The Legal Intelligencer

Inbox Under Attack: Why Data Hygiene Is Your First Line of Defense in Email Security

Fri, 15 May 2026 09:21:59 EST

While security to keep criminals out of email is key, businesses should also focus on good data hygiene to ensure sensitive or personal information is not being stored unnecessarily in user accounts in the event they are accessed unlawfully

Friday Public Notices/Calendars

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:59:59 EST

The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal IntelligencerPublic Records/Exclude From River/Free

]]>

Pennsylvania Firms Victim of Own Success in Q1 After Strong End to 2025, Citi Survey Says

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:31:39 EST

Data collected from 10 Pennsylvania firms across the Am Law 200 and beyond showed an average of 5.9% revenue growth, around half of the nationwide average of 11.2%.

The Sculpture and the Canvas: Writing About Family Law and Child Welfare Appellate Cases

Thu, 14 May 2026 11:19:59 EST

Writing about complex legal matters presents unique challenges, especially in the field of family and child welfare law, where legal precision must coexist with human sensitivity. Both areas of law touch on deeply personal aspects of people's lives.

What's the Gist of the Gist of the Action in Pennsylvania?

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

The question of when and how the gist of the action doctrine applies to professional liability claims in Pennsylvania, and whether a breach of contract claim may be asserted in any legal malpractice action where there is a contract, remains open.

People in the News—May 14, 2026—McNees, Cipriani & Werner

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

McNees Wallace & Nurick announced that attorney Ashley R. Bradley has joined the firm's corporate and tax group in Radnor.

Avoid the Temptation to Publish Empty-Calorie Thought Leadership

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:16:59 EST

Silence in the thought leadership realm has its costs, but producing empty-calorie thought leadership—undifferentiated content containing no concrete guidance or takeaways—is not the answer.

When the American Dream Stalls: Litigation Strategies for EB-5 Investors Seeking the Return of Their Capital

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:11:59 EST

For practitioners advising EB-5 investors, capital recovery is rarely as simple as filing a breach-of-contract claim against a regional center or a new commercial enterprise (NCE). EB-5 disputes sit at the intersection of federal immigration law, federal and state securities regulation, partnership and LLC governance, and, increasingly, fraud-based statutory regimes.

From the Runway to the Courtroom: Early Career Lessons From 'The Devil Wears Prada'

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:01:59 EST

While the movie is often associated with fashion and sharp dialogue, at its core it tells a familiar story about navigating a demanding professional environment and learning how to succeed within it.

Thursday Public Notices/Calendars

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:59:59 EST

The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal IntelligencerPublic Records/Exclude From River/Free

]]>

Law Firm Aggregate Market Has Trendline 'Pointing Down' in 2026

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:24:38 EST

Global wars and instability are also affecting both dealmaking and restructuring practices, according to the latest Law Firm Financial Index.

People in the News—May 13, 2026—Dinsmore

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Dinsmore & Shohl announced that Pittsburgh estate planning and wealth preservation attorney Nicolas Sasso has joined the firm as a partner.

Noncompete Agreements Are Still a Target of Federal Antitrust Scrutiny

Wed, 13 May 2026 09:50:59 EST

The FTC continues to focus significant resources on noncompetes, even after dropping its proposed nationwide ban on noncompetes last year. In February 2025, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson stated during a panel discussion on noncompetes, “an agreement not to compete is quite literally an agreement not to do the thing the Sherman Act requires us to do, which is to compete against each other. He also expressed his opinion that anticompetitive noncompetes have been “wildly unenforced basically for the entire existence of the antitrust laws.

Wednesday Public Notices/Calendars

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:59:59 EST

The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal IntelligencerPublic Records/Exclude From River/Free

]]>

Uber's RICO Suit Against Phila. Plaintiffs Firm Gets Green Light

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:27:20 EST

Uber and FedEx claim the firm inflated personal injury claims by steering clients through a coordinated treatment pipeline.

Will Work for Food and So Much More: How ADR Professionals Are Feeding Hungry Families

Tue, 12 May 2026 11:37:59 EST

There is an extraordinary initiative launched and sustained by dispute resolution professionals devoted to tackling food insecurity. In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic left some Americans with limited resources, people lined up in vast numbers across the country to receive free food and other necessities for their struggling families. Natalie Armstrong Motin took notice and acted, launching Will Work for Food (WFF) and the affiliated "New Possibilities Hour" webinars. This initiative exemplifies the best of the dispute resolution field.

People in the News—May 12, 2026—Reed Smith, Gross McGinley

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Reed Smith is set to be a sponsor of the 2026 DRI Drug and Medical Device Seminar, taking place May 20 22, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.

