Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

February 21, 2017 |

The Supreme Court and Congress are both taking up patent venue reform, and legal departments should pay close attention.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

12 minute read

February 20, 2017 |

"There are still times where I can be a valuable sounding board for my team, so my primary goal is to be there for them when they need me."

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

February 16, 2017 |

The Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday that it has reached a $9.1 million settlement with two telecommunications companies that provide relay services for people with hearing and speech disabilities.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

6 minute read

February 15, 2017 |

William "Mo" Cowan, who once served as an interim member of the U.S. Senate, is joining General Electric as vice president of litigation and legal policy.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

13 minute read

February 15, 2017 | International Edition

HP has told law firms that fees will be held back if they do not meet diversity requirements - GC Kim Rivera discusses the initial reaction to the move

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

5 minute read

February 14, 2017 |

The legal profession has long struggled with diversity and inclusion. HP Inc. took a novel step in announcing that the company may withhold legal fees from law firms that don't meet diversity staffing requirements. Kim Rivera, HP's chief legal officer and general counsel, on Tuesday detailed the genesis of the fee-holdback program—and the early responses. "I spoke to GCs and law firm partners across the country and much to my gratification, they were very open and collaborative," Rivera said.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

26 minute read

February 14, 2017 | International Edition

Tech company to withhold up to 10% of fees invoiced by law firms that do not meet diversity criteria

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

4 minute read

February 13, 2017 |

In-house legal departments regularly encourage, and in some cases require, that outside firms have some level of diversity in staffing legal work. Hewlett-Packard Inc. has taken this mandate a step further—saying the company will withhold invoiced fees from firms that do not meet diversity requirements.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

10 minute read

February 13, 2017 |

"By and large, what we really focus on is being good business partners and guardians for the company."

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

13 minute read

February 09, 2017 |

Companies like Nordstrom now have to deal with the possibility of a negative tweet from President Donald Trump, and legal departments have a role to play in crafting a response.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

10 minute read