Facebook Is Hit With Gender Bias Claims Over Ad Practices

Erin Mulvaney | September 18, 2018

“We can’t let gender-based ad targeting online give new life to a form of discrimination that should have been eradicated long ago,” says Galen Sherwin, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU's Women’s Rights Project.

News

Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Finds Its First GC in Former Kilpatrick Townsend Partner

Caroline Spiezio | September 17, 2018

The nonprofit medical research organization, co-founded by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, announced longtime litigator Maureen Sheehy as its GC Monday.

News

New Orrick Report Highlights Corporate Governance Trends in Energy Industry

Caroline Spiezio | September 17, 2018

Among the trends the report highlighted is a growing use of proxy access for voting and the inclusion of "intent to serve" language in amendments to company bylaws

News

Whether Inside or Out(side Counsel), Know the Business: GC Panel

Kristen Rasmussen | September 17, 2018

During a roundtable panel discussion at the International Association of Korean Lawyers conference last week in Atlanta, top in-house lawyers spoke about the importance—to both in-house attorneys and their outside counsel—of understanding how the business works.

NLRB Begins Long Slog of 'Joint Employer' Rulemaking. Here's What to Know

Erin Mulvaney | September 17, 2018

The proposal to amend the agency's joint-employer standard was expected as Chairman John Ring announced his intent weeks ago to begin rulemaking on how to define relationships between companies, franchises, contractors and others.

News

Michigan State Gives Low-Key Response to Latest Nassar Rape, Cover-Up Charge

Sue Reisinger | September 14, 2018

A lawsuit filed earlier this week alleges that MSU did not fulfill its duties under Title IX to report a sexual assault allegedly committed by Nassar in the 1990s.

News

5 Key Points for Legal Departments From the EU's Controversial Copyright Directive

Dan Clark | September 14, 2018

The EU's attempt to create copyright laws for the internet age has companies and technologists panicking. Here's what law departments should take away.

News

Goodwin Procter Partner Now CLO at Crypto Company ShapeShift

Caroline Spiezio | September 14, 2018

Veronica McGregor is the latest Big Law attorney to go to see the opportunity for a career change in crypto.

News

Seven Creative Solutions for Legal Resourcing Needs

Monica Zent| September 14, 2018

These days, there are a range of options in the marketplace for how a legal department can resource its various needs. Here are a few to consider.

News

Leaders Create Leaders: How 3 Former GCs Planned for Their Successors

Sue Reisinger | September 13, 2018

Former general counsel from PNC Financial Services, Gap and Dreyer's emphasized the benefits of a thoughtful succession plan.

News

Crypto on K Street: New Blockchain Lobbying Group Pushes for Increased Regulatory Clarity

Caroline Spiezio | September 13, 2018

Look out Washington, D.C., crypto companies are coming. They want to help shape the conversation about regulating this burgeoning industry.

News

How to Avoid a Corporate Board Battle: Lessons From Moonves and Redstone

Kristen Rasmussen | September 13, 2018

Corporate Counsel spoke with corporate governance experts about some of the lessons to be learned from the fallout between Shari Redstone, president of CBS's controlling shareholder, and the company's departed CEO Leslie Moonves.

Event

Learn More: Why GCs Are Coming Together to Help Women Perfect Their Pitch

Law.com Editors| September 13, 2018

Join ALM’s editors for a free call on Monday, Sept. 17 to learn more about “Perfecting Your Pitch”— a training and networking opportunity for women lawyers this fall in New York and San Francisco.

News

New GC Named at Abercrombie & Fitch at 'Pivotal Time' for the Retailer

Caroline Spiezio | September 13, 2018

The new legal leader will replace Bob Bostrom, who has headed up the law department at Abercrombie for the last four years.

Commentary

Fourth-Quarter 2018 Workplace Privacy Update

Kwabena A. Appenteng| September 13, 2018

This article focuses on three more developments that privacy lawyers and employment counsel should be aware of heading into the final months of 2018.

News

21st Century Fox GC to Return 'Home' to Williams & Connolly Following Disney Deal

Dan Clark | September 13, 2018

Gerson Zweifach will return to his old law firm once the Disney deal closes—likely in the first half of 2019.

