In a recent development, a federal magistrate in the Northern District of Georgia has recommended dismissal of a case involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This decision was made as the plaintiff’s FDCPA claims were found to be time-barred, and the cause of action under the…
In light of recent legal proceedings, ViaPath Technologies, previously known as GTL (“ViaPath”), has settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) based on allegations tied to a failure to safeguard sensitive consumer information. The breach, which erupted onto the scene in 2020, exposed an array of personal consumer data, ranging from names and social security…
In a recently filed legal dispute, a woman from Las Vegas has alleged injury due to a ‘foreign object’ found in her Quarter Pounder burger from McDonald’s. This noteworthy case came to the forefront via a report from Law.com Radar. Specifics about the nature of the foreign object or the extent of the alleged injury…
In an increasingly scrutinized sector, yet another legal predicament emerges concerning the standard of military housing. Housing communities designated for military personnel are allegedly continuing to charge their residents for water that has been contaminated by fuel. This issue was brought to light in an article originally published on Law.com. However, specific details on the…
In the constantly evolving landscape of legal technology, the role of automation in eDiscovery is gaining more importance than ever. Law departments and their counsel have spent the better part of two decades developing playbooks for best practices to handle wide-ranging needs in litigation, investigations, and regulatory compliance. These include but are not limited to…
Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced preparations for implementing new regulations that will be governing soot-particulates produced by varied sources such as trucks, farms, factories, wildfires, power plants, and dusty roads. The revelation was made in an update to the California Environmental Law & Policy by Allen Matkins. The report particularly stressed the…
In a recent legal battle, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed its support for Vera Bradley, denying the existence of a fiduciary relationship between the company and Vesi Inc., its former partners in selling handbags and apparel. The ruling suggests that there was no breach of fiduciary duty on the…
In a highly debated arena of California law, questions surrounding the ability of arbitrators to order third party discovery in the process of arbitration have emerged. More specifically, whether an arbitrator can issue a “third-party subpoena”. A recent piece by JAMS elucidates this concept by defining it as any subpoena issued during a proceeding to…
The cold air and promises of Thanksgiving feasts bring us round to the month of November, a time of gratitude. In line with this spirit, we’re turning our focus towards thankfulness in the corporate legal domain – specifically concerning the indispensable role of legal holds. A recent article from JD Supra delved into the notable…
In a move that could significantly alter business operations across the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a Proposed Rule that may compel employers to inflate salaries for millions of exempt workers currently. It may also lead to their conversion to non-exempt employees, making them eligible for overtime. The announcement has…
Wilkinson Stekloff, a litigation boutique based in Washington, D.C., has announced that it will provide 175% above-market bonuses for all associate class years. The bonuses will start at $26,250 for the class of 2023 and will peak at a significant $201,250 for the class of 2016 and preceding years, as confirmed by founding partner Beth…
Justin J. Wolosz is the latest recruit to join the roster at prestigious firm, Manatt Phelps & Phillips. Serving as a trial, white collar, and investigations partner, Wolosz is based in Boston, Mass., as confirmed by the firm on Monday. His repertoire spans a broad spectrum of commercial litigation issues, including contract disputes, tort claims,…
In a recent turn of events, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has echoed its previous stance that the Dynamic Drinkware, LLC v. National Graphics, Inc. case is inapplicable to patents and patent applications falling under the America Invents Act (AIA). This latest affirmation came via the designation of the PTAB’s decision in…
In the legal process, the spoliation of evidence can often become a contentious issue. A recent ruling, however, might mark a shift in the conventional approach to this problem. The case at hand, specifically, is Okla. Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. v. Omega Flex, Inc., No. CIV-22-18-D. The judgment delivered by the United States District…
The third week of November in 2023 witnessed some significant developments in the area of labor compliance. One of the most noteworthy was the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) announcement on their fiscal year 2023 Agency Financial Report. On November 15, 2023, the EEOC not only revealed the annual financial report but also made…
German law firm Gleiss Lutz has made some notable alterations to its leadership, electing new management partners. The significant development comes as one of their predecessors ascends to the position of the board’s chair. However, details regarding the identities of these newly appointed figures and their anticipated impact on the firm’s future direction remain undisclosed,…
Welcome to today’s legal news rundown for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. Starting on a rather distressing note, husband-and-wife associates from law firms Morrison & Foerster and Slaughter and May reportedly suffered antisemitic abuse last week on a London bus. The couple, travelling after a showing of the musical “Wicked,” happened to commute on…
The issue surrounding Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products continues to be a headline-making subject, stirring fervent debates amidst legal communities across the globe. In a recent development, plaintiffs’ attorneys fighting for the rights of victims have made it clear that if Johnson & Johnson necessitates a third bankruptcy, they will remain unbowed in their fight…
In a notable development in malpractice litigation, a malpractice lawsuit against an Ohio attorney and their firm has been reinstated, concerning representation in a child custody case. The lawsuit, brought forward by former clients of the attorney claims that their loss was directly connected to the conduct of the attorney. According to the allegations in…
On Friday, a $1.56 billion verdict was issued against Bayer’s Monsanto in relation to its Roundup product. This marks the fourth consecutive judgment against the conglomerate, but it stood apart from the previous cases due to a variety of unique factors. Notably, this trial was led by a pair of previously patent attorneys from Baker…
In a recent noteworthy decision, the Commonwealth Court addressed a critical aspect of local government operations — the amendment of meeting agendas. In the case of Coleman v. Parkland Sch. Dist., 2023 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 187, a divided court concluded that the newly instituted Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act does not authorize local government…
Wilkinson Stekloff, a litigation-focused law firm founded in Washington D.C., has exceeded industry norms by awarding substantial year-end bonuses to its associates. This decision results in the firm surpassing the traditional bonus scale most recently utilized by prominent multinational law firm, Milbank LLP. A partner at Wilkinson Stekloff, Brian Stekloff, confirmed via email that the…
On October 30, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) pertaining to the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This EO outlines the administration’s policy positions and priorities with regard to AI, a topic that has been rapidly evolving and expanding in prominence. The EO’s implications on Antitrust issues…
In a recent development at the elite law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, a leadership transition is underway. The firm’s co-chairs are stepping down, transferring their roles to Andrew Nussbaum, a corporate partner and William Savitt, co-chair of the firm’s litigation department. Despite these major changes, the firm’s traditional approach to leadership is expected…
The recent legal case Novartis Pharms. Corp. v. Alembic Pharms. Ltd. has caught the attention of legal professionals worldwide with its implications on patent law concerning pharmaceuticals, specifically the drug Entresto® (Sacubitril/Valsartan). The case was officially listed as Civ. No. 22-1395-RGA, by the court with Delaware jurisdiction, in the United States. The judgement, which falls…