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Dentons Appoints Jan-Willem de Tombe as COO in the Netherlands.

Global law firm Dentons has named Jan-Willem de Tombe as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the Netherlands, effective immediately. In his new role, he will lead strategic planning, enhance operational efficiency, and support the firm’s financial performance and growth initiatives, while fostering collaboration across teams.

With over 25 years of experience in the legal profession, including extensive leadership roles - Mr. Jan-Willem de Tombe brings deep expertise to his new position. In addition to his legal career, he also serves as Deputy Justice in the Tax Chamber of the Court of Appeal in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

As of April 1, 2025, the Dentons Amsterdam Board includes:

  • Marnix Veldhuijzen, Managing Partner

  • Jan-Willem de Tombe, COO

  • Marc Kuijper, who will remain during the transition period

Marnix Veldhuijzen, Netherlands Managing Partner, commented:
"We are very happy to welcome Jan-Willem to the team. In this phase of growth and increasing sophistication of law firm management, his results-oriented approach and ability to forge connections between stakeholders at all levels will solidify our business planning and financial management."

Jan-Willem de Tombe added:
"I am delighted to join Dentons. The combination of the firm’s strong roots in the Netherlands and its unparalleled footprint in the global market make Dentons uniquely positioned for the business landscape of tomorrow. I’m looking forward to working with the leadership, partners and business support teams to drive operational excellence and contribute to the further growth of the Amsterdam office." 

Dentons, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest law firm, operating in over 80 countries. With its unique polycentric structure, Dentons offers clients access to top-tier legal talent and deep local insight across key global markets. The firm is recognized for its commitment to innovation, client service, and helping organizations navigate complex legal and business challenges in a rapidly evolving world.

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Ke Huy Quan Reveals All in WIRED’s Viral Autocomplete Interview

Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan sits down with WIRED to answer the internet’s most burning questions about his life, career, and unexpected return to the spotlight. From his iconic role in The Goonies to his Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Quan opens up about his 20-year break from acting, his journey back to Hollywood, and the surprising path that led him to his latest project, The Electric State (streaming on Netflix March 14, 2025). Curious if he knows martial arts? Or how he landed his breakout comeback role? All that and more is revealed in this fun and candid Autocomplete Interview.

Hi, I am Ke Huy Quan,

and this is Wired Autocomplete Interview.

Come on, let's do this now!

[bright upbeat music]

Actually, I don't Google that much.

I've heard other celebrities say they Google themselves.

Maybe I should, I don't know. [laughing]

[bright upbeat music]

What did Ke Huy Quan win an Oscar for.

Of course, Everything Everywhere All at Once.

I played Waymond Wong.

It was the first movie I did after I got back into acting.

I was so grateful

and I was so excited to step in front

of the camera again after a 20-year hiatus.

I was just happy to be there,

to be working with Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis,

James Hong, love the Daniels.

Never think I would win anything.

I thought Winning the role was winning the lottery to me.

So when the movie came out

and when we won all those accolades, that was the,

it was not something that I expected, pretty incredible.

That movie brought me back, and I'm so, so, so happy,

so grateful to the Daniels.

What languages does Ke Huy Quan, oh shit,

I just did the bottom one, but it's okay, it's okay,

we'll get back to the top, speak.

I speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.

And as you can tell, not great in all three languages.

I can't read Chinese, I can only speak it.

To this day,

I'm so happy my parents make me speak Cantonese at home,

and that's how I still remember to speak it.

And of course,

Mandarin was not a language that we spoke at home.

But when I went to China to work,

I started to speak more and more,

and that's how I learned Mandarin.

What did Ke Huy Quan do for 20 years?

I think these 20 years was really difficult in my life

because it was been a time

where I decided to step away from acting,

went to college, got back out,

and started working behind the camera

as an assistant director, action choreographer.

And I was content for a little while doing all of that,

and I thought I'd be happy.

And then later I found out I wasn't, I was lying to myself!

And I'm so glad I found that out;

otherwise, I wouldn't be here talking to you!

The knowledge that I gained going to film school,

and having this appreciation for the cast and the crew,

and really finally understanding

that movie making is a collaborative process

cause as an actor, we get pampered.

So having gone to film school

and having done various different jobs

in different departments made me appreciate

that process a lot more.

And then also after graduating from college,

having done action, and all that stuff,

and also part of the development process,

really gave me the knowledge

that I needed to be a better actor,

and also life experience.

Life experience makes you a better actor.

What is Ke Huy Quan doing now?