News

Valeant, Mylan Go to War Over Katten Disqualification

Scott Graham | September 13, 2018

Valeant's attempt to disqualify a team of Katten Muchin Rosenman patent litigators led to a showdown Wednesday at the Federal Circuit.

News

Google CLO Kent Walker Discusses Election Shock in Leaked 2016 Video

Caroline Spiezio | September 12, 2018

A video of a 2016 all-hands meeting at Google posted Wednesday on website Breitbart.com shows a number of Google's senior executives addressing employees following the presidential election.

News

Rhoda Weeks-Brown: From War-Torn Strife to General Counsel at IMF

Sue Reisinger | September 12, 2018

Corporate Counsel’s Sue Reisinger spoke with Weeks-Brown recently about her life, her pursuit of a career in law and the risks she sees in the global economy.

News

Facebook Expands AI Translation Tools to Increase Its Global Content Moderation

Caroline Spiezio | September 12, 2018

Facebook aims to take a "no language left behind" approach to moderating content posted on its social media platform.

News

Aparna Bawa Answers the (Video) Call as Zoom's First GC

Caroline Spiezio | September 12, 2018

Zoom Video Communications has hired Bawa, an attorney with plenty of legal department experience in Silicon Valley, to help unite its in-house lawyers into a more cohesive team.

News

Central Nervous System Drug Developer Aquestive Hires New GC in Wake of IPO

Kristen Rasmussen | September 12, 2018

Lori Braender, who has been with Day Pitney since she graduated from law school in 1983, will lead the legal functions for the Warren, New Jersey-based company, which is advancing a pipeline of treatment for central nervous system diseases.

Commentary

Insight Into Cybersecurity Regulations Is Critical for Today’s Board Members

Drew Bagley| September 12, 2018

Recent regulatory developments make it clear that cybersecurity is a board-level issue, intimately tied to the stewardship and overall risk profile of an organization.

News

Wealth Advisory Firm PagnatoKarp Names Chief Legal Officer

Dan Clark | September 12, 2018

Wayne Zell will also remain of counsel at law firm Odin, Feldman & Pittleman.

News

Clearside Biomedical Brings on Industry Vet as New Legal Boss

Kristen Rasmussen | September 12, 2018

Alpharetta-based Clearside Biomedical, which specializes in the development of treatments to restore and preserve vision for people with serious eye diseases, has named Leslie Zacks as general counsel and chief compliance officer.

Commentary

How the GC of Mastercard Improves His Law Firm Relationships

Tim Murphy| September 11, 2018

The company had doubts about holding law firm summits, but the results have demonstrated their significant value.

Commentary

Settlement Should Never Be the Only Option

Jonathan Rauchway and James Henderson| September 11, 2018

When confronted with a significant lawsuit, every company, no matter the size or industry, must make a careful assessment of the risks involved in taking the case to trial.

News

How to Build a Successful Foreign Legal Department From Scratch

Phillip Bantz | September 11, 2018

According to lawyers who have worked at DuPont, Verizon and other major companies, it's a process that can pose more than its fair share of difficulties.

Slideshow

8 Attorneys Who Made the Leap to In-House Gigs in Crypto, Blockchain

Caroline Spiezio | September 10, 2018

Crypto and blockchain are sometimes viewed as risky businesses. But apparently not for these lawyers, who have jumped at the chance to head up legal at companies in these burgeoning industries.

News

3 US Execs Indicted in Chiquita Terrorist Funding Probe in Colombia

Sue Reisinger | September 10, 2018

The executives named include Chiquita’s controller for North America, who is now president of the company's online fresh salad and produce delivery unit.

News

In Germany, Risk Management Needs Prompt Law Departments to Keep Work In-House

Phillip Bantz | September 10, 2018

And when these companies do look elsewhere for legal help, they prefer to deal only with panels of trusted outside firms, according to a new study.

News

Federal Circuit Continues Crackdown on Real Parties at the PTO

Scott Graham | September 10, 2018

For the second time this summer, the appellate court has told the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to reconsider whether business partners or third parties are helping litigants skirt the statute of limitations.

