Greenberg Traurig, a leading law firm recognized for its expansive global reach, has announced the hiring of Toshi Yoshida to bolster its energy and natural resources practice areas. This strategic addition underscores the firm’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in sectors critical to current global challenges. Yoshida brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked…
The Trump administration’s policy shift to remove conservation as a designated use for public lands has sparked significant debate within legal and environmental circles. The U.S. Interior Department justified the change by arguing that conservation practices often leave land “idle” when it could be utilized for commercial development. This perspective aligns with the administration’s broader…
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its mergers and acquisitions practice, Vinson & Elkins has announced the hiring of Matthew Myer as a partner in its Denver office. Myer, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in corporate transactions, joins from WilmerHale where he played a pivotal role in advising clients on complex M&A deals….
The ongoing litigation surrounding the IRS’s donor disclosure policy presents a significant examination of judicial deference to administrative agencies. The case, which questions the limits of the IRS’s authority to mandate nonprofit organizations to disclose substantial donor information, is poised to test the breadth of court deference as outlined in landmark decisions such as Chevron…
Reed Smith has welcomed back Jason Levy as a partner in its energy and natural resources group, emphasizing its focus on bolstering its California presence. Levy, an experienced practitioner in the energy sector, returns to the firm after having previously departed to join King & Spalding. He brings a wealth of knowledge in renewable energy…
Spencer Fane LLP, a Missouri-headquartered law firm, announced its largest expansion to date by merging with Conner & Winters LLP, a Southwest-based firm. This strategic integration, set to finalize on July 1, will add 75 attorneys to Spencer Fane’s roster, significantly bolstering its presence and legal capabilities in the region. This move reflects a growing…
King & Wood Mallesons, a leading Chinese law firm, has announced the expansion of its North American presence by opening offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver. This move is driven by the increasing demand from clients in these regions, highlighting the firm’s strategy to bolster its global footprint and provide more localized services to its…
UN experts have expressed approval for Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s ratification of the 1989 International Convention against Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. This move is heralded as a critical advancement in safeguarding human rights and maintaining international legal commitments. The ratification is seen within the broader context of Colombia’s long-standing conflict involving guerrilla…
Mayer Brown has significantly bolstered its Tokyo presence by recruiting partners Toshiro Mochizuki and Kana Morimura from A&O Shearman. This strategic move enhances Mayer Brown’s capabilities in capital markets and dispute resolution within the Japanese market. The addition of Mochizuki and Morimura follows the recent appointment of Masahisa Ikeda as the managing partner of Mayer…
A United Nations special rapporteur has issued a stark warning regarding air pollution’s role in perpetuating global human rights violations, urging nations to confront this burgeoning crisis. In a report delivered to the UN Human Rights Council, Astrid Puentes Riaño, the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, underscored…
An Oregon jury has delivered a significant verdict, awarding a record $242 million in a wildfire lawsuit. This outcome is poised to have substantial implications for future litigation involving natural disasters and liability. The case revolved around the determination of fault concerning a devastating wildfire that ravaged vast swathes of Oregon countryside, causing extensive damage…
When the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the question of presidential deference in emergencies was sidestepped. Legal experts are now scrutinizing how long the justices can maintain this silence. This ongoing debate centers on the breadth of executive authority during national emergencies and the judiciary’s role in evaluating the legitimacy of such…
Squire Patton Boggs LLP is expanding its Washington, D.C., office by hiring a public lands and energy expert from the U.S. Department of the Interior. This move highlights the firm’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its energy and natural resources practice. The appointee, who joined the Interior Department last year, has a robust background that includes…
Baker Botts, a prominent law firm known for its expertise in energy and natural resources, has appointed Kimberly Carper as the new leader of its Oil & Gas practice. Carper joins from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, where she distinguished herself as a significant player in the oil and gas sector. This transition marks a strategic…
In a distinctly unconventional geopolitical maneuver, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed an interest in purchasing Greenland, a move that raised eyebrows across international forums. This audacious idea, despite its initial dismissal as a curiosity of American diplomacy, underscored significant legal and political questions surrounding territorial acquisition in the modern era. Greenland, an autonomous territory…
In a strategic move to bolster its energy and natural resources practice, Greenberg Traurig LLP has acquired a new shareholder in Texas. The new addition is a seasoned professional who previously held the position of managing partner at Eversheds Sutherland’s Austin office. This individual also led the state energy regulatory group, bringing extensive expertise to…
In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the Canadian market, global law firm DLA Piper has appointed Robert Drew as the new Country Managing Partner for Canada. Drew, who has been with the firm for a decade, steps into this role with a clear mandate to drive further growth and solidify DLA Piper’s…
Holland & Knight has strategically enhanced its environmental law practice by adding Susan Swift as a partner in its San Francisco office. This move underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its expertise in environmental regulation and energy matters. Swift joins from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, where she was known for her work in environmental and…
In 2025, Georgia’s legal landscape was marked by significant developments that captured the attention of both legal practitioners and public stakeholders. Among the highlights was a federal ruling mandating the state’s corrections system to provide hormone therapy to transgender inmates. This decision reinforced the obligations under the Eighth Amendment, emphasizing the right to necessary medical…
In a strategic move set to bolster its project finance capabilities, the prestigious law firm Paul Weiss has added two seasoned professionals to its ranks. The firm announced the hiring of partners William Stirling and Jessica Franklin, both of whom bring extensive experience in the field, enhancing Paul Weiss’s offerings in New York. Reporting by…
In a notable shift within the legal landscape, Albert “Kip” Lipper, the former head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Litigation Section at the Department of Justice (DOJ), has joined Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP as a partner in their Washington, D.C. office. This move underscores a growing trend of prominent government lawyers transitioning…
Jenner & Block LLP has amicably resolved an $8 million fee dispute with the government of Sierra Leone. The conflict stemmed from allegations of unpaid legal fees and claims of overbilling during the firm’s representation of Sierra Leone in its legal battle with Gerald International Ltd., a concessionaire in an iron ore mining venture. The…
Reed Smith has made a significant addition to its ranks by appointing Anver Jamal as a partner in its Abu Dhabi office. Jamal, previously the head of Bird & Bird’s Middle East practice, brings with him a wealth of experience in cross-border transactions and project development. This strategic hire is aimed at bolstering Reed Smith’s…
In the year following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a dynamic shift has been observed in the landscape of judicial review of agency interpretations. Key areas include the rise of textualism, the potential reemergence of Skidmore-style deference, and a potential carve-out for foreign policy exceptions under the major questions…
Ghana has recently announced changes to its visa requirements for Chinese nationals, aiming to curb illegal mining activities that have caused significant environmental damage. Described locally as “galamsey,” these unsanctioned mining operations have ravaged the country’s water bodies, impacted public health, and led to increased utility costs. A particularly stark impact was seen in Swedru,…