On the morning of Thursday, August 17, a selection of important legal news articles, commentaries, and links relating to the Supreme Court were compiled and shared by SCOTUSblog. One of the highlighted stories was an appeals court’s decision to uphold the legality of the abortion pill, but with significant restrictions attached to its usage. This…
In today’s increasingly digital world, it appears that fully remote lawyers are becoming a rarity, as revealed in a recent article on Law.com. Despite the recent shift towards virtual workplaces amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of law practices and firms are reverting to traditional, in-office roles. The Law Offices of Domingo Garcia, for instance,…
The stories of two renowned law firms, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, run strikingly parallel, illustrating the precarious positions that even long-standing institutions can find themselves in amidst today’s fast-paced and competitive legal marketplace. Though once viewed as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s legal landscape, Schnader recently drew its last…
The fast-paced evolution of generative AI has made it a pressing topic among legal entities this year. Many legal firms are rushing to evaluate how they might leverage this technological advancement to gain a competitive edge, while simultaneously checking how to safely employ these AI tools by their attorneys. You can read more here. The…
Big law firms are continuously bolstering their energy, regulatory and renewables practices through the addition of new partners to their teams, a development driven by recent federal legislation and regulatory alterations. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and Vinson & Elkins, for instance, have recently brought on board energy partners in Washington, D.C. Pillsbury has recruited tax…
In a recent turn of events, judges from the Fifth Circuit have made a controversial move, opting to intercede in pharmaceutical matters. They have questioned the FDA’s understanding of mifepristone, a decision that raises alarming concerns given the FDA’s statutory and regulatory powers. In effect, the Fifth Circuit judges are stepping out of their judiciary…
Artificial intelligence continues to permeate the legal sphere with ever-increasing speed and sophistication. Several innovative AI products have been making waves in UK law firms, with a focus on “Generative AI”– technology capable of producing new content based on initial data input. Harvey and ChatGPT are among the generative AI technologies that are gaining significant…
Spanish legal powerhouse, Cuatrecasas, is expanding its reach with changes to its corporate practice in Palma. The Barcelona-based partner, Sergio Aguera Amat, will now take on additional responsibilities alongside his existing role. This decision comes less than a year after Aguera Amat joined the firm, demonstrating the significant trust and confidence the firm has in…
The legal industry is renowned for its high earning potential, and nowhere is this more apparent than among the elite ranks of Biglaw firms. According to data collected during the New York Law Journal 100 ranking, it’s been revealed that two prominent New York firms have Revenue Per Lawyer (RPL) which surpasses the $2 million…
In late July and early August, two prominent law firms, Dentons and Clyde & Co, were accused by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of allegedly breaching money laundering regulations. The size of the two firms involved and the closely-timed allegations have drawn considerable attention from the legal industry and beyond. The allegations are understood as…
In the landscape of American politics, one may not expect a shift in support from the legal community towards Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, yet that appears to be the case. Despite what some view as a waning presidential campaign, DeSantis is garnering attention through his campaign donations, notably from attorneys, outdoing former President Donald Trump…
In a world where time equates to billable hours, law firms are taking stringent action to ensure prompt and regular time entry submissions by their associates. Hinging their revenue on the daily timesheets, any delinquency adversely affects the collection of fees from clients. Firms have been combating such procrastination by introducing policies that potentially decrease…
In the wake of tightened attendance policies and a trend of integrating previously remote attorneys back into physical offices, the recruitment of fully remote lawyers by Big Law firms is seen as uncommon, according to industry analysts. “[I’ve worked with several attorneys recently making lateral moves to large global law firms, and none were given…
Ten future law school students have elected to defer the commencement of their J.D. path to initially engage in a year of public service work at one of the Am Law 50 law firms, Weil, Gotshal & Manges. This is part of the Weil Legal Innovators Program (WLI), a public service initiative which is currently…
The increase in cyber threats in recent years has prompted businesses and law firms alike to heighten their emphasis on cybersecurity strategies. But a crucial yet overlooked factor is the potential impact a firm’s cybersecurity strategy can have on its client base. As observed in this article, such a strategy can sometimes deter clients rather…
Davis Polk has made extensive efforts to bring its attorneys back to the office after the pandemic. The firm initially mandated attendance from Tuesday to Thursday in 2022, preserving remote work flexibility for Mondays and Fridays. Followed by a revision to the in-office segment of its handbook this past spring, stating that associate bonuses might…
In the competitive arena of legal marketing, Google’s Core Web Vitals can decisively influence your law firm’s ranking. The question is, how do you tweak your website to meet these standards? A recent article by Annette Choti, a digital marketing specialist, titled Optimizing Law Firm Websites: Google’s Core Web Vitals Explained, elucidates what law firms…
In a span of only a few weeks in late July and early August, well-known law firms Dentons and Clyde & Co found themselves accused by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of allegedly breaching money laundering regulations. The SRA’s anti-money laundering crackdown is increasingly making headlines due to the size of the targeted firms and the…
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become a key focus for stakeholders of all stripes, from corporations and employees to regulators and NGOs. The EY US CEO Survey confirms this growing trend, with 82% of US CEOs considering ESG a key driver of value for their businesses. This has led to increased efforts by professional…
Leading law firms Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Kirkland & Ellis, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges, alongside King & Wood Mallesons, Maples and Calder, Conyers Dill & Pearman, and Haiwen & Partners, are offering legal advice on Bain Capital’s $3.16 billion deal to turn Chindata Group Holdings into a privately-held company. As the primary investor in…
In an ongoing spate of regulatory action, both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have recently settled their investigations into off-channel communications at several leading financial institutions. Details on the case can be found here. This move can be seen as part of an extended regulatory push to…
Changes in the legal landscape of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are now effectively reshaping how patent disputes operate. AXONICS, INC. v. MEDTRONIC, INC., a case that recently came before Dyk, Lourie, and Taranto in the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, has a noteworthy finding: In an Inter Parties Review (IPR) process, an IPR petitioner should…
In a strategic move addressing national security concerns, the Biden Administration has issued a long-anticipated Executive Order regarding investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in “Countries of Concern”. Expected to trigger a new outbound investment review regime, the Order is set to impose compliance obligations for U.S. investors, specifically within high-technology industries with…
In the realm of employment law, July 2023 has marked several important decisions by Californian courts. The following are summaries of key judgments, unpacking their implications for legal professionals working in multinational corporations and the foremost law firms. Kuciemba v. Victory Woodworks Inc., 14 Cal. 4th 993 (2023): The details of the case remain undisclosed,…
The month of July 2023 bore witness to a multitude of significant judicial decisions affecting class action litigation. These decisions have repercussions that could potentially impact some of the world’s largest corporations and law firms in a profound way. Therefore, it is crucial to be abreast of these changes to strategize legally and financially. More…