News

Judge OKs Yahoo's $80 Million Deal to Settle Securities Litigation Over Data Breaches

Ross Todd | September 10, 2018

The deal, which got sign-off from U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh on Friday, settles claims that the company misled investors about four breaches which touched up to 3 billion Yahoo accounts.

News

Improving Diversity In-House: 4 Tips From the MCCA's New Report

Caroline Spiezio | September 10, 2018

If you're an in-house lawyer who wants to be part of the solution when it comes to fighting the industry's diversity problem, here are some steps to take.

Expert Opinion

The General Counsel and the Corporate Code of Conduct

Michael W. Peregrine| September 10, 2018

Codes are not, in most cases, a legal requirement but they are intended as an extension of the corporation’s good faith commitment to principles of corporate responsibility and to an appropriate and welcoming workforce environment.

Commentary

Law Department Talent Pipeline: Evolving?

Mike Evers| September 10, 2018

This generation of law students is more keenly aware of practice options other than law firms, and some of the better students are reluctant to follow the traditional path even when it’s available to them.

News

M&A Lawyer Back at Haynes and Boone After Stints as GC and at Small Firm

Brenda Sapino Jeffreys | September 07, 2018

Christina Marshall left Haynes and Boone in early 2015, shortly after she was promoted to partner.

News

Ex-Telia General Counsel for Eurasia on Trial in Sweden for Bribe Scheme

Sue Reisinger | September 07, 2018

Olli Tuohimaa and two other former Telia executives face charges tied to the company's activities in Uzbekistan. The bribe money in question is reported to have gone to the daughter of a former Uzbek president.

News

Old Problem of Legal Industry Bias Requires New Tools, Study Says

Meghan Tribe | September 07, 2018

Law firms and in-house legal departments are barely moving the needle when it comes to combating gender and racial discrimination, a new report said. But researchers said even implicit bias can be countered.

Commentary

Global In-House: 7 Areas to Study and Act on This Fall

E. Leigh Dance| September 07, 2018

These seven study areas, from Brexit prep to strengthening your peer network, are geared for legal leaders in global companies. But most also apply to all corporate counsel. Pick a few to learn about and address before year-end.

News

Former NASDAQ GC Rings Opening Bell on Gig at Tech Company

Dan Clark | September 07, 2018

Robert Aber spent more than 30 years at Nasdaq before leaving the trading floor for other opportunities. Now he'll become counsel for Yippy Inc.

Q&A

Employment Law In-House and Around the World: A Q&A With Lesley Marlin of General Dynamics IT

Rebekah Mintzer | September 07, 2018

Marlin spoke to Corporate Counsel about her transition in-house, her global responsibilities, and how she works with outside counsel.

News

Barclays Looks to Shake Up Law Firm Panel Model in Coming Years

Dan Clark | September 07, 2018

Beginning in 2021, Barclays will ditch RFPs and adopt a more flexible approach to outside counsel management.

News

Blank Rome Debuts C-Suite Role for Innovation, Client Value

Lizzy McLellan | September 06, 2018

Linda Novosel, the firm's newly appointed chief innovation and value officer, says the legal industry "has been the last to innovate."

News

Even Lawyers Need a GC: Axiom Hires Lisa Young as New Top Attorney

Caroline Spiezio | September 06, 2018

Cathy Johnson has also recently joined Axiom as chief information officer.

News

State Farm Pays $250 Million to Settle Suit Alleging It Manipulated Judge Race

Sue Reisinger | September 06, 2018

This could be the end of a long and complicated saga for State Farm. The company and one of its in-house counsel were accused of influencing a judicial election in Illinois using dark money.

Credit Agencies Operating in NY Must Register With Financial Services Dept. by Sept. 15

MP McQueen | September 06, 2018

A new rule takes effect on Sept. 15 requiring credit-reporting agencies operating in New York state to register. The regulations were passed in reaction to the massive Equifax consumer data breach that occurred a year ago this month.

News

Former Homeland Security GC Named CLO of Crypto Finance Company Circle

Dan Clark | September 06, 2018

Gus Coldebella is the latest former government attorney to join Circle, which is engaged in efforts to "promote smart legal frameworks that encourage the growth of the Internet of Value."

