North America/US - Page 227
Lawyers pick up pieces after credit card giant slapped over marketing tactics
Federal regulators have given in-house lawyers at Illinois-based Discover Financial Services 60 days to overhaul the company's compliance regime following a finding that it used deceptive telemarketing and sales practices.
Education board chops in-house team
A US county school system is to ditch all of its in-house legal counsel positions in favour of external advice, in a move that could set a trend across the country.
Lawyers scoop largest-ever fee award
A Delaware law firm and its Pennsylvania co-counsel are set to pick up one of the largest legal fee awards ever for a securities class action.
Power company lawyer under judicial attack
A judge has lambasted a senior in-house US power company lawyer over behaviour in a long-running law suit regarding the departure of a group of company's engineers to a rival business.
Three states join challenge to Dodd-Frank legislation
At least three US states are gearing up to launch a legal challenge to landmark financial services regulation designed to remedy the disease that brought on the 2008 banking crisis.
US associates survey: the good, the bad and the brutal
The global legal sector loves league tables, and one of the most recent -- an assessment of mid-tier associates at the larger US law firms -- provides a mixed bag of results for some major global players.
Top US firm starting salaries stagnate
Starting pay at the largest US law firms has stagnated over the last three years, as research released this week shows the percentage of practices offering more than $160,000 a year has continued to shrink.
Taiwan tech company hit with massive price fixing fine
A San Francisco judge has hit a Taiwanese technology company with a $500 million fine for its involvement in a massive price fixing deal, matching the highest ever competition penalty in the US.
Anti-race segregation legal academic dies
A leading US legal academic who stood firm against racial segregation in the 1960s has died.
Law firms 'sniff around' massive stock deal
A host of US law firms is investigating Citizens Republic Bancorp's $912 million 'stock-for-sale' to Ohio's FirstMerit Corporation of America amid speculation of litigation ambulance chasing.
Chief judge unveils pro bono requirement
Applicants to the New York State Bar will have to complete 50 hours of pro bono work to qualify for the local legal profession, after a senior judge unveiled the condition yesterday.
Top labour agency lawyer accused of ethics violation
The acting general counsel of an independent US government labour agency breached ethical standards, an internal watchdog has ruled.
Avon recruits top lawyer as bribery probe looms
New York-headquartered global cosmetic brand Avon has appointed Jeff Benjamin as its senior vice president and general counsel.
Lighting-up time
New York's Pillsbury is historically strong in energy and financial services - but few outside the US have ever heard of it. Chairman Jim Rishwain tells James Barnes how they are boosting its global image with a client-centric business model.
US bar leaders prodded over diversity deficit
Diversity commitments should be included in the American Bar Association's professional conduct rules to make the profession more inclusive, a campaigning group suggested this week.
Rocketing expenses hit law firm profits
Profits have tumbled at the US's biggest law firms despite an overall increase in revenue, according to figures released yesterday.
US Judge throws out law students' claim
An Illinois judge has dealt a blow to a group of DePaul University College of Law graduates by dismissing their law suit against the school over misleading information about the job market.
Former lawyer goes to prison for bogus campaign scheme
A former lawyer who used to work for the firm of convicted Ponzi fraudster Scott Rothstein has been sentenced to three years in prison for his part in an illegal campaign contributions system.
Post-merger stutter for Chicago lawyers
US law firm K&L Gates is downplaying the exit of a number of lawyers in the city over the last few years.
Summer associates plead for fewer social events
Summer associates at major US law firms are asking to be given more work - rather than more social events - in order to demonstrate their skills and lower their worries about the future, according to a recent survey.