On August 28, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) issued a significant decision in Intertape Polymer Corp., 372 NLRB No. 133 (2023), which provides crucial clarification concerning the burden of persuasion in mixed-motive cases related to adverse employment actions. The Board revisited and clarified Tschiggfrie Properties, 368 NLRB No. 120 (2019),…
Ceribell, an AI-powered neurodiagnostics firm based in Sunnyvale, California, has announced the appointment of former Pfizer lawyer, Louisa Daniels, as its first General Counsel. Daniels brings an impressive track record to the position, boasting over three decades of experience in the biopharma industry. Her professional journey includes an extensive tenure at Pfizer where she served…
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit organization established by Congress to combat sexual abuse within Olympic sports, has appointed Jessica Perrill as its new general counsel. With a background as a veteran prosecutor and Division III soccer player, Perrill brings a unique perspective to the role. Prior to her appointment, she held a senior…
In an era when companies are dealing with risk management amidst economic uncertainties, the legal department is often viewed as part of the ongoing solution that fuels business growth. To pinpoint precisely how macroeconomic trends can shape the perspectives of senior in-house lawyers in terms of litigation and risk management, Burford, a leading global finance…
The recent decision of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in the Stericycle case raises the ever-present uncertainty for entities, be they private, non-profit, union or non-union, around drafting and implementing compliant policies. The constantly evolving landscape does not only concern upholding regulations but also encompasses effective risk reduction and overseeing pertinent investigations.Read more here….
Today, legal professionals across the globe need to pay close attention to recent proposals put forth by the U.S. Department of Labor. The department has suggested a substantial rise in the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) salary-level threshold. This would vault from the existing $35,568 to a proposed $55,068. If this proposition is endorsed, it…
In an intriguing legal update, Gary LeClair, the co-founder of LeClairRyan, has received approval for a $1.6 million unsecured claim against the now-defunct law firm. This outcome follows a modified settlement approved by Virginia District Judge David Novak. Throughout this complex legal process, Novak has been openly critical of LeClair and a trustee involved in…
For the general counsel of companies exploring the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), navigating the tangle of innovation and risk can be a remarkably full-time endeavor. This conundrum has seen increased attention since major language model tools were revealed to the public in the last months of the previous year. Anthropic AI, an AI-focused startup…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a formal request to the Supreme Court on Monday, asserting the constitutionality of federal agencies’ administrative courts’ use in enforcement actions that demand civil penalties. The SEC’s stand is a fundamental support to the practice entailing administrative law judges, mentioned in their analysis, to assess civil fines…
As reported by Bloomberg Law, Regina Bynote Jones has been named senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary of ADM in Chicago. Her appointment was announced in a news release on Wednesday and is scheduled to come into effect on September 5th. In her new role, Jones will oversee ADM’s global legal and regulatory affairs,…
The new framework devised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for streamlining the unionization process continues to face potential legal obstacles despite having defined features aimed at bypassing some of the anticipated hurdles in federal courts. In the recent Cemex Construction Materials Pacific case, the NLRB has placed the responsibility on employers to initiate…
With an increasing number of companies turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster competitiveness and profitability, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework can serve as an instrumental tool for understanding, managing and mitigating AI risk effectively. This framework, despite being created primarily for federal authorities, is being utilized by…
Welcome to your daily legal news rundown. Here’s what’s making headlines in legal circles today: Elon Musk recently called for a boycott of the law firm Latham & Watkins due to their association with the Coalition on Homelessness that backed city restrictions against street lodging. In his tweet, Musk expressed concern over San Francisco’s potential…
In a recent development, it appears the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is set to reinvigorate a nearly forgotten doctrine from 1949 known as the Joy Silk doctrine. Under the guidance of the Board’s General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, the move seems aimed at reviving a practice shunned more than a half-century ago, namely the requirement…
C3.ai Inc., a software development company, has disclosed details about the severance package of its former General Counsel Richard “Chip” Lutton Jr. According to Lutton’s employment agreement, if he was terminated without a cause within his first year of service, 20% of his restricted stock unit (RSU) awards would immediately vest. As the proxy statement…
In a constantly evolving legal landscape, businesses across the globe need to stay vigilant in their review and refinement of critical documentation, including “standard” employment and separation agreements. There is an increasing urgency for this due to recent trends, most notably a burst of activity from the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and its…
Ron Hauben has recently taken on a role at McDermott Will & Emery as Partner and Co-Head of the Accounting Defense Practice. The firm released public confirmation of this appointment earlier this week on Tuesday. In his new position, Hauben’s responsibilities will include providing accounting firms with regulatory enforcement support, litigation defense, and corporate governance…
Surveys of corporate legal departments across the globe describe an environment of increasingly tight budgets. Corporate legal teams face undue pressure from Biglaw firms, who insist on higher fees despite budgetary constriction. The increasing pressure on budgets, however, hasn’t affected the bottom line of many chief legal officers. On the contrary, they continue to enjoy…
In a surprising legal shift, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) has reintroduced key elements of the long-inactive legal doctrine known as Joy Silk. The re-enacted provisions allow unions the freedom to sidestep the conventional representation election process. This move is aligned with the stated objective of Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo to…
Big Six South Korean firm, Yulchon, is turning heads in the legal industry with recent partner hires designed to bolster both their dispute resolution practice and antitrust practice. The company confirmed in an announcement with Law.com International, that they have drawn new hires from both the Korea Fair Trade Commission and international dispute resolution law…
We start the year off with news already influencing corporate America. 2022 witnessed a challenging economic setting with soaring interest rates and an uncertain forecast that rocked the nation. The effects were particularly prominent within the tech industry, where falling stock prices landed startups and tech giants alike into a cycle of retrenchment and widespread…
The impending departure of Tony O’Malley, the global head of PwC’s legal services division, and the firm’s Australian general counsel, Meredith Beattie, was recently confirmed. The announcement was made by Kevin Burrowes, PwC’s incoming Chief Executive, who expressed in an internal email that the pair would be accelerating their departure ahead of their initial retirement…
In a rapidly changing legal market, Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) are presenting a credible threat to conventional law firms in Asia. According to a recent survey by Axiom Law, an alternative legal service provider, over 90% of the general counsel that were surveyed anticipate substantial cuts to their legal budgets due to global economic…
For decades, the billable hour has been the cornerstone of the financial models used by corporate law firms. Its prevalence relies on the constant monitoring of time divided into six-minute increments, thereby ensuring there is never a lull in billing between client engagements. However, with rising inflation and interest rates soaring, many of legal industry’s…
For years, the practice of billing clients by the hour has been a touchstone of legal work. However, there has been an increasing level of discussion around the implications of these practices, specifically concerning the billable hour requirements and the potential red flags they may raise. Interestingly, the legal profession’s approach to billable hours has…