North America

LITIGATION

US commercial cases decline over eight years

Commercial cases in the US have declined each year since 2009, a new report has found, in a business worth $6 billion to law firms each year.

LAW FIRM PRACTICE

Chadbourne Latin American team joins Winston & Strawn

The 10 partner New York-based team have been involved in some of the region's largest and most innovative transactions.

PEOPLE

Harvard Law Alumni Directory accidently listed Anthony Scaramucci as dead

Anthony Scaramucci has been wrongly reported as dead in the latest edition of the Harvard Law alumni which alumni started receiving last week.

MERGER

Quinn Emanuel confirms early talks with Williams & Connolly

Initial contact has been confirmed although there is no indication of follow-up. However, the two firms would make a powerful litigation outfit if combined.

INNOVATION

L&G America launches service to provide life insurance quote with a Selfie

Legal & General America has launched new website SelfieQuote.com to allow people obtain a life insurance quote by submitting a 'Selfie' making it the first in the life insurance industry to roll out selfie-quoting technology.

DEALS

Four law firms advise on $14.6bn Discovery Communications buy out of Scripps

Discovery Communications Inc and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc have signed a definitive agreement for Discovery to acquire Scripps in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $14.6 billion, or $90 per share.

PEOPLE

Noted environmental lawyer joins Baker Botts

Chris Carr has joined the Baker Botts enviromental practice based in San Francisco as part of its plan to further boost its offering to clients from California.

POLITICS

Trump's transgender military ban sees lawyers line up to oppose

Lawyers are flexing their muscles to act should President Trump's tweet on a transgender military ban come into force.

EDUCATION

Record number sits California Bar Exam

More than 10,000 people have applied to sit the July California Bar Exam which is currently underway - the highest on record - according to The Recorder.

TECHNOLOGY

'Robo-Lawyer' launched for property investing

Legal and fintech startup Bootstrap Legal, brainchild of seasoned lawyer and crowdfunder GC Amy Wan, has launched software that automates the drafting of complex legal paperwork for those raising capital for property projects of $2 million and under.