I'm doing this now.

I'm working on, well,

I have a movie that's coming out called Electric State

for Netflix with Chris Pratt, Millie Bobby Brown;

the Russo Brothers are the directors, incredible cast;

Giancarlo Esposito, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson;

I mean, the list just goes on and on, getting slayed.

And that incredible actor, what's his name?

Yes, Ke Huy Quan is in it too, and Zootopia 2 for Disney!

I play Gary the Snake, and this is the year of the snake,

so it's really special.

We're done with this board!

You know what? I'm gonna go gently right now.

[board bangs]

Here it is, ta-da!

Who was Ke Huy Quan in X-Men?

I wasn't in X-Men.

I worked behind the camera.

I was one of the action choreographers,

part of the action team.

And I helped choreograph the Wolverine,

Mystique fight at the end of the movie,

and I'm very proud of that.

That was my first job right outta college!

Who did Ke Huy Quan play in Indiana Jones.

My character's name was a Short Round.

I tried to pick Indiana Jones' pocket when I was little.

I got caught, but I think he liked me,

so I ended up going on this incredible adventure with him.

I was 12 years old, it was my first movie ever.

And that movie is also the reason

why I fell in love with acting.

Come on,

how often do kids get to ride a elephant in Sri Lanka?

That was the beginning of the movie,

and then walked on these incredible sets!

They were all practical back then.

And I didn't know who I was working with at that time,

so I wasn't nervous.

Not until after the movie, I go,

Holy shit, these people are really famous.

Who did Ke Huy Quan play in The Goonies?

I love this character, I played Richard Data Wong.

And he's this incredible character

that has these amazing gadgets, but his gadgets never work,

unless his life depends on it.

He's part of this incredible gang who found a treasure map

and go on water slides, and set booty traps,

and finally found the treasure

they were looking forward to save the home.

Incredible movie, very proud of it.

And to this day,

so many people have come up to me

and told me that Goonies

is part of their childhood memory.

And we might get to do a Goonies 2, who knows?

Who does Ke Huy Quan play in Kung Fu Panda?

I play Han, the pangolin.

Had a lot of fun, I love that franchise.

It was also my first voiceover, never done it before.

It was foreign to me,

so being in the booth recording these lines by myself,

that was something interesting, and I loved it.

I'm doing more now.

I'm in Zootopia 2.

I'm gonna do what everybody does,

so here it is, nobody gets hurt!

[board bangs]

Oh shit!

So first one, is Ke Huy Quan a martial artist.

I study martial arts for a long time.

I have a black belt in Taekwondo,

but I don't consider myself a martial artist.

And the reason is because, to me,

a martial artist is someone

who practices their craft every single day,

who's really good at it.

They live and breathe martial arts,

that's a martial artists.

To me, I know martial arts, I've done it many times.

I know how to do fight scenes for movies,

so I appreciate the art form,

but there are incredible,

incredible martial artists out there,

and I have tremendous respect for them.

I like to clarify stunts and action.

Stunts, to me, is people falling off 10-story buildings

or getting run over by cars,

that is very dangerous.

Actors don't do that, we don't do that.

If we tell you we do that, we're lying!

We do action,

and that's the difference between stunts and action.

Are Ke Huy Quan and Harrison Ford friends?

See, every time I say his name,

you see how happy I am because I love this man.

And yes, we are friends.

Is Ke Huy Quan in Loki?

Have you not seen the show on Disney Plus?

What are you doing?

Yes, of course, Loki Season 2!

I am so proud of the show!

Finally,

I get to be part of this incredible

and humongous MCU family.

I play a character named Ouroboros.

He works in the basement.

I love this character so much.

I also think that he's the grownup version

of Data from The Goonies.

That's how I played him.

Is Ke Huy Quan Chinese or Vietnamese?

So I was born in Vietnam to Chinese parents,

so I consider myself Chinese.

Yeah, that's where I was born, thank you.

[board bangs]

Where did Ke Huy Quan grew up?

I immigrated to the United States in 1978,

so I grew up in a little place called Chinatown,

Los Angeles.

That's also where I got discovered as an actor.

I loved it there, that's my childhood.

And then eventually,

my family moved to a little city called Monterey Park,

so that's my, that's where I grew up.

How to say Ke Huy Quan's name.

I'm so glad you asked this question.

My name is pronounced Ke Huy Quan, Ke Huy Quan.

As long as you're saying my name, I'm fine.

How did Ke Huy Quan meet his wife?

We were both working

for a Hong Kong filmmaker named Wong Kar-wai.

