Expert Analysis

• How 2 Decisions Reframed Witness-Centered Trials

  

  The recent Maryland federal jury verdict in U.S. v. Goldstein and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Villarreal v. Texas suggest that the traditional paradigm of American civil trial practice, with its emphasis on witness performance and assertive advocacy, may not reflect the ideal approach for the modern courtroom, says Joshua Robbins at Crowell & Moring.

• Why The Road To Final Four Runs Through The Courthouse

  

  As universities navigate a new college sports landscape in which courts decide eligibility, injunctions shape rosters and contract precision determines competitive stability, they should professionalize their NIL contracting, plan for emergency relief, and prepare for eligibility and damages disputes, say attorneys at Seyfarth.

• 5 Tips For Navigating Your Firm's All-Attorney Summit

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Law firm retreats should be approached strategically, as they present valuable opportunities to advance both the firm's objectives and attorneys' professional development through meaningful participation, building and strengthening internal relationships, and proactive follow-up, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

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  Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.

• Winter Olympics Put The Spotlight On IP Issues

  

  This year's Winter Olympics generated a handful of intellectual property controversies that highlight the key considerations that should be kept in mind when using creative works at sporting events, says attorneys at Squire Patton.

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  Law School's Missed Lessons: The Human Element

  

  Law school teaches you to quickly apply intellect and logic when handling a legal issue, but every fact pattern also involves a person, making the ability to balance expertise with empathy critical to the growth of relationships with clients, colleagues and adversaries, says Rachel Adcox at Adcox Strategies.

• Avoid The Unexpected When Drafting License Agreements

  

  The Delaware Court of Chancery's recent decision in Commave v. Zevrain raises several practice points for attorneys drafting commercial contracts, underscoring the importance of considering anti-assignment provisions, specific exclusions and potential carveouts when drafting license agreements or other commercial contracts, say attorneys at Hogan Lovells.

• A Reliable Liability Shield For Government-Sponsored R&D

  

  The Federal Circuit's decision in Arlton v. AeroVironment last month confirms that the Section 1498 liability-shifting framework applies well beyond production contracts, providing powerful assurance that contractors performing government-directed work are shielded from patent infringement liability, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

• The Benefits Of Choosing A Niche Practice In The AI Age

  

  As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, lawyers with a niche practice may stand out as clients seek specialized judgment that automation cannot replicate, but it is important to choose a niche that is durable, engaging and a good personal fit, says Daniel Borneman at Lowenstein Sandler.

• Have Iconic Twitter Trademarks Been Abandoned?

  

  A set of lawsuits concerning the status of X Corp.'s "Twitter" and "tweet" trademarks, which will potentially be considered abandoned in July, will provide instructive insights into how trademark owners can defend against abandonment claims, say attorneys at Bradley Arant.

• Google's Scraping Suit Asks How Far DMCA Protections Go

  

  A California federal court's decision in Google v. SerpApi will spotlight a long-developing judicial split over how to apply the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s ban on circumventing a copyright holder’s access controls, an increasingly important point in litigation over web scraping and artificial intelligence training, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.

• Trial Advocacy Lessons From 3 Oscar-Nominated Films

  

  Several films up for best picture at this weekend’s Academy Awards provide useful tips for trial lawyers, from the power of a dramatic opening to the importance of pivoting when the unexpected happens, say attorneys at Robins Kaplan.

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  Podcasting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Podcasting has changed how I ask questions and connect with people, sharpening my ability to listen without interrupting or prejudging, and bringing me closer to what law is meant to be: a human profession grounded in understanding, judgment and trust, says Donna DiMaggio Berger at Becker.

• Patent Eligibility Bulletin: Steps To Consider As USPTO Shifts

  

  Recent memoranda from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, along with some of the first patents issued under Director John Squires, indicate a recalibration of the subject matter eligibility landscape, signaling a renewed emphasis on concrete technological improvements and a potentially pro-AI stance, say attorneys at Banner Witcoff.

• Opinion

  Fed. Circ. Must Bury Design Patent Doctrinal Zombies

  

  After recently finding noninfringement in Range of Motion Products v. Armaid, the Federal Circuit must rehear the case to confront two troublesome doctrines of design patent law claim construction — feature filtration and claim verbalization — that have lingered for decades and intensified in recent years, say attorneys at McAndrews Held.