Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

The U.S. federal judiciary's electronic case filing system has been compromised in a sweeping cyber hack that is understood to have exposed sensitive court data in several states. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which manages the federal court filing system, first determined how serious the matter was around July 4, said a source. The office, and also the Justice Department and individual district courts around the U.S., are still trying to determine the full extent of the incident. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a hack at this level,” observed one person with knowledge of the incident who has more than two decades' experience on the federal judiciary.

 

Politico

The United States is pushing to rename and defund the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Gender Equality Programme, advocating for it to be called the Empowerment Program for Women "in order to remove the ideological term of 'gender.'" A working paper ahead of the U.N. agency's triennial assembly which starts on September 23 said: "The United States recognizes anticipated future personnel shortages in the global aviation industry, including the future need for highly trained professionals . . . However, we do not support programs that grant preferences based on sex or other characteristics other than individual merit." The move aligns with President Donald Trump's administration's broader efforts to dismantle diversity policies. 

 

U.S. News

Two state boards in Hawaii have admitted to violating the Sunshine Law during the hiring of top-level employees in closed meetings. The admission follows a lawsuit filed by the Public First Law Center, which advocates for government transparency. Circuit Court Judge Jordon Kimura has ordered the release of previously confidential meeting minutes, revealing the boards' missteps in the hiring processes. The Agribusiness Development Corp. appointed Wendy Gady as executive director, while the Defender Council selected Jon Ikenaga as State Public Defender.

 

U.S. News

A federal appeals court has upheld Securities and Exchange Commission rule that prevents defendants from publicly denying allegations in civil enforcement actions. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the "gag rule" is not unconstitutional, although it may infringe on First Amendment rights if misapplied.

 

Reuters

Video game testers at Raven Software have successfully ratified their first union contract, marking a significant milestone in the industry. The contract, ratified on August 4, provides employees with a 10% raise, limits mandatory overtime, and preserves remote work options. The negotiations, which took over three years, were complicated by Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Raven's parent company. Despite challenges, Erin Hall, a quality assurance tester, encourages others to unionize, emphasizing the commitment required: “If people want to unionize at their workplace, just know it's going to be really difficult.” In the years since Raven workers unionized, workers at some other major studios have followed their lead. Communications Workers of America says it now represents 2,000 video game workers at Microsoft. Hall said: “I think we pretty much got everything we aimed for.” 

 

JS online

Crowell & Moring has hired 16 health care litigation partners from Reed Smith as the firm seeks to "reshape this sector of the legal industry nationally." Led by Martin Bishop, the new team will bolster Crowell's healthcare group, nearly doubling its size in Chicago and establishing a new office in Dallas. The new team is recognized for its expertise in critical issues including the No Surprises Act and gender-affirming care. Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell's management board, said: “Marty Bishop and his preeminent team are a natural fit for Crowell.” This expansion follows Crowell's recent acquisition of a Boston-based life sciences firm, reinforcing its commitment to providing comprehensive legal services in the evolving health care landscape.

 

Law

The Global Legal Post

LawFuel

August, an AI start-up founded by Columbia University graduates, has successfully raised £7m in seed funding to develop solutions aimed at midsize law firms. The company aims to enhance efficiency by automating routine, document-heavy tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic client interactions, as highlighted by co-founder Rutvik Rau, who said: "We're enabling lawyers to be more productive by eliminating some of the work."

 

Reuters

The U.S. Transportation Department has proposed a new federal rule that would make it easier for companies to use drones over longer distances out of the operator’s sight. Uncrewed aircraft weighing up to 1,320 pounds including their cargo would have to meet industry consensus standards to operate beyond visual line of sight when flying at or below 400 feet (122 meters). Operators would be allowed to fly their drones over people, but not during large, open-air gatherings, such as concerts or sporting events. The proposal comes about two months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on drones, in part to speed up the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by businesses in the U.S. It would end years of case-by-case federal approvals for long-range drone flights that companies say have stifled industry growth. 

 

AP News

Bloomberg

NPR

Top-rated U.S. companies are increasingly financing mergers and acquisitions through equity and cash rather than debt, driven by high borrowing costs and concerns over credit ratings. Notably, Union Pacific's recent $85bn acquisition of Norfolk Southern is expected to be primarily funded with stock, reflecting a broader trend where equity financing has become more appealing due to its attractive earnings yield.

 

Reuters

Robin Melman has joined White & Case as a partner in its global mergers and acquisitions, as well as employment, compensation, and benefits practices in New York. With a strong background in executive compensation and employee benefits, Melman advises public and private companies on corporate governance, disclosure requirements, and tax issues related to complex transactions. She has previously worked at Baker Botts and is set to enhance the firm's offerings to its C-suite and board-level clients.

 

Bloomberg Law

Thomas Dünchheim has joined Greenberg Traurig as a shareholder in its public law practice in Berlin. He provides counsel to various government bodies and companies in sectors such as transport infrastructure, energy supply, and digital infrastructure. Dünchheim is well-versed in public commercial law, focusing on procurement, subsidy law, municipal, environmental, construction, and gambling law. He previously worked at Hogan Lovells.

 

Bloomberg Law

A recent poll reveals that a significant number of U.S. adults are experiencing stress due to rising grocery prices, with about half identifying it as a "major" source of anxiety. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 64% of individuals earning less than $30,000 annually consider grocery costs a major stressor. Adam Bush, a 19-year-old welder, expressed his concerns, commenting: "I just keep watching the prices go up, so I'm looking for the cheapest possible stuff." The survey also highlights that younger Americans are increasingly using "buy now, pay later" services to manage expenses, with many feeling the financial strain across various sectors, including housing and healthcare. Women and Hispanic adults report higher levels of economic anxiety, particularly regarding grocery and housing costs.

 

US News and World Report