And my beautiful wife, Echo, was in Shanghai.

And I flew there from America, walked in the office.

There was so many people there,

but my eyes immediately darted to her.

I remember she had long hair, beautiful eyes,

a big smile just radiating with incredible energy.

And she was just so lively.

And I fell in love with her right then and there.

And honestly,

I feel like the day I walked into that office

was the luckiest day of my life.

How did Ke Huy Quan return to acting?

So the year was 2019,

right after I've seen a movie called Crazy Rich Asians.

And this was at a time where I have stepped away

from acting for more than 20 years,

and something was missing.

I didn't know what it was, until I saw that movie.

And it was then that thought

of getting back into acting started percolating.

And I consulted with my wife for an entire year.

I guess,

the big reason why I wanted to be an actor again

was because that I kinda saw what my life

would be like when I was much, much older,

and I can see myself regretting

and having these horrible feelings

of not giving this another try.

Yeah, so I finally got the courage,

and called a friend who was an agent,

and ask him if he wanted to represent me,

and he did, luckily.

Two weeks later,

I got that call

from Everything Everywhere All at Once producer.

Do you have more? Okay, let me do this for now.

[board bangs]

I'll save the best for last.

Ke Huy Quan Everything Everywhere All at Once.

This is, when I think about this movie,

I first think of the Daniels.

They gave me this incredible second opportunity

at acting again.

I owe everything to this movie.

It's a, professional-wise, my life was changed two times.

The first time was when I started

in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Never thought I wanted to be an actor.

I was just a kid, being a kid, happy being that.

And then destiny called, became an actor.

And for various reasons had to step away.

And when I came back, this movie changed my life again.

I owe everything to the Daniels.

Ke Huy Quan and Jackie Chan. [laughing]

You're not gonna believe this,

but everywhere I go, people think I am Jackie Chan!

I love Jackie Chan, I'm a big fan of his.

When I was a kid, I love watching his movies.

They inspired me to learn martial arts.

I love the action genre.

It has a lot to do with him and his brothers,

Sammo Hung, Yeun Biao.

And so I don't mind it.

I think I take it as a compliment,

but it also mean that I need to work a lot harder.

Because one day, I want people to say, That's Ke Huy Quan!

Not That guy looks like Jackie Chan! [laughing]

Ke Huy Quan acceptance speech.

I've been very lucky to be able

to give a lot of acceptance speeches

when Everything Everywhere All at Once came out

during the whole awards season.

They were very personal.

Every speech that I gave,

I was so scared to give

because they they were way too personal.

Jeff Cohen is my brother from a different mother.

We are best friends, we see each other all the time.

What's incredible about him is,

he started his law firm at a very young age,

and I was actually one of his first clients that he signed.

And for more than 20 years,

I never made him any money, never did!

But every time I called him,

he would pick up

and he would give me any legal advice that I needed.

So when, on Oscar night, I invited him, I got him a ticket.

I wanted him to be there just in case if I did win,

I wanted him to see that I can thank him in person.

And yeah, I love him.

He's my Goonies brother.

And like we said in the movie, Goonies never say die.

Ke Huy Quan GlamBOT! [laughing]

I think I put way too much thought in GlamBOT.

I've seen people do it, I love it, they're very cool.

So I think I did one, and on Oscar knight,

which came in number two for the entire year.

I was very proud of it.

It's, yeah, I love Cole.

I love what he does, he's really cool.

And yeah, they're really fun to do.

They just needs to be timed right, and lots of movement.

I think it's because of my martial arts background,

so I'm able to do kicks, or punches, or jumps,

and they turn out really well in super slow motion.

Actually, I was so afraid that I would rip my pants.

[laughing] I kid you not, when I jumped up,

I thought I was gonna rip my pants!

Luckily it didn't, but yeah, that was a lot of fun.

I'm not gonna throw this.

You know what I'm gonna do?

[board bangs]

[Ke Huy Quan grunting]

I'm gonna try again, hold on, let me see.

Ready? And no, they don't break.

[Ke Huy Quan grunting]

[cast laughing]

[grunting] Oh shit! [laughing]

Oh, yeah, that was a lot of fun!

Thank you so much, guys, that was a lot of fun.

[bright techno music]

📚 Further Reading

113 Dead in Jet Set Nightclub Collapse in Dominican Republic, Including MLB Stars.

A heartbreaking disaster struck the Dominican Republic this week when the roof of the popular Jet Set nightclub collapsed during a live performance, killing 113 people and injuring over 150 others, according to local officials.

