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Bridging the Educational Gap: Integrating Trauma-Informed Practices into Legal Education and Practice

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Attorneys entering the profession often find themselves well-versed in legal theory and familiar with the rigors of civil procedure, yet underprepared for an aspect of practice that can profoundly affect both them and their clients: navigating client trauma. Despite law schools’ comprehensive curriculum, the emotional and psychological complexities involved in client interactions remain underexplored. In…

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Gender Imbalance in German Law Firms: Analyzing Barriers and Opportunities for Women

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Despite women comprising the majority of law graduates in Germany, the number of women reaching partner level in top law firms remains staggeringly low at just 16%. This disparity has sparked discussions about the barriers hindering women’s progression in legal careers. A closer examination reveals that entrenched biases and structural hurdles significantly contribute to this…

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Local Entrepreneurs Launch Fiber Internet Service to Challenge Comcast Monopoly in Michigan

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In the small town of Saline, Michigan, two local residents have taken the bold step of forging their own path in the telecommunications industry. Dissatisfied with the performance of Comcast’s cable broadband, Samuel Herman and Alexander Baciu decided to take matters into their own hands by creating a fiber Internet service provider (ISP) that offers…

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Global Alarm as Free Narges Coalition Highlights Escalating Threats Against Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Legal professionals and human rights advocates are expressing growing concern following a joint alert from the Free Narges Coalition Steering Committee. This group, which includes organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has highlighted the escalating threats against Iranian journalist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Narges Mohammadi. The threats are purportedly originating from actors…

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Thailand Urged to Reform Lèse-Majesté Laws Amid UN Criticism of Human Rights Abuses

Pieter Gunst04 mins

UN experts have expressed their condemnation of Thailand’s ongoing use of lèse-majesté laws against pro-democracy activists, emphasizing that such measures restrict fundamental freedoms. They have called upon the Thai government to drop charges against human rights defenders, including Pimsiri Petchnamrob, who is facing significant legal challenges due to her activism. Pimsiri Petchnamrob, known for her…

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Nigeria Faces Humanitarian Crisis as Violence Displaces 500,000 in Benue State

Pieter Gunst03 mins

As Nigeria grapples with ongoing violence and mass displacement, Amnesty International has prompted the country’s authorities to take immediate action and avert a looming humanitarian crisis in Benue State. The organization highlighted in their call that approximately 500,000 individuals are currently displaced within the region. An Amnesty International report highlighted that numerous residents of Benue…

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Ancestry.com Names Derek Smith as Chief Legal Officer to Fortify Data Privacy and Compliance Initiatives

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Ancestry.com has appointed Derek Smith as its new Chief Legal Officer. Smith brings extensive experience from the technology sector, having held significant legal positions at major tech companies. His background includes serving as Vice Chair of the Global Real Estate Department at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, where he represented numerous opportunity funds, investment…

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Lowenstein Sandler Strengthens Tax Practice with New Partner Kevin Colan in New York

Pieter Gunst06 mins

Lowenstein Sandler has announced the addition of Kevin Colan as a partner in its tax practice in New York. Colan brings over two decades of experience advising on U.S. tax matters related to complex international transactions for financial investors, sponsors, and corporations. His expertise spans sectors including funds and investment management, sovereign wealth, healthcare, and…

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Federal Judge Upholds DOJ’s Authority to Suspend Legal Aid for Immigrants, Sparking Concern Among Advocacy Groups

Pieter Gunst08 mins

A recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss has affirmed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) authority to suspend federal funding for legal education programs that assist immigrants facing deportation or immigration court proceedings. This decision impacts several key initiatives, including the Legal Orientation Program, Immigration Court Helpdesk, Family Group Legal Orientation, and the…

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Supreme Court to Review Key Cases on Transgender Athletes’ Participation in Women’s Sports

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review two pivotal cases concerning the involvement of transgender women and girls in female sports teams, an issue that has drawn significant attention and controversy across various states. This decision comes shortly after the court upheld Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors….

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Corporate Trustees: Balancing Fiduciary Responsibility and Beneficiary Relationships in Wealth Transfer

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The decision to select a trustee is of paramount importance in the realm of wealth transfer. For families with complex financial portfolios, this choice can dictate the trajectory of their legacies, impacting everything from investment strategies to beneficiary welfare. In light of these decisions, corporate trustees emerge as a viable option, offering professional trust management…

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Algerian Court Upholds Sentence for Writer Boualem Sansal Amid International Diplomatic Tensions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Algiers Court of Appeal has upheld a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 500,000 Algerian dinars against prominent French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal. Previously sentenced by the Criminal Court of First Instance of Dar El Beïda on March 27, Sansal faced additional appeal proceedings on June 24, where prosecutors sought to increase his sentence…

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Supreme Court Weighs RICO Claims in Personal Injury; $7.4 Billion Opioid Settlement Marks 2025 Legal Milestones

Pieter Gunst01 mins

The first half of 2025 witnessed significant developments in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. Notably, the U.S. Supreme Court examined whether personal injury claims could be pursued under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Additionally, a substantial $7.4 billion settlement was reached involving the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, underscoring the ongoing…

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King & Spalding Strengthens Real Estate and Funds Practice with New Partners in Atlanta Office

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The international law firm King & Spalding has announced the appointment of Colby Jenkins as a partner in its Real Estate and Funds Practice Group, based in Atlanta. Jenkins brings extensive expertise in advising on structuring, offering, and operating private investment funds, as well as handling related regulatory issues. With a focus on fund formation…

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Navigating Patent Challenges in AI: Insights from Recentive Analytics v. Fox

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The legal landscape for patenting artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms has shifted notably in recent years, yet many questions remain unanswered regarding what constitutes a patent-eligible improvement in these areas. This gap was highlighted in the recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Recentive Analytics v. Fox,…

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Supreme Court Upholds South Carolina’s Decision to Defund Planned Parenthood from Medicaid

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In a recent decision, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a challenge against South Carolina’s move to remove Planned Parenthood from its list of eligible Medicaid providers. This verdict, decided by a 6-3 vote, could set a precedent encouraging other states led by Republican administrations to consider similar funding restrictions on the organization. The ruling is…

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Boeing Crash Victims’ Families Split Over DOJ Settlement as AI Class Action Looms

Pieter Gunst01 mins

The families of victims from Boeing’s Max airplane crashes are expressing differing opinions regarding a settlement agreement between the company and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Amanda Bronstad reports on the ongoing situation in Law.com’s Critical Mass briefing. Some family members are advocating for a meeting with the Attorney General before agreeing on how to…

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