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WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

A DIP IN THE POOL -  As more law firms examine and adjust their partner pay systems, the use of bonus pools has become a popular method to reward star performers, Law.com's Patrick Smith reports. Just look to Cravath, Swaine & Moore, which has created a bonus pool funded by 15% of points from each partner, according to two sources familiar with the arrangement. The pool, dispersed at the discretion of firm management, will be awarded to whoever the firm considers high performers. Exactly how the firm determines the high performers is not clear. While the new system could limit any partner's pay, the sources said a great majority of the partnership was in support of the move. The new arrangement was considered a moderate approach, meant to stay competitive while also maintaining aspects of the firm's lockstep partner pay system, which pays partners by seniority. A Cravath representative was not immediately available to comment.

HOT UNDER THE COLLAR -  After much saber-rattling, the Biden administration's focus on white-collar corporate compliance is finally coming into focus, Law.com's Nate Robson writes in the latest Law.com Barometer newsletter. Law firms and white-collar compliance experts have long warned the administration's ramped-up focus was coming, but the pandemic largely nixed any initiatives.  A spate of recent settlements coupled with the addition of a new white-collar leader at the DOJ is giving the public a look into what compliance will look like under Biden. Now, according to Robson, law firms and corporations are watching to see how the administration continues to use compliance monitors, a strategy shunned by former President Donald Trump. Perhaps more importantly, companies are watching to see if future settlements will require chief compliance officers to personally certify a company's compliance program is effective and capable of detecting illegal activity. To receive the Law.com Barometer directly to your inbox each week, click here.

WHO GOT THE WORK?℠ - NeoGames SA announced that it has completed its acquisition of online casino gaming platform Aspire Global plc for approximately $264 million. Israel-based NeoGames was advised by Latham & Watkins; Herzog Fox & Neeman; Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd.; Allen & Overy and Camilleri Preziosi Advocates. A Jones Day team led by partner Bob Profusek counseled NeoGames' independent director committee. Aspire Global, which is based in Malta, was represented by a Baker McKenzie team. >> Read the filing on Law.com Radar and check out the most recent edition of Law.com's Who Got the Work?℠ column to find out which law firms and lawyers are being brought in to handle key cases and close major deals for their clients.

ON THE RADAR - Winston & Strawn and American Immigration Council sued the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Thursday in New York Southern District Court under the Freedom of Information Act. The suit, filed on behalf of the American Immigration Council and International Refugee Assistance Project, seeks records relating to CIS' adjudication of humanitarian parole applications of Afghan nationals and documents relating to CIS' processing of asylum seekers and refugees. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendants. The case is 1:22-cv-05312, American Immigration Council et al v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services et al. Stay up on the latest deals and litigation with the new Law.com Radar


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EDITOR'S PICKS

A 'Constitutional Orphan' No More: Key Points From SCOTUS' Landmark 2nd Amendment Ruling By Marcia Coyle

LeVar Burton to Keynote Legalweek New York 2023 Conference By Zack Warren

6th Circ. Weighs In on Another 'Direct Physical Loss' Claim During COVID-19, Awaiting State Supreme Court Ruling By Allison Dunn