The concept of remote general counsel (GC) appears to be dwindling as more employers now require their teams to work from their principal place of work. This marks a significant shift from the trend seen in early 2022, when a reported half of all general counsels in the midst of job searches wished to work…
UniSuper General Counsel Luke Barrett embodies a distinctive approach to his in-house practice. Nearly 20 years ago, when switching from private to in-house, Barrett made a fundamental promise to himself. Far from relying upon outsourcing for unfamiliar or complex issues, he disallowed himself the luxury of limiting his professional knowledge to the point of his…
In May of last year, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Jennifer A. Abruzzo, sparked legal debates with her release of Memorandum 23-08. In contrast to standard practices, the memorandum suggested that employers leveraging non-compete agreements might be in breach of the National Labor Relations Act. Previously, Abruzzo had not implicitly…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has recently issued a complaint against a company over the maintenance and enforcement of noncompete and non-solicit provisions. The General Counsel of the NLRB is pressing the unexplored legal theory that such agreements transgress the stipulations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). This action aligns with the NLRB’s…
In times of economic uncertainty, legal departments within corporations are increasingly seen as pivotal tools in the management of risk and fostering business growth. A greater comprehension of how macroeconomic trends influence the thought process of senior in-house lawyers pertaining to litigation and risk management could potentially assist these departments in better serving their businesses….
In a noteworthy development earlier this year, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a memorandum stating that numerous employers’ imposition of noncompetition and related agreements potentially infringes upon the National Labor Relations Act. Such agreements, it was argued, could interfere with employees’ rights to negotiate with their employers and to…
The role and responsibilities of a modern General Counsel (GC) are transforming rapidly, especially in the digital age. Today’s GC is moving beyond the traditional purview of managing legal risk, ensuring compliance mandates, and safeguarding the organization’s reputation. They are expected to be strategically relevant, innovative, and able to drive positive business outcomes. The GCs’…
A federal court in New Jersey has recently handed down a significant judgement in a case pertaining to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The court ruled that a company’s voluntary disclosure of potential FCPA violations did not transform the company into a state actor. As a result, the evidence gathered through the company’s internal…
In an effort to fortify national security through vigorous corporate enforcement, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) appears increasingly committed to prosecuting corporate crimes that have national security implications. This focus marks a defining characteristic of the DOJ’s work under the Biden Administration. The National Security Division (NSD) of the DOJ seems to be directing…
Legal panels have seen significant evolution in recent times due to stricter selection criteria and the increased competition to make it to a company roster. These panels have become more defined with general counsels insisting that firms demonstrate their value and purpose. Moreover, slimmed-down rosters have become more prevalent. A recent scrutiny of U.K. panel…
In a recent switch up in its legal leadership, Microsoft has promoted two in-house lawyers to defend its proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. The tech giant still faces antitrust challenges from the Federal Trade Commission regarding this procurement. The corporation is banking on the elevated legal leadership to navigate through the regulatory…
Ryne Miller, former U.S. general counsel of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, recently opened his firm concentrating on regulation, regulatory investigations, and crisis management for blockchain and traditional financial firms. The announcement of his new endeavour, coming after an undeniably tumultuous tenure at FTX, serves as a testament to his resilience and adaptability within a rapidly evolving…
Despite news of increasingly tighter budgets across corporate law departments throughout the U.S., reports indicate that attorneys in the roles of General Counsel (GC) are still doing exceptionally well when it comes to compensation. According to Corporate Counsel’s latest GC compensation survey, many of America’s top legal experts are raking in hefty yearly sums, with…
Legal panels have seen significant changes in recent years, with mounting competition and rigorous standards for selection processes at major firms worldwide. A metamorphosis has occurred with these panels shifting from simple rosters to structures that demand businesses establish their worth and purpose. As such, securing a position on a firm’s roster has never presented…
Troubles are brewing at the ACLU, a highly revered organisation known for its significant contributions in defending and preserving the civil liberties of individuals. However, the organization’s laudable work does not stand as a shield to deflect accountability for inappropriate practices within its system. (According to Huffington Post, tumult arose following the dismissal of one…
In an era where belonging to the decision-making core is no longer a perk for a general counsel but a necessity, merely having a position in the upper echelons is deemed insufficient. According to legal expert Lisa Lang, a general counsel needs to command substantial authority and influence within the organization to be able to…
In an era where remote working is increasingly becoming the norm, maintaining and enforcing work ethics among employees poses new challenges. A recent podcast episode of “Hiring to Firing” sheds light on a prevalent issue commonly known as “moonlighting” in the corporate space. Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs hosted this insightful discussion along with…
Ryne Miller, formerly the U.S. general counsel for cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has established his own New York-based legal firm, Miller Strategic Partners. His firm aims to offer guidance to both digital asset and blockchain corporations and traditional financial firms. They will particularly focus on issues of regulation, regulatory investigations, and crisis management. Drawing from his…
Former Covington & Burling legal heavyweight, Mitchell Kamin, has transitioned to a role bound to pique the interest of sci-fi enthusiasts across the globe. Kamin served as a key player in Covington & Burling’s commercial litigation practice before taking up his new, intriguing, post as the first general counsel of the Lucas Museum of Narrative…
The traditional political debate model might be ready for a re-think. In today’s climate, political debates are as much about politicians’ ability to generate viral, internet-ready moments as they are about the dry details of policy. A clever, well-timed remark or retort that can be easily shared across social media can be extremely advantageous, often…
Almost 80 general counsel and legal executives have put forward a collective appeal to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) by penning a letter, calling for the formal acknowledgment and inclusion of the role of general counsel in the overhauling process of the U.K. Corporate Governance Code. It has been indicated that the U.K. Governance Code…
In a recent episode of “Real Talk”, renowned legal professionals opened a vibrant discussion with someone remarkably eminent in her field, Deirdre Stanley. She is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Estée Lauder Companies and has cultivated an illustrious career path filled with inspired decisions and meaningful influence. The conversation brought insight…
On August 9, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) welcomed its new Commissioner, Kalpana Kotagal. Kotagal is expected to guide the EEOC towards more employee-friendly policies. The EEOC has already made significant strides in the past month towards building a firmly progressive stance in the legal framework around hiring, pregnancy, and pay reporting in…
As the world grapples with economic uncertainty, corporate legal departments are evolving into problem-solvers helping businesses not only survive but also thrive. This changing role of in-house legal teams is deeply rooted in their strategic approach towards litigation and risk management, according to a study sponsored by Burford. For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted…
American International Group (AIG) has recently announced an executive promotion that is sure to create a buzz in legal circles: Lucy Fato has been elevated to Vice Chair, a newly created position at the insurance giant. Recognized as a significant player in AIG’s continued success, Fato’s promotion marks her transition from her former post as…