Trump Organization

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 04.17.19

* Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s nonpartisan plan to pack the Supreme Court almost seems too good to be true — and that’s likely because it might be unconstitutional. [Slate] * The Trump Organization wants Michael Cohen’s lawsuit seeking legal fees for his defense to be tossed out, claiming Trump’s former fixer created “fictitious ‘contract’” to ensure they’d be bound to him. (But even if it existed, they probably wouldn’t want to pay up anyway.) [Big Law Business] * In case you missed it, Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, has tapped Chicago finance partner Mary Wilson, “an enthusiastic, exceptionally passionate lawyer and leader,” as the first woman to serve as its U.S. managing partner. Congratulations! [American Lawyer] * After years tied up in patent and antitrust litigation, Apple and Qualcomm settles in the middle of opening statements at trial yesterday afternoon. Now the feuding companies will have to behave, at least for the next six years. [The Recorder] * Remember Jeffrey Wertkin, the Akin Gump partner who disguised himself in a wig to try to sell a copy of a whistleblower complaint to Fortinet? The network security company just settled that False Claims Act case for $575K. [Law.com]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 12.10.18

* It's official: 2018 has been the best year for law firms since the Great Recession. Per Wells Fargo’s Legal Specialty Group, the legal industry will soon see its "strongest annual performance in a decade." Biglaw is back, baby! [American Lawyer] * Now that federal prosecutors have linked President Trump to crimes committed during his 2016 campaign, the focus has shifted to the family business -- but thus far, special counsel Robert Mueller hasn't tipped his hand as to whether or how Trump's family members will be involved in the case. [New York Times] * The Ninth Circuit recently upheld a district court judge's decision to put a stop to President Trump's limitations on asylum, citing the fact that his new port-of-entry rule was "likely arbitrary and capricious" since it was based "on a criterion that has nothing to do with asylum itself." Sounds about right. [Los Angeles Times] * Jeffrey Hammes, the longtime chairman of Kirkland & Ellis, will retire in early 2020, and his replacement has already been named. Congratulations to Jon Ballis, who will soon rule the roost at the world's highest-grossing firm. [Big Law Business] * It looks like the legal profession is starting early on its New Year's resolution to cut some weight. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal sector shed 2,400 jobs over the course of November. Yikes... [American Lawyer]

By Staci Zaretsky