For those interested in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) insights and enforcement actions, an upcoming hybrid event titled “Navigating the SEC: A 2023 Look Back and Look Forward” should not be missed. The esteemed presenters of the event, Sarah Morgan and Rebecca Fike, both partners at Vinson & Elkins LLP, will offer a deep dive…
In the current digital age, we are seeing an interesting interplay between federal contractors and social media platforms (SPMs). While these platforms can offer entertainment and social connection, they can also pose unique legal challenges, particularly for federal contractors. Notably, in late 2022, as part of a larger budget bill, Congress passed the ‘No TikTok…
The Asia Deal Digest has highlighted some significant M&A activity in the Asian market, with the spotlight on China and Japan. The report marks a shift in the Chinese M&A landscape which hit its lowest point since 2014, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The downward trend seems to be changing, with noted global brands like Volkswagen Group…
In a continuing exploration of the unique challenges faced by Black attorneys in the legal profession, Angela Mackie-Rutledge delves into the subject of hair discrimination in the legal sector. Mackie-Rutledge, in partnership with legal organization MothersEsquire, is the author of the Black Hair, Big Law series, a research-driven initiative conducted in conjunction with the Big…
Law practice has often been misconstrued to necessitate round-the-clock commitment. However, delving into part-time law practice is a viable option that challenges this presumption. For practitioners who seek a balance between career and other personal pursuits, such a model provides them the flexibility to fulfill their professional and personal satisfaction as well as monetary ambitions…
In today’s legal news docket, a high-profile case has put Atlanta’s penal system under the spotlight. A trial that might revolve around a former U.S. president is causing quite a stir. As the location for the legal proceedings, the implications for Atlanta’s jail system could be far-reaching, according to a report by Reuters. Meanwhile in…
On the first day of a mental competency hearing, Tom Girardi’s lawyer, Craig Harbaugh, meticulously scrutinized the government’s neurological expert, Dr. Diana Goldstein. Former plaintiff attorney Girardi, aged 84, attentively observed the process unfolding at the U.S. federal courtroom in downtown Los Angeles. The hearing, presided over by U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton in the…
Fifth Circuit judge James Ho has been a mainstay in national law-related headlines last week. Let’s delve into them. Ho, who was appointed under the Trump Administration, has been vociferously sharing his patriotic perspectives through his court dissents. His actions have garnered attention from legal professionals, prompting discussions about the future direction of his rulings….
Five former employees of media conglomerate Gannett have recently lodged a class action complaint against their former employer, alleging reverse discrimination. The ex-staff members claim that Gannett terminated non-minority staff members and intentionally hired diverse but less-qualified individuals in a bid to meet inclusion quotas. The fresh legal challenge laid against Gannett accuses the company…
In the esteemed tradition of attorneys as social reformers, from Mahatma Gandhi to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a new wave of legal advocates is emerging. Among these are two influential figures from the London office of Weil Gotshal & Manges, who are currently at the forefront of a significant push for reform. Their target is the…
On Tuesday, hours after Donald Trump’s criminal indictment was unsealed in Fulton County, Georgia, the former US President announced his plans for a significant reveal on Truth Social. He pledged to hold a substantial News Conference the following Monday at his New Jersey golf club to release a comprehensive yet conclusive account of the Presidential…
What seemed like a routine banking procedure has backfired for Bank of America, resulting in a class-action lawsuit accusing the banking giant of cancelling customers’ autopay programs without adequate notice. This lawsuit came to light via Law.com Radar, and has sparked widespread debate in the legal fraternity due to the potential consequences for other financial…
Sanctioning employees for late timesheet submissions is not a new concept, but one large legal firm appears to be adopting an unusually tough stance. According to reports “This Biglaw firm is cracking down on late timesheet submissions“. Elsewhere, flexibility in working conditions is increasingly becoming a contentious issue. Inspired by the shift in working habits…
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…