Business of Law

  • September 05, 2024

    Conn. Bar Says Woman Owes Exhibits In Suit Over Exam Tech

    A bar examinee suing the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee and ExamSoft over an alleged software crash that hindered her ability to complete the exam has failed to file three exhibits referenced in her complaint, which the committee said Thursday makes it difficult to move to dismiss the matter.

  • September 05, 2024

    New Weinstein Charges Loom In NY As Women Step Forward

    A New York state grand jury may indict Harvey Weinstein for additional sex crimes as soon as Friday based on allegations from three new complaining witnesses, a source familiar with the proceedings told Law360.

  • September 05, 2024

    Veteran Atty Launches Solo Patent Boutique In Va.

    Longtime patent attorney Michael Kiklis — a former partner at both Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Oblon McClelland Maier & Neustadt LLP who has represented companies including SLB, Thermo Fisher Scientific's Life Technologies Corp. and Steuben Foods Inc. — has launched his own patent boutique in Alexandria, Virginia.

  • September 05, 2024

    Chutkan Rejects Trump's Evidentiary Delay Request

    A D.C. federal judge said she wanted to see "forward motion" in former President Donald Trump's election case now that it's back in her courtroom, rejecting Trump's attorneys' calls for delay and clearing the way for prosecutors to present a trove of evidence by the end of the month.

  • September 05, 2024

    Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty To Tax Charges In Surprise Move

    Hunter Biden entered a surprise guilty plea to nine criminal tax charges in California federal court on Thursday, bringing a dramatic conclusion to the case following a dizzying series of events on what was set to be the first day of his trial.

  • September 12, 2024

    Bird & Bird Recruits M&A Partner In Frankfurt Amid Growth

    Bird & Bird LLP has hired a business expert as a partner in Frankfurt as the firm bolsters its growing corporate practice internationally, with a keen eye on its new office in Japan.

  • September 04, 2024

    Leech Tishman Combines With Calif. Firm Nelson Hardiman

    Leech Tishman is set to add California-based healthcare and life science law firm Nelson Hardiman's 17 attorneys to its Los Angeles office this fall and will do business in the Golden State under the combined name Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, the firm announced Tuesday.

  • September 04, 2024

    2nd Circ. Hears Unvaxxed NY Judge's 'Exile' Challenge

    A Second Circuit panel on Wednesday voiced some skepticism of a bid to revive a New York state judge's lawsuit over his "exile" after he failed to get a religious exemption from the court system's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

  • September 04, 2024

    Conn. Man Charged With Threatening To Assassinate Judge

    A Connecticut man has been charged with threatening to assassinate a judge during a call to the state judicial branch requesting body and vehicle camera recordings of his recent arrest in a separate matter, the Connecticut State Police said on Wednesday.

  • September 04, 2024

    Texas Justices OK Some Online Learning For Bar Admission

    The Texas Supreme Court has announced rule changes that would allow certain online degree programs to qualify for admission to the State Bar of Texas.

  • September 04, 2024

    Feds Say Litigation Funding Co. Was A $10M Ponzi Scheme

    A purported investment company's owner faces criminal charges and a suit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after she allegedly made false claims to investors that she would lend their money to personal injury attorneys but instead used the money for a Ponzi-like scheme and personal expenses.

  • September 04, 2024

    McElroy Deutsch's Former CFO Fights Bid To Sink Ch. 11 Case

    The currently incarcerated former chief financial officer for McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP denied that his Chapter 11 filing was a bad faith maneuver meant to stall ongoing civil litigation, claiming instead that the bankruptcy will allow for the liquidation of property for the benefit of creditors.

  • September 04, 2024

    A Federal Judge On Being Married To A Congresswoman

    U.S. District Judge Michael Simon, on the bench in the District of Oregon since 2011, is married to U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and says "good faith and transparency" are key to avoiding conflicts of interest when both sides of a marriage work in legal affairs and lawmaking.

