Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
The integration of generative AI within the legal industry offers substantial advantages for both lawyers and clients. By enhancing efficiency, AI significantly reduces the time required for tasks such as legal research, document drafting, and case analysis. This technological advancement allows lawyers to allocate more of their focus and expertise to other critical aspects of their cases, ultimately improving the overall quality and effectiveness of legal services. The streamlined processes facilitated by AI not only expedite case management but also elevate the precision and depth of legal work, benefiting all parties involved.
Adhering to ethical guidelines is crucial for law firms to mitigate the potential risks associated with AI usage and to uphold the integrity of their practices. Law firms must establish and enforce comprehensive policies that govern the ethical implementation of AI. These guidelines ensure that AI is utilised responsibly, safeguarding against biases, protecting client confidentiality, and maintaining compliance with legal standards. By following these ethical protocols, law firms can confidently integrate AI into their operations while preserving the trust and credibility they have built with their clients.
The ABA have recently provided their official opinion on the uses of AI providing those in the legal industry a clear guidelines going forward.
This is the first formal ethics opinion on generative AI from ABA, giving law firms a guidelines of how to use the technology effectively and ethically. This takes into consideration the protection of both law firm and client when using AI, preventing any misconduct and potential risk that come with using technology.
ABA noted that when using AI the user must ‘fully consider’ their ethical obligations to protect clients, including duties related to lawyer competence, confidentiality of client data, communication and fees.
They have stated that lawyers do not need to be experts in the technology but should have a good understating and implications of what they are using. Lawyers must also keep up with any changes and law firms should provide a basic level of training.
Forbes emphasises the necessity of vigilance when using AI due to the significant risks involved. This point is illustrated by the genuine incident of when two attorneys submitted court documents containing fictitious legal citations and precedents generated by AI in a civil case. It is crucial to prioritise thoroughly checking AI-generated work to avoid such errors and ensure the integrity of legal documents.
Following last year’s noteworthy success, where summer associates achieved record-high employment rates and salaries, the landscape has shifted drastically this year. This year’s law student are experiencing significant challenged when it comes to job offers with law firms being much more conservative in recruitment.
Data from NALP (National Association for Law Placement) indicates that recruitment has hit an 11-year low, as firms extend fewer offers to their summer associates, partly due to reduced demand. In particular, there has been a 19% decline in offers for law graduates this year whilst the increased size of classes, averaging 12% has intensified the competition pool.
In a stark contract, the previous year saw 92.6% of graduates employed within 10 months of graduation, the highest rate on record since 1974 with NALP.
A US 2024 Summer Associate Survey reveals that 37% are most concerned about not receiving a position at their summer law firm, their apprehensions seem to be warranted this year.
The NALP report indicates that the reduction in hiring by Law firms’ is most likely the result of a slowing demand from clients as well as the excess capacity created from the record-high recruitment of summer associates in 2022. Notably, over 89% of the summer associates who were offered position in 2022 accepted and joined the firms in 2023.
Utilise your time at the law firm to gain a thorough understanding of its operations as well as to build relationships with your colleagues. Demonstrating your ability and willingness to integrate into the firms culture can go along way for you chances of gaining a position there. Working with your team and those in the firm is crucial for your internship as well as working there everyday if you get the position and is a significant part of the interview process.
Networking with your colleagues is beneficial for fostering strong professional relationships withing the firm as well as your future career. Knowing influential and successful people within the industry can be useful in the future. Learning from those around you will contribute to your development as a lawyer.
If you have not maintained a record throughout your summer which details your projects, accomplishments and methodologies then it is important to reflect back and create an organised log. This can serve as a great foundation for creating a professional portfolio which you can present in your interview.
The record should highlight any contributions and achievements you have made during your time there and this could influence the interviewers’ decision in your favour.
Your willingness to learn is crucial, however, if you do not clearly demonstrate this then your interviewer may not recognise it. During your placement, you will be assigned tasks and projects, it is advised to proactively seek any additional responsibilities. This could include, taking a lead role or requesting extra tasks.
Taking the initiative showcases your eagerness to expand your knowledge and understanding of the workplace but also highlights your commitment to actively contributing to the firm.
Vaxart is a biotechnology company developing a range of oral recombinant vaccines based on its proprietary delivery platform. Their vaccines are designed to be administered using pills that can be stored and shipped without the need of refrigeration and eliminate the risk of needle-stick injury.
Vaxart’s underwritten offering of 50,000,000 shares of its common stock at an offering price of $0.80 per share, a premium to the last closing price. The completed offering came to a value of $40 million.
Oppenheimer & Co. acted as sole bookrunner for the offering.
Thompson Hine LLP served as outside corporate and securities counsel for Vaxart. The deal was led by New York based partner Faith Charles, who leads the firm’s Life Sciences practice and co-chairs its Public Company practice.
Charles commented:
“I’m so pleased to have played a role in this deal and in helping Vaxart with its mission to develop and bring innovative vaccines and technologies to market.”
Shareholders of Sincanli Tractor have sold their shares to TVH Parts, a Belgian company providing spare parts and accessories for industrial and agricultural equipment. Sincanli Tractor is a supplier of spare parts for tractors and based in Turkiye.
Pekin Bayar Mizrahi advised the selling shareholders with a team led by Senem Golge Yalcin and Gayla Benbanaste who are heavily experienced in M&A and competition. The team was there to offer their services and assist with organized the virtual data room, drafting, negotiating and execution of share purchase agreement and more. The team was able to execute the agreement whilst respecting the interim period obligations and various ancillary documentation amongst others.