The scene has left families shattered and a nation in mourning. Rescue workers continue to dig through the rubble, holding onto hope that someone might still be found alive beneath the debris.

Chaos and Heartbreak After the Collapse

The collapse happened Monday night while the beloved merengue singer Rubby Pérez was performing. His body was later found by rescue crews. The mood at the club had been festive just moments before the disaster, with politicians, musicians, and former athletes gathered inside.

Emergency teams rushed more than 155 people to hospitals. On Wednesday, Juan Manuel Méndez, who leads the country’s emergency response agency, confirmed the rising death toll and said the cause of the collapse was still being investigated.

Meanwhile, grief counselors and mental health professionals are working closely with families who are still searching for answers—or waiting for word that never comes.

Jet Set Club Responds: "We Are Also in Mourning"

The nightclub, known for hosting major acts and high-profile crowds, released a statement filled with sorrow.

“The loss of life leaves us devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with every affected family. We feel this pain deeply, too—we are in mourning alongside you.”

President Offers Condolences, Declares National Mourning

President Luis Abinader visited the site the day after the collapse to speak with first responders and offer comfort to victims' families. He later declared three national days of mourning and ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-staff.

Lives Cut Short: Athletes, Musicians, and Leaders Among the Dead

Among the victims were some of the Dominican Republic’s most recognizable names, including:

  • Octavio Dotel, 51, a former MLB pitcher who played for 13 teams during his career and won a World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

  • Tony Blanco, 43, who played for the Washington Nationals and went on to play professionally in Japan.

  • Nelsy Cruz, sister of MLB star Nelson Cruz and the governor of Monte Cristi province.

  • Rubby Pérez, whose powerful voice helped shape the merengue genre.

A member of Pérez’s band—a saxophonist—was also killed. His manager, Enrique Paulino, said the collapse happened about an hour into the show.

Families Grieve and Wait

Outside the nightclub, crowds have continued to gather, waiting for news or clinging to hope. Former MLB star Pedro Martinez shared a personal video, revealing that some of his own relatives were still unaccounted for.

“I still have family under the rubble,” he said. “We don’t know anything yet.”

Sports agent Paul Kinzer, who represents several Dominican baseball players, confirmed that Esteban Germán had been at the club but left shortly before the roof gave way. Neifi Pérez, Rubby Pérez’s brother and also a former major leaguer, wasn’t present at the time.

Outpouring of Tributes

Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, released a statement expressing deep sorrow:

“We are heartbroken over the loss of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and everyone else affected by this tragedy. The Dominican Republic is a cornerstone of the baseball world, and today we stand in solidarity with its people.”

Sports journalist Jon Heyman also shared his condolences and reflected on Dotel’s legacy:

Nelson Cruz announced that his sister’s remains will be honored at the Montecristi Provincial Government, with funeral plans to follow.

Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía de Garrigó also expressed condolences:

“Our city wakes up to an unthinkable tragedy. My heart goes out to the families still searching for answers.”

Jet Set Nightclub Tragedy: Roof Collapses During Rubby Pérez Concert, Multiple Dead

 

Latham & Watkins Advises on Qifu Technology’s $690M Convertible Notes Offering.

Latham & Watkins LLP has advised the initial purchasers in connection with Qifu Technology, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: QFIN; HKEx: 3660) successful offering of US$690 million aggregate principal amount of 0.50% convertible senior notes due 2030.

The offering was made to investors believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.

Qifu plans to use the proceeds to repurchase its American depositary shares (ADSs) and/or Class A ordinary shares under a new March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan, recently approved by the company’s board. This buyback program runs alongside a previously announced repurchase plan from November 2024.

As part of the offering, the company is carrying out off-market, privately negotiated share repurchases valued at around US$230 million. Qifu expects the transaction to boost its 2025 earnings per ADS, driven in part by the repurchases and the notes’ cash-par conversion feature.

The convertible notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 0.50%, payable semiannually beginning October 1, 2025. They are set to mature on April 1, 2030, unless converted, redeemed, or repurchased earlier.

The initial conversion rate has been set at 16.7475 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount, which translates to a conversion price of approximately US$59.71 per ADS.

The securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or the laws of any other jurisdiction and can only be offered or sold to qualified institutional buyers under applicable exemptions.

Qifu Technology (NASDAQ: QFIN; HKEX: 3660) is a leading AI-driven Credit-Tech platform in China. The company empowers financial institutions by providing innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance credit services and risk management. Through its proprietary technology, Qifu supports a wide range of lending scenarios while promoting financial inclusion and responsible consumer finance.

