North Carolina is the latest battleground in a spate of legal actions taking aim at redistricting plans across the United States. Advocacy groups, including the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Common Cause, have leveled a lawsuit against the Republican-majority state government. The suit alleges that the…
The recent activities within the ongoing civil fraud case against the former president, Donald Trump, have taken quite a turn as Trump’s defense lawyers filed, for the fifth time, a motion for directed verdict. The filled motion repeats arguments that have been unsuccessful in the past two years. These include claims that Trump never lied…
A federal trial scrutinizing the way judicial officials dealt with the harassment claim by an ex-federal defender is nearing its conclusion. The evidence processing in this civil case has come to an end, placing the spotlight on the closing arguments, which are scheduled for the forthcoming month. The former defender at the center of the…
Former assistant federal public defender, Caryn Strickland, held the rare opportunity to cross-examine her former superior, J.P. Davis, whom she accused of sexual harassment. This examination took place during a civil case concerning the management of her allegations. Davis, who served as the inaugural assistant in the Federal Defender’s Office for the Western District of…
Unveiled by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), new regulations are making ripples in the corporate legal world, prompting a rethink of cyberattack response strategies. These rules require prompt disclosure of significant cyber incidents. Several public companies are grappling with the challenges of satisfying these requirements, trying to navigate a somewhat vague landscape. The…
In our 2023 Pro Bono Innovators issue, we wish to spotlight the work of legal firms Hughes Hubbard & Reed and Akin Gump for their dedication to human rights, specifically in the case of Paul Rusesabagina, a democracy advocate in Rwanda. Famously known for his story being told in the 2004 movie “Hotel Rwanda”, Rusesabagina…
As year-end tasks dominate legal departments worldwide, the importance of both reflecting on and preparing for future challenges cannot be overstated. Several trends will notably keep in-house lawyers busy this coming year. The politically charged climate of election years has a profound impact, penetrating the various layers of society, including businesses. Debate on social issues…
A US federal jury has ordered former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million in damages to Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Mossin. Giuliani had previously accused the two women of tampering with the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election. The damages issued include $16 million to each plaintiff for defamation, $20 million to each…
In an annual tradition, it’s time to spotlight the innovative and creative holiday cards created by legal firms worldwide. However, this year, Above the Law (ATL) has narrowed the participants down to seven standout finalists for their fifteenth annual holiday card contest. The honorable mentions went to Armond Wilson, Diaz Trade Law, and Patterson Belknap;…
Law360, a pivotal resource for legal professionals, is well-known for its annual awards series spotlighting standout attorneys and legal practice groups. These prestigious awards provide meaningful recognition within the legal community. Such accolades necessitate precise submissions from law firms or attorneys, often within a strict format and deadlines. To assist in this detailed submission process,…
In an interesting twist, a recent survey from Law360 Pulse has produced somewhat unexpected results in terms of the comparison between associate and equity partner average billable hours. As law professionals may imagine, the necessity of proving oneself can often result in younger, less experienced associates working longer hours to establish their reputation and work…
In a recent discussion about the landscape of the American legal profession, Albany Law School professor Raymond Brescia highlighted a remarkable shortfall. The ongoing integration of new technologies within the legal sphere is causing major disruptions, potentially threatening the foundational business models of professional institutions and even questioning their relevance to contemporary yeomanry. For instance,…
The legal landscape of the cannabis industry is once again under the spotlight with a recent lawsuit brought by attorney Lauren Rudick against her former firm, Hiller PC. Her grievances include allegations of missed payments and enforced maternity leave work. The lawsuit brings increased scrutiny to the legal and employment practices in an industry that…
In this week’s legal roundup, the Supreme Court has been at the forefront of several notable transactions. The morning read for Thursday, December 14, as reported by SCOTUSblog, featured a variety of enlightening stories from across the legal spectrum. A compelling part of the Thursday morning read was the story of the Ex-Portage Mayor who…
A case is soon to be presented before the Eighth Circuit focused on opposing compulsory anti-racism and gender identity training courses that two Native American, Christian employees were required to attend at their Minnesota psychiatric hospital workplace. The father and son pair, Joseph Norgren and Aaron Norgren, are contending on religious and First Amendment grounds,…
With experience spanning diverse subfields of the intellectual property legal territory, Jon Gurka has now joined Crowell & Moring as a partner in their intellectual property department, a recent announcement from the firm confirms. Gurka’s extensive expertise ranges from patenting to trademarks, and from trade secret regulation to breach of contract matters. A spotlight on…
In a recent development, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could potentially impact the charges against former President Donald Trump, if he was to face criminal charges for conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 elections. This follows a swift request from Special Counsel Jack Smith for the…
In recent developments on the legal landscape, a high-profile defamation lawsuit, involving a former patent litigator from Greenberg Traurig LLP and a social media personality, has garnered significant attention. The ex-attorney vehemently criticized the influencer’s bid to sidestep the case on allegations of abuse, expressing strong disapproval to a Florida federal court. Furthermore, he declared…
Special Counsel Jack Smith has launched a stunning legal gambit against the dilatory tactics employed by former president Donald Trump in a bid to stall his election interference case until after the next election. Smith, in an unusual venture, has approached three separate courts pleading their intervention. Much of this legal drama was set in…
A former federal public defender in Boston engaged in a sexual harassment lawsuit against the judiciary had one part of her claim dismissed on the first day of the trial. The decision came after she was unable to provide sufficient evidence to support her assertion that her complaint would be judged by one of her…
Former top campaign lawyer for Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, “disgraced” two Georgia election workers during the 2020 election and should be held financially liable for the harm caused, an attorney representing the workers contended during the start of his trial on Monday, bloomberglaw.com reported. Accusations point to Giuliani’s central role in promoting false conspiracy theories…
In a recent report, Human Rights Watch highlighted severe water access restrictions faced by the inhabitants of Taizz, Yemen. The city has been embroiled in conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels, depriving its residents of clean water for nearly eight years. The Human Rights Watch report urged both parties to enable the city’s…
In an unexpected turn of events, renowned law firm Holland & Knight is accused of inadvertently transferring over $3 million to malicious hackers. The incident has raised issues concerning cybersecurity and protocols within the legal profession. According to the allegations, the firm purportedly wired $3 million to a fraudulent bank account. The transaction was made…
The federal appellate system observed some notable changes in 2023. A former BigLaw partner in his 30s made history by joining a prestigious circuit court, a noteworthy move for the young legal professional. Meanwhile, another former BigLaw partner in his 50s created ripples across the legal realm by stepping away from the largest circuit. A…
In a recent development, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have demanded the dismissal of the presidents of three prestigious institutions: Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The reason behind this drastic call for action is the allegedly narrow legal responses given by these presidents, during a House Committee hearing…