North America

DIVERSITY

Male, pale and stale complaint from general counsel

170 GC's open letter to law firms demands improved diversity or risk business, flags 'largely male and largely white' partner promotions.

DISCRIMINATION

Korean-American lawyer who joined Greenspoon as part of 2016 merger alleges bias followed a decades-long pattern at his prior firm.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

US think tank sues SEC in federal court to challenge decades-old 'gag orders when settling defendants in civil enforcement actions.

M&A

Morrison & Foerster M&A forecast flags strong growth and tech trends, but warns on US and China deal-making and shareholder acitivism.

APPOINTMENTS

Jenner & Block appoints partner Craig C Martin as the firm's next chair, only fourth firm lawyer to serve as firm chair in a 105-year history.

LITIGATION STRATEGY

Crowell & Moring 2019 Litigation Forecast aims to equip counsel to build litigation war room and leverage technology to develop case strategy.

TRADEMARKS

Singer Rihanna sues father for use of her Fenty trademark after repeated demands to stop mispresenting an association.

CYBERSECURITY

The Securities and Exchange Commission announces charges against nine defendants in scheme to hack into the SEC's EDGAR system.

APPOINTMENTS

Robotics firm UiPath appoints Luxury Law Summit 2019 keynote speaker Marie Myers as chief financial officer.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has launched a new practice group focused on artificial intelligence and automated systems.