Jennifer Williams

January 11, 2017 | Corporate Counsel

A handful of companies have gone after customers that left negative online reviews, prompting a new federal law that protects the right to complain on such forums as Yelp.com. With the law's impacts soon to be felt, in-house counsel would be wise to review their company's terms of use and make sure they aren't trying to silence peeved customers, internet lawyers say.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

January 09, 2017 | Corporate Counsel

As counterfeiters adapt, brands are increasingly searching for new ways to shut them down. For UGG Holdings Inc., this fight includes dedicated social media accounts to educate consumers about counterfeits, says Lisa Bereda, assistant general counsel at Deckers Outdoor Corp., the parent company of UGG.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

6 minute read

January 06, 2017 | Corporate Counsel

Fifth Third Bancorp announced Thursday that it has hired Jelena McWilliams to serve as chief legal officer and corporate secretary.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

January 04, 2017 | Corporate Counsel

Infosys Ltd., India's second-largest software services provider, announced on Dec. 31 that general counsel and chief compliance officer David Kennedy would leave the company, effective the same day as the announcement. The company and Kennedy "mutually agreed" on Kennedy's departure, acording to the company, though some have questioned the seemingly sudden decision and the close to $1 million severance package.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

5 minute read

December 29, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

This might be the year that Amazon et al. get dragged down to earth.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

6 minute read

December 28, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

Who employs the employee? That was a crucial question for the courts in 2016.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

December 22, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

It remains to be seen whether Yahoo Inc.'s recently revealed data breaches will nix its sale to Verizon Communications. But whatever happens, M&A lawyers say the Yahoo-Verizon deal illustrates the increasing importance of addressing the risk of a data breach when negotiating an acquisition.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

9 minute read

December 21, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

There were no shortage of corporate crises in 2016. When confronted with a crisis of their own, companies would be wise to follow the cues of Apple Inc. and The Wendy's Co. while avoiding the missteps of Wells Fargo & Co. and Samsung Electronics Co., according to the crisis communications firm CrisisResponsePro.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

5 minute read

December 20, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

Panasonic Corp. of North America general counsel Damien Atkins knew from the start of his legal career that he didn't want to end up at a firm. He wanted to be a general counsel. The question was, how to get there? Atkins says that it was a long process, but there is an art to it.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

8 minute read

December 19, 2016 | Corporate Counsel

A veteran member of Bank of America's legal department has left for the online lending company Swift Financial Corp.

By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez

4 minute read