New FTX CEO blasts ‘complete failure of corporate controls’ under Bankman-Fried

CEO John Ray didn’t mince words in discussing mismanagement of the crypto exchange by its founder and others.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Nov. 17, 2022

SEC: Big fines make violations more than a cost of doing business

The Securities and Exchange Commission ramped up enforcement and extracted record fines in fiscal year 2022, a signal to companies that it wants to see a change in behavior.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 16, 2022

Board, not Musk, crafted disputed pay plan for Tesla chief, director testifies

CEO Elon Musk is fighting a shareholder lawsuit that alleges he influenced the carmaker’s board to pass a pay package that would net him as much as $56 billion after his stock options vest.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 15, 2022

More large companies are hiring experienced outsiders for GC posts

Rapid changes sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted Fortune 500 corporations to frequently seek legal department leaders from outside their ranks.

By Lyle Moran • Nov. 15, 2022

Gut check: There’s a difference between layoffs in tech and tech-sector layoffs

Despite chaos at Twitter, high-profile hiring freezes and cuts at the largest tech companies, hiring tech workers still proves difficult.

By Matt Ashare • Nov. 15, 2022

Twitter lawyer recommends engineers seek whistleblower protection

To the extent staff are being asked to certify privacy compliance to speed product changes under new owner Elon Musk, they should try to protect themselves, an anonymous in-house counsel says.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 11, 2022

Why privacy professionals should work closely with company engineers

Transcend's general counsel, Brandon Wiebe, said the increasingly technical nature of data privacy regulations requires cross-functional collaboration. 

By Lyle Moran • Nov. 11, 2022

UBS chief risk officer quits to pursue photography career

Christian Bluhm developed an interest in photography after a friend showed him how to capture a photo of the Big Dipper.

By Anna Hrushka • Nov. 10, 2022

M&A disputes are up, making due diligence key

Valuation differences, among other things, are driving up disputes as inflation, potential recession hang over deals.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 10, 2022

Midterms result in marijuana, minimum wage and right-to-work changes

While most eyes focused on congressional and gubernatorial races, a number of state and local ballot initiatives touched upon hot-button workplace issues.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 10, 2022

How to address mental health issues in compliance with FMLA, ADA

Due to the prevalence of mental health issues, employees are often in in need of family medical leave, accommodations, or EAP assistance.

By Laurel Kalser • Nov. 8, 2022

Starbucks rethinks employee technology as it navigates workforce tension

The coffee chain is piloting an employee engagement app designed to build community, an effort to moderate backlash over its treatment of employees and working conditions.

By Lindsey Wilkinson • Nov. 8, 2022

Book publishers struggled to win points in DOJ antitrust case

Attorneys for Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster couldn’t convince a federal judge a market for anticipated top sellers didn’t exist or that, given their history, big publishers wouldn’t drive down author advances.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 8, 2022

Ex-Twitter lawyers likely to attract employer interest, recruiters say

Even though the in-house job market has softened, lawyers from the social media giant have experience that should help them land new gigs.

By Lyle Moran • Nov. 7, 2022

More legal chiefs have cybersecurity responsibilities, report finds

A higher percentage of companies also employ in-house lawyers responsible for cyber protection, the ACC Foundation and Ernst & Young reported. 

By Lyle Moran • Nov. 4, 2022

How a pro football player is helping tackle legal’s lack of diversity

Former Super Bowl champion Emmanuel Smith is teaming with JusticeBid to make it easier for in-house legal departments to select diverse outside counsel.

By Lyle Moran • Nov. 2, 2022

DOJ interlocking directorate posture puts private equity in antitrust crosshairs

Counsel can take preventative measures by mapping their firm’s holdings with an eye toward market overlaps.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 2, 2022

Court blocks merger of publishing giants in a win for Biden’s labor agenda

Writers of top selling books stand to lose bargaining power if Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster combine, a federal judge ruled.  

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 1, 2022

How Amazon and Cisco’s legal chiefs have cultivated pro bono programs

The high-profile leaders recommend in-house legal departments collaborate with law firms and legal services organizations on volunteer work.

By Lyle Moran • Oct. 31, 2022

New Zip file phishing trend threatens cybersecurity

Organizations are at an increased risk of cyber attacks with this new popular phishing technique that does not require a password.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 31, 2022

How legal ops can help build a corporate recoveries program

Unlike defense work, recoveries requires someone to be constantly tending the garden, pushing, pulling and poking to keep things growing.

By Jessica Lynch • Oct. 28, 2022

Twitter legal chief Vijaya Gadde, at center of storm, is fired as Musk completes purchase of social media site

Gadde shouldered the brunt of Elon Musk’s criticism over the platform’s approach to content moderation.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 28, 2022

Littler: Former EEOC general counsel ‘intimidating’ employers over abortion travel benefits

In a letter to EEOC, the law firm claimed Sharon Fast Gustafson sent such messages to “a large number” of U.S. employers, including some of the firm’s clients.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 27, 2022

No bright line on mandatory arbitration exemption

A mix of cases has clouded what constitutes exemption-eligible interstate commerce when it involves delivery drivers and others in transportation who remain within state lines.

By Robert Freedman • Oct. 27, 2022

Adidas’ handling of Kanye West controversy highlights need for companies to define core values

Legal counsel can play a key role in helping businesses undertake pre-planning work to quickly address controversies that arise.

By Lyle Moran • Oct. 26, 2022