In a significant leadership transition, Wiley Rein LLP has announced that Jon Burd will take over as the firm’s next managing partner. This marks the first change in leadership for the firm in over a decade. Peter Shields, who currently holds the position, will be retiring from the partnership at the end of the year….
In a surprising turn during the partial government shutdown, the legal sector in the United States maintained its position on the employment front. According to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in legal services remained largely unchanged in November, showing a modest increase of 300 positions compared to October. This…
The recent U.S. government shutdown, a recurrent feature of American political life, has often been associated with economic disruptions across various sectors. Despite this, the legal industry showed resilience, maintaining steady job numbers during the period of uncertainty, as described in a recent report. Contrary to many industries that experience volatility during such shutdowns, the…
In a legal confrontation garnering attention in Washington, a nonprofit watchdog has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This suit seeks clarity on the deals made by BigLaw firms that appear to have allocated nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services to advance administration priorities. This legal move follows the issuance of executive…
The ongoing debate over the transparency of removal flights underlines the delicate balance between operational secrecy and public accountability. Recently, Bove & Co. cited legal protections as rationale for limiting details on these operations, arguing that such measures are within their rights to maintain secrecy regarding specific logistical aspects of the flights. These flights, associated…
A fire alarm system design company has initiated legal action in a North Carolina federal court, alleging that two government contractors involved in projects at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune altered building plans and removed copyright information without obtaining consent. The complaint asserts that these contractors modified the original designs and omitted the designer’s copyright…
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to grapple with a series of consequential questions this week as it revisits the intersection of religious rights, government contracts, and the First Step Act’s compassionate release provisions. Among the issues to be considered is whether state and local officials can face personal liability under the Religious Land Use…
A North Carolina federal court is currently evaluating a contentious legal battle involving a defense contractor accused of misappropriating design drawings pertaining to replacement container lids for a nuclear project. The contractor, embattled by accusations from a nuclear solutions company, contends these designs do not qualify as trade secrets and have been improperly characterized as…
In a case that could shape the legal landscape for military contractors operating in active war zones, the U.S. Supreme Court justices are considering the scope of protections available to such entities. During Monday’s oral arguments in Hencely v Fluor Corporation, the justices scrutinized the claim that contractors should have absolute immunity for negligent actions…
The legal landscape in London was particularly eventful this past week, with significant developments in various sectors. One of the headline cases involved a clash at the intellectual property court between two regional law firms over the contentious use of the name Amicus Solicitors. The dispute underscores the growing frequency of trademark battles within the…
A recent legal ruling has undermined former President Donald Trump’s argument for layoffs during the government shutdown. A judge’s decision challenges the former administration’s justification for its actions during that period, raising questions about the legal rationale employed by Trump’s team. The order in question negates the Trump administration’s reliance on the shutdown as a…
Burr & Forman LLP has announced the addition of seasoned contracts lawyer Caroline Hayes from Holland & Knight to its Washington, D.C. office. This strategic hiring is expected to bolster the firm’s offerings in government contracts law, a crucial area for clients navigating complex regulatory environments. Caroline Hayes, renowned for her extensive experience in contracts…
As November unfolds, the Federal Circuit is poised to address significant cases that promise to impact intellectual property and commercial law. One prominent case involves a legal challenge to an Idaho statute intended to curb the practices of so-called “patent trolls.” This case could have sweeping implications for states attempting to regulate patent litigation tactics…
A Michigan federal jury has rendered a verdict in favor of LinTech Global Inc., an information technology support company, awarding $6.8 million in a case alleging contract interference by a former employee. The case brought to light the complexities of contract disputes within government contracts, particularly those involving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where LinTech…
Defense contractors are bracing for significant challenges as a potential new stage of government shutdown looms. With federal budget negotiations reaching a critical impasse, companies within the defense sector are poised to face operational disruptions and financial constraints. The impact of such a shutdown could reverberate through supply chains, project timelines, and contractual obligations, creating…
The U.S. Department of Justice’s intensified focus on combating cyber fraud has led to an increase in settlements under the False Claims Act. This initiative, aimed at addressing cybersecurity misconduct, is impacting contractors who failed to comply with mandated cybersecurity standards. Recently, the DOJ announced a series of settlements with firms that allegedly did not…
The ongoing budget impasse in Washington has triggered a new round of federal worker firings, as the White House begins implementing measures to manage the effects of the shutdown. According to Bloomberg Law, the administration has commenced notifying employees about potential furloughs and terminations in response to the continued delay in budget approvals. This action…
Elon Musk’s outspoken presence on social media has again drawn significant public attention, this time influencing a legal decision regarding his security clearances. The New York Times triumphed in court to obtain a detailed list of the billionaire’s top-secret security clearances after a US agency initially attempted to block the disclosure, citing Musk’s right to…
Democracy Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting government transparency, has initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for failing to release video recordings related to an alleged bribery case involving Tom Homan, the current White House Border Czar. ([democracyforward.org](https://democracyforward.org/updates/tom-homan-foia/?utm_source=openai)) In September 2024, while serving…
During a recent session in Boston, the Federal Circuit scrutinized the jurisdiction in a patent infringement case against a NASA contractor. The dispute, brought forth by two individuals from California, questions whether their claims should be adjudicated in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. This legal examination underscores complexities surrounding intellectual property rights when federal…
Understanding the regulatory environment is crucial for dealmakers involved in government contracts. Compliance with federal acquisition regulations is non-negotiable, and a thorough grasp of these rules can significantly impact negotiations and contract execution. Bloomberg Law outlines several key considerations that supply the foundational knowledge necessary for these complex transactions. Due diligence must be heightened when…
Several prominent law firms involved in previous dealings with the Trump administration are now facing intensified scrutiny over their government contracts. As reported by Bloomberg Law, these inquiries are part of a larger effort to assess the legality and ethical implications of their prior engagements with the federal government. The firms in question, which had…
In a significant legal decision, a federal court has determined that former President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles during the 2020 protests violated the law. The court’s ruling sheds light on the legal boundaries of presidential power, particularly in the context of domestic law enforcement operations. This decision reiterates the limitations…
On July 23, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled the “AI Action Plan,” a comprehensive strategy aimed at reinforcing the United States’ leadership in artificial intelligence. This plan, developed in response to Executive Order 14179, outlines over 90 federal policy actions across three primary pillars: accelerating innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading in international diplomacy…
Perkins Coie LLP has successfully defended itself against allegations in an Illinois state court that accused the firm of facilitating a client’s misappropriation of $12 million from an investment company’s accounts. The lawsuit claimed that Perkins Coie played a “critical” role in both the theft and its subsequent concealment. This legal victory comes amid a…