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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

BARRED – The NRA has lost a second bid to have a lawyer attend the deposition of its ex-president Oliver North set for today by the NY Attorney General’s Office. Dan M. Clark reports that Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Melissa Crane yesterday rejected the organization’s request to be present during the deposition, which is part of an investigation into the NRA and its finances. The NRA sought to appeal Crane’s decision Monday evening, but an appeals judge denied the application, according to sources familiar with the litigation.

WORDY – Kraft Foods and Mondelez are seeking a contempt order and possible sanctions against the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission following its issuance of three press releases, which the CFTC now has taken down pending resolution of the dispute. As Mike Scarcella reports, the companies argued that statements in those releases went beyond the scope of what the CFTC was allowed to say as part of a $16 million settlement over allegations of market manipulation. The companies’ lawyers at Jenner & Block and Eversheds Sutherland took issue with myriad statements, including comments by CFTC chairman Heath Tarbert that market manipulation “inflicts real pain on farmers” and “hurts American families.” The CFTC has defended the press statements as complying with court orders. A Chicago trial judge will hold an evidentiary hearing next month at which CFTC commissioners could testify.

TARGET – The security breach into Fortnight video game accounts—and the ensuing class action against its developer Epic Games—highlight the major vulnerability to hacking inherent in the industry, Victoria Hudgins reports. Why? Gaming is in the “electronic sphere,” where hackers like to hang out. Also, gamers are part of a community that creates a sense of security in which they tend to let down their guard.

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EDITOR’S PICKS

Female GC Fuming After Plea Deal for Lawyer Who Allegedly Grabbed Her Buttocks

Avoiding Proxy Fight, General Mills Takes Lead to Reduce Pesticides

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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

MORE MORGAN LEWIS – Latham & Watkins London-based finance partner Ayesha Waheed has left the firm to join Morgan Lewis. As Rose Walker reports, Waheed, who became a Morgan Lewis partner in 2013, departs after more than a decade. Last summer Morgan Lewis took on a trio of corporate partners from Herbert Smith Freehills, and London head Frances Murphy said at the time the hires were indicative of a wider growth plan.

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WHAT YOU SAID

“In my judgment, firm policies that grant women longer periods of parental leave than men are clearly illegal.”

—  J.H. “RIP” VERKERK, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF LAW, ON LAW FIRMS USING DISABILITY LEAVE TO AUTOMATICALLY BOOST MOTHERS’ PARENTAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT. JONES DAY IS THE TARGET OF A LAWSUIT ALLEGING SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT THAT FAVORS WOMEN OVER MEN IS UNLAWFUL.

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