North America/US - Page 156
GM moves to settle ignition switch death and injury claims
General Motors has paid US$900m to end a US criminal investigation into its handling of the ignition switch issue. It has settled some 1,385 civil lawsuits relating to deaths and injuries caused by some of the 2.6m vehicles affected.
BigLaw first as Jackson Lewis opens in Jersey Shore
The 800-lawyer employment law specialist Jackson Lewis has opened a five-lawyer base in Jersey Shore. It is believed to be the first top 100 legal practice to locate there.
Sacked Armani GC sues company
A law firm has filed a discrimination claim in New York on behalf of Giorgio Armani Corporation's former general counsel.
Firms advised to begin retirement discussions as partners turn 55
Firms which are successfully addressing the retirement issue are beginning to broach the subject early, at age 55 or 60, according to a legal consultant.
Harper Lee began a true-crime novel, according to defence lawyers' family
The author of To Kill a Mockingbird worked for months planning a book on a complicated story of family murder and defence, according to the wife of an attorney involved.
Pop star JoJo talks of repaying debts to her lawyers over years
Platinum-selling pop star JoJo has spoken of the litigation which ended her previous relationship with a record company, saying 'I'm going to be paying back my litigators for years'.
Florida allows lawyers to solicit business by text
The Florida Bar has reversed a previous ban on lawyers using texts to solicit business, deciding instead that the use of mobile phone messages for this reason is an 'adaptation to reality'.
Harvard law professor to announce presidential bid today
Lawrence Lessig will announce today that he will challenge Hillary Clinton in the race to become the Democratic presidential candidate.
Alibaba GC buys Angelina Jolie mansion
Alibaba GC spends big on property after a successful twelve months at Jack Ma's e-commerce empire.
Lawyer suspended after billing client for TV watching 'research'
A Tennessee lawyer has been suspended after billing a client US$5,000 for research that turned out to be the watching of true crime programmes.
Dewey defence won't call witnesses
Lawyers for three former Dewey & LeBoeuf leaders accused of fraud have told a judge that they won't call any witnesses to bolster their defence and plan to rest their case when the jury returns on Tuesday.
BigLaw leaders out of sync with clients due to age gap
A US professor has identified the age of law firm leaders and ownership structures as factors that make firms out of sync with the clients they serve and mean value cannot be maximised.
US corporate counsel get a pay increase
US in-house pay for corporate counsels and paralegals is up an average of three per cent, research by the Robert Half legal has found.
Cisco sues Hewlett-Packard over VoIP contract
Cisco's lawyers at Winston & Strawn claim in a lawsuit that HP is refusing to pay a US$58 million balance.
Lawyer investigated for $5m theft
A lawyer who worked at global firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher could face jail after an investigation by US federal agents into the alleged theft of US$5m from two law firms including Willkie, and MasterCard, one of its clients.
Littler Mendelson hires head of data analytics
The law firm is predicting that data will form a key part of its business, with a particular role in class-action litigation.
Lawyers are billing less but charging more
US law firms have also increased the number of lawyers employed as well as raised their hourly rates.
Paul Hastings creates pod spaces for junior lawyers in New York
The new office space that Paul Hastings is moving into next spring is to contain seating for first and second year newly-qualified lawyers in pods of 12 on the ends of floors, in spaces to be known as 'end zones'.
Police given rights to use drones for tear gas and tasers
One of the most controversial pieces of legislation has been passed regarding drones, allowing police in North Dakota to equip them with 'less than lethal' weapons.
Dewey & LeBoeuf GC talks of pre-collapse crisis
The former general counsel at Dewey, the US firm which ceased operations in May 2012, has given evidence about how the 1,000-lawyer practice was 'in crisis' from early on that year.