France has issued arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad who is the de facto chief of the Syrian elite military unit, and two other high-ranking generals from the armed forces. These warrants are directly tied to two chemical weapons attacks that occurred in Ghouta, Syria in August 2013. The initiation…
In a recently published analysis regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, it has been suggested that there is a growing focus on establishing a format for aggrieved parties to assert their economic claims against Russia, in the wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine. This paper, produced by legal firm Paul Hastings LLP, carries a great…
Atlanta police reportedly used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse anti-‘Cop City’ protestors on Monday. The demonstrators were urging the city to halt the construction of a new police training center. The use of force by the police was caught in aerial footage from local news station WGXA News. In support of the cause,…
A Kyiv court has recently ruled for a 60-day detention period for Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky. Dubinsky, currently under suspicion for treason, is widely recognized for his presence on the US sanctions list, his ties to Rudy Giuliani, former Trump lawyer, and his outspoken critique of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Security Service of Ukraine…
In the wake of the recent Veterans Day, it’s a timely reminder for employers about the existence and significance of the federal law protecting the rights of servicemembers in employment – the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This law carries substantial weight regarding the rights of servicemembers in the…
As legal professionals with an interest in employment law, one likely needs no introduction to the complexities involved when it comes to statutory holidays. A pertinent example is Veterans Day, celebrated in the United States on November 11, 2023, a holiday designed to honor the country’s Armed Forces’ veterans. Employers may wish to utilize this…
Entrepreneurship amongst veterans is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the founders of globally recognized brands such as Nike, FedEx, Enterprise, GoDaddy, and Esurance have all served in the military. As an interesting note, the U.S. Small Business Administration has found that one out of 10 small businesses – numbering an impressive 2.5 million –…
On November 1, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a significant summary of findings which pointed out that financial institutions may be falling short in adequately assisting service members under federal legislation. This information was made available by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and published on JDSupra. One of the alarming findings from the…
During the week of November 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) Veterans Employment and Training Service (“VETS”) held its virtual 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award Ceremony. The event, which coincided with Veterans Day 2023, recognized 859 civilian employers with either gold or platinum-level awards. This milestone honors organizations that have demonstrated commitment and…
Hogan Lovells, a prominent law firm, acted pro bono in 2023, representing two former British soldiers who were serving in the Ukrainian military and are pressing war crime charges against the Russian Federation. Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin are seeking compensation for physical and psychological torture endured during the siege of Mariupol. This humanitarian action…
The European Union (EU) has recently expressed its deep concern over the escalating violence in Sudan’s Darfur region, condemning the potential for “another genocide”. This conflict, which has been ongoing since April, involves Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent victories for the RSF have resulted in them taking de facto…
A group of Turkish mothers known locally as the “Saturday Mothers”, whose children disappeared forcibly during the 1980s and 90s, succeeded in holding a public vigil without any police intervention last Saturday. This marks a watershed moment; the first such gathering to proceed unhindered since the police disbanded their demonstration back in 2018. The “Saturday…
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported to Reuters on Thursday that approximately 700 casualties have been sustained in clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Geneina, Sudan, on November 4 and 5. The IOM further revealed that around 100 individuals were injured and an additional 300 remain…
Three Palestinian human rights organizations, Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights have lodged a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The submission – done under Article 15 of the Rome Statute – accuses Israel of war crimes and genocide, pertaining to their airstrikes and bombing…
According to a US national security spokesperson, Israel has agreed to instigate daily humanitarian pauses in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in northern Gaza. This revelation was announced during a recent press briefing by John Kirby, the President’s National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications. Kirby elaborated that the Israelis had disclosed potentially significant…
As legal professionals serving in large corporations and law firms, it’s essential to stay updated on the various security threats, and proposed solutions, circulating in our digital age. A current issue of concern revolves around the potential exploitation of veterans, a demographic that often faces targeted scams. It’s evident that we as a society owe…
Human Rights Watch reported on Wednesday that Burkina Faso’s regime has intensified its oppressive strategies. A notice of required participation in government security operations was sent to twelve journalists, civil society activists, and opposition party members. This ploy appears to be a bid to stifle dissent. Authorities claim these conscription orders are legitimized by a…
In the high-stakes world of law, a unique set of experiences is a valuable asset. Yet many might overlook the considerable benefits that military service can bring to a legal career. Attorneys who have served in the military often find that their experiences shape them into more adept and versatile legal professionals. Recently, veterans-turned-attorneys spoke…
In a move designed to support military families, the Supreme Court of Georgia has introduced changes to its rules that will result in a new admissions process for military spouses licensed to practice law in another state. The announcement, shared to the public ahead of Veterans Day, was made due to the highly transient nature…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) earlier this year released a compelling report that highlighted an unsettling increase in reported incidents of identity theft among servicemembers. According to data cited from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in 2021 alone there have been close to 50,000 cases of identity theft involving military consumers. This group not…
Following an increasing strain on international geopolitics, Russia and NATO have both confirmed their withdrawal from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday. This move, perceived by many as a signal of an ongoing degeneration of global security, leaves behind a significant vacuum in arms control….
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner recently expressed serious concerns over the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. As articulated in their official statement released on Friday, the body highlights what it categorizes as “multi-layered human rights violations of Palestinians.” Since the October 7 attacks by Hamas…
The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently vacated a preliminary injunction against the Illinois assault weapon ban that was passed earlier this year, enabling the ban to come into effect. The 2-1 majority opinion of the court was penned by Circuit Judge Diane Wood, who noted that under the precedent of the…
In an attempt to combat surging organized crime and violence, the Brazilian government has taken the extraordinary step of temporizing militarization in key locations across the country. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced last Wednesday that an integrated operation is underway in response to growing organized crime in Rio de Janeiro and other…
The US Department of Treasury has recently reported imposing sanctions on 130 firms and individuals from Türkiye, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The move targets to limit Russia’s access to essential tools and equipment supporting their invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions address the production of technology, equipment, and other critical dual-use components Russia…