Fort Lauderdale Partner Sean Shecter, Washington, D.C. Partner Paul Kisslinger, and Atlanta Partner Steven Lee – all former federal attorneys – recently spoke with Law360 for an article regarding how the social media activity surrounding Silicon Valley Bank's (SVB) collapse will likely play a role in upcoming fraud investigations concerning the bank. 

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), based in Santa Clara, California ($209 billion in assets), and Signature Bank (Signature), based in New York, New York ($110 billion in assets), were closed over the weekend and the FDIC was appointed receiver of both banks. The senior management of both banks has been removed, which is standard procedure. SVB and Signature debt will be sold by the FDIC to other banks in the upcoming weeks.

The Supreme Court of Connecticut recently determined that the opinion letter requirement under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-190(a) – the accidental failure of suit statute – did not implicate a court’s personal jurisdiction. In so holding, Connecticut’s highest court not only reversed the dismissal of the dental malpractice action before it, but also overruled other prior Connecticut decisions.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) continues its efforts to seize and forfeit high-profile foreign-based assets owned by Russian companies and individuals in response to Russia’s actions in the Ukraine conflict.

Chicago Partner and Co-Chair of Lewis Brisbois’ Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA) Practice Mary A. Smigielski recently spoke with Bloomberg Law for an article regarding a case that is likely to “provide a first glimpse” into how courts may choose to adjust damages under BIPA in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision in Cothron v. White Castle.

Los Angeles Partner Daniel C. DeCarlo, Atlanta Partner Jonathan D. Goins, and Chicago Partners Jill Anderfuren and Bryan P. Sugar have once again been included in the World Trademark Review’s (WTR) 2023 edition of the WTR 1000 - the World's Leading Trademark Professionals guide - as recommended experts in their field.

Los Angeles Partner Kenneth C. Feldman has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a Top Professional Responsibility Lawyer of 2023 in its second annual list highlighting the top performing California attorneys in legal malpractice matters and judicial representation. This is the second consecutive year that he has received this recognition. 

Federal regulators are increasingly scrutinizing inside trading (Rule 10b5-1) plans, which allow corporate insiders to trade securities under a forward looking written plan adopted when they are not aware of material nonpublic information. See SEC Commissioner Allison Herren Lee, Stock Trading Plans Should Prevent – Not Enable – Insider Trading: Statement on Proposed Amendments to Rule 10b5-1 (Dec. 15, 2021).

Chicago Partner Melissa Gardner recently secured a significant victory on behalf of an insured party when a Cook County, Illinois jury returned a complete defense verdict following a four-day trial in a high-exposure, complex matter with a nearly $2 million damages demand from the plaintiff.

The Iowa House and Senate have recently proposed companion bills that would limit employer liability in civil actions involving commercial motor vehicles. The proposed bills would place a $2 million damages cap on noneconomic damages for each plaintiff in any personal injury or wrongful death action against the owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle, regardless of the number of claims, theories of recovery, or defendants in the civil action.

On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB, or the Board) issued a sweeping ruling with profound implications for employers. In the McLaren Macomb case, the Board overruled several of its own Trump-era decisions that held that employers may include broad confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions in their severance agreements.

The U.S. government recently released the first-ever joint compliance note from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and Justice concerning “cracking down” on third-party intermediaries used to evade both U.S. Russia-related sanctions and expert controls (the Note). Top officials at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have already stated that compliance with U.S. sanctions and export control laws and regulations is the “New FCPA [Foreign Corrupt Practices Act]” and the Note cements this rhetoric.

Lewis Brisbois is pleased to announce the promotion of 29 of its associates to partner. With these promotions, Lewis Brisbois’ total partnership comes to 1,048 across its 55 offices. Nearly three-fifths (59%) of this diverse class of newly promoted attorneys come from traditionally underrepresented populations, including women, underrepresented races and ethnicities, and LGBTQ people.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) just announced its first-ever Pilot Program on Compensation Incentives and Clawbacks. This game-changing initiative – which will be in force for three years – will send significant ripples through executive compensation and government corporate resolution programs. Navigating this new program will require deft counsel who understand this new intersection between employment law and corporate compliance programs.

New York Partner Ellen H. Greiper will present on workers' compensation legislative changes at the Zywave Casualty Insights Conference, hosted in New York City on March 14 at 1:45 p.m. ET.