Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

December 15, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

While alternative fee arrangements are gaining popularity, data recently collected by the consultancy Blickstein Group Inc. shows that discounted hourly billing rates are still much more common than AFAs.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

5 minute read

December 14, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

Johnson & Johnson announced on Dec. 9 that its top in-house intellectual property lawyer, Philip Johnson, plans to step down in February.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

7 minute read

December 13, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

When brand-name drug companies go to court, it's usually to fight with a generic competitor. But that's changing. More than ever before, brand-name drug companies are bringing patent cases against each other. Patent litigators say the "brand vs. brand" trend is here to stay, so legal departments may need to rethink some strategies.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

16 minute read

December 08, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

It's hardly surprising that Johnson & Johnson has hired a small army of lawyers to defend it in the many product liability cases it's facing, including the one that ended in a $1 billion verdict last week. What's more interesting, however, is J&J's approach to putting together its trial teams. The pharma giant keeps switching its lead counsel—a sign that J&J thinks it should be winning these cases, lawyers say.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

21 minute read

December 05, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

In a recently filed lawsuit, a small California company called Olaplex alleges it is living every startup's worst nightmare. Olaplex says it revealed its intellectual property to an industry giant interested in acquiring it, but then talks fell through and the larger rival launched suspiciously similar products. Intellectual property lawyers say the case highlights some of the risks associated with mergers and acquisitions.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

December 01, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

Wells Fargo & Co general counsel James Strother, who planned to retire at the end of this year, will stay on indefinitely as top lawyer in order to deal with the aftermath of the bank's recent fake accounts scandal. Strother turned 65 earlier this year, triggering the company's mandatory age-based retirement policy for members of the operating committee.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

6 minute read

November 30, 2016 | New Jersey Law Journal

A small business in New Mexico recently made headlines by suggesting it doesn't want employees who support President-elect Donald Trump. Can private businesses fire employees because of their political preferences? Employment lawyers say it depends, but would advise against it.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

7 minute read

November 29, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

A small business in New Mexico recently made headlines by suggesting it doesn't want employees who support President-elect Donald Trump. Can private businesses fire employees because of their political preferences? Employment lawyers say it depends, but would advise against it.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

7 minute read

November 28, 2016 | National Law Journal

"I focus on the talent in the firms."

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

12 minute read

November 28, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

The restaurant chain Hooters should give its general counsel and chief legal officer, Claudia Levitas, a round of applause. By testifying in court, she helped persuade a judge that Hooters is a family-friendly establishment worthy of a liquor license.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

5 minute read