Judge Brantley Starr recently attracted considerable attention, leading to a misconduct complaint, when he ordered a group of Southwest Airlines in-house attorneys to participate in training courses provided by an established Anti-LGBTQ group. His reasoning for doing so ignited considerable controversy and has resulted in an appeal. This decision underscores concerns about the misuse of…
It has been a busy day in and around the courts today, with a variety of stories ranging from individuals taking on large institutions to controversial free speech policies in law schools. Here are some of the day’s most noteworthy legal developments. In a letter to the Wall Street Journal, Judge Edith Jones criticized the…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued proposed regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) on August 7, 2023, marking an important shift in the directive. The proposal comes from the EEOC, the federal agency charged with enforcing laws against workplace discrimination. The news was reported by JDSupra, though details of the finalized…
A major legal battle is underway, with a coalition of 21 Attorneys General (AGs) throwing their weight behind former Saks retail store employees’ allegations in a no-poach agreement case. The AGs have filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in support of the former employees who allege they…
Welcome to another installment of our review of the most significant recent legal cases and developments. Our review brings together a variety of key sources to deliver a concise summary tailored specifically for legal professionals. One of the notable developments covered in the How Appealing blog this week is a U.S. Appeals Court case from…
The heated dispute over judicial ethics between Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Samuel Alito underscores the contention whirling around this vital topic. With their starkly contrasted views, the justices are at the core of a legal debate that raises questions about the role of Congress in regulating court conduct and ethics. Justice Kagan and…
In a ruling on 11 July 2023, the English High Court delivered its decision in the case of Armstrong Watson LLP v. Persons Unknown, granting a judgment in default along with permanent injunctive relief. The rare occasion of this legal act against unknown parties – in this instance, a cluster of unidentified hackers – was…
The realm of renewable energy in Alberta has been recently thrust into the spotlight. This was a result of an unforeseen announcement made by Alberta’s Minister of Affordability and Utilities. On August 3, 2023, the Minister disclosed that the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) had received directives to put a temporary halt on the issuance of…
Recent judicial activities involving Teva Pharmaceuticals are casting a spotlight on the varying interpretations of the elements necessary for a False Claims Act (FCA) claim. According to a decision by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Teva could potentially face ruinous damages due to allegedly illicit “kickbacks.” These alleged transgressions, intriguingly,…
In a world where generative AI is becoming an increasingly fundamental part of the modern economy, it’s not just technologists and innovators who are taking note. The artificial intelligence sector is also under the scrutiny of competition enforcers and consumer protection agencies. Concerns continue to mount over the technology’s potential to foster unfair competition methods….
In the recent Conyers BVI quarterly corporate update, the focus was majorly on the transactions and legislative amendments that took place in the British Virgin Islands. In a surprising turn, the proliferation of new legislation which marked the latter half of 2022 and Q1 of 2023 experienced a lull in Q2. On the contrary, the…
In a significant development in April 2022, a 2–1 decision found that the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (FMSHRC) did not possess the authority to issue citations to a trucking company for transgressions occurring at their parking and maintenance site—situated over a mile from a mine property. The case in question was the…
The seven-year legal tug-of-war surrounding Monterey County’s Measure Z has finally reached its conclusion. Measure Z, a voter initiative launched in 2016 by the people of Monterey County, California, played a crucial role in shaping the fate of oil and gas operations within the county. In its original form, Measure Z imposed two significant restrictions…
For legal professionals entrenched within the world of corporate law, the recent agreement reached between the Teamsters Union and UPS presents significant implications for the broader automotive industry. As discussed in an article by Foley & Lardner LLP, there are several elements to unpack in terms of the impact of this settlement. Firstly, the agreement…
The hospice sector is facing heightened government scrutiny, especially in 2023. As indicated by the situation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to enact further measures in 2024, primarily through surveys. This recent report elaborates on the scenario. Insights from legal professionals Meg Pekarske, Emily Solum, and Erin Burns from Husch Blackwell…
The anticipated challenge posed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the sizable $25 billion merger between supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, is casting a spotlight on the FTC’s newly established, yet controversial, merger guidelines. Experts from the mergers and acquisitions sector are closely monitoring this situation, considering the implications it might hold for future…
For legal professionals intrigued by emerging technologies and their influences on the sector, a free, CLE-eligible webinar is taking place tomorrow, spotlighting the application and basics of AI in the legal field. Set to start at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 10, interested individuals can register for free. Joining the webinar as a copanelist…
In an important update for the legal professionals involved in arbitration, the 2023 Edition of The ITA Guide to Latin American Arbitral Institutions has been recently released. As published on JDSupra, this guide proves to be an instrumental resource for anyone doing business in Latin America. The 2023 ITA Guide is an expansive volume, casting…
In a recent case before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claims of negligence, assault, battery, and defamation against a Virginia attorney, Charles “Van” Hardenbaugh, and his wife have been allowed to proceed. This ruling was made in response to Hardenbaugh’s motion to dismiss these allegations, which had been raised by…
The landscape of foreign trademark infringement has experienced a significant shake following the U.S. Supreme Court’s end-of-term decision in Abitron v. Hetronic. It has presented new challenges for brand owners and courts who are struggling to understand the implications of the ruling and how it affects the application of the federal Lanham Act in global…
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Globe Metallurgical, Inc. (GMI) have entered into a Consent Decree (CD) in the United States District Court (Southern District of Ohio) addressing alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. This agreement was reached in relation to GMI’s ferroalloy production facility located in Beverly, Ohio, as reported in…
Truth or Consequences: The impact of the revised Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) endorsement guidelines can’t be understated, especially for large corporations and law firms. With endorsements and testimonials playing a significant role in business growth, it is crucial to navigate this new landscape cautiously. Authored by Douglas A. Thompson and Sarah Richards, the report underscores…
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial markets regulator, released a detailed summary of its concerns related to the sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) market on June 29, 2023. This move comes in the wake of concerns mounting over banks overstating their participation in green financing, or what is known as “greenwashing”, which may falsely represent…
During legal proceedings, precision in language is paramount. This was highlighted recently when a presiding Judge ordered attorneys to attend school after they failed to discern the difference between the words “May Not” and “Does Not”. This curious development offers a stark lesson for those engaged in the legal profession, underlining the absolute necessity for…
The escalating stakes in Sino-American relations are under the global spotlight, as both Washington and Beijing ramp up their trade policies, often justifying them under the banner of national or economic security. Notably, the political risks for U.S.-based businesses remain significantly elevated, given that both governments are poised to impose new export restrictions and increase…