  • September 04, 2024

    Feds Say Ex-Judge's Misconduct Does Not Warrant New Trial

    "Troubling" allegations that a former Alaska federal judge engaged in sexual misconduct should not open the door for a new trial in one of his cases where a man was convicted of cyberstalking, federal prosecutors argued in a court filing.

  • September 04, 2024

    Chief Justice Brister To Bring 20 Years' Wisdom To 15th Court

    For newly appointed Chief Justice Scott A. Brister of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals of Texas, the creation of a new statewide appeals court came at the perfect time.

  • September 04, 2024

    Election Year Surprise? GOP Judges Opening Seats For Biden

    Well ahead of fall elections that could flip the White House and U.S. Senate to Republicans, many GOP-appointed judges are retiring and giving Democrats opportunities to fill key seats before Republicans can capitalize on any wins at the polls, and several of the judges discussed the political backdrop with Law360.

  • September 04, 2024

    Fla. Judge Won't Delay Trial In Judge's Blackmail Suit

    A Florida judge refused Wednesday to hear a summary judgment motion from an attorney accused by a Palm Beach County judge of trying to blackmail her with nude photographs, calling it untimely because it would need to be heard on the first day of trial set for later this month.

  • September 04, 2024

    Reed Smith Is Latest Firm To Wind Down Operations In Beijing

    Sixteen years after expanding into Asia, Reed Smith LLP said it will be consolidating its work in China in its Shanghai office and, according to a source familiar with the matter, closing its Beijing office.

  • September 03, 2024

    Dave's Killer Bread Judge Rips Attys For 'Flooding' Docket

    A California federal judge admonished attorneys for both parties in a proposed class action alleging Dave's Killer "Good Seed" bread deceptively advertises the loafs as containing 5 grams of protein, slamming counsel for "flooding" the docket with "entirely unnecessary" motions and warning she'll sanction them if their conduct continues.

  • September 03, 2024

    Construction Disputes Mark Opening Of Texas Biz Court

    The first cases were filed in the Texas Business Court on Tuesday, setting the stage for a new era of litigation in the Lone Star State.

  • September 03, 2024

    Seattle Court Accused Of Fostering Racist, Hostile Workplace

    An African American former employee at the Seattle Municipal Court has alleged that she was the target of racist and sexist comments and that a court administrator falsely claimed in a courtwide email that she had been arrested and charged with a serious crime when she was on sick leave.

  • September 03, 2024

    Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Trustee Says Firm Charged Excessive Fees

    The Chapter 11 trustee overseeing collapsed debt relief law firm Litigation Practice Group has accused a New York law firm of charging excessive fees while defending the California firm from lawsuits from merchant cash advance companies.

  • September 03, 2024

    Split 5th Circ. Dissolves La. Voting Consent Decree

    An 11-member majority of the Fifth Circuit dissolved a 30-year-old voting consent decree over how justices are elected to Louisiana's highest court, finding in a split en banc opinion that the state has "satisfied its obligations."

  • September 03, 2024

    USPTO Launches PTAB Clinic With Ex-Judges

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday rolled out a new free initiative in which former judges from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board will answer questions and offer guidance on proceedings before the board in one-on-one meetings with members of the public.

  • September 03, 2024

    Former Partner Of Bankrupt NC Firm Settles With Trustee

    A former member of bankrupt North Carolina-based real estate law firm Washburn Law PLLC, which is being investigated by the FBI for millions of dollars in pilfered client money, has reached a settlement agreement with a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee.

Expert Analysis

  • Exploring An Alternative Model Of Litigation Finance

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    A new model of litigation finance, most aptly described as insurance-backed litigation funding, differs from traditional funding in two key ways, and the process of securing it involves three primary steps, say Bob Koneck, Christopher Le Neve Foster and Richard Butters at Atlantic Global Risk LLC.

