Not many general counsels will declare that their company’s COBRA notice is what keeps them awake at night. Yet, as recent class action litigation reveals, challenges to COBRA notices and issues that present themselves can be simply addressed to evade complex litigation. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides employees and their families who lose…
This week, Law.com’s podcast segment Legal Speak had been present at the General Counsel Conference East in Brooklyn, New York. Attorneys from across the spectrum came together at this esteemed event, discussing their insights and takeaways from various seminars and interactions with their colleagues at the conference. Among the attendees interviewed was Jason Simon, the…
Michael Mills, a key figure in the legal technology domain and co-founder of no-code automation provider Neota Logic, passed away on October 1, at his residence in St. Helena, California, at the age of 77. Mills had an illustrious career in the legal sector. He was an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell, served as…
If you’re an in-house counsel dealing with high-stakes litigation, you would want the world’s finest litigators on your side. It’s essential to have a team that strikes fear in opposing counsels, a team known for its intense litigation strategies and records of success. However, how could you guarantee that you’ve chosen the correct firm? BTI…
CEOs and company boards are increasingly relying on their general counsel to provide insight and guidance on diverse topics, including geopolitical developments and the potential economic outlook. As highlighted in a recent dispatch on Law.com, this expanded role for in-house attorneys comes as the economy and corporations alike face a landscape of uncertainty and change….
In what promises to be an exceptionally informative hybrid event taking place on November 9th, Huntington Beach, California, Gardner Law, and Fieldfisher will be conducting a session titled, “Mastering Tomorrow’s Tech: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Compliance, Privacy, and Regulation”. This complimentary CLE event aims to shed light on several topics of paramount importance to legal…
Legal professionals worldwide should take note of recent trends indicating increased litigation spending, a notable shift in the legal landscape. According to a report set for release this Thursday, there are four law firms which are notably feared by general counsel and law firm leaders when it comes to face-offs in court. This development offers…
Although predictions about the future are always challenging, assessing the deal outlook for both large and small law firms can provide valuable insights into potential market trajectories. While each firm will undoubtedly face unique circumstances, examining overall trends can lead to broadly applicable lessons applicable to professionals in both large corporations and law practices. The…
Transport for London (TfL), the government body that oversees transportation across the UK capital, has announced the appointment of an interim general counsel for 2023. This move follows the retirement of its longtime legal head. Andrea Clarke has officially assumed the role, succeeding Howard Carter, who has stepped away after 17 years at the helm….
Securing an in-house counsel role is often an aspiration for many ambitious legal professionals. However, once secure in such a position, some may find themselves in uncharted waters. To bridge this knowledge gap, Ashlyn Donohue, an experienced general counsel from LinkSquares, shares some invaluable advice on the ATL (Above The Law) Non-Eventcast podcast episode. Donohue…
Amid recent discussions surrounding gender wage gaps, a surprising trend has emerged. According to the BarkerGilmore and Equilar General Counsel Pay Trends Reports for 2023, female General Counsels at Equilar 500 companies are earning more than their male counterparts – by nearly 8%. General Counsel roles, bearing immense responsibility and requiring a wealth of knowledge…
Concerns over the inadequacy of defense funding within the U.S. Criminal Justice System have been recently addressed by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Chair, Tina Luongo. In a comment that resonates deeply with legal professionals across the sector, Luongo articulated that this funding issue is a “real crisis” impacting not only public defenders,…
Just when you thought the debate surrounding a possible Trump vs. Biden election was robust enough, Mark Herrmann provides an insightful and equally provocative take in a recent piece on the widely-read legal blog, Above the Law. Within the piece, Herrmann delves into the conventional wisdom of this hypothetical election scenario. One side of the…
Both clients and law firms are increasingly investing in regulatory tech and talent in the ever-evolving legal landscape. As legal professionals grapple with trends in regulatory, data protection, tech management, and leadership, tech-focused solutions are proving invaluable in managing and streamlining processes. A forthcoming General Counsel Conference in Brooklyn, slated for October 03, 2023, is…
Patricia Walsh, formerly the General Counsel at Stripe, has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the American International Group Inc. (AIG) according to an announcement made by the firm on Thursday. This change takes effect in December. This appointment is a shift in leadership structure for AIG, occurring following…
In a noteworthy development, the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee recently forwarded a bill designed to expand banking services to the predominantly cash-dependent cannabis industry. This piece of legislation, known as the SAFER Banking Act, will have far-reaching implications for investors and businesses involved in the rapidly growing industry. New Jersey has…
The legal profession has seen an emerging trend of “side hustles,” or secondary jobs, among senior counsels and partners at top law firms. This shift is particularly observed in the big law scenario, presenting unique opportunities and challenges. General counsels have been prompted to adapt to trends in regulatory, data protection, tech management, legal operations,…
The legal landscape experienced a profound loss last week with the sudden passing of Temple University President, JoAnne Epps. A notable figure in the legal community, Epps left a significant impact both in and out of the legal realm. Of her many accomplishments, the work Epps did to make a difference within the profession was…
Konexo, the alternative legal services arm of Eversheds Sutherland, has embarked on a strategic recruitment move to enhance its alternative legal services offering. The firm has brought onboard three high-profile former in-house lawyers, expected to further bolster Eversheds’ position in the competitive alternative legal services provider (ALSP) marketplace. The new hires are Hugh Cooke, former…
In an excerpted conversation with Morgan Lewis partner Courtney Nowell and associate Andrea Dougall, Rima Hadid, the General Counsel for the Emirates Investment Authority, discusses her experience and perspective on global legal practices. With over twenty years of in-house legal experience, Hadid has had significant roles in two major sovereign wealth funds, marking a distinguished…
When it comes to innovation, “if I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses,” is an infamous quote often linked to Henry Ford. This claim nicely encapsulates the quandary organizations face when trying to innovate. Customers and professionals generally aren’t always aware of new technologies or solutions that can lead…
Last month, a comprehensive and detailed article by Professors Baude and Paulsen argued that former President Donald Trump is barred from running for the presidency under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Not to be outdone, Professors Josh Blackmun and Seth Barrett Tillman presented their counter-argument that Trump remains eligible to run…
The U.S. Copyright Office is soliciting comments concerning copyright law issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) systems, as mentioned in the 88 Fed. Reg. 59942 (Aug. 30, 2023). Lawyers, general counsels, and legal teams worldwide are invited to provide their insights into the complexities of how copyright law intersects with the increasingly prevalent field of…
In a recent and noteworthy incident within the intersection of law and technology, an award-winning artwork partially created by artificial intelligence (AI) was denied a copyright registration. The US Copyright Office (CO) Review Board made the decision on the grounds that the work contained more than a de minimis amount of content generated by AI,…
William Connolly, an experienced in-house attorney, has been appointed the general counsel and chief legal officer at Nixon Peabody LLP. The law firm announced the recruitment of Connolly, returning after a tenure at State Street, on a Thursday. Connolly’s career history spans numerous significant roles in the legal sector, gradually building an impressive resume which…