Reader Letter for Business of Law 2024
A Gartner survey shows legal, compliance and privacy leaders increasingly focus on strategic roles, driving both risk management and business outcomes. AI adoption is rising, with 79% of law firms incorporating it into operations, reshaping billing models and priorities. Despite increased earnings, mid-sized firms face challenges with billing and collections. Partner billing rates are at record highs, but delayed payments persist, while general contract cases are on the rise, signaling increased legal activity. The California State Bar's 'Look Up a Lawyer' tool highlights the need for trust and ethical practices. The legal profession must adapt to tech changes, enhance cybersecurity and uphold ethical standards to succeed in this dynamic environment.
We recap the 2024 In-house Counsel Leadership Awards with a photo gallery and a list of the honorees, finalists and nominees. We hope you enjoy reading about their backgrounds, accomplishments and contributions to the legal community over the past two years.
Additionally, the magazine recognizes numerous legal visionaries representing diverse areas of practice - from litigation to labor & employment to intellectual property, to name a few. They exemplify transformative leadership while setting new standards in the legal profession. Congratulations to the 2024 In-house Counsel honorees, finalists and nominees, as well as all of this year's Legal Visionaries.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
ABS and Saronic Technologies to explore autonomous maritime tech
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Saronic Technologies have announced a partnership to advance autonomous technologies for maritime applications. The two entities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on projects aimed at enhancing technical requirements for autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) and classification services for Saronic's autonomous capabilities. Saronic co-founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas added: 'We are excited to work with ABS, a recognised authority in maritime safety and innovation standards. 'Through this agreement, we look forward to collaborating with ABS to contribute our experience and expertise to inform the advancement of industry standards for this emerging class of vessels, while ensuring our technology and platforms meet a high bar for safety, reliability, and efficiency.' ABS is known for providing technical support for innovative autonomous and remote-controlled technologies within the maritime and offshore sectors. ABS chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki said: 'Advancing autonomous technologies and uncrewed systems unlocks safer, more efficient operations across the maritime sector. 'We are delighted to work together with Saronic to foster innovation in this space, supporting cutting-edge solutions to redefine what's possible for maritime operations worldwide.' Furthermore, ABS has also recently created a simulation tool for controlling thermal runaway incidents in lithium-ion battery fires, an essential aspect of safety. Developed in collaboration with Texas A&M University, this tool delivers precise simulations at the individual battery cell scale. Additionally, in June, ABS granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering for their floating module design powered by small modular reactors (SMRs). This design aims to generate electricity for both offshore and coastal areas, providing energy for harbour services and land-based populations. "ABS and Saronic Technologies to explore autonomous maritime tech" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Court should reject HPE-Juniper merger: Former DOJ antitrust deputy
A Justice Department shake-up that led last month to the departure of the antitrust division's second in command arose over a DOJ decision to bend to lobbyists in the department's review of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) acquisition of rival Juniper Networks ( according to Roger Alford, the fired official. The division's former antitrust deputy, Alford accused DOJ officials Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Stanley Woodward, an associate attorney general nominee, of allowing lobbyists to prevail over the rule of law in the review that green-lighted the deal. Alford's critique came during an address on Monday at the Tech Policy Institute Aspen Forum. "It is my opinion that in the HPE/Juniper merger scandal, Chad Mizelle and Stanley Woodward perverted justice and acted inconsistent with the rule of law," Alford said. "I hope the court blocks the HPE/Juniper merger. If you knew what I knew, you would hope so too." The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Alford, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, was one of two of the Justice Department's most senior officials shown the door last month. He also served in the antitrust division during President Trump's first term. Before his departure from the second administration, he was principal deputy to President Trump's hand-picked antitrust chief, Gail Slater. The other official, William Rinner, a deputy assistant attorney general, headed up merger enforcement. Rinner also served in Trump's first administration. The Wall Street Journal reported that the two had been working on the department's challenge to the acquisition before a settlement was reached with HPE's politically connected lawyers, who lacked antitrust expertise. Alford said the HPE-Juniper review exemplified a broader, ongoing battle within the Republican Party over the future of the second Trump administration. "I am not talking about the well-known ideological battle between traditional conservatives and Trump supporters. I am talking about the battle between genuine MAGA reformers and MAGA-In-Name-Only lobbyists," Alford said. "It's a fight over whether Americans will have equal justice under law, or whether preferential access to our justice system is for sale to the wealthy and well-connected." The former deputy went on to question whether the US under the balance of President Trump's second term would be governed by the rule of law or the rule of lobbyists. He said the agency could correct course if it takes action to carry out the Trump administration's original mission to enforce the competition rules. "For the words 'equal justice under law' to be more than just a phrase etched in marble, it must be practiced by those privileged to enforce it," he said. "I am speaking out now