Last week, Legal Speak, a podcast on Law.com, brought together attendees of the General Counsel Conference East in Brooklyn, New York. A number of key legal professionals were present at the conference, interacting with their peers and participating in seminars designed to knowledge-share and foster professional growth. Joseph Panetta, Global Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer…
On October 6, 2023, Flagstar Bank, N.A. reported a significant data breach, which was notably conducted via a third-party server, Fiserv’s MOVEit. The breach led to the exposure of confidential user data, the magnitude of which is expected to encompass as many as 837,000 Social Security numbers. Flagstar Bank dutifully filed a notice with the…
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), via its Contaminated Site Remediation and Redevelopment (CSRR) program, has released new administrative advice designed to formally promote the utilization of green and sustainable remediation (GSR) methods at contaminated sites across the state, a development highlighted in a recent JDSupra article. The DEP asserts that adapting GSR…
Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC), a network of dental clinics in the United States, filed a notice of data breach with the Montana Attorney General’s Office on October 3, 2023, upon discovering that an unauthorized party had gained access to their database system. This incident was publicly disclosed in a legal notice published by Console…
Wrongful death cases pose a unique set of challenges when it comes to mediation. The stark reality is, unlike other cases, the individual at the heart of the mediation process is inexorably absent, their voice silenced forever. This glaring void reverberates throughout the case, affecting mediation tactics and interventions. The sheer anticipation of their absence…
In an era where digital communications have gained substantial prominence, instances of defamation on social media platforms have considerably escalated. One can experience defamation by having false statements published online that harm one’s professional reputation. It’s important for legal professionals to understand how to respond to such occurrences. This informative piece by JDSupra underscores the…
Disputes are an inevitable part of commercial trading and risk management. For some businesses, the potential for disputes forms an integral part of their business model, accepting them as unavoidable occurrences in the fast-paced marketplace. However, the majority would obviously prefer to avoid disputes where possible. Despite attitudes towards these risks, careful planning can considerably…
As legal professionals working in some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms, it’s important to understand the implications of a government shutdown on employers. The U.S. government is facing a potential shutdown, with federal appropriations set to expire at midnight (ET) on Saturday, September 30. If lawmakers can’t agree to a spending plan…
Francesca’s Acquisition, LLC reported to the Attorney General of Maine that an unauthorized party had gained illicit access to certain parts of its computer network on September 25, 2023. The breached segment of the network reportedly contained sensitive consumer data, prompting Francesca’s to issue a public notice. According to the notice, the extent of the…
In an increasingly interconnected world, where cyber threats are constantly evolving and growing, there is an ever-pressing need for businesses, particularly in the healthcare sector, to be informed and equipped to handle potential cyber incidents. Consequently, a webinar on ‘Cybersecurity & Incident Response’ is slated for October 18th from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm CT,…
Following a months-long blockade that escalated into violent attacks by Azerbaijani forces, the government of the predominantly ethnically Armenian region of Nagorno-Karabakh announced it would disband, effective immediately. “The Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh ceases to exist,” stated the separatist republic, which is referred to as Artsakh in Armenian, via its official information channel on Telegram. The…
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a lawsuit against the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, in response to alleged per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination of the regional drinking water supply reportedly caused by the airport authority. The legal action comes with the objective of enforcing demands made by the Michigan Department of…
Neutrals serving New York’s court-annexed alternative dispute resolution program currently face an injurious case of unjust enrichment, as they are required to provide certain amounts of their time for free. This issue is asserting itself as both unappreciated and a potential harm to the industry, according to criticism raised by legal professionals Elan Weinreb of…
A recent attempt to mediate a settlement has failed in a sexual harassment suit lodged against the federal judiciary by a former North Carolina public defender. Following this unsuccessful mediation, it appears the case will now proceed to trial. The plaintiff asserts that her claims of due process and equal protection were violated, which will…
The disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh became a hotspot of military activities earlier this week when troops from Azerbaijan launched a military operation there. This move by Azerbaijan has sparked humanitarian concerns globally, especially from the notable International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) . Although Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally acknowledged as part of Azerbaijan, the region…
In a significant ruling, the California Court denied the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) apportionment defense in a cleanup case, asserts a recent JD Supra report. The decision reinforces the principle of “joint and several” responsibility for environmental remediation costs, a feature that is intrinsic to CERCLA. Under the concept of “joint…
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has recently announced expected updates to its Surface Water Quality Standards, which are projected to have significant implications on properties with New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permits, laboratories, and remediation sites. This important update pertains to the standards for various substances with both freshwater and…
In a recent development within the Big Tech arena, Instagram’s parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”) has agreed to a $68.5 million class-action biometric privacy settlement. The settlement is in relation to their alleged violation of the Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS 14/1, et seq. (BIPA). The lawsuit was filed in June following initial…
The finalists for the 2023 American Legal Technology Awards, recognizing exceptional achievement in various aspects of legal technology, have been christened. The winners will be unveiled at a gala dinner at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville on Oct. 8, one day before the commencement of the Clio Cloud Conference at the same location. Brought…
Negligent security cases, comprised of incidents involving personal injuries inflicted on a plaintiff as a result of criminal actions on the defendant’s property, have increasingly become a focus for mediation in recent years. Encoder by notable legal firms, these cases usually revolve around complex factual scenarios that require astute negotiation skills and a thorough understanding…
In the landscape of dispute resolution, mediation has quickly positioned itself as an effective alternative to the frequently protracted and adversarial process of litigation. According to an article noted on JD Supra, mediation provides an opportunity for parties to reach an agreement, not dictated by a court, but derived from a consensual decision-making process. A…
In the ever-evolving world of legal practice, Georgia’s recent Medical Malpractice cases are offering attorneys new opportunities to secure significant verdicts, according to lawyers from Miles Mediation & Arbitration. As they point out, the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought transformative change on every aspect of human existence, with the legal profession far from an exception. Traditions…
In the high-stakes setting of construction mediation, the impartiality of the mediator can significantly impact the outcome. This begs the question put forth in an important piece on JD Supra: Is Your Construction Mediator Really a Neutral Who’s Neutral? This query is crucial, given that the effectiveness of the mediation process relies on the developer,…
In a recent development, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has announced an updated focus of its remediation and cost-recovery efforts under the federal Superfund law. This shift is particularly towards manufacturers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) along with other companies using PFAS in their production processes. A…
Since Title IX was introduced in 1971 as a proposed amendment to the Education Amendments of 1971 and subsequently codified at 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681–1688.8, it has served as a fundamental tool to battle against sexual harassment in educational contexts. The principal purpose of Title IX, as set out in U.S.C. § 1681, underscores the…