Latham & Watkins assembled a cross-border team for the transaction. The effort was led by Hong Kong corporate partners Posit Laohaphan and Benjamin Su, with support from Beijing counsel Wei Wei and Hong Kong counsel Eric Yiu.

Additional team members included New York counsel Polina Tulupova, associates Christine Lo, Lizzy Zhang, Stewart Lai, and Jack Neff, and senior paralegal Lily Mak. Regulatory guidance came from Washington, D.C. partner James Barker and counsel Catherine Hein.

Latham & Watkins, founded in 1934, is a global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers across major business and financial centers. The firm advises top companies, investors, and institutions on high-stakes transactions, regulatory matters, and litigation. Known for its collaborative culture and deep industry knowledge, Latham delivers practical, strategic legal solutions worldwide.

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DOJ Tried to Silence Liz Oyer Over Mel Gibson Gun Rights.

A former Department of Justice official says she was pushed out of her role after refusing to support restoring Mel Gibson’s gun rights, and was nearly confronted by armed federal agents at her home just days before testifying before Congress.

Liz Oyer, who served as the DOJ’s pardon attorney, says she came under pressure from Trump-era officials to recommend Gibson, who lost his gun rights after a domestic violence conviction for reinstatement. When she pushed back, she says her job was suddenly gone.

“I didn’t think it was my call to make, especially given the nature of the conviction,” Oyer said during testimony on Capitol Hill this week. “I told leadership it should be their decision. Not long after, I was fired.”

But the story didn’t end there.

Just before a scheduled appearance at a congressional hearing on political interference in the Justice Department, Oyer learned the department was preparing to send U.S. Marshals to her home with a letter urging her not to speak. The timing? Late at night. And her teenage child would have been the one to answer the door.

“I was in the car with my husband and my parents when I got the message,” she told lawmakers. “Marshals were on their way. My child was home alone.”

Oyer was able to confirm receipt of the letter by email, which called off the in-person delivery. But the moment left her shaken and she believes the move was meant to intimidate her.

The letter, sent by DOJ official Kendra Wharton, warned Oyer not to share details about internal discussions, especially anything related to restoring firearm rights. It cited legal concerns around executive privilege and attorney confidentiality.

Liz Oyer's attorney, Michael Bromwich, called the warning “completely inappropriate” and accused the department of using law enforcement as a scare tactic. He also noted the letter made no mention of the legal protections Oyer has as a whistleblower.

“Sending armed marshals to the home of a former DOJ attorney, who has done nothing wrong, just to deliver a letter that’s not normal. That’s intimidation,” Bromwich said in a written response.

Oyer eventually testified as planned at the hearing, which focused on alleged political pressure inside the DOJ during the Trump administration. She appeared alongside other former Justice officials, speaking under the banner: “Restoring Accountability: Exposing Trump’s Attacks on the Rule of Law.”

During her appearance, she explained her refusal to support restoring Gibson’s gun rights and why she believes it cost her the job.

Gibson, best known for his roles in Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ, was sentenced to probation in 2011 following a domestic violence case. He has since become a visible supporter of Donald Trump, which Oyer says added a political dimension to the decision.

Lawmakers leading the hearing, including Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Adam Schiff, didn’t hold back in their criticism. Schiff called the DOJ’s approach an attempt to silence a voice they didn’t want heard. Raskin said it felt like something “straight out of a mob movie.” Liz Oyer stood her ground.

“The letter was meant to scare me off. But I’m not going to stay quiet about what I saw or what’s still happening,” Liz Oyer said.

What Most People Don’t Know About This Story

  • Mel Gibson lost his gun rights after a 2011 domestic violence conviction in California. Under federal law, even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can permanently bar someone from owning firearms.

  • Restoring federal gun rights is a rare process. It typically requires a presidential pardon, clemency, or successful court challenge and is almost never granted for domestic violence cases.

  • Liz Oyer was appointed as the U.S. Pardon Attorney in 2022 under President Biden. The Office of the Pardon Attorney plays a key role in reviewing and recommending clemency cases but those recommendations are not always followed by the White House.

  • DOJ whistleblowers are protected under multiple federal statutes, including the Whistleblower Protection Act and Inspector General Act. It's illegal to retaliate against federal employees for exposing misconduct or abuse of authority.

