Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

Perkins Coie has sued the Trump administration to try to stop an executive order President Trump signed last week that accused the firm of "dishonest and dangerous activity" that sought to overturn laws and elections, and which also said it "racially discriminates against its own attorneys and staff" through its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., attorneys for Perkins Coie described the executive order as "an affront to the Constitution and our adversarial system of justice." The lawsuit says: "Its plain purpose is to bully those who advocate points of view that the President perceives as adverse to the views of his Administration, whether those views are presented on behalf of paying or pro bono clients." Since the order was signed, “government employees have already twice indicated that Perkins Coie attorneys should not, or could not, attend scheduled meetings,” lawyers wrote, adding that “several clients have already terminated, or have communicated that they are considering terminating, their legal engagements with Perkins Coie.”

 

Bloomberg Law

NPR / National Public Radio

New York Times

U.S. News

Latham & Watkins increased its revenue by more than a fifth last year, hitting $7bn for the first time as a resurgence in dealmaking bolstered the coffers of U.S. law firms. Latham chair and managing partner, Rich Trobman, described 2024 as “a fantastic year across the board” for the firm. “High demand saw strong increases in market share across many transactional and litigation practices, and we are grateful to our clients for their unwavering confidence in our firm. The strength of our platform lies in our depth of expertise across practices, industries and markets, and we have continued to make significant investments in key strategic areas," he said.

 

Financial Times

The Global Legal Post

Law

Holland & Hart has opened a new office in Phoenix, Arizona, by recruiting environmental partners Christopher Thomas and Andrea Driggs from Perkins Coie. Driggs previously chaired the mining industry group and co-chaired the oil and gas industry group at Perkins Coie. The firm anticipates adding more environmental lawyers soon, and aims to establish a significant presence in the region. Chris Balch, chair of Holland & Hart, said: “The Phoenix metro area is one of the fastest-growing major markets in the nation.” The firm says it plans to invest in new talent across various practice areas throughout 2025 and beyond, capitalising on the demand for expertise in energy, environmental, and construction sectors.

 

The Global Legal Post

The Trump administration has significantly reduced federal funding for two key cybersecurity initiatives. The cuts affect the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which provide essential support during elections. Larry Norden, an election security expert at the Brennan Center for Justice, expressed his worries, saying: “I have grave concern for state and local election officials and for the security of our elections going forward.” Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows emphasized the importance of these initiatives, observing that they helped preemptively block cyberattacks during the last presidential election. The National Association of Secretaries of State is seeking clarity on the implications of these funding cuts.

 

U.S. News

Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former director of Facebook’s global public policy, claims that the social media giant considered granting Beijing access to users’ data in order to gain a foothold in the Chinese market. Wynn-Williams, who says she was sacked for making harassment claims against Joel Kaplan, the chief global affairs officer at Facebook parent Meta, also claims that the company offered advertisers the opportunity to target vulnerable teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. She has filed a whistleblower complaint against Meta with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Times

A small U.S. federal agency, the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), is set to appear in court to contest its operational control and existence. President Ward Brehm has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming an attempted takeover is illegal and that neither President Donald Trump nor DOGE had the authority to shut down its operations or replace its board members and president. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon has temporarily blocked the administration from replacing USADF's leadership. The case raises questions about the legal authority of the Trump administration to remove independent board members, a power restricted by a nearly 90-year-old Supreme Court decision. The Trump administration argues that USADF's board has resisted compliance with presidential directives. Congress allocated $46m to USADF for economic development initiatives in Africa, and the agency employs around 50 people.

 

U.S. News

Pulitzer Prize board members have failed to pause President Donald Trump's defamation case against them, allowing him to pursue claims of defamation and conspiracy. Judge Robert L. Pegg ruled that the board could seek another stay if Trump does not fulfil his obligations to the litigation. Trump alleges that the board conspired against him by not rescinding awards for articles related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. The board maintains that the awarded articles remain valid, saying they contain no discredited content, and argues that continuing the litigation would interfere with Trump's presidential duties. But Pegg denied to stay the case, ruling that if the litigation interferes with Trump's duties as president, he or the board members can seek the appropriate relief or sanctions.

 

Bloomberg Law

Bayer is set to raise equity capital worth nearly 35% of its outstanding shares over the next three years to cover potential costs of U.S. litigation. The potential capital increase, worth up to €8.4bn ($9.1bn), will be voted on at the annual general meeting on April 25. Bayer will only resort to a rights issue if it is absolutely necessary, but it could not rule out having to increase capital at short notice in the future due to potential settlements with plaintiffs in the U.S. or measures to substantially contain litigations in the U.S. Bayer's non-executive Chairman Norbert Winkeljohann said none of the extra capital would be used for mergers and acquisitions.

 

Reuters

Gregory Newmark has joined Duane Morris as a partner in its trial practice group in Los Angeles, focusing on litigation and compliance related to water quality, rights, rates, and environmental issues. With extensive experience in complex multiparty disputes, he represents both public and private clients. Viviana Heger also joined as special counsel from Meyers Nave.

 

Bloomberg Law

Robert Phillpott has rejoined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner in its business practice group in Houston. He provides counsel to private equity and energy clients on various tax planning matters, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, and joint ventures. Previously, he was with Reed Smith.

 

Bloomberg Law

A lawsuit against U.S. tech entrepreneur and philanthropist John Moores' firm LzLabs has been won by IBM in London. The company had accused Moores, LzLabs and two English subsidiaries of stealing trade secrets. Judge Finola O'Farrell at the High Court in London said in a written ruling that breaches of the terms of an IBM software licence had occurred, noting that "LzLabs and Mr Moores unlawfully procured (those) breaches." An IBM spokesperson remarked that the technology at the center of the lawsuit "represents billions of dollars of IBM investment."

 

Reuters