December 19, 2016 | Legaltech News
GCs Are Questioning Their Outside Counsel About CybersecurityThe Johnson & Bell suit is a good reminder of the importance of questioning outside firms about their cybersecurity efforts.
By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez
17 minute read
December 16, 2016 | Corporate Counsel
GCs Are Questioning Their Outside Counsel About CybersecurityThe vulnerability of law firms to cyberattacks, already one of the big legal stories of 2016, is back in the news now that a judge has unsealed a class action lawsuit alleging the firm Johnson & Bell doesn't adequately protect client information from hackers. In-house counsel say the lawsuit is a good reminder of the importance of questioning outside firms about their cybersecurity efforts.
By Jennifer Williams-Alvarez
17 minute read
December 15, 2016 | Corporate Counsel
The Billable Hour Just Won't Die, Report FindsWhile 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
J&J's Top IP Counsel Steps Down. Is the PTO His Next Stop?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
Patent Lawyers See a Surge in Brand-Name Drug Company LawsuitsWhen 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
Facing Huge Verdicts, J&J Keeps Switching Its Lead CounselIt'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
How In-House Counsel Can Protect IP During M&A TalksIn 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
GC of Scandal-Plagued Wells Fargo Postpones RetirementWells 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
Can Companies Fire Trump Supporters?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
Can Companies Fire Trump Supporters?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
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