News

Back in the Game: XFL Recruits Former Tampa Bay Bucs GC Ahead of Relaunch

Phillip Bantz | September 06, 2018

A long field of unsettled details lies ahead for the alternative football league's top lawyer, including ironing out TV and licensing deals, player contracts, medical protocols and workers' comp for injured players.

News

Warner Bros. Becomes First Hollywood Studio to Adopt Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Kristen Rasmussen | September 06, 2018

WarnerMedia, the parent company of Warner Bros., announced Wednesday a companywide commitment to greater inclusion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in all of its projects going forward.

Analysis

Amici Line Up to Weigh in on Google Settlement at SCOTUS Challenging Cy Pres in Class Actions

Amanda Bronstad| September 05, 2018

Amicus briefs from the Chamber, 31 state AGs, and others are flowing in, in advance of an Oct. 31 U.S. Supreme Court argument weighing administration of cy pres funds in class settlements.

News

Facebook Escalates Patent Fight With Counter-Attack Against BlackBerry

Scott Graham | September 05, 2018

The social media giant filed its own infringement lawsuit, accusing BlackBerry's enterprise products of infringing six of its patents.

News

Proposed Title IX Rules May Bring Clarity to GCs, Help to Defendants

Sue Reisinger | September 05, 2018

Rules in the works at the U.S. Department of Education might help clarify some of the issues university GCs face around sexual assault and harassment cases. But they're unlikely to be a cure-all.

News

3 Ways the Senate Intelligence Committee Wants Tech Companies to Shape Up

Caroline Spiezio | September 05, 2018

Senators at Wednesday morning's hearings had some demands for the tech executives present (and not present).

News

GE Anti-Corruption Lawyer Maria Gonzalez Calvet Goes to Ropes & Gray

Phillip Bantz | September 05, 2018

Calvet will help clients navigate high-risk markets, enact compliance programs and handle transactions with government and financial agencies.

News

Not Quite 'Just Say No,' but SEC Warns of Risk in Marijuana Investing

C. Ryan Barber | September 05, 2018

“If you are considering investing in a company with operations relating to the marijuana business industry, understand that the company may be criminally prosecuted and this may impact the value of your investment,” the SEC said in a new advisory Wednesday.

News

Internet Advertiser Criteo Announces New GC

Dan Clark | September 05, 2018

Ryan Damon, Criteo's new GC, comes to the company from Riverbed Technology.

News

Panasonic North America Bumps Jessica Hodkinson Up to GC

Caroline Spiezio | September 05, 2018

Hodkinson has been at the subsidiary of Panasonic for five years. She replaces Damien Atkins in the GC role.

News

From Interior Department to Legal Department: New GC Joins Cox Oil

Kristen Rasmussen | September 05, 2018

Dallas-based Cox Oil announced earlier this week that Vincent DeVito has been named executive vice president and general counsel. He comes to the position from the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he had served as counselor to Secretary Ryan Zinke since April 2017.

News

After Senate Intelligence Committee Rejection, Google's Kent Walker Posts Testimony Online

Caroline Spiezio | September 04, 2018

CLO Kent Walker was rejected by the committee last month because it was seeking a higher-ranking official to testify on state-sponsored election interference.

News

Supreme Court Should Take This Gender-Pay Case, Jones Day Team Argues

Erin Mulvaney | September 04, 2018

Jones Day, representing Fresno's school superintendent, wants the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit ruling that said employers are forbidden from using pay history to justify paying men and women differently for comparable posts.

News

FIFA Hires 2 Top Lawyers Away From European Football Group

Sue Reisinger | September 04, 2018

Alasdair Bell and Emilio Garcia have moved to FIFA from the Union of European Football Associations. They replace Marco Villiger, a longtime FIFA legal adviser.

Analysis

Does Investor Litigation Over #MeToo Stand a Chance?

Kristen Rasmussen | September 04, 2018

A recently filed securities class action against CBS is the latest attempt by investors to hold company directors and officers responsible for an executive's alleged sexual misconduct. But will the courts buy it?

News

JonesTrading GC Fired Over Charges He Committed Sex Acts With a Minor

Caroline Spiezio | September 04, 2018

Jason Lavender had been GC at JonesTrading Institutional Services for less than five months before his recent firing.

