Last night, Central London was host to an invigorating assembly of some of the most accomplished women lawyers hailing from across the United Kingdom’s legal fraternity. The occasion was the esteemed Women, Influence & Power in Law UK (WIPL UK) Awards 2024. Though we are unable to delve into specifics owing to certain subscription limitations,…
Recent cases pertaining to talc and Roundup have seen some noteworthy verdicts. The first talc trial post-bankruptcy was reported as ‘hopelessly deadlocked,’ while two juries delivered defense verdicts in favor of Monsanto in the Roundup trials, indicating significant strides in the legal landscape surrounding these largely contested substances. Another Roundup trial ended in a mistrial,…
Dechert, the global law firm, is bidding adieu to two partner-level members within the span of a week. This news emerged amidst predictions of heightened activity within the law sector. Parallel to that, White & Case, another international law firm, extended its roster, hiring a preeminent white collar partner from Macfarlanes. It’s important to note…
The underrepresentation of Black legal professionals within the legal industry has always been a significant issue. The lack of diversity in this sector not only restricts equality, it stifles access to a broad spectrum of ideas, perspectives, and experiences that enrich the legal system and better serve our diverse society. Thus, increasing Black representation should…
Discussing International Women’s Day (IWD), an article published on law.com comments on the persistent struggle for gender equality in the legal profession and broader workforce. The piece describes the occasions around IWD as feeling somewhat hollow and condescending, implying a Sisyphean struggle faced by women in their efforts to advance in their careers. The article,…
In an effort to strengthen its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) department, Kirkland is reportedly hiring from Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) in London. The information, directly reported in the International Edition of Law.com, indicates a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on what is increasingly viewed as a profitable sector. The specifics of the hiring, such…
The Justice Department’s bankruptcy watchdog has requested that Jackson Walker LLC be penalized for purportedly contravening bankruptcy code. The law firm failed to declare a lengthy romantic relationship between an attorney and a judge overseeing multiple of its cases, according to the watchdog’s claims. This request was submitted to the US Bankruptcy Court for the…
Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, an established law firm, has recently upped the ante in its mediation and arbitration squad with the addition of former U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Arpert. This move represents the second instance in recent times that the firm has enriched its roster with a retired New Jersey federal magistrate judge. This…
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently announced penalties levied against broker-dealers, investment advisers, and other registered entities for compliance failures relating to off-channel communications. With 16 firms fined over $81 million, this development drives the total fines imposed by the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission on these matters to a staggering $2.6 billion. Increasing…
In a recent revelation, a director of the Post Office, Simon Recaldin, informed a parliamentary select committee that the controversial compensation letters marked ‘without prejudice’ were sent to victims of the Horizon scandal based on legal advice from Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF). At the business and trade committee, Recaldin, who oversees all matters related to…
As multinational corporations grapple with increasing regulatory and enforcement pressures coupled with geopolitical upheavals, in-house legal teams are urged to intensify preparations for ongoing enforcement and uncertainty across various sectors and jurisdictions. In the United States, a seminal shift occurred last year with the emergence of the first Foreign Corrupt Practices Act cases, following the…
French law firm Fidal has made a strategic addition to its team in the form of a new Africa-focused international arbitration partner, Manuel Tomas, in order to steer and scale its regional practice. This move can be seen as part of an ongoing trend where international corporations and their law firms are showing increased interest…
Hogan Lovells, an experienced player in the legal sector, has recently seen an impressive addition to their workforce. Lauren Deeb, a reputable automotive litigator, has taken on the position of partner within their disputes practice at the Los Angeles office, according to a statement released by the firm. Prior to this shift, Deeb was associated…
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent initiation of voluntary cybersecurity performance objectives for the healthcare sector signifies positive progress in the enduring war against increasingly advanced cyberattacks. This guidance points the way toward a sturdier and more resilient healthcare system in the U.S., with similar strides being made internationally, according to…
McCarter & English, a prestigious legal firm with a wide presence across the United States, has strengthened its team with the addition of Stephanie Reed Traband as a partner. Based in the Miami office, Traband joins the bankruptcy, restructuring, and litigation group. The announcement was made on Tuesday, marking another significant development for the firm…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the decision of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to withdraw from the bloc, stating that the countries did not abide by the proper rules for exit. The military-led countries had earlier issued a joint statement on national television, accusing ECOWAS of betraying its founding principles…
In a recent development that has stirred debate among plaintiffs’ lawyers, Edelson’s Rafey Balabanian has claimed that a “rudderless crowd of firms” is attempting to mediate data breach cases concerning 23andMe, the DNA testing company. Interestingly, this incident is unfolding before the official determination of leadership for the case at hand and without a thorough…
National law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson announced the addition of a new partner to its consumer financial services practice in New York. S. Sherry Xia, who is joining the firm, brings extensive industry experience accrued through her previous position as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at First Republic Bank. First Republic Bank, which is…
In an engaging blend of law and pop culture, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Ramy Djerassi has offered some intriguing insights into the interplay between sports and the legal world. Drawing parallels from Super Bowl 52, where the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the New England Patriots, Judge Djerassi highlights how the event serves as…
Mali military leaders have renounced a 2015 peace agreement with northern separatist rebels in a televised press conference on Thursday. The blame for failure of the peace agreement has been placed on international mediation and interference, particularly from Algeria, which originally brokered the peace deal back in 2015 in a process known as the “Algiers…
Ukraine and Russia announced a significant prisoner-of-war exchange, marking the first since August 2023. The swap involved nearly 500 prisoners captured on both sides. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs assisted in mediation during the exchange arrangements, as highlighted in their statement. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that the exchange saw 230…
In an interesting shift in legal practices, at least 10 states and Washington, D.C. have taken steps to enhance access to justice this year. These jurisdictions have either considered or put into effect programs that permit non-lawyers to serve as legal advocates or own law firms. Such moves reflect a potential trend toward restructuring the…
Over the weekend, thousands of protestors, led by various opposition parties, demonstrated outside the Mumbai offices of the Adani Group, a conglomerate owned by billionaire Gautam Adani. The objection focused on the organization’s proposed $614 million redevelopment plans for one of the city’s largest slums. The protest revolved around a series of demands by those…
Self-evaluation is a process that many law firms and corporation legal teams integrate into their routine. As challenging as they may seem, they are also an opportunity to reflect on past practices and identify areas of improvement. If done right, they can build a strong case for your career development within the firm or company….
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP, an international law firm, and a former employee who previously filed a disability bias lawsuit against the firm have recently settled the suit. The ex-paralegal had asserted that the law firm transgressed state, federal, and New York City laws by terminating his employment upon his request for reasonable accommodations due…