Speculations grow about a potential resurgence in the IPO market by 2024, putting a spotlight on the opportunity for General Counsels to amplify their career growth. Following some notable IPOs of 2023, for instance, the personal shopper service Instacart and the chip designer Arm, experts foresee an environment conducive to more firms going public. Analysts…
In a recent report by the consulting firm Gartner, the firm posits that the role of general counsel is pivotal in shaping the application of AI within their organizations. In particular, they should be constructing parameters for AI use, aiming to synthesize the advantages of the technology whilst averting less desirable outcomes. This balance is…
The Corporate Counsel’s In-House Awards for 2023 have recently been unveiled, paying tribute to exemplary legal teams and individuals across 10 diverse categories. Among the categories, the awards honor the General Counsel of the Year and the Best Use of Technology in a Legal Department. Individuals and teams from corporations and law firms worldwide have…
Is impeachment on the horizon for President Joseph Biden? Predictions are swirling, as noted in a recent Above the Law article by Mark Herrmann, the deputy general counsel at a large international company. If the Republicans control the House of Representatives following the 2022 mid-term elections, an impeachment vote may be slated for early next…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) put forth a dizzying pace of new directives throughout the course of 2023, which indeed kept many employers on their toes. With constant updates and changes in place, corporations found themselves perpetually reviewing and updating their employee relations policies and practices, keeping compliance for the next year in focus….
In an unprecedented act, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has begun to take action against non-compete clauses, a move that they had promised previously. You can find all the details in this related report. Citing concerns over its potential to undermine employees’ rights, the General Counsel, Abruzzo, took a firm stand against non-compete agreements…
The First Bank of Nigeria’s U.K. general counsel, Lesley Wan, has transitioned from her position to join the newly formed banking venture All Africa Capital. The group, which is owned by reinsurance magnate Waica Re, welcomed Wan as its new General Counsel and Company Secretary. This shift marks a significant stepping stone in Wan’s distinguished…
Cahill Gordon & Reindel is opening a new trading and markets practice, with Frank Weigand, former general counsel at HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and alternative trading system Oasis Pro Markets, heading up the new division in New York. Weigand’s experience expands over two decades in financial services, advising registered entities on activities including broker-dealer and…
Tom Shropshire, Diageo General Counsel, has been appointed as the interim chair of British charity, Comic Relief. Before joining Comic Relief as a trustee in 2018, Shropshire held the position of US head at Linklaters. His extensive legal expertise paired with his experience in the charitable sector positions him in good stead for this role….
Thanksgiving is a time when families come together, friendships are strengthened, and new relationships are built. But for those enmeshed in the legal profession, it’s often larger than a season of gratitude. In the grand scheme of law practice, and more specifically contract law, there are comparatives and insights we can draw from this widely-celebrated…
In a development that has potential implications for legal professionals working in corporations and law firms, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has refused to reconsider a motion related to Cemex, a leading materials company. This refusal not only validates the viability of the newly instituted Cemex standard, but it also points to a likely…
Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, Canada’s first indigenous Supreme Court judge and the first in-house lawyer appointed to its highest court, recently shed light on the positive correlation between in-house skills and judicial roles. O’Bonsawin spoke at Canada’s National GC Network conference, where she emphasized how the problem-solving capabilities and the balance of different obligations inherent in…
Hinshaw & Culbertson has welcomed Justyna Regan as a partner in the business and commercial transactions practice, based in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining Hinshaw & Culbertson, Justyna practiced with Miller Canfield, and brings a wealth of experience advising companies and investors starting businesses in the United States. Her work touches on nuances of entity…
The rebuilding of legal staff at OpenAI came under threat following the removal of Sam Altman, the startup’s former president. OpenAI’s two top lawyers, Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer, and general counsel Che Chang are among those who have threatened to leave unless the current board resigns. The potential mass exit could disrupt a legal…
The General Counsel (GC) for Citigroup Inc., has identified the major revamp of the corporation’s compliance reporting structure, mandated by the Federal Reserve, as being strongly advantageous. The overhaul took place a few years back; however, it is now where the advantages of the decision have come to the fore. In an interview with Law360,…
A recent update from a federal court in San Francisco reveals ongoing dissatisfaction with Google’s handling of key legal protocols. The crux of the issue is the company’s alleged failure to establish a litigation hold on employees’ electronic chats, a move that is often necessary to preserve potential evidence in legal proceedings. Google’s chief legal…
Within the corporate world, especially in law firms, it is not uncommon for professionals to feel unseen despite their contributions. A recent account describes the frustration experienced by a General Counsel who, despite being promised a seat at the table in a new role, found himself rendered invisible within the hierarchical structure of the organization….
President Joe Biden’s planned nomination to the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Nicole Berner, is seen as a significant move favoring unions, especially their legal allies who have felt sidelined in recent years. As general counsel to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Berner has dedicated her career to championing organized labor…
Former Withers’ Tokyo partner Steven Wheeler has been appointed as the new deputy general counsel of the PAG Real Assets in Tokyo. PAG is an alternative investment firm, based in Hong Kong. Wheeler is an expert in real estate mergers and acquisitions, including the financing of such transactions. Having originally qualified in the U.S, Wheeler…
United States Copyright Office General Counsel, Suzanne Wilson, recently addressed a conference in Los Angeles on the fast-evolving area of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Throughout her presentation, Wilson expressed how use and discussion of AI has shifted from being a fringe subject to a key topic of concern among various industries, highlighting clearly the increasing…
The former General Counsel and Executive Vice President of PetIQ LLC has been handed a suspended jail sentence by a court in Idaho after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. His sentencing follows his arrest that occurred near Boise this summer. Involved in the proceedings was the recent Ex-Executive of PetIQ LLC. PetIQ…
The success of any legal operations leader rests not only on her capacity to efficiently manage traditional aspects of her role, but in her ability to pivot towards innovative, transformative visions for the industry. Legal industry leaders must strategically identify hidden opportunities and effectively navigate uncertain terrains while pragmatically managing their operations. One instance of…
The year 2023 has welcomed multiple meaningful developments in non-competition law, and the latest addition comes from California. As part of the state’s ongoing effort to strengthen regulation around non-competition agreements, recently approved legislation is to add various enforcement mechanisms. Newly proposed rules by the Federal Trade Commission in January, aim to ban most non-competes….
Eugene R. Elrod, a prominent lawyer specializing in energy regulations, has recently made the transition from Latham & Watkins to join Bracewell as a partner. His new position will see him working within the energy regulatory group at Bracewell’s Washington, D.C. office, as reported by Bloomberg Law Automation. Elrod’s comprehensive expertise encompasses counseling and representing…
Law firm Duane Morris has recently confirmed the enlistment of Steven B. Davis as a corporate partner at their Philadelphia practice group. Davis’ addition to the group expands upon the firm’s breadth of experience in a variety of sectors, including insurance and reinsurance regulatory, litigation, and coverage matters. Davis is expected to offer his expertise…