Q&A

Prepared for Takeoff: An Exit Interview With Canadian GC Daniel Desjardins of Bombardier

Phillip Bantz | September 04, 2018

Desjardins spoke to Corporate Counsel about the changes and challenges he's faced during 21 years in-house at Bombardier. "There’s no risk solution in a way," he said. "So it’s how do you manage risk? How do you take on risk?"

Commentary

Why Would Big Tech Companies Give Away Free Patents?

Ken Seddon| September 04, 2018

Though we live in a world where we’re trained to suspect anything that’s given away for free, there are valid and self-preserving reasons for tech companies to give away patents for free.

Painting the Portrait of Future GCs

Caroline Spiezio | September 04, 2018

Start initiatives now to ensure a colorful palate.

Millennial GCs Mean Business

Kristen Rasmussen | September 04, 2018

Next-Gen lawyers are poised to change law departments dramatically.

News

Gazing Into the Crystal Ball

Sue Reisinger | September 04, 2018

What will the law department of the future look like?

As Technology Advances, People Remain Key to Successful Compliance

Daniel Trujillo| September 04, 2018

Technology will never replace strong teams and good culture, says Walmart's chief compliance officer.

Commentary

A Diary Page From a GC in 2020

Alexander M. Geisler| September 04, 2018

In the future, efficiency and working lean are key.

News

Think Like a CEO

Dan Clark | September 04, 2018

Participating in your company's strategy is a must for your future.

Meet Elisa Garcia, GC at Macy's

Stephanie Forshee | September 04, 2018

Garcia spoke to Corporate Counsel about restructuring the retailer's legal department and offered advice for new GCs.

News

New Survey Analyzes Country Differences in Corruption in Eurasia

Sue Reisinger | September 04, 2018

Responses to the Miller & Chevalier survey painted a "diverse corruption picture" across the region.

News

Insiders Pose Greatest Threat to Data Security in Health Care Settings, Report Says

Kristen Rasmussen | August 31, 2018

Verizon's Protected Health Information Data Breach Report found that nearly 60 percent of data security incidents at health care entities involved insiders.

News

To Delete, or Not to Delete? When It Comes to Government Accounts, There's No Easy Answer

Caroline Spiezio | August 31, 2018

Facebook announced this week it would kick a major government official off its platform for the first time ever. The decision underscores a continuing debate over content moderation and global politics.

News

The MCCA Honors 4 Companies, 1 Lawyer for Leading the Diversity Charge

Caroline Spiezio | August 31, 2018

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association on Thursday announced the four regional winners of its 2018 Employer of Choice Award, as well as the winner of its inaugural Charlotte E. Ray Award.

Profile

Meet the GC at Aggreko, David Bouchner

Kristen Rasmussen | August 31, 2018

The top lawyer at the power-generation and temperature-control equipment company's North American division spoke with Texas Lawyer about everything from whom he uses for outside counsel to what he enjoys when he's not in the office.

News

Microsoft GC Tells Its Major Suppliers (Including Outside Firms) to Provide Paid Parental Leave

Sue Reisinger | August 30, 2018

The new policy expands on a previous Microsoft effort to require suppliers to offer paid time off policies.

Commentary

Money Talks: Using Severance Agreements to Seal the Deal

Brandy Russell| August 30, 2018

Severance agreements are a powerful bargaining tool for both sides, and it’s critical for companies and candidates alike to understand how and when to deploy it.

News

Planes, Trains and a New GC: Changes Ahead for Canada’s Bombardier

Phillip Bantz | August 30, 2018

Alain Rondeau will replace current GC Daniel Desjardins, who is retiring at the end of the year.

News

Sodexo Promotes From Within to Fill General Counsel Seat

Dan Clark | August 30, 2018

Angelo Piccirillo will become the company's new GC, effective at the beginning of September.

Q&A

How to Survive a Move In-House: Tips From a Lawyer Who's Been There

Caroline Spiezio | August 30, 2018

William Kruse of Gallup quite literally wrote the book on how to navigate the transition from firm to law department. He explained to Corporate Counsel why crashing meetings and breaking things are two of the best ways to make the adjustment successfully.