Heygaz Biomethane is managed by InfraVia Capital Partner as a portfolio company of funds. They reached an agreement to purchase Ormonde Organics.
Ormonde Organics is a leading Irish Biogas and Biomethane producer which operates two anaerobic digestion plants at Portlaw, County Waterford and Youghal, County Cork in the South of Ireland. They have a total annual production of 60 GWh.
They mostly use the biogas produced to generate renewable electricity. Ormonde Organise management team will be continuing on at the helm with the aims to increase Biomethane production, promote its use in transport and industrial applications.
With this acquisition Heygaz is now entering the Irish market in a leadership role able to leverage the assets strong technical and professional skills to develop new production projects in the country.
Beauchamps LLP worked to advise Ormonde Organics on legal matter as Deloitte Ireland LLP advised on financial matters.
The Rad-x group is specialised in diagnostic imaging including ultrasound, CT and MRI, the company has 24 centres based in Germany and Switzerland. Gilde Healthcare has built up Rad-x since 2016, they are a healthcare investor managing over EUR 2.6 billion across Venture & Growth and private equity.
Gilde Healthcare and other shareholders decided to sell their stake in the Rad-x holding company to a consortium of Swiss Life Asset Managers and Vesper. This will assist RAD-x to continue their growth through substantial plans to expand its footprint in current and new markets which Gilde Healthcare has left a strong foundation for.
CMS Hasge Sigle gave legal advice and support for Swiss Life Asset Managers throughout this deal.
Gilde Healthcare and the selling RAD-x shareholders were provided Belgian law legal advice from the law firm BoldLAW headed by Marijke Roelants.
“BoldLAW is proud to have assisted the shareholders of RAD-x SAS in the sale to Swiss Life Asset Managers and Vesper, highlighting its corporate expertise in complex international transactions and in-depth knowledge of Belgian law. With its pragmatic and client-focused approach, BoldLAW makes a tangible difference in every transaction.”
TIM has completed the sale of 100% of NetCo to Optics Bidco for a value of approximately 22 billion euros. Optics Bidco is a special purpose vehicle controlled by KKR and has issued 12 series of senior secured notes totalling 5.5 billion euros.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance considers this network a strategic asset for Italy leading to a 16% investment. This acquisition was completed with approval from the European Antitrust Authority.
Studio Legale BDL acted as advisor for KKR, on Italian Antitrust issues, throughout this acquisition alongside other firms such as, A&O Shearman and more to complete this transaction.
“The legal due diligence on the going concern sold by TIM required complex teamwork” said Mr. Maurizio Pinnarò; “Perfectly coordinated by KKR, which led all its advisors throughout this challenging transaction. The winning factor was the timeliness of interactions between the Buyer’s advisors”.
The Classified documents case against Donald Trump has been dismissed.
This is a huge win for Donald Trump in the election run up as Presidential candidate just days after the attempt on his life.
When Donald Trump left the Whitehouse in 2021 they later found he was mishandling classified documents taking them with him to his new residence. Falling under the Espionage Act which could have resulted in a prison sentence.
The former President pleaded guilty to all charges despite classified documents being found in his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
It was Judge, Aileen Cannon who dismissed these charges as she ruled that the special counsel who brought the prosecution had been improperly appointed. This violated the Appointments clause of the US constitution as the special counsel appointed, Jack Smith had not been named to his post by the president or confirmed by the Senate.
This meant the court could not move further with this case and this comes at a great time as Donald Trump is set to nominate his choice for Vice-president if their party win the US election.
Jack Smith could appeal this and the Supreme Court could determine the lawfulness of his appointment leading them back to a trial.
Earlier this year Donald Trump was found guilty of fraud with the sentencing trial set for September. Donald Trump's legal complications does not seem to be affecting his election run and now with this victory today he could be seeing a further spike in support.
In the past we have seen political violence growing in numbers as well as supporters and instigators. Over the weekend we heard, what is being considered the most serious assassination attempt on a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Raegan was shot in 1981. The FBI are calling the crime a potential domestic terrorism act.
The suspect, Thomas Matthew Crook was 20 years old using a gun which was registered to his father. He was positioned on the top of a building nearby the rally as Donald Trump was speaking he was shot which grazed his ear leaving him bloody but mostly unharmed. The suspect was shot on the scene and unfortunately has caused the death of one man and left 2 injured.
President Joe Biden has commented on the shooting calling it ‘sick’ and calls for a shift in language being used towards the candidate and condemns any political violence.
Global leaders have spoken out as well sending Mr Trump well wishes and thoughts to the victims of the shooting all reiterating that violence has no place in politics. This includes the Prime minister of England - Keir Starmer, Canadian President - Justin Trudeau, Ukrainian President - Volodymyr Zelensky, French President – Emanuel Macron and many more.
Political violence has grown especially over the past 5 years studies show. Those in politics are at a high risk of a targeted attack similar to the examples below.
Founded in 2005 and with a turnover of €30m, Asenium is a major player in digital transformation worldwide. Asenium specialises in supporting major national and international clients in their digital transformation and is recognised for deploying freelancers skilled in ERP & CRM environments. They have developed their operations over 20 countries since the company’s creation.
The M&A (Aménis Bererhi, partner) and corporate (Emily Grimshaw, partner) teams at Ngo, Jung & Partners, supervised by Grégory Lévy, partner, advised it on its merger with Freeland, the French leader in services for the self-employed.
With this acquisition, the Group is consolidating its position, continuing the diversification and consolidation drive that began in 2019. With projected sales of €450 million in 2024, Freeland is strengthening its position in France and continuing its European and international expansion.
The strategic alliance with Asenium strengthens its added value through new skills and synergies with customers.
