IBM has agreed to a $17 million settlement with the U.S. government, addressing accusations that its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies were discriminatory. Despite paying the penalty, IBM has not admitted any wrongdoing in the matter. This development is a significant outcome of the Trump administration’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was launched in…
BakerHostetler, a prominent law firm, has announced the rehire of Allison D. Burroughs, a former federal prosecutor, to its Cleveland office. This strategic move is part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its litigation and regulatory capabilities. Burroughs, who previously spent over a decade with the firm, returns after serving with distinction in the…
In the past week, several significant developments have emerged in the corporate legal landscape, impacting in-house counsel and corporate governance. LexisNexis has introduced Practical Guidance AI & Technology, a new task-based practice area designed to assist legal professionals in navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence and technology law. This platform aims to provide comprehensive guidance…
California-based law firm Burke Williams & Sorensen LLP is under scrutiny for alleged malpractice in its handling of a real estate fraud and identity theft case. The firm is facing accusations from a client who claims it failed to provide adequate legal counsel and communication during a crucial damages trial. The legal malpractice and breach…
A recent ruling favored a Berkshire Hathaway insurance unit over a Texas law firm in a dispute regarding coverage for a fraud lawsuit. The issue centered on whether the insurer was obliged to cover legal costs associated with allegations against the law firm, a matter scrutinized keenly within corporate legal circles. The case highlights the…
Former President Donald Trump has petitioned New York’s highest court to dismiss the civil fraud case initiated by Attorney General Letitia James. This comes in the wake of a lower appellate court’s decision to eliminate a $489 million penalty, previously deemed excessive, against Trump, his sons, and their real estate businesses. Trump argues that the…
Donald Trump’s legal team has filed an appeal to New York’s highest court, urging a review of what they label an “unprecedented” fraud conviction. The appeal, submitted by attorneys from Sullivan & Cromwell, argues for the necessity of revisiting the case following revelations from Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, who recently stated he felt “coerced”…
Supermicro, the prominent technology hardware company, is undergoing significant legal scrutiny following the indictment of its founder Charles Liang along with two other company executives. These developments have prompted Supermicro to enhance its legal defenses amidst increasing pressure from federal inquiries. The indictment, which was made public last week, centers around allegations of fraud and…
The ongoing case involving North Carolina-based law firm Narron and Holdford PA highlights a nuanced area of insurance policy interpretation following their $130,000 forgery loss. The law firm experienced this financial setback due to a forged cashier’s check and a subsequent fraudulent wire transfer. However, the insurers involved have contended in a federal court filing…
In a recent legal confrontation, Gautam Adani has petitioned a judge to dismiss a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fraud lawsuit levied against him. The case hinges on allegations that Adani misled investors through potential financial misstatements and omitted critical information. Adani’s defense team contends that the SEC lacks sufficient evidence to substantiate their…
Law firm Winston & Strawn is expanding its white collar practice with the addition of two seasoned practitioners, a strategic move aimed at bolstering its capabilities in handling complex regulatory and enforcement matters. These hires reflect the firm’s focus on strengthening its presence in the white collar defense landscape, an area increasingly significant due to…
In a significant legal development, shareholders of the now-defunct biopharmaceutical company Sorrento Therapeutics have initiated a lawsuit against law firm Jackson Walker LLP and Sorrento’s former CEO. The lawsuit, filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), seeks over $100 million in damages, accusing the parties of conspiring to initiate an unnecessary Chapter…
A disbarred attorney from New Orleans has filed a motion requesting a new trial following her recent conviction for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving staged truck crashes. The lawyer alleges that several procedural issues during her federal trial contributed to what she claims was a “miscarriage of justice.” The motion, submitted to a federal judge…
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently allowed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to proceed with nullifying the criminal conviction of Steve Bannon, the former advisor to President Donald Trump, in a decision that has sparked widespread discussion in legal circles. The decision contributes to an ongoing legal odyssey involving Bannon, who faced charges related to…
An attorney embroiled in a legal battle over the ownership of the Miss America pageant is appealing a sanctions order to the Eleventh Circuit. The sanctions were imposed after the attorney submitted documents alleged to be fraudulent in a $500 million dispute, using them to assist his client in filing for bankruptcy related to the…
Ashley Chung, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, has rejoined the ranks of Winston & Strawn LLP as a partner in the firm’s San Francisco office. This move marks a return to the law firm where she previously served, now enhancing its litigation and trial capabilities with her substantial prosecutorial…
In the evolving landscape of Big Law, recent legal challenges have spotlighted issues of conflicts of interest, malpractice, financial irregularities, and discrimination within Am Law 200 firms. A report from Law.com has emphasized the growing number of lawsuits against these elite firms, revealing troubling patterns that could influence future legal strategies and firm operations. Among…
In-house legal teams at major corporations find themselves navigating a complex landscape following the establishment of a dedicated anti-fraud unit within the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration. This specialized office has tasked itself with tackling financial misconduct and consumer fraud, placing significant pressure on legal departments to review and potentially overhaul their…
Amnesty International has emphasized that Myanmar’s presidency must not provide immunity to Min Aung Hlaing, stating that “no individual should have immunity from prosecution for crimes under international law, no matter their position.” This statement comes amid growing concerns about the lack of accountability for those involved in the 2021 coup that toppled Myanmar’s elected…
In a recent judicial move, US District Judge James Boasberg declined to revisit his earlier ruling that nullified subpoenas directed at the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. This decision, handed down on March 11, drew a line under the prosecution’s efforts, as there was no new evidence or identification of any material error in the…
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has strengthened its leadership team by appointing new Deputy General Counsels for its regulation and litigation divisions. This strategic move aligns with the CFTC’s ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory oversight and streamline litigation processes. The newly appointed Deputy General Counsels bring significant expertise in their respective fields, bolstering…
In the bustling legal landscape of London, the past week has been marked by several intriguing cases that have caught the attention of legal professionals. Notably, Sportradar, a leading data firm, is embroiled in legal action initiated by software company Altenar. The dispute centers on allegations of market abuse, although details remain sparse as both…
Last week in London’s legal landscape witnessed significant developments across various sectors, underscoring the city’s position as a hub for high-profile litigation. Notably, Sportrader, the prominent data firm, was embroiled in a legal battle after software company Altenar accused it of market abuse. These allegations focus on Sportrader’s alleged manipulation and misuse of market data,…
In a notable decision impacting the scope of cyber insurance, a cyber insurer successfully defended against a law firm’s claim related to losses from an imposter email scam. This ruling underscores the complexities of coverage agreements and the importance of detailed policy scrutiny by legal professionals. The case involved a law firm that fell victim…
The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District has reinvigorated a legal battle involving St. Louis-based medical device developers, Kogent Surgical and Katalyst Surgical, against the global entity Carl Zeiss Meditec. The decision to revive the lawsuit hinges on allegations that Carl Zeiss Meditec delayed product development to circumvent paying significant contingent milestone payments…