because it is still early days in this Administration and I think correcting the problems at the DOJ is still possible, either by political will or judicial decree." Alford praised his former boss, Slater, and department colleagues, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Alford said he believes remain true to President Trump's core message instructing that antitrust enforcement is not for sale and should deliver tangible "common sense populism"-oriented results for millions of Americans. During a panel discussion at George Washington Law School in May, Alford emphasized that the administration's focus was on mergers expected to drive up prices on goods and services that impact everyday Americans, like housing, education, healthcare, and everyday goods and services. Merger challenges like the one against HPE — filed roughly a week after Trump took office — appeared to signal the administration's plans to vigorously pursue competition concerns. Further underscoring its offensive approach, the administration pushed ahead with antitrust prosecutions targeting the biggest names in tech, including Google (GOOG), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Meta (META). The Justice Department sued Hewlett-Packard in January, alleging that the $14 billion tie-up to combine the nation's second- and third-largest providers of enterprise wireless networking would substantially lessen market competition. Five months later, in June, the department announced it had settled with HPE and would allow the deal to go forward by requiring HPE to divest its global "Instant On" WLAN business to a DOJ-approved buyer, plus ensure it would license key software assets to rivals. Alford called on California Federal District Judge P. Casey Pitt to closely scrutinize the events that led to the merger settlement between the DOJ and HPE-Juniper court proceedings under the 1974 Tunney Act. The act requires companies seeking approval of merger settlements to disclose their settlement-related communications with the executive branch. Democratic lawmakers also asked Judge Pitt to hold a hearing to review the settlement. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jesta I.S. Recognized in Two Gartner Market Guides for Supply Chain Collaboration and Retail Planning
MONTREAL, August 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jesta I.S., a pioneer in the development of enterprise ERP software suites for brand manufacturers, wholesalers and omnichannel retailers, was recently recognized in two Gartner Market Guides: Gartner Market Guide for Multienterprise Collaboration Networks Gartner Market Guide for Retail Merchandise Financial Planning Businesses can use a Gartner Market Guide to better understand an emerging market, determine how it aligns with their future business plans, and identify current providers and how their offerings are likely to evolve. Jesta's inclusion in two new Gartner Market Guides highlights the longstanding company's continued relevance to digital transformations in the fashion apparel, footwear and hard goods industries. Jesta's offerings consist of three ERP suites, each anchored by Master Data: Vision Supply Chain Management Suite, Vision Retail Management Suite and Vision Suite 360. The Gartner Market Guide for Multienterprise Collaboration Networks addresses the gaps in end-to-end (E2E) visibility and connectivity that many organizations continue to face across their global supply chain. This includes views upstream to their suppliers and factories, and downstream to their distributors, logistics providers and customers. A significant strength of Jesta's cloud Vision Supply Chain Management Suite is Supply Chain Collaboration. It facilitates bi-directional communication between an enterprise's planning and procurement teams with its nearshore/offshore suppliers and production plants in real time. It helps to accelerate response and resolution times between global teams, preventing costly delays. It bolsters collaboration among partners, significantly improving operational outcomes. Jesta is included in two additional Gartner reports that offer further insights into Multienterprise Collaboration Networks. These reports examine the market and industry segments where Jesta delivers the most value, the midmarket retail sector. Midmarket Context: Market Guide for Multienterprise Collaboration Networks Industry Context: Market Guide for Multienterprise Collaboration Networks The Gartner Market Guide for Retail Merchandise Financial Planning addresses digital transformations from spreadsheet-based working to merchandise planning software. Jesta's cloud Vision Retail Management Suite consists of a Merchandising ERP system with robust capabilities for Merchandise Planning to optimize sales, profit and inventory. The technology connects users with a single source of truth as well as other departments, including finance, buying, store operations and warehousing, for a commerce strategy that is truly unified. Arvind Gupta, President, Jesta I.S. said "Jesta's inclusion in the Gartner Market Guides by the world's leading research and advisory company is acknowledgement that our Vision Suite software is growing in a way that aligns perfectly with today's evolving needs. Looking ahead, Jesta has plans to further develop and incorporate its AI capabilities, while continuing to innovate and enhance its existing suites in line with customer needs and emerging market trends." About Jesta I.S.: Trusted by major fashion apparel, footwear and accessory brands for 55 years, Jesta I.S. is a pioneer in the development of end-to-end enterprise ERP suites for emerging brands aspiring to scale and established brands migrating to the cloud on a limited budget. Jesta's Vision Supply Chain Management Suite delivers visibility and connectivity to boost collaboration among your global brand manufacturing and wholesale partners. Jesta's Vision Retail Management Suite bridges gap and ignites collaboration between head office, warehouse, store and e-commerce teams. Jesta's Vision Suite 360 combines the power of the Supply Chain and Retail Suites to optimize product journeys from concept to consumer. Leveraging a Master Data foundation, the suites provide IT stability and equip all departments with data-driven executable modules for operational excellence. Customers include Cole Haan, DSW, Genesco, JD Sports Canada, Harry Rosen, Perry Ellis and Puma. Learn more: View source version on Contacts Melanie Frank - mfrank@ 1-888-925-5152Senior Marketing Advisor Sign in to access your portfolio