ESOP Litigation Roundup: Fiduciary Scrutiny, Valuation Disputes and the Current Legal Landscape

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:16:59 EST

Despite their myriad benefits, ESOPs remain subject to scrutiny from private plaintiffs and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). While there has been encouraging progress at the DOL, recent case developments across five key areas highlight the variety of legal risks still facing ESOPs.

Tuesday Public Notices/Calendars

Mon, 11 May 2026 23:59:59 EST

The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal IntelligencerPublic Records/Exclude From River/Free

]]>

Temple Snags University of Tennessee Dean as Beasley Law's Next Leader

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:03:06 EST

Lonnie Brown Jr., the dean of University of Tennessee Winston College of Law since 2022, will become the Kean Family Dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law on Aug. 1.

Trump Taps Ex-Personal Attorneys for Bench, Raising Recusal Questions

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:29:18 EST

“Considering the kind of representation that you've provided President Trump ... I would say that in any case involving President Trump's personal interests, you should recuse yourself, because it is very clear where your loyalties lie, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, told judicial nominee Justin Smith.

Pa. Firm Owner Suspended for Advertising Attorney With Lapsed Law License

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:01:41 EST

The video was posted to the firm's website, as well as YouTube in May 2024.

3rd Circuit Revives Session Replay Suits Against Bass Pro Shops, Offering Roadmap for Standing

Mon, 11 May 2026 14:14:44 EST

So far, plaintiffs raising claims over session replay software have largely stumbled at the standing phase, with courts finding that merely alleging one's online movements have been tracked is not enough to establish a claim.

People in the News—May 11, 2026—Saxton & Stump, Antheil Maslow

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Saxton & Stump continues its expansion in the Pittsburgh market with the addition of trial attorney Douglas C. Hart as a shareholder.

The Antitrust Dimensions of Noncompete Agreements

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:48:59 EST

For employers and the lawyers who counsel them, noncompetes are now a federal antitrust issue as much as a state contract issue, and the practical implications of that shift are still coming into focus.

AI Suggested My Cross-Examination? Stop Before You Start.

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:33:59 EST

If there is a Listserv, ask for help from humans. Find out what the reputable sources are. And check your jurisdiction's law. Otherwise, what has superficial appeal may lead to disastrous consequences.

Monday Public Notices/Calendars

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:59:59 EST

The Legal IntelligencerThe Legal IntelligencerPublic Records/Exclude From River/Free

]]>

Pa. Civil Rules Committee Weighs Curbing Non%E2%80%91Sheriff Service for Certain Suits

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:05:35 EST

Current rules in Pennsylvania allow plaintiffs to serve defendants using "any competent adult."

People in the News—May 8, 2026—Babst Calland, Burns White

Fri, 08 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Peter J. Landau recently joined law firm Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir's Pittsburgh office as an associate in the corporate and commercial and emerging technologies groups.

A Changing Landscape for Extraordinary Ability

Fri, 08 May 2026 10:09:59 EST

Individuals considering EB-1A filings, including those seeking to navigate long wait times in other employment-based categories or market conditions that make the flexibility of self-sponsorship attractive, should be prepared to leverage elements of the framework established in Mukherji v. Miller to help optimize chances of success in a challenging climate.

Iran and the Need to Rethink Public-Private Cybercrime Deterrence

Fri, 08 May 2026 09:57:59 EST

Fighting and defeating cybercrime requires a two-way flow of information and intelligence between government agencies with mountains of intelligence and the private sector, which suffers the majority of these attacks.

Pennsylvania's Second Hundred Ranks Swell With 2 New Firms

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:29:59 EST

Healthy financial growth was the story for the segment in 2025, even as some firms saw head count contractions and two new competitors joined the ranks for the first time.

Think Tank's Shareholder Proposal Attacks Pa.-Based Dick's Sporting Goods for Supporting Transgender Causes

Thu, 07 May 2026 16:29:28 EST

"The bottom line is it's one of those political issues that companies have no business being in. ... Just sell sporting goods—that's want people want," said Steve Milloy, founder of the National Center for Public Policy Research's Free Enterprise Project.

As Delaware Demand Rises, Burns White Names New Head of Wilmington Office

Thu, 07 May 2026 16:02:24 EST

David McGeady, who is a member of the Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey bars, said Burns White continues to see demand for Delaware services from existing clients, as well as new ones, which was part of his motivation for taking the Delaware bar after 16 years of practice in the two neighboring states.

Dechert Adds 3 McDermott Restructuring Partners in Dallas

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:46:37 EST

Dechert continues to hire lateral partners in Texas for its trio of offices in Dallas, Houston and Austin.

People in the News—May 7, 2026—Fox Rothschild, Reger Rizzo

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Pennsylvania-based attorneys Lauren M. McGinley and Sheldon S. Miles have been elevated to partner at Fox Rothschild.