  • Using U.S. Marshals for non-criminal delivery - especially to a former DOJ employee's home at night is extremely uncommon and has raised questions about possible abuse of power or intimidation tactics.

 

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Former UNM Football Player Convicted for Running Meth Operation from Jail.

A federal jury has convicted Rayshawn Boyce, a former University of New Mexico football player, of coordinating a meth trafficking ring from inside a state correctional facility.

Rayshawn Boyce, 29, was already in custody at Cibola County Correctional Center when he took his criminal activities to another level. While awaiting trial for a 2022 armed robbery involving a U.S. Postal Service employee, he was caught running a methamphetamine smuggling operation with help from someone on the inside.

According to court documents and trial testimony, Boyce wasn’t working alone. Correctional Officer Gabriella Torres, who was in a romantic relationship with Boyce at the time, was caught on surveillance footage sneaking meth into the jail under her hoodie.

On the night of May 16, 2022, she left the bundle in a part of the facility that cameras didn’t cover. Shortly after, Boyce retrieved the package, wrapped it in a blanket, and returned to his cell.

The next morning, after learning the jail would be searched, Boyce moved the drugs again. He soaked the bundle in water and stashed it near the showers, where it was eventually found by jail staff.

Further investigation revealed this wasn’t an isolated incident. Torres had previously smuggled marijuana into the facility on two occasions, again under Boyce’s direction. Payments from fellow inmates were sent through a CashApp account that Torres had set up at Boyce’s request.

The entire operation was carefully orchestrated, with Boyce coordinating deliveries and transactions from inside his cell.

Torres eventually pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and is currently out on supervised release while awaiting sentencing. She faces a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison.

Boyce, now convicted on drug trafficking charges, also faces sentencing for his earlier conviction in a separate federal case. In April 2024, a jury found him guilty of robbing a postal carrier, stealing a USPS master arrow key, and illegally possessing a firearm. Those charges could add another decade to his prison time.

He remains in federal custody and now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years—and up to life—without the possibility of parole. Sentencing dates for both cases have yet to be scheduled.

Federal Sentencing and Prison Drug Trafficking

Methamphetamine continues to be one of the most trafficked and abused drugs in the United States. According to the DEA, meth is commonly smuggled into correctional facilities using corrupt staff, mail systems, or through body concealment, making prison drug operations a growing concern nationwide.

Under Title 21 of the U.S. Code, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison, even for first-time offenders. Sentences can increase significantly if the crime involves weapons, a criminal enterprise, or takes place in a secure facility.

Inmate-led drug operations not only extend criminal networks into prison walls but also endanger staff and other inmates. The Bureau of Prisons and federal investigators frequently work together to uncover these schemes, especially when federal employees, such as USPS workers or correctional officers, are involved.

This case also highlights how romantic relationships between inmates and staff can create opportunities for corruption and manipulation, which the Department of Justice has repeatedly cited as a vulnerability in prison security.

With no parole in the federal system, individuals convicted under these laws often serve the majority, if not all, of their sentence.

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Mikal Mahdi to Be Executed by Firing Squad in South Carolina on Friday.

Mikal Mahdi is set to be executed by firing squad this Friday at 6 p.m., becoming one of the few inmates in modern U.S. history to face this rare method. The South Carolina Supreme Court denied his final appeal earlier this week, leaving little time and few options to stop the execution.

Mahdi, now 42, pleaded guilty in 2006 to a pair of brutal killings that were part of a violent, three-state crime spree. For nearly two decades, he’s remained on death row, while his attorneys fought to overturn his sentence. But on Monday, the state’s highest court delivered its final decision.

His legal team argued that the sentencing judge back in 2006 wasn’t given the full picture of Mahdi’s troubled past, including claims of childhood abuse and years spent in solitary confinement as a teenager. They believe that if the court had known more, Mahdi might have received a life sentence instead of death.

The justices, however, disagreed. In their 13-page opinion, they pointed to the extensive record of violence that Judge Clifton Newman had already considered at the time. That included a 2001 stabbing in Richmond, Virginia, in which Mahdi nearly killed a maintenance worker.

The court also referenced multiple escape attempts Mahdi made while in jail, including during the early days of his trial.

His 2004 crime spree began in Virginia and continued through North Carolina, where he shot a gas station clerk, Christopher Boggs, in the face at close range.

In South Carolina, he killed Officer James Myers in Calhoun County, shooting him with his own gun before setting the officer’s body on fire and fleeing in his patrol car. Mahdi was caught in Florida just days later.

