In a noteworthy development in patent law, Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (“Current Lighting”), and Walmart Inc., have received favorable rulings from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”). On September 15, 2023, the PTAB handed down these two final decisions regarding a patent dispute involving Power Concepts, LLC. These decisions represent a victory for Brooks…
In the continuing fallout from the Siegel case, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to take a fresh look at a topic of immense pertinence to the legal and corporate world alike. The court is set to review the United States Trustee’s appeal from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision that the Office…
Last week, a healthcare-focused market research firm, Trilliant Health, unveiled a crucial report highlighting the key economic trends influencing stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare industry this year. The report spotlighted several key themes including the declining physical and mental health of Americans, the shift away from conventional care pathways, and a growing patient-driven consumerist approach…
The post-#MeToo era has seen a significant rise in sexual misconduct and assault cases made public, growing with each passing year. The concerning trend seems to be organizationally and geographically indiscriminate. Sports institutions worldwide, including football clubs, governing bodies, and federations, are confronting a surge of such cases. Professional football, particularly, has come under the…
In a recent unexpected development, chip maker NVIDIA and its CEO, Jensen Huang, face securities fraud claims. According to a 2-1 decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, these claims have been revived under Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5. In light of this revelation, industrial legal eagles should not only…
Concerns over the inadequacy of defense funding within the U.S. Criminal Justice System have been recently addressed by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Chair, Tina Luongo. In a comment that resonates deeply with legal professionals across the sector, Luongo articulated that this funding issue is a “real crisis” impacting not only public defenders,…
North Carolina lawmakers last week formally adopted a state budget for the current fiscal biennium, pushing forward significant reforms and allocations within the state financial structure. The highlights of the newly adopted budget, HB 259: 2023 Appropriations Act, include an average 7% salary increase for state employees and educators over the next two years and…
As legal professionals observing the ever-changing landscape of immigration policy, it’s increasingly important to understand how potential government shutdowns can affect pivotal U.S. governmental operations. Specifically, several immigration processes stand to be disrupted, should the U.S. government fail to reach a budget agreement to fund federal government operations. This issue can no longer be considered…
On September 26, 2023, an addendum to the July 2021 Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory, henceforth known as the “2021 Advisory”, was released by multiple U.S. Departments: State, Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, Labor, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The origin of this shared initiative is to bring more information related to the…
The specter of a government shutdown and a recent report on federal healthcare spending took center stage in health care policy circles last week. According to a synopsis provided by law firm Alston & Bird, unresolved political disputes threaten to cause a ripple effect across the health care sector, just as a new federal report…
In the rapidly evolving legal landscape of financial regulation, this Saturday brought forth noteworthy developments. The U.S Department of the Treasury, in conjunction with members of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, issued a comprehensive report that takes a hard look at the impact of climate change on many American households. The report, appropriately titled…
Disturbances persist at the disbarment trial of John Eastman as a California State Bar judge admonishes Eastman’s attorney. The attorney’s continued efforts to qualify a witness as an expert, despite previous refusals, led to the rebuke. Highlighting this as a breach of a fundamental rule, the judge emphasized that Eastman should not expect any “special…
A recent dispute between a landlord and a disabled tenant sheds light on the legal intricacies within the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and its relation to Section 8 vouchers. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination against persons with disability, requiring landlords to make ‘reasonable accommodations’ to provide equal opportunities for renting or buying a home. This…
In September 2023’s Real Estate Disputes Update, the notable case of Vodafone Ltd V Potting Shed Bar & Gardens Ltd (Formerly Gencomp (No. 7) Ltd) & Ap Wireless II (UK) Ltd has been highlighted as one of particular interest. According to the information provided by JD Supra, the dispute arose when a freeholder, after granting…
With another eventful week in appellate news, the legal community continues to weigh and interpret several critical developments. This summary of the week’s key stories includes highlights from Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog, a trusted online platform that provides timely information on appellate litigation. One significant matter of interest for legal observers remains the current…
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies faced the challenge of abrupt employee furloughs, leading to a variety of legal ramifications. A crucial point recently highlighted by a Ninth Circuit panel concerns the obligation of employers to pay the final wages immediately, even while the employees are on furlough. A case at hand…
According to recent reports, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against popular national restaurant chain, Chipotle, citing religious discrimination and retaliation. The case involves a Muslim teenager who was allegedly harassed and retaliated against, leading to her departure from the company. According to the federal agency’s charge, a Chipotle manager…
The D.C. Circuit Court has released a critical decision regarding issue class certification relative to damages claims, spotlighting the necessity for all stipulations of Rule 23 to be met. Often, the certification of damages claims is determined by whether individual issues precede common issues within the context of Federal Rule 23(b)(3). Class plaintiffs who confront…
In a recent publication, JD Supra showcased interviews with Black professionals making significant strides in private equity and finance. This efficacious series shines a light on dealmakers and trailblazers who have carved their niche and are making a difference in their career pathways. One such professional is Alex King. However, due to a lack of…
The legal landscape of the National Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and retirement plan regulations have undergone significant changes over the last decade. In light of this, legal professionals in corporations and law firms are grappling with the evolving environment. Ary Rosenbaum of The Rosenbaum Law Firm P.C. provides insight into his experience in…
On September 26, 2023, Amazon found itself at the epicenter of high-stakes legal proceedings as the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and a collective of seventeen State Attorneys General geared up to take action against the e-commerce giant. The allegation? Violation of federal and state antitrust laws, as communicated in a meticulous 172-page complaint. It’s a…
In a recent ruling, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has insisted on a trial to determine whether an account user of PayPal received adequate notice concerning an agreement to arbitrate putative class claims against the company. The decision underlines the ongoing challenge for businesses in establishing and enforcing clear and effective user agreements that…
In what is becoming a consistent focus in legal discussions, the False Claims Act’s (FCA) materiality requirement has once again landed under the spotlight. This was the case in a pivotal decision made recently by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The requirement’s interpretation, as originally articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court in Universal Health…
In our continuing coverage of legal developments in the construction industry, we turn our spotlight onto the September issue of “The Site Report – Construction Law Insights“. The focus of this edition is on the growing trend of preconstruction taking center stage in projects. The trend has been sparked by a demand for increased communication…
The legal profession came under a spotlight of a different kind recently as one of its own, former federal prosecutor turned Biglaw attorney Patrick Scruggs, was arrested for a shocking road rage incident that escalated to a stabbing on a bridge in Tampa. Arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault,…