Removing the Home Court Advantage: How the 'Chevron USA v. Plaquemines Parish' Decision Expands the Scope of Federal Officer Removal

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:26:59 EST

The decision is significant primarily because it expands the circumstances under which persons acting under federal officers can remove cases to federal court. But it is also notable for how it lays bare a clear distinction in how certain members of the court approach the task of statutory interpretation.

Letters of Wishes in Pennsylvania Estate Planning

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:14:59 EST

Rather than making every preference a binding provision of a will or trust, clients may find it useful to prepare a letter of wishes.

Medical Cannabis Gets Rescheduled From Schedule I to Schedule III

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:08:59 EST

By reclassifying to Schedule III, those growing, processing, transporting and selling marijuana (marijuana-related businesses or MRBs) medically will cease being encumbered by onerous operating and taxing obstacles to become significantly more profitable, federally funded cannabis research will finally occur, and MRB investment should soar.

Indemnification Clauses in Construction Contracts: Who Is Liable When Something Goes Wrong?

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:41:59 EST

Because courts generally presume indemnification applies only to third-party claims, any broader intent must be stated in clear and specific language. Seasoned construction professionals recognize the significance of indemnification and expect their counsel to scrutinize these provisions.

US Appeals Court Tosses Deportation Order After Cooley Backs Petition Pro Bono

Wed, 06 May 2026 17:29:13 EST

"After a careful review of the record, we hold that the [immigration judges] below failed to fulfill their statutory duty," Judge Roger Gregory wrote in the opinion for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit after a Cooley associate stepped in pro bono and delivered oral arguments on behalf of a noncitizen petitioner facing deportation to Liberia.

Pennsylvania Sues AI Company, Claiming Chatbots Illegally Pose as Licensed Doctors

Wed, 06 May 2026 17:26:19 EST

The lawsuit could raise the question as to whether artificial intelligence can be accused of practicing medicine, as opposed to regurgitating material on the internet.

People in the News—May 6, 2026—Barley Snyder, Tucker Arensberg

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

Barley Snyder announced that partner Reilly S. Noetzel has been named chair of the firm's real estate practice group.

The Market Knows Before the World Does. That Should Worry Everyone.

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:47:59 EST

The arrest of a U.S. special forces soldier accused of making more than $400,000 by betting on a covert military operation is not just another insider trading story. It is a glimpse into a far more troubling reality, one where prediction markets start to function as shadow intelligence exchanges.

Phila. Firms Gear Up to Fend Off Shipowner Liability for Upcoming Baltimore Bridge Collapse Bench Trial

Tue, 05 May 2026 20:26:22 EST

National Transportation Safety Board evidence may influence how U.S. District Senior Judge James Bredar rules in a bench trial addressing whether Singapore-based shipping companies are entitled to exoneration or limited liability in the March 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse disaster that killed six highway maintenance workers in Maryland.

Retired Justice Breyer Weighs In on the US Supreme Court's Shadow Docket

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:41:32 EST

Speaking at a judicial conference in Chicago, Breyer suggested the court's reluctance to issue detailed explanations in emergency rulings may stem from concerns about locking justices into positions before full briefing or argument. The discussion unfolded alongside broader conversations among federal judges and lawmakers about threats to judicial safety, institutional legitimacy, and the rule of law.

AI Isn't the Hard Part: Building Artisanal Intelligence Inside Legal Teams

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:03:26 EST

Across legal departments, the pattern is increasingly familiar: a tool is selected, a pilot runs successfully, and then progress stalls. The technology performs as advertised, but the transformation does not follow. The gap is not within the tool's capability. It is the operating model around it.

People in the News—May 5, 2026—Capehart Scatchard, Stradley Ronon

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

After more than 40 years of distinguished services to clients, Capehart Scatchard announced the retirement of Joseph F. Betley, bringing to a close an accomplished and respected legal career.

A New Look at Law Firm Billing Practices

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:01:59 EST

Billing procedures is becoming a law firm skill that is advertised to potential clients. It is an area where clients are also seeking separate professional assistance in arriving at fee agreements.

Title IX Procedures in the Shadow of Potential Defamation Claims

Tue, 05 May 2026 09:24:59 EST

A growing trend involves parties dissatisfied with the results of a Title IX grievance suing the opposing party for defamation related to allegations made during the Title IX process. This reality places colleges and universities in a difficult position: they must enforce Title IX rigorously enough to meet federal obligations while exercising restraint in how they investigate, document and communicate their conclusions.

Dilworth Paxson Adds 3 Real Estate Lawyers in NJ, NY

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:59:59 EST

Dilworth Paxson co-managing partner Patrick Northen said the new team, arriving from Scarinci Hollenbeck, "reflects our continued investment in top-tier talent to meet growing client demand."