Appellate

Internet Of Things Cos. Must Prepare For Law Enforcement

As the internet of things device market develops, companies that proactively develop compliance strategies should be able to avoid many of the pitfalls that are sure to come as law enforcement changes the way it investigates cases, say attorneys at Wiley Rein LLP.

A Teachable Moment On Adequate Disclosures

Full and accurate disclosure of information by a corporation to its stockholders is a basic component of obtaining consent to mergers and other fundamental transactions. But the Delaware Supreme Court's decision in Morrison v. Berry is a stark reminder that implementing adequate disclosures is easier said than done, say Marc Casarino and Lori Smith of White and Williams LLP.

9th Circ. Criticism Of Judicial Notice Trend Is Significant

The Ninth Circuit's opinion this week in Khoja v. Orexigen Therapeutics makes clear that the court is concerned about the doctrines of judicial notice and incorporation by reference being applied loosely in securities cases. This could result in fewer dismissals, or at least fewer dismissals with prejudice, at the motion to dismiss stage, says Kevin LaCroix of RT ProExec.

6th Circ. Adds To Individual Assessment Trend Under ADA

The Sixth Circuit's recent opinion in Hostettler v. The College of Wooster is a cautionary tale for employers faced with a full-time employee seeking a modified work schedule as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, say Robert Horton and Courtney Williams of Bass Berry & Sims PLC.

How 2 Cases Have Settled NY Insurance Allocation Law

The past two years have seen insurance coverage lawyers coming to terms with the impact of two landscape-changing decisions from New York's highest court, Viking Pump and Keyspan. Together, these cases make clear that under New York law, the allocation approach that will apply to long tail claims is governed by the presence of certain policy language, say Cort Malone and Vivian Michael of Anderson Kill PC.

Rebuttal

A Decade Of US Patent Reform Has Gone Too Far

In a recent Law360 guest article, John Thorne of the High Tech Inventors Alliance argued that enactment of the Restoring America's Leadership in Innovation Act would threaten positive changes in patent quality and American innovation. However, many of those same changes have had a serious negative impact on the patent system and the innovation economy, says Boyd Lemna of Personalized Media Communications LLC.

Unclear Which Way Wind Blows After Reversal Of Alta Wind

The Federal Circuit recently reversed the U.S. Court of Federal Claims decision in Alta Wind v. United States, finding the trial court's method of valuing the wind farm properties did not accurately represent their fair market value. The decision was unclear, however, about how the lower court should determine the value on remand, leaving the renewable energy industry with a number of questions, say attorneys at Latham & Watkins LLP.

Takeaways From 1st Retroactive Application Of Dynamex

The California Supreme Court's Dynamex opinion — fashioning an updated California test for distinguishing between employees and independent contractors — has stirred much speculation about its scope and the extent of its application. Now, for the first time, in Johnson v. Imperial Showgirls the decision has been applied on a retroactive basis, says Desi Kalcheva of Paul Plevin Sullivan & Connaughton LLP.

Interview Essentials For Attorneys On The Move

Across the country this fall, recent law school graduates, law firm associates and experienced professionals will interview for positions in private practice and government service. Sharing tips on how to stand out in this high-pressure, hypercompetitive process are Eileen Decker, former U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, and Keith Jacoby, co-chairman of Littler Mendelson PC’s class action practice group.

Lower Court Confusion Over Impact Of Trump V. Hawaii

In Trump v. Hawaii, the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld President Donald Trump’s so-called travel ban against the contention that it is anti-Muslim and violates the establishment clause. However, it appears that some lower federal courts have not understood the high court's message, says Steven Gordon of Holland & Knight LLP.