International

September Visa Bulletin: What Employers Need to Know for Effective Immigration Strategies

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The September Visa Bulletin provides critical data for employers seeking clarification on immigration matters pertaining to their international employees. Released monthly by federal immigration authorities, this bulletin provides timelines informing immigrant visa applicants on when they can expect notifications to assemble and submit required documentation to respective government departments. According to a recent article on…

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Tax Expert Michael Lebovitz Joins Eversheds Sutherland to Strengthen Global Practice

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, has announced the addition of Michael Lebovitz as a partner in their tax practice group. Based in San Francisco, California, Lebovitz is an established name in the field of international tax advice. His strategic counsel on joint ventures, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, post-transaction integration, international corporate finance, and capital…

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Guatemala’s UNE Raises Election Fraud Concerns Amid Irregularities and System Anomalies

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, led by former first lady Sandra Torres, is raising alarms about the recent Guatemalan presidential election. The party released a statement on Friday citing several alleged irregularities. The party’s main concerns stem from inconsistencies found in the voting records and potential issues with the electronic tally system used…

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ILTACON 2023: Legal Tech Industry Momentum Steers Successful Annual Conference

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The annual conference of the International Legal Technology Association, ILTACON 2023, which lasted five days and provided around 350 distinct educational opportunities, was widely considered successful by attendees. Despite its expansive nature – events spanned some 431,000 square feet of activity space – participants were generally satisfied with the experience gained. With an estimated 3,400…

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Global Food Tech Trademark Expansion: Navigating the Legal Landscape in Alt-Animal Products Market

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The increasing consumer demand for alternative animal products, colloquially known as “alt” animal products, has dramatically escalated the number of food tech companies committing to this market. As these entities continue to diversify and build their patent portfolios, they are also focusing on registering trademarks for their company names and alt-animal products across multiple jurisdictions….

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Navigating Corporate Legal Challenges in the Era of Generative AI

Pieter Gunst06 mins

The advent of ChatGPT last year and subsequent acceleration of generative AI technologies have encompassed the legal departments of corporations worldwide. In-house lawyers have found themselves challenged with the task of devising appropriate governance for the use of this new tech, with primary concerns centered around the protection of confidential business and customer data, and…

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US Journalist Appeals Latest Extension of Pre-trial Detention in Russian Espionage Case

Pieter Gunst03 mins

US journalist, Evan Gershkovich, recently filed an appeal against the most recent extension of his pre-trial detention in Russia on charges of espionage, as reported by Russian state media. This marks Gershkovich’s third appeal, following his appeal against his second extension of pre-trial detention and his appeal against his initial arrest back in April. According…

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K&L Gates Names Jason Opperman as New Head of Australian Offices

Pieter Gunst01 mins

International law firm K&L Gates has announced the appointment of Jason Opperman as the new head of its Australian offices, as the tenure of current office leader, Nick Nichola, concludes. Read More Opperman, well known and respected within the insolvency and workouts legal circles, has previously held leadership positions within the firm’s restructuring, insolvency practice…

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Cross-Border Legal Collaboration Drives €960M Nordson-ARAG Acquisition Deal

Pieter Gunst02 mins

A consortium of international law firms have recently played key roles in a major cross-border acquisition, valued at €960 million. This significant deal involved the purchase of Italy’s ARAG Group (a specialist in precision agricultural tools and products), by the Nordson Corp., a diversified business entity based in the United States. The selling parties included…

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Nintendo Founder’s Family Office Launches $654M Takeover Bid for Toyo Construction

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Legal heavyweights White & Case and Nishimura & Asahi have been serving as counsel in a significant transaction in the corporate world – the unsolicited takeover bid for Tokyo-listed marine construction firm, Toyo Construction, by investment company Yamauchu-No.10 Family Office. One of the largest investment firms in Japan, Yamauchu-No.10 manages approximately $1.5 billion in assets…

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Lewis Silkin Acquires Miller Sturt Kenyon, Expanding Global IP Legal Services

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In a strategic move to expand internationally, Lewis Silkin, a leading law firm in the U.K., has acquired the intellectual property firm, Miller Sturt Kenyon (MSK). Known for its prominence in patent and trademark services, MSK extends its services across multiple regions including Germany, France, Belgium, and England. By this purchase, Lewis Silkin, traditionally focusing…

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Navigating the European Integration: Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling Merger Discussions

Pieter Gunst01 mins

In the ever-evolving landscape of international law firms, a merger between magic circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) and international law firm Shearman & Sterling is under active discussion. As these two industry titans negotiate, it’s speculated that the comparatively simpler European integration could be “the easiest part of the whole deal.” Surprisingly, when comparing…

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Scotland’s Legal Market Flourishes with First £100 Million Firm and New Players Entering Scene

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Scotland’s legal scene is abuzz with exciting developments. It’s home to the first law firm to cross the £100 million revenue threshold, a new U.K. firm has just launched, and another law firm has made a significant hire. These events cumulatively signal a growing interest in Scotland’s legal market, despite the overall UK growth rate…

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Morgan Lewis & Bockius Expands in China with Shenzhen Office Focused on IP Law

Pieter Gunst01 mins

International law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius is set to establish its third mainland China office in Shenzhen, following approval from the Chinese Ministry of Justice. The Shenzhen office will accentuate the firm’s expertise in intellectual property law, serving its technology, biotechnology, and life sciences clientele and strengthening their connections to the Chinese market. Shenzhen-based…

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Trowers & Hamlins Eyes Singapore Expansion, Seeks Collaboration with Braddell Brothers

Pieter Gunst01 mins

London-based law firm, Trowers & Hamlins, is making preparations to expand its global footprint by opening an office in Singapore. The firm, renowned for its expertise in Islamic finance, confirmed the news to Law.com International. In its quest to establish a Foreign Law Practice (FLP) in Singapore, Trowers & Hamlins has lodged an application with…

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China’s Expanding Espionage Law Stirs Concern for Foreign Businesses and Legal Sectors

Pieter Gunst02 mins

China’s regulatory framework has taken a new turn with its freshly minted law aimed at thwarting espionage. This revision has sparked anxiety within the U.S. government, corporate executives, and law firm leadership due to its wide-ranging implications for foreign businesses. The espionage law, originally proposed for public consultation in December, has received an extensive overhaul….

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