifts within the structure of the state government. The stakes were high as the election took…
A flood of law firms are vying for lead counsel status in a shareholder lawsuit against executive personnel at Fox Corp, a case centering on the unintended consequences of disinformation propagated during the 2020 election. This litigation has the potential to assign liability for possible defamation suits, placing Fox and its top management under financial…
Beginning this weekend, leaders from around the globe will congregate in San Francisco for the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s Week. This momentous meeting is hailed as the most notable international assembly the city has seen since the UN Charter signing in 1945. In its capacity as the APEC summit’s host, the US is…
In a move that has drawn national attention in legal and political circles, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner has initiated legal action against the state’s election officials. The case, currently in federal court, addresses a law that mandates all candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court and lower appellate courts to reveal their political affiliations…
In the upcoming 2024 elections, voters from 33 states will have the chance to influence the composition of their state’s highest courts. The results from these crucial downballot decisions will inevitably impact a broad range of legal matters, including abortion, election laws, redistricting, among others. Approximately a quarter of all state high court justices in…
Ohio Supreme Court Justice, Jennifer Brunner, a democrat, has filed a lawsuit against state officials over a law that requires the political affiliations of justice and appellate judge candidates be made visible on general election ballots. Brunner argues that this law infringes her First, Fifth, and 14th Amendment rights. This law was operative during her…
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2024 regular elections, law firm political action committees (PACs) ramp up their financial contributions towards incumbent members of Congress and hotly contested positions. With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats on the line, the stakes are certainly high. Several members…
The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ongoing investigation into human rights abuses in Venezuela has hit a contentious milestone this week, as the court’s Appeals Chamber heard arguments regarding the resumption of the investigation. Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Canada referred Venezuela to the ICC in 2018. These states have accused the Maduro government of committing…
As the 2023 elections in Virginia approach, all eyes are on the state’s General Assembly elections. This election year is predicted to bring the largest single-year turnover in the General Assembly during modern times, indicating the high stakes and potential for significant change. Election night is expected to be rich in news and updates, which…
The past week has seen a period of relative quietness in terms of activity in the North Carolina General Assembly, which was adjourned last week and has no plans to reconvene until later this month. Notwithstanding the legislative standstill, there have still been noteworthy occurrences in the state’s judicial sector as well as elections. The…
In the realm of corporate law, it’s no secret that ranking up in the law firm hierarchy is a significant achievement. From elevating to a partnership to attaining a practice group chair, these are milestones that come packaged with a bevy of newfound responsibilities and, of course, well-earned acclaim. Quite fittingly, legal news outlet Law360…
The ongoing criminal trial of Michael Sussmann, a former partner at renowned law firm Perkins Coie LLP, commenced Tuesday. A prominent figure in Washington D.C.’s legal circles, Sussmann is known for his ties with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. As the proceedings unfolded, federal prosecutors depicted Sussmann as a privileged insider who purportedly sought to…
In the current political climate, the legalese encircling local elections is of incredible importance, impacting both corporation’s decision-making and the daily work of law professionals. In Philadelphia, influential councilmember Quetcy Lozada, representing District 7, is ramping up her efforts on law enforcement, particularly towards Kensington, a neighbourhood notorious for hosting one of the nation’s prominent…
On Friday, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a new bill to reform Italy’s electoral system, which would now allow the direct election of future Italian Prime Ministers during the parliamentary vote. The present Italian electoral mechanism involves the election of two parliamentary houses, the Camera dei Deputati and the Senato della Repubblica. The Prime…
The disbarment trial of John Eastman concluded last Friday, hearing final testimonies from witnesses regarding aggravating factors. Among the compelling testimonies was that of the former state elections director of Arizona, who claimed to have been “almost daily” targeted by supporters of former President Donald Trump, following Joe Biden’s win in the state. This marks…
In a recent development in California, the Governor has signed into law Senate Bill 455. Behind this somewhat generic title hides pivotal legislation directly impacting mortgage servicers in the state. According to the details of the bill, a mortgage transferor servicing a mortgage tied to property within a proclaimed state of emergency or local emergency…
The U.S. Supreme Court ventured into the terrain of social media and its accompanying legal conundrums in February. This marked the justices’ earliest substantive foray into the legal dimensions of an industry that counts billions of users globally, consistently influences the international markets, and can potentially swing elections. The gravity of this milestone is underscored…
The recent decision made by the Michigan Court of Appeals in Bronson Health Care v. Esurance Property and Casualty Insurance Company has significant implications for both pending claims in Michigan and how insurance carrier underwriting departments should manage policy renewals. Central to the case was evidentiary support confirming an insured party’s electronic signature (e-signature). This…
In a novel proposition, a bipartisan group of US legal scholars have published a working paper that suggests an 18-year term limit for US Supreme Court justices. This proposal, made in light of several ethics scandals involving multiple Supreme Court Justices, comes from individuals associated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The paper…
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently made a significant amendment to its Internal Revenue Manual (IRM). As of October 17, 2023, the IRS has fully incorporated certain e-signature policies and procedures into the IRM, effectively permitting the use of electronic signatures on selected forms. This includes those related to elections under section 83(b)…
John Eastman, a prominent conservative law professor, has vehemently defended his role as one of Donald Trump’s post-election attorneys. Eastman argued against the disciplinary charges leveled against him that could potentially cost him his law license. According to Eastman, these charges are premised on inaccurate accusations. Furthermore, he asserted that the California State Bar overlooked…