Delaware’s Court of Chancery continues to assert its significant role in corporate governance with recent developments underscoring its enduring importance in the business legal landscape. Last week provided a vivid example, as the court dealt with major high-value legal actions that highlight the ongoing relevance of post-deal stock appraisal suits. Despite previous efforts to curtail…
The Delaware Court of Chancery has expanded its bench to seven magistrates with the recent appointment of Jessie R. Benavides. This marks the largest magistrate bench in the court’s history, reflecting its commitment to managing an increasing caseload effectively. Benavides brings a diverse background in civil litigation, including family law, estate matters, guardianships, and personal…
In a notable development for self-represented litigants in Arkansas, a legal information website, ArkansasLegalNow (ALN), has been launched to assist individuals in navigating legal issues without the burden of exorbitant legal fees. The initiative is spearheaded by Brandon Haubert, a well-versed civil and family law attorney and the CEO of WH Law, based in Little…
Moss & Barnett, a prominent law firm based in Minneapolis, has announced the addition of April King to their team. Specializing as a trusts and estates attorney, King brings a robust portfolio of expertise to the firm. Her practice areas encompass a wide array of services, including probate and trust administration, estate and incapacity planning,…
In a significant acknowledgment by the South Korean government, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has revealed violations of fundamental human rights within its intercountry adoption processes. According to the commission’s findings, these violations occurred largely due to the absence of a comprehensive legislative framework, insufficient oversight, and non-compliance with administrative procedures. Over the past several…
Brittany Courville, previously a Big Law associate, has found herself embroiled in a defamation suit after transitioning to a career as a social media influencer. Courville, who commands a notable presence on YouTube with 163,000 subscribers, often delves into discussions surrounding guardianships for individuals challenged by substance abuse issues. The legal conundrum arises from her…
Tucker Arensberg has announced the appointment of Doug DeNardo and Jennifer Bittel Derby as co-chairs of its estates and trusts group. The announcement, made on Monday, highlights the unique skill sets that each brings to the position. Doug DeNardo brings his expertise in advising individuals, families, and closely-held business owners on both tax and non-tax…
New Zealand has recently enacted legislation that confers legal personhood on Mount Taranaki, marking a significant development in recognizing the cultural importance of natural features to the Māori iwi. This legal recognition ensures that Mount Taranaki is bestowed with rights and responsibilities akin to those of an individual, acknowledging its status as an ancestral figure…
Matthew Rossiter has joined Lathrop GPM as a partner in their private client services practice group and trust and estate litigation team, based in St. Louis. His expertise will be a key asset to the firm’s expanding trust and estate litigation practice. Rossiter’s professional background encompasses a wide array of services, as he represents trustees,…
In a significant development, Morocco has introduced extensive reforms to its family law, marking the first comprehensive review of the Moroccan Family Code in two decades. Unveiled by the country’s justice and Islamic affairs ministers, these reforms are aimed at expanding women’s rights, particularly in areas of child custody, guardianship, and polygamous marriages. Among the…
In a significant development impacting legal practitioners in New Jersey, the state’s Supreme Court has ruled that attorneys appointed to defend residents at risk of state-imposed guardianships are not entitled to fees for extraordinary work. This decision, delivered in a unanimous opinion, highlights that, despite the comprehensive efforts required—such as drafting briefs, making calls, and…
Katherine Oswald has been appointed as a partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, joining the firm’s Chicago branch. Her role will encompass contributions across the wealth and succession planning, trust and estate litigation, and tax advisory services sectors. Oswald’s practice is distinguished by a focus on estate planning, as well as the administration and…
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has nominated three candidates for positions within the state’s Probate and Family Court. This court is crucial in managing cases related to divorce, child custody, guardianship, and estate matters. This nomination announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores the importance of these judicial roles in addressing sensitive and complex family law issues. Further…
In a significant move reflecting its conservative stance on gender issues, the Russian State Duma has adopted a bill that prohibits the adoption of Russian children by citizens from countries where gender reassignment is legal. This legislation, passed with overwhelming support, underscores the country’s commitment to maintaining “traditional values” as expressed by Vyacheslav Volodin, the…
The Ohio Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand to a probate court judge following actions concerning a contentious guardianship case. The judge faced censure for permitting staff to disseminate inaccurate information to the press and for engaging in public commentary on the court’s Facebook page. Notably, the judge’s online posts included unsubstantiated allegations of…
The 2024 Election Day in Connecticut will be marked by special elections in 24 municipalities. The purpose of these special elections is to fulfill the terms of probate judges who are slated to retire within the next year. This information has been confirmed by the office of Gov. Ned Lamont. The news underscores the evolving…
Legal defense attorneys who were previously absolved of wrongdoing in the judicial proceedings concerning the death of esteemed psychiatry professor, Judith Brook, have made an appeal this week. They beseeched the Second Circuit to uphold a lesser court’s ruling which established that temporary guardians, such as themselves, are not considered state actors within the purview…
In an unexpected development, Saudi Arabia has been elected to chair the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The appointment was sealed by ‘acclamation’ after an unchallenged bid and no opposition, leading to an uproar among human rights groups. This appointment prompts Saudi UN Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil to assume a leading position in…
International law firm Reed Smith is experiencing a new high in Revenue Per Lawyer (RPL). However, its bottom line was hit by rising costs that saw profits remain stagnant. This update comes amid assertions that its global platform is serving international clients well. Global Managing Partner Casey Ryan attributes financial growth to the firm’s top…
When considering the future of a child without parental care, two main legal options arise: adoption and guardianship. Adoption establishes a permanent legal relationship, whilst guardianship is typically a temporary arrangement that maintains the legal connection between a child and their birth parents. Both options involve distinct legal processes and emotional considerations. Adoption Process and…
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that the government plans to submit legislation allowing same-sex civil marriages, despite reservations from the Orthodox Church and some lawmakers. In an interview with a state-run television channel, Mitsotakis firmly vowed to eliminate any discrimination based on sexual orientation in marriages. “Marriage equality has already been legislated in…
Michael Oher, central character of “The Blind Side”, seeks legal intervention to prevent a Tennessee couple from profiting from his name, image, and likeness. This was revealed in a motion submitted by his legal team and obtained by Bloomberg Law. Oher’s trajectory from homeless teen to NFL’s first-round draft pick gained further traction through the…
Legal guardianship is a challenging issue that’s recently caught the public eye, largely due to high-profile cases like those of Britney Spears and Michael Oher. The exact nature of a conservatorship or guardianship and when it’s appropriate is surrounded by numerous questions, with the two terms often used interchangeably despite state-specific distinctions. In New York…
In a recent significant legal development in Peru, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of fathers’ rights to register their children when the mother’s identity is unknown to them. The decision is being hailed as a victory for gender equality in the South American nation. A detailed account of this landmark ruling was reported by…
An Ohio judge has found himself in the midst of controversy for reportedly violating judicial conduct rules. The judge is accused of posting inaccurate information on Facebook about a contentious guardianship case that he was overseeing. The claims, although unsupported, suggested that the female subject of the case was suffering from elder abuse. According to…