In January 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to Beijing marked a significant shift in Canada-China relations, culminating in the announcement of a new strategic partnership. This development has already begun to influence Canada’s legal sector, with major law firms such as Dentons, Fasken, and McMillan reporting increased demand for legal services. This uptick…
Meta Platforms Inc. has experienced a noticeable increase in legal fees paid to WilmerHale, reflecting a significant year of litigation challenges for the technology giant. According to recent disclosures, WilmerHale’s revenues from Meta surged, underscoring the pivotal role the law firm plays in steering the company through its numerous legal entanglements. The rise in fees…
A California federal jury has ruled that Hyundai Technology, a small U.S. computer company, must pay $2.5 million to Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. This decision comes after allegations that Hyundai Technology improperly leveraged the automotive giant’s trademark, creating consumer confusion by “piggybacking” on Hyundai’s established brand identity. The case highlights the ongoing challenges companies…
Polsinelli, a well-known national law firm, faces allegations of bad faith conduct in several medical device patent infringement cases. A consortium of companies involved in these disputes accuses the firm of engaging in tactics intended to delay proceedings and inflate litigation costs. These actions purportedly undermine the fair adjudication of intellectual property rights and could…
In a significant move by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Rollins Inc., the parent company of pest-control giant Orkin, has been ordered to release 18,000 employees from noncompete agreements. This decision is a part of the FTC’s broader strategy to scrutinize and challenge noncompete clauses which have long been prevalent in industries such as pest…
Surging investment in artificial intelligence, alongside an increase in safety incidents, is a growing concern as highlighted by Stanford’s 2026 AI Index report. This report underscores how AI advancement is rapidly outpacing the systems established to govern its deployment. This trend presents notable challenges and implications for legal professionals. Employment lawyers, compliance officers, and corporate…
The Federal Circuit recently declined to entertain an immediate appeal from FullView Inc., a U.S. Navy contractor, following a ruling by a California federal judge. The decision involves the invalidation of claims concerning FullView’s camera technology patent, which was deemed not to meet eligibility requirements. The court also upheld the exclusion of a damages expert’s…
In a recent legal development, a federal judge in Manhattan has refused to dismiss a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claim against AI-powered music generator Udio. Music companies have alleged that Udio illegally used their copyrighted material to train its music-generating algorithms. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing intersectional challenges of copyright law and artificial…
In-house legal teams are increasingly recognizing the untapped potential of contract data as a catalyst for business growth. By leveraging this data, they can provide strategic insights that go beyond mere compliance and risk mitigation. This approach not only enhances the legal department’s value but also aligns it more closely with corporate objectives. Traditionally, contract…
In a significant move within the legal landscape, the former Chief Legal Officer of the PGA Tour, Len Brown, has joined McDermott Will & Emery as a partner. He brings a wealth of experience from his 25-year tenure with the premier golf association, where he notably handled legal strategy and compliance on a global scale….
Morrison Foerster has strengthened its antitrust capabilities by recruiting Michael Hazel as a partner in its Denver office. Hazel, previously with Perkins Coie, brings significant experience in antitrust litigation and merger reviews, particularly in the technology and consumer products sectors, enhancing Morrison Foerster’s strategic depth in these areas. Read more. This move comes as part…
ML Strategies, the consulting arm of Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC, has made a notable addition to its team by hiring a former health policy director from Guidehouse. This new recruit, who has vast experience from nearly a decade with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is expected to…
The Am Law 100, a benchmark ranking of the largest U.S. law firms by revenue, has profoundly evolved over the last 25 years, reflecting deeper trends within the legal industry and the broader economy. Several leading firms have distinguished themselves, maneuvering through economic cycles, technological disruptions, and regulatory shifts to not only survive but thrive….
As the legal profession continues to evolve, the competitive landscape for law schools vying to place graduates in top-tier firms becomes increasingly intense. A recent sneak peek at the 2026 list of law schools placing graduates into associate positions at Am Law 200 firms provides valuable insights for aspiring attorneys and law school administrators alike….
In a striking event illustrating the pitfalls of over-relying on artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, an Oregon case has come under scrutiny after lawyers submitted flawed filings generated by AI. This incident underscores the critical need for legal professionals to thoroughly vet AI outputs and maintain rigorous oversight in handling sensitive client matters. The case…
Kirkland & Ellis has emerged as a formidable force in the legal industry, showcasing extraordinary growth that has not gone unnoticed by its competitors. The firm’s aggressive expansion strategy, marked by its burgeoning headcount and significant client acquisitions, has reshaped the competitive landscape, compelling other firms to adapt swiftly. Fueling Kirkland’s ascent is a strategic…
Georgia’s innovative tax incentives for data centers are paving a path that other states may consider following. The state has effectively crafted a tax framework that has made it an attractive hub for data center investment, demonstrating the power of strategic fiscal policy in the rapidly growing tech infrastructure sector. The tax exemptions offered by…
The Federal Circuit has upheld a decision rejecting multiple claims from a patent application concerning a golf club head by Cobra Golf. The court’s decision supports findings by federal patent officials who deemed several claims in the application to be obvious. This case highlights ongoing challenges in patent law, particularly regarding the assessment of obviousness,…
Justice Clarence Thomas has expressed his apprehension about the challenges artificial intelligence could present to the U.S. Supreme Court. His concerns highlight the potential complexities that cases involving AI may introduce to the judicial system. As AI technology continues its rapid evolution, the legal questions that arise may require unprecedented judicial interpretation and adaptability. These…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is launching a new pilot program aimed at reducing the patent examination backlog, tackling older applications that have already passed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international review. This initiative, announced by a USPTO leader, seeks to streamline processes within an increasingly congested technological landscape. Patent backlogs have…
In a recent development in copyright litigation, a federal judge in North Carolina has upheld a $4 million jury verdict against Transtate Equipment Co., confirming the company’s violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The decision maintains the jury’s conclusion that Transtate, an independent service organization, infringed upon the copyrights held by Philips, a…
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is currently representing Meta Platforms in an Italian class action lawsuit concerning extensive data scraping incidents. This case highlights the growing trend of mass class actions targeting large technology corporations over data privacy violations. As digital transparency and user data protection gain critical importance, cases like these underscore the legal complexities surrounding…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has launched its Artificial Intelligence Search Automated Pilot (ASAP) program, a significant step forward in patent filing strategies. This initiative provides applicants with automated search results notices before substantive examination, potentially transforming how companies approach patent applications. By enabling earlier visibility into the prior art landscape, ASAP…
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has bolstered its litigation capabilities on the West Coast by welcoming a seasoned litigator to its Los Angeles office. This move underscores the firm’s strategic commitment to enhancing its presence and expertise in key legal markets. The new addition, a litigator with extensive experience and nearly 15 years at O’Melveny…
In recent years, corporate legal departments have faced a notable trend: escalating partner billing rates at law firms. This shift has significant implications for general counsels (GCs) striving to manage legal budgets effectively. Data from the LexisNexis CounselLink 2025 Trends Report indicates that in 2024, average partner billing rates increased by 5.1%, following a 5.4%…