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…
In an important development, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued four general licenses to ease certain Venezuela-related sanctions. This policy shift follows an agreement between the Venezuelan government and its political opposition on electoral guarantees for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The move is likely to usher in a new dynamic for…
In a significant policy shift, the U.S. has taken steps to normalize its relations with the Venezuelan government. This comes in response to the recent agreement for a free electoral roadmap between the Maduro regime and the Unitary Platform. The move signals a renewed commitment to supporting the people of Venezuela as they seek to…
John Eastman, a central figure implicated in the happenings before the U.S. Capitol riot, secured a platform to present his case on Monday. During his appearance at the California disbarment trial, he defended a controversial speech made prior to the riot. His comments hinged on purported ‘secret folder’ in voting machines – a pivotal gimmick,…
In a significant diplomatic move, United States has relaxed certain economic sanctions imposed on Venezuela. As of October 18, 2023, this shift in policy has occurred in response to the signing of an electoral roadmap agreement between the Maduro regime and Venezuela’s major opposition bloc, the Unitary Platform. The terms negotiated in this agreement hinge…
In the preceding week, the Ninth Circuit deliberated on the standing of a plaintiff challenging the utilization of voting machines while also deducing a treaty, rendering an Indian Tribe the hunting rights. Understanding the significance of these decisions calls for an overview of each case’s core arguments and the court’s ultimate rulings. In LAKE v….
Data from the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recently released case filing data for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 indicates a continuous uptrend for both unfair labor practice charges and elections. These insights should command attention from legal teams with labor and employment matters within big corporations and major law firms. According to information made available…
Albania’s former Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, and his son-in-law have been charged with corruption and money laundering charges related to a controversial land deal. The charges were laid by the Albanian prosecutors following their investigations into a land deal which saw the grounds of a sports club being privatized. [More details] The Special Prosecutor’s Office…