  • Series

    Teaching Yoga Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Being a yoga instructor has helped me develop my confidence and authenticity, as well as stress management and people skills — all of which have crossed over into my career as an attorney, says Laura Gongaware at Clyde & Co.

  • A Vision For Economic Clerkships In The Legal System

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    As courts handle increasingly complex damages analyses involving vast amounts of data, an economic clerkship program — integrating early-career economists into the judicial system — could improve legal outcomes and provide essential training to clerks, say Mona Birjandi at Data for Decisions and Matt Farber at Secretariat.

  • E-Discovery Quarterly: Recent Rulings On Text Message Data

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    Electronically stored information on cellphones, and in particular text messages, can present unique litigation challenges, and recent court decisions demonstrate that counsel must carefully balance what data should be preserved, collected, reviewed and produced, say attorneys at Sidley.

  • Series

    Swimming Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Years of participation in swimming events, especially in the open water, have proven to be ideal preparation for appellate arguments in court — just as you must put your trust in the ocean when competing in a swim event, you must do the same with the judicial process, says John Kulewicz at Vorys.

  • Don't Use The Same Template For Every Client Alert

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    As the old marketing adage goes, consistency is key, but law firm style guides need consistency that contemplates variety when it comes to client alert formats, allowing attorneys to tailor alerts to best fit the audience and subject matter, says Jessica Kaplan at Legally Penned.

  • Series

    Walking With My Dog Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Thanks to my dog Birdie, I've learned that carving out an activity different from the practice of law — like daily outdoor walks that allow you to interact with new people — can contribute to professional success by boosting creativity and mental acuity, as well as expanding your social network, says Sarah Petrie at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

  • Think Like A Lawyer: Follow The Iron Rule Of Trial Logic

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    Many diligent and eager attorneys include every good fact, point and rule in their trial narratives — spurred by the gnawing fear they’ll be second-guessed for leaving something out — but this approach ignores a fundamental principle of successful trial lawyering, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.

  • The Art Of Asking: Leveraging Your Contacts For Referrals

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    Though attorneys may hesitate to ask for referral recommendations to generate new business, research shows that people want to help others they know, like and trust, so consider who in your network you should approach and how to make the ask, says Rebecca Hnatowski at Edwards Advisory.

  • Series

    Being An Equestrian Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Beyond getting experience thinking on my feet and tackling stressful situations, the skills I've gained from horseback riding have considerable overlap with the skills used to practice law, particularly in terms of team building, continuing education, and making an effort to reset and recharge, says Kerry Irwin at Moore & Van Allen.

  • 4 Ways To Refresh Your Law Firm's Marketing Strategy

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    With many BigLaw firms relying on an increasingly obsolete marketing approach that prioritizes stiff professionalism over authentic connection, adopting a few key communications strategies to better connect with today's clients and prospects can make all the difference, say Eric Pacifici and Kevin Henderson at SMB Law.

  • Series

    Whitewater Kayaking Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Whether it's seeing clients and their issues from a new perspective, or staying nimble in a moment of intense challenge, the lessons learned from whitewater kayaking transcend the rapids of a river and prepare attorneys for the courtroom and beyond, says Matthew Kent at Alston & Bird.

  • This Earth Day, Consider How Your Firm Can Go Greener

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    As Earth Day approaches, law firms and attorneys should consider adopting more sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint — from minimizing single-use plastics to purchasing carbon offsets for air travel — which ultimately can also reduce costs for clients, say M’Lynn Phillips and Lisa Walters at IMS Legal Strategies.

  • Practicing Law With Parkinson's Disease

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    This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Adam Siegler at Greenberg Traurig discusses his experience working as a lawyer with Parkinson’s disease, sharing both lessons on how to cope with a diagnosis and advice for supporting colleagues who live with the disease.

  • Series

    Playing Hockey Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Nearly a lifetime of playing hockey taught me the importance of avoiding burnout in all aspects of life, and the game ultimately ended up providing me with the balance I needed to maintain success in my legal career, says John Riccione at Taft.

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