Michelle Morgante

Michelle Morgante

Connect with this author

December 20, 2024 | The Recorder

In Lawsuit, Ex-Google Employee Says Company’s Layoffs Targeted Parents and Others on Leave

A lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court alleges Google selected Paula Byrne for layoff because she was on maternity leave despite giving her exemplary reviews during her 15 years with the company.

By Michelle Morgante

6 minute read

December 17, 2024 | The Recorder

California Legal Awards Moving to Mid-Summer Date in 2025, Adds New Categories

Nominations are now open for the 2025 California Legal Awards, which will move from a fall date to June 25. For a second year, the celebration will be held in Los Angeles.

By Michelle Morgante

2 minute read

December 06, 2024 | The Recorder

OpenAI Tells Court It Will Seek to Consolidate Copyright Suits Under MDL

Robert Van Nest of Keker, Van Nest & Peters told the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California that OpenAI will file a multidistrict litigation petition to consolidate eight pending copyright suits.

By Michelle Morgante

3 minute read

December 05, 2024 | The Recorder

Managing Partners: Share Your Insights in ALM's Annual Survey

Friday is the final day to share your input in ALM's annual Managing Partners Survey. These CONFIDENTIAL answers serve to inform you and your peers about trends shaping the legal community. The survey is linked below.

By Michelle Morgante

2 minute read

November 22, 2024 | The Recorder

Outgoing USPTO Director Kathi Vidal: ‘We All Want the Country to Be in a Better Place’

As Vidal prepares to transition back to private practice, rejoining Winston & Strawn in Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., the outgoing director of the USPTO spoke with The Recorder about the key challenges ahead on IP, AI and innovation.

By Michelle Morgante

19 minute read

November 18, 2024 | The Recorder

Departing USPTO Director Vidal to Rejoin Winston & Strawn

Kathi Vidal, who announced she is stepping down from her role in Washington ahead of the change in administrations, will rejoin the AmLaw 200 firm’s litigation department in the Silicon Valley and Washington offices.

By Michelle Morgante

4 minute read

November 14, 2024 | The Recorder

How Have You Fared in 2024? Share Your Insights in the Managing Partners Survey

Each year, ALM asks managing partners to tell us about their firm's experiences regarding growth, staffing, plans for the future. These CONFIDENTIAL answers serve to inform you and your peers about trends shaping the legal community. This brief, multiple-choice survey is linked below.

By Michelle Morgante

1 minute read

November 13, 2024 | The Recorder

USPTO Director Kathi Vidal Announces Resignation Ahead of Administration Change

Vidal, a former partner with Winston & Strawn in Silicon Valley, announced in a LinkedIn post that she would depart in December. Deputy Director Derrick Brent will succeed her as head of the USPTO.

By Michelle Morgante

3 minute read

November 12, 2024 | The Recorder

The White Stripes Drop Copyright Claim Against Trump Campaign

The case was one of the high-profile claims filed against Trump for alleged misuse of songs during his campaigns. A suit filed in Georgia by the estate of Isaac Hayes remains pending. In September, Trump lost a four-year-old suit challenging his use of Eddy Grant’s song “Electric Avenue.”

By Michelle Morgante

3 minute read

November 08, 2024 | The Recorder

'Rampant Piracy': US Record Labels File Copyright Suit Against French Distributor Believe

A complaint filed in New York accuses the digital music distributor and its subsidiary, TuneCore, of "blatantly" infringing copyrights by releasing "sped up" or remixed versions of well-known songs for use on social media platforms.

By Michelle Morgante

5 minute read