JoAnn Covington, with thirty years of valuable experience in Silicon Valley, has been appointed as the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) of Glideways, a startup supported by prominent investors Sam Altman and Bill Gates. Glideways aims to revolutionize urban transportation through a “personal rapid transit system” featuring self-driving cars on a dedicated track. These autonomous vehicles…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments in United States v. Miller brings into sharp focus the tension between the IRS’s sovereign immunity and the authority entrusted to a bankruptcy trustee. On one side, the government seeks reversal of lower court rulings that would permit a Chapter 7 liquidation trustee to recover a payment…
The legal community mourns the passing of The Honorable Robert H. Piestewa Ames, a distinguished figure whose career spanned decades and touched many lives. Ames, the first Native American to graduate from Stanford Law School, passed away on December 5, 2023, at the age of 94 in his home in Salinas, California. His legacy includes…
RXO Inc. has solidified its position in the logistics sector by agreeing to purchase United Parcel Service Inc.’s (UPS) asset-light freight brokerage business, Coyote Logistics, for over $1 billion. This acquisition will see RXO ascend to the status of the third-largest brokered transportation provider in North America. Charlotte, North Carolina-based RXO plans to fund the…
Article Legal heavyweight David Boies is set to represent a former Texas bankruptcy judge who is facing accusations of improperly concealing a romantic relationship with a local attorney. Boies, the chair and founding partner of Boies Schiller Flexner, is stepping in on behalf of the former judge, David R. Jones, amidst a civil suit initiated…
Dentons’ Project Golden Spike aimed to revolutionize the legal industry by emulating the transcontinental railroad’s transformative impact on transportation and commerce. The initiative sought to extend the firm’s reach into underserved markets by inviting smaller, efficient firms to join its expansive network. According to Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor Bill Henderson, Dentons envisioned…
An appellate court in New Orleans has granted a stay on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ban against transporting an explosive device utilized in oil and gas drilling. The decision comes as a temporary relief for MCR Oil Tools LLC, an Arlington, Texas-based oil field supplier whose main product is significantly impacted by the ban….
Jones Day has announced that Kevin Fink has joined the firm as a partner within its financial markets practice, operating from the Los Angeles and Irvine, California offices. This information was confirmed by the firm on Tuesday. Fink specializes in representing private equity funds and their portfolio companies, hedge funds, commercial banks, and other financial…
In an unusual series of events, Corey Harris became the subject of widespread attention last week for attending a virtual court hearing regarding his suspended driver’s license while driving his car. The hearing, presided over by Judge J. Cedric Simpson, ended with Harris being ordered to turn himself in to the local jail by the…
Luke Reid has joined Blank Rome as a partner with the firm’s maritime group and as a member of its transportation industry team in Boston, according to the firm’s announcement Monday. Reid, a former US Coast Guard officer, brings a wealth of experience advising clients on both international and domestic maritime regulatory compliance. He also…
The UK Bar Council has called for an inquiry into the growing backlog of cases at the criminal courts, urging a comprehensive review through a Royal Commission. The Council’s announcement came on Thursday, as highlighted in a press release. The Council has provided written evidence emphasizing the critical need for a “whole system review” to…
In an era where virtual court hearings have become commonplace, it seems common sense sometimes takes a backseat. A recent incident during a Zoom court hearing highlighted the perils of forgetting one’s surroundings while online. Corey Harris, a defendant with a suspended license, astonished a Michigan judge by appearing for his Zoom hearing while driving,…
Sidley Austin has strengthened its Houston office by adding Stephen Boone Jr. as a partner in the firm’s energy, transportation, and infrastructure group. Boone, who was previously with Akin Gump, brings extensive experience in advising public and private entities and investment funds on oil and gas matters, including strategic investments in exploration and production. Notably,…
Justin Hakeem, a Syrian national who worked at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for more than a decade, can pursue a discrimination and hostile work environment complaint against U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a district judge has ruled. Hakeem alleges that Secretary Mayorkas “created a hostile and abusive work environment” and “failed to adequately…
Ten climate activists were arrested in Germany on Saturday for completely halting aircraft activity at Munich Airport. The protesters, from the climate activism group, Letzte Generation (Last Generation), glued themselves on an airway, effectively impacting approximately sixty departures and arrivals. The group, who are renowned for their disruptive practices in Germany, orchestrated the demonstration. They…
In an enlightening recent development, consumers and financial services businesses have benefitted from the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the legality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB, now 13 years old, faced a challenge from a trade association representing payday lenders based on the Bureau’s extramural funding mechanism, which operates independently…
Last year, leading attorneys for large U.S airlines collectively garnered almost $50 million, underscoring the significant value these heavily regulated carriers place on internal legal assistance. United Airlines Holdings Inc. led the pack, awarding president Brett Hart nearly $15 million in total compensation, according to a proxy statement. This comprises $6.4 million in stock awards…
In response to a wave of violent protests against an electoral system amendment, New Caledonian authorities have decided to enforce a blanket ban on public gatherings in the island’s capital, Nouméa. A further measure, in the form of a curfew, has been put in place – a containment strategy set to span May 14 to…
Renowned law firm, Jackson Walker LLP, recently took major legal steps, aiming to dismiss a lawsuit leveled against them. The allegations suggest the firm assisted in covering up a romantic relationship between an erstwhile Texas bankruptcy judge and one of its ex-partners over an extended period. The law firm not only sought dismissal for the…
The European Union took a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions this week by approving stricter emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. These vehicles, according to the EU, contribute to more than 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the region. Historically lax regulations have resulted in this high percentage, but the EU…
Major US airlines alongside their lobbying group have leveled a lawsuit against the US Transportation Department. This comes in the wake of new regulations enforced by the department, which mandates airlines to disclose certain fees upfront. These rules, according to the agency, could lead to significant savings for travelers. In response, the airlines and their…
An estimated eight hundred people took to the streets on Friday to protest against Tesla’s plan to expand its German factory located in Grünheide. The demonstration was spearheaded by Disrupt Tesla, an anti-capitalist group that opposes all forms of individual transportation. Following the protest, Disrupt Tesla released a statement alleging that Tesla’s activities contribute to…
Argentina’s main labor unions initiated a 24-hours general strike of public transportation services, including buses, trains, subways, and airplanes last Thursday. The course of action was a reaction to what they perceive as President Javier Milei’s austerity policies, which resulted in a shutdown of transportation services and the emptying of streets as millions of Argentine…
In the “Star Wars” movies, the Trade Federation is a powerful conglomerate controlling interstellar commerce, armed with its own private military and a seat in the Galactic Senate. It leverages its clout to control pricing, enforce one sided trade agreements with planets and even manipulate local politics. The extent of its influence was perhaps most…
Boeing, a company with over a century of experience in the aerospace industry, has experienced a challenging first quarter, with a loss of $355 million and an 8 percent decline in revenue compared to last year reported. This comes in the wake of a troubled few months. In January, there was a midair door blowout…