legal profession

  • Jimmy Carter’s Transformative Impact on Federal Judiciary Diversity

    Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, revolutionized the federal judiciary during his single term by appointing an unprecedented number of women and people of color to the bench. Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, reshaped a judiciary historically dominated by white men, leaving an enduring legacy of…

  • Major Law Firm Mergers to Reshape the Legal Industry in 2025

    The new year is set to bring a wave of significant law firm mergers across the United States, driving further consolidation in the legal industry. These strategic combinations reflect shifting client demands, market pressures, and a push for broader capabilities. High-Profile U.S. Mergers On January 1, several major law firm mergers will take effect, creating…

  • Trump Administration Set to Overturn Biden Labor Policies

    After President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is poised to quickly undo several key labor policies of the Biden administration. Trump’s appointees are expected to target regulations on independent contractors, overtime pay, immigrant labor, and workplace safety, potentially reshaping labor practices across various industries. Repealing Independent Contractor Rule One of…

  • Two Democratic lawmakers in Congress, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Hank Johnson, are pushing for more transparency in the U.S. judiciary’s rules on disclosing travel-related gifts. They have raised concerns about the recently implemented financial disclosure policy, which they believe falls short in addressing past omissions. Lawmakers Question Limited Scope of New Policy In a…

  • U.S. Appeals Court Halts Enforcement of Anti-Money Laundering Law

    In a significant legal development, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has halted enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which requires companies to disclose their real beneficial owners to the U.S. Treasury Department. This decision comes ahead of the initial January 13 deadline for compliance, creating uncertainty for businesses nationwide. Appeals…

  • US Law Firms Scale Back in Greater China Amid Growing Challenges

    In 2024, major U.S. law firms rapidly reduced their presence in Greater China, signaling an uncertain future for foreign legal practices in the world’s second-largest economy. At least 11 prominent firms, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, either closed or announced plans to shutter offices in Shanghai,…

  • Federal Judge Admits Ethical Breach and Takes Corrective Action

    A federal judge recently acknowledged violating judicial ethics rules by delivering presentations to a politically affiliated club. To address the issue, the judge removed his presentations from the club’s YouTube channel and pledged not to speak at future meetings of the organization. Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Jerome Holmes of the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court…

  • U.S. Judiciary Expresses Disappointment Over Biden’s Veto of JUDGES Act

    The U.S. federal judiciary’s leadership voiced strong criticism on Tuesday after President Joe Biden vetoed the JUDGES Act, a bill aimed at adding 66 new judges to alleviate the growing burdens on federal courts. Judge Robert Conrad, director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, described the veto as a “regrettable” move that undermines…

  • Suspect in UnitedHealth CEO Killing Faces State and Federal Charges

    Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street, is set to be arraigned on Monday in New York state court. Mangione faces an 11-count indictment that includes three murder charges, one of which brands the killing as an act of terrorism. If convicted, he could…

  • Lawsuit Challenges West Virginia State Bar’s Designated Black Member Seat

    A national organization opposing race and gender preferences filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday against leaders of the West Virginia State Bar, alleging that the policy reserving one seat on its governing board for a Black member is discriminatory. The case reflects a broader wave of legal challenges to diversity and inclusion initiatives following the…