Expert Opinion

Five Ways That Companies Botch Workplace Investigations

Ryan M. Bates| August 29, 2018

Here are the five most common mistakes made by companies when responding to allegations of workplace misconduct.

News

GCs in 'Wait-and-See' Mode Over Trump's NAFTA Revamp

Phillip Bantz | August 29, 2018

“Unfortunately, even for someone watching this fairly closely, there’s a lot of uncertainty here,” said one trade lawyer.

News

In a First, SEC Fines Moody's Over Poor Controls, Unclear Rating Symbols

Sue Reisinger | August 29, 2018

In two separate orders, Moody's agreed to terms including millions in penalties and future compliance reporting. It also will have to retain an outside compliance consultant.

News

Real Estate Holding Company Mango Capital Names New General Counsel

Dan Clark | August 29, 2018

The company, which is eyeing national growth, has appointed Elliot Pershes to the position of corporate general counsel.

News

Ousted Barnes & Noble CEO Accuses Company of 'False' Press Release

Erin Mulvaney | August 29, 2018

A wrongful termination suit filed in Manhattan federal district court tees up issues about how much information companies reveal to the public when an executive is fired. Barnes & Noble, responding to the suit, said former CEO Demos Parneros was terminated for sexual misconduct.

News

Hey GCs, Want That Compensation in Cash or Cryptocurrency?

Caroline Spiezio | August 29, 2018

At least one company is seeking a general counsel who will get compensated in Ethereum. As crypto booms, there could be more to come.

News

Siemens' Klaus Moosmayer to Become CCO at Novartis in December

Sue Reisinger | August 28, 2018

The hire is part of a personnel shift in the legal department that occurred after Novartis' former GC was found to have signed a contract with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

News

BuzzFeed Finds New Legal Boss in Rhonda Powell

Phillip Bantz | August 28, 2018

Plus, 10 things to know about the global digital media company's new GC.

News

Tesla Gets Early Win in 'Non-Twitter' Securities Suit

Ross Todd | August 28, 2018

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer specified early in his order granting the electric car company's motion to dismiss that the claims centered on missed production goals for Tesla's "Model 3" rather than Elon Musk's recent tweets.

News

Local Lottery Tech Startup Places Bet on First CLO

Kristen Rasmussen | August 28, 2018

Atlanta-based Linq3, which builds and markets technology for digital lottery game play, announced the appointment of Matt Dillard as chief legal officer.

Expert Opinion

5 Things a Company Wants From Its Lawyers

Daniel S. Sanders Jr.| August 28, 2018

Effective lawyers need to find the root cause of the problem and not simply treat the symptom.

Commentary

Looking Back—And Ahead: Advice From a Global Company Leader

Alex Dimitrief| August 28, 2018

Here are a few pieces of advice, based on 20 years as a trial lawyer and 13 years as an in-house lawyer, that Alex Dimitrief wished he had received when he started as a lawyer.

News

DOL's New Pay Guidance Is 'Optics Shift,' but Maybe Not Much More

Erin Mulvaney | August 28, 2018

Management-side lawyers were waiting and watching for new guidance from the U.S. Labor Department on compensation practices. One lawyer said the new directive is more a "technical revision" of Obama-era policies.

News

Do Congressional Committees Really Want to Quiz the Company's Lawyer? Maybe Not.

Caroline Spiezio | August 27, 2018

Kent Walker recently got a thumbs down from the Senate Intelligence Committee when he offered to testify.

News

Riverbed Technology Names New GC With Trade Compliance Focus

Phillip Bantz | August 27, 2018

Riverbed Technology's top lawyer Rebecca Hazard has spent more than 11 years in company's legal department. But now, she's the boss.

News

How GCs Struggle (And Succeed) After Retirement

Phillip Bantz | August 27, 2018

“People treat it like they don’t want to talk about it, like it doesn’t happen,” said one retired GC. “If you’re not thinking about this, you should be.”

News

Microsoft, Starbucks, Rackspace Weigh in on Outside Counsel Expectations

Rhys Dipshan| August 27, 2018

In-house legal professionals at three large organizations agree that hiring the right outside counsel is as much a matter of culture than it is of expertise and ability.