With the state Supreme Court's rejection, Mahdi’s only remaining avenues are a last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or a clemency request to South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. Neither option has worked for the last four inmates executed in the state over the past seven months.

Friday’s scheduled execution will also draw attention because of how it’s being carried out. South Carolina is one of the few states that currently allows death by firing squad. The method was reinstated after the state struggled to obtain lethal injection drugs, an issue that’s reignited debate over how executions are performed.

If the execution moves forward as planned, it will mark one of the rare instances in recent American history where a firing squad has been used. And unless there’s a late intervention, Mahdi’s case will add another chapter to South Carolina’s growing list of executions in 2025.

Related Facts About Executions in South Carolina

  • South Carolina reinstated the firing squad in 2021 after officials said they could no longer obtain drugs for lethal injection. Inmates can now choose between electric chair and firing squad.

  • The last execution in South Carolina took place in 2024, part of a renewed wave of capital punishment cases after nearly a decade-long pause.

  • Only four people have been executed by firing squad in modern U.S. history, all in Utah. If carried out, Mikal Mahdi’s execution would be the first in South Carolina using this method.

  • Death row inmates in South Carolina are housed at Broad River Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Columbia.

  • Governor Henry McMaster has not granted clemency to any death row inmate since taking office in 2017.

  • Capital punishment remains legal in 24 U.S. states, though the methods and frequency vary widely across the country.

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Idaho Judge Salaries Jump by $17,000.

Idaho’s judges are getting a much-needed pay bump, thanks to a new law passed by the 2025 Legislature and signed by Governor Brad Little on March 28. The bill, known as House Bill 322, gives all levels of judges in the state a $17,000 salary increase, effective July 1, 2025.

This raise amounts to at least a 10% increase across the board, aiming to address ongoing concerns about low judicial compensation and growing difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified judges.

What Judges Will Earn Starting This Summer

With the new law in place, magistrate judges will earn $164,508 annually. District judges will make $172,508, appellate judges will earn $178,508, and justices on the Idaho Supreme Court will receive $186,508.

These changes bring Idaho closer in line with neighboring states, where judicial salaries tend to be significantly higher.

The push to raise judicial salaries came after years of declining interest in the bench and a concerning drop in retention rates. According to lawmakers and judicial leaders, the state has been struggling to attract strong applicants, in large part because the pay simply wasn’t competitive.

Senator James Ruchti, a Democrat from Pocatello and a practicing attorney, said the bill was a necessary step to keep Idaho’s justice system strong.

“It’s not as much as we wanted, but it’s a solid increase,” Ruchti commented. “If we don’t increase compensation, we’re going to lose more and more judges, and we’ll struggle to recruit.”

Earlier in the year, Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan proposed a larger pay raise, suggesting Supreme Court justices should make $215,000 and district judges $201,000 but lawmakers felt that number wouldn’t make it through the Legislature. The $17,000 figure was ultimately settled on as a compromise.

Who Was Behind the Bill?

The effort was led by Rep. Bruce Skaug of Nampa, Rep. Dustin Manwaring of Pocatello, and Sen. Todd Lakey of Nampa, all Republicans with legal backgrounds. Ruchti, a Democrat, played a key role in getting the bill introduced and passed.

The bill passed the House with a 57–13 vote on March 3 and cleared the Senate 26–8 on March 21, showing strong bipartisan support.

What It’ll Cost And What’s Next

The total cost of the raise, including associated benefits, is just over $3.8 million per year. That money will come from the state’s general fund.

Supporters say this isn’t the end of the conversation. The lawmakers behind HB 322 plan to revisit judicial compensation during the 2026 legislative session, with the hope of securing additional increases.

“The amount the supreme court had recommended was just too much to get the legislature to agree to it. They picked a number that was a significant increase, but not everything we wanted.” Ruchti said.

Did You Know?

  • Idaho ranked 48th in the nation for judicial pay before this raise, according to national compensation studies.

  • The average starting salary for an attorney in private practice in Idaho can exceed a judge’s salary - one of the driving forces behind the new law.

  • Most Idaho judges work 50+ hours per week, and their rulings directly affect everything from criminal sentencing to family law outcomes.

  • In recent years, multiple judicial seats went unfilled in Idaho due to lack of applicants - a growing issue in rural counties especially.

  • Many neighboring states, including Utah and Washington, already offer significantly higher pay to their judges - increasing competition for legal talent across state lines.

 

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Mielle Organics Sued Over ‘Natural’ and ‘Made in USA’ Claims in Class Action. 

