The American Arbitration Association (AAA), in collaboration with Suffolk University Law School, has announced the launch of an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Innovation Clinic. This initiative aims to develop digital tools to assist unrepresented litigants in low-contest divorce and family law cases in Massachusetts. The clinic, set to run for three years, aims to extend…
California’s recent labor law reform, centered on the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), is anticipated to reshape the legal landscape significantly. The effectiveness of these reforms, which aim to provide quicker resolutions and reduced penalties for employers, will be tested by the state’s courts amidst substantial budget constraints. The amended PAGA law introduces provisions for…
New Jersey is positioning itself to become a critical player in the arena of international dispute resolution. The recently opened Global Mediation Exchange Center in Jersey City now offers arbitration and mediation services for cross-border business disputes. This hybrid process, facilitated by experienced neutrals, combines elements of both arbitration and mediation. Resolutions reached through the…
New Jersey as a Hub for International Dispute Resolution International trade is exploding, but American businesses doing business in other countries can still struggle to resolve disputes and enforce judgments. In response to this growing need, the Global Mediation Exchange Center has opened its doors in Jersey City, New Jersey. This new organization offers a…
A California federal judge has admonished both parties involved in a lawsuit accusing Twitter of violating federal labor laws during a significant layoff in late 2022. The judge has directed the lead attorneys to participate in a meet and confer session this August to deliberate on the persistent conflicts that have been unfolding since the…
New York State officials have indicated their readiness to resume litigation against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family if a comprehensive settlement is not reached by the September 9 deadline. This announcement follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling on June 27 that rejected a proposed nationwide settlement. Special counsel David Nachman from the state…
As law firms face mounting pressure to head into mediation earlier and earlier, junior associates are feeling the need to hit the ground running quicker than ever before. Recognizing this trend, AltaClaro has launched a new training series aimed at accelerating the learning curve for young legal professionals. The comprehensive program includes real-life litigation simulations…
Paul Hastings has announced the addition of Michelle Reed as a partner in its global data privacy and cybersecurity practice based in Dallas. Reed, who brings over two decades of experience in advising corporate clients, their boards, and individuals on privacy and cybersecurity risks, joins Paul Hastings from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Reed’s…
In a development marked by collaborative diplomacy, Russia and Ukraine have conducted a prisoner exchange, swapping 90 prisoners of war each. Acting as an intermediary, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a pivotal role in facilitating this exchange. This exchange, occurring on a Tuesday, is the latest in a series of periodic swaps that have…
Mediation as a dispute resolution mechanism is gaining traction in both India and the UK. The contrast between these two major legal jurisdictions shows how they are grappling with providing better and more effective means of resolving an ever-growing number of disputes. For further details on how these nations are approaching mediation and the challenges…
Transitioning from Biglaw to an in-house counsel position can often necessitate a recalibration of skills, yet the robust foundation built within the high-stakes environment of a major law firm remains invaluable. Meyling “Mey” Ly Ortiz’s reflections on the essential skills honed during her tenure in Biglaw shed light on how these competencies translate seamlessly into…
In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Children and Families of Norway stated that it would not halt adoptions amid an ongoing investigation into international adoption practices. Instead, the ministry is implementing interim risk-reducing measures to ensure the security of adoptions. This announcement comes in the wake of a recommendation from the Norwegian Directorate for…
The recent decision by the National Security Division at the Department of Justice to decline prosecution in a trade controls case involving MilliporeSigma has generated significant discussion in the legal community. Last month, the DOJ announced its declination to prosecute the biochemical company Sigma-Aldrich Inc.—doing business as MilliporeSigma—after the company voluntarily disclosed trade controls crimes….
The American Arbitration Association (AAA) and its international division, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), have launched ClauseBuilder AI, a new generative AI tool designed to simplify the drafting of arbitration and mediation agreements. This tool, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, aims to provide more than 500 curated clauses, facilitating the creation of clear…
China has made a significant move to strengthen its position in the field of international arbitration with the inauguration of the Hong Kong branch of the Shanghai International Arbitration Center, its first branch outside mainland China. This development, as noted by Hong Kong’s deputy justice secretary, Horace Cheung, during a speech on May 5, 2024,…
In a strategic acquisition aimed at enhancing its online dispute resolution (ODR) offerings, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has taken over ODR.com, a pioneer in ODR systems, along with its parent company, Resourceful Internet Solutions Inc. (RIS). This acquisition also includes Mediate.com, Arbitrate.com, and Ombuds.org, which are all part of RIS’s portfolio. The immediate priority…
DLA Piper LLP is required to hand over key documents related to prior pregnancy discrimination claims by other employees in connection with a lawsuit filed by a former senior associate. The former intellectual property attorney is suing the firm, alleging she was terminated after requesting maternity leave. US District Court for the Southern District of…
In an intriguing shift of professional path, a Los Angeles-based lawyer has redefined her career trajectory and found her true calling as a death doula. A unique but increasingly sought-after role, a death doula provides non-medical comfort and support to the dying, as well as their families, helping to alleviate the fear and apprehension that…
Disturbing news has reached the community of legal professionals: a major provider of digital audiovisual technology, widely used in courtrooms and jails, has reportedly been compromised. The software of concern has been found to contain a malware-associated backdoor that disguises itself as a standard update. In light of this alarming discovery, cybersecurity experts urgently recommend…
In a significant development for the legal landscape of environmental chemical contamination, chemical company BASF has reached a $316.5 million settlement with providers of drinking water. This substantial settlement is a resolution in the ongoing lawsuit over so-called “forever chemicals” contaminating the nation’s water supplies. The settlement was announced on Tuesday and is the fourth…
In the recent developments in the world of corporate law, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted new cybersecurity rules. These regulations necessitate investment advisers and broker-dealers to establish procedures for detecting data breaches. In addition, they are obliged to notify customers when their personal information might have been compromised. This latest SEC…
In an ongoing lawsuit involving CooperSurgical Inc., litigants have opted for mediation to attempt to resolve their dispute, with jurisdiction as a central issue. The parties are now moving towards an alternative form of dispute resolution, seeking to circumnavigate the often complex and lengthy process of litigation. The representation for the clients involved in this…
Hogan Lovells and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are positioned against each other in the dispute over the ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team, a reflection of their growing reputation in sporting deals. This year, these law firms contributed to the successful conclusion of two significant sports deals. William Savitt, a seasoned litigator and…
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued its first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); chemicals notorious for their persistence in the environment.Bloomberg Law reports that these stringent regulations significantly impact businesses, particularly those in states where more relaxed PFAS standards previously applied. The EPA has established maximum…
A small company specializing in repairing McFlurry ice cream machines, Kytch Inc., is disputing a claim by its former law firm, Clare Locke, over a fee request of at least $7 million. The dispute has its roots in a case where Kytch is suing McDonald’s Corp for false advertising and trade libel. Earlier this week,…