Mielle Organics, a well-known hair care brand popular among consumers seeking natural ingredients and scalp-friendly formulas, is facing a new legal challenge.

A class action lawsuit filed in a California federal court alleges the company misrepresented its products by marketing them as “natural” and “Made in the USA,” despite reportedly using synthetic components and foreign-sourced ingredients.

The suit, filed on February 21 by California resident Sharon Allen, accuses Mielle Organics of violating multiple consumer protection laws by promoting products with unverified health claims and misleading labels. Allen is represented by Kazerouni Law Group APC, a firm known for its consumer rights litigation.

Alleged Deceptive Claims

According to the complaint, Mielle Organics’ hair care line — including its best-selling Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil — is advertised as a natural, American-made solution for hair growth and scalp health.

Ms. Sharon Allen contends the products contain synthetic additives and globally sourced ingredients such as tea tree oil and coconut oil, contradicting the brand’s marketing.

The lawsuit also argues that the company’s promises of benefits like dandruff relief and hair growth are not backed by any clinical or scientific studies. Because the products are being promoted for treating or preventing specific conditions, the complaint suggests they should fall under FDA drug approval requirements, which the company has not met.

Consumers May Be Overpaying

Allen asserts that consumers are often willing to pay more for hair care labeled as natural and domestically produced, assuming these qualities reflect higher standards and support for American businesses. The suit claims Mielle Organics took advantage of this perception, charging premium prices for products that do not meet those expectations.

“Mielle’s branding gives the impression of authenticity and purity, which is not supported by the actual product composition,” the lawsuit states.

Legal Relief Sought

The proposed class action seeks to represent all California consumers who purchased Mielle Organics products labeled as “natural” or “Made in the USA” within the last four years. Allen is seeking:

  • Monetary damages

  • Restitution

  • An injunction barring Mielle Organics from continuing its current marketing practices

The case has not yet been certified as a class action and remains in its early stages.

Not the First Legal Battle for Mielle

This is not the first time the company has come under legal scrutiny. In 2024, Mielle Organics and its parent company, Procter & Gamble, faced similar lawsuits from consumers who alleged that certain rosemary mint products caused hair damage, scalp irritation, and in some cases, hair loss.

Those earlier complaints also raised questions about whether the brand adequately tested its formulas before putting them on the market. The current lawsuit builds on that narrative, focusing on alleged misrepresentation rather than physical harm.

​Kazerouni Law Group, APC, is a distinguished consumer protection law firm with over 15 years of experience advocating for clients nationwide. Founded in 2007, the firm has secured more than $1 billion in settlements for consumers, addressing issues such as debt collection harassment, consumer telephone protection, credit rights violations, class actions, lemon law cases, and personal injury claims. Led by partners Abbas Kazerounian, Esq., and Mike Kazerouni, Esq., the firm's dedicated team is committed to safeguarding consumer rights and pursuing justice against powerful corporations. 

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DLA Piper Advises Barloworld Through ZAR23B Investor Offer.

DLA Piper has advised Barloworld Limited, a leading South African industrial processing, distribution, and services company, on a cash offer valued at approximately ZAR23 billion to its shareholders. The offer was made by a consortium of investors, marking a significant transaction in the South African corporate landscape.

The transaction was led by a Johannesburg-based team from DLA Piper, spearheaded by Johannes Gouws (Country Managing Partner) and Peter Bradshaw (Corporate Location Head). The core team also included Jonathan Singh and Lorica Elferink (Corporate Directors), Werner Rysbergen (Competition Director), Zama Shoba (Senior Associate), Dharshini Naidoo (Associate), and Nicole Sentoo (Associate Designate).

Commenting on the deal, Johannes Gouws said:

“We are privileged to act for Barloworld on such a potentially transformative transaction for the company. This transaction is further evidence of the growing interest from global investors in the South African economy.”  

Barloworld is a South African industrial group focused on equipment, services, and food & ingredients. With over 120 years of experience, it partners with top OEMs like Caterpillar to deliver integrated solutions across mining, construction, and agriculture in southern Africa.

DLA Piper is a global law firm with a strong reputation for providing legal services across a broad spectrum of industries and sectors. With offices in more than 40 countries, the firm offers comprehensive legal solutions in areas such as corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, real estate, and regulatory matters. DLA Piper serves a diverse range of clients, including multinational corporations, governments, and individuals, delivering innovative and strategic advice. The firm is known for its collaborative approach, providing tailored legal expertise to address complex, cross-border issues while maintaining a commitment to exceptional client service.

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