Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

A federal appeals court has upheld a New Jersey law prohibiting firearms in sensitive locations such as schools and public gatherings. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, in a detailed 139-page opinion, highlighted the historical precedent for restricting firearms in specific civic areas, observing: “a pattern emerges: our Nation has permitted restriction of firearms in discrete locations set aside for particular civic functions.” New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin praised the ruling as a “decisive victory” for public safety. However, Pete Patterson, representing gun rights supporters, expressed disappointment and noted they would consider their next steps. The court's decision aligns with similar rulings in other states following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 expansion of gun rights. While the court upheld the sensitive place restrictions, it maintained a lower court's ruling against an insurance mandate for gun carriers.

 

U.S. News

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More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the U.S. state of Georgia have arrived home. A chartered Korean Air jet carrying the workers and 14 non-Koreans who were also detained in the raid took off from Atlanta at midday local time on Thursday (17:00 BST). One South Korean national has reportedly chosen to stay in the U.S. to seek permanent residency. Korean companies would be "very hesitant" about investing in the U.S. following the raid, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Thursday. "The situation is extremely bewildering," Lee observed, while noting it is common practice for Korean firms to send workers to help set up overseas factories. "If that's no longer allowed, establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S. will only become more difficult . . . making companies question whether it's worth doing at all," he added. On Friday, the South Korean foreign ministry said it had called for the U.S. Congress to support a new visa for Korean firms.

 

Korea Joongang Daily

Bangkok Post

BBC News

The Korea Times

Lawyers representing a 4-year-old girl, C.N., have filed a $4.6m lawsuit against Hoodoo Ski Area following a skiing accident. The incident occurred on March 7, 2021, when another skier crashed into C.N. after entering a terrain park that lacked proper safety barriers. Scott Lucas, the girl's attorney, said: “All this would have been avoided if the resort had simply left its safety barriers in place until the resort closed.” The lawsuit highlights growing concerns over the increasing number of legal actions against Oregon ski resorts, which are struggling to maintain insurance coverage. The situation has escalated since the 2014 Bagley vs. Mt. Bachelor ruling, which weakened liability protections for ski resorts. Hoodoo has faced multiple lawsuits since then.

 

OregonLive.com

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has agreed to approve vanity license plates reading “GAY” and “MUSLIM” following a federal lawsuit filed by two residents. The lawsuit claimed that the state improperly rejected their requests for the personalized plates. The resolution was facilitated during a Zoom hearing by Senior Judge Dan Aaron Polster of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The agency acknowledged its error in rejecting the proposed plates, conceding: "We erred in rejecting the proposed personalized plates."

 

Bloomberg Law

The U.S. government is pursuing over $16.9m in unpaid taxes and interest from Florida real estate businessman Richard H. Cullifer, stemming from tax liabilities assessed for 2003 and 2004. A complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, highlighting that the IRS had previously assessed $10.8m in taxes in 2015 but failed to collect them. The government is now seeking additional interest that has accrued since then.

 

Bloomberg Tax

Ropes & Gray has launched its second office in Europe within six months, opening in Milan with the addition of three lawyers from Latham & Watkins. Partners Cataldo Piccarreta and Giorgia Lugli, along with newly promoted partner Luca Maranetto, will bolster Ropes' private equity group. This expansion follows the firm's first European office, which opened in Paris earlier this year. Ropes' chair, Julie Jones, highlighted Italy as a crucial market, noting it was the fastest-growing private equity market in Europe in 2024, with deal volume exceeding €61bn. Jones said: "The incoming team will help us to move faster and more seamlessly across many of the geographies where our private equity clients are pursuing their most compelling opportunities."

 

The Global Legal Post

Sumon Dantiki has joined Baker McKenzie as a partner in its litigation and government enforcement practice, also co-chairing the national security practice in Washington, DC. His expertise lies in handling sensitive investigations and disputes, particularly those involving cybersecurity and national security. Dantiki assists multinational clients in mitigating risks related to data breaches, insider threats, and compliance issues. He previously worked at the U.S. Department of Justice.

 

Bloomberg Law

CDR

Clifford Chance has appointed Andrea Gede-Lange as a partner in its private equity practice, enhancing its capabilities in the sector. Gede-Lange, who previously worked at Fried Frank, has extensive experience representing private equity firms, investors, and companies in various transactions. Her expertise includes leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and recapitalizations.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new measures to expedite the construction of infrastructure for artificial intelligence data centers, allowing companies to begin building before obtaining air permits. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said that "Clean Air Act permitting has been an obstacle to innovation and growth," and the new proposal aims to redefine pre-construction requirements to facilitate this process. The initiative is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to enhance energy supply and support the rapid development of AI technologies amid a competitive landscape with China.

 

Reuters

Jerome Township has implemented a nine-month moratorium - the first of its kind in Ohio - on new data center construction amid rising concerns from residents about noise, energy consumption, and limited economic benefits. Township Trustees voted unanimously to place a moratorium on the "receipt, processing, issuance or approval of any application for a zoning certificate" for data centers to enable officials to study future growth in the expanding industry. Trustees said multiple applications awaiting approval will now be held up. Township Administrator Brandon Standley said: "We have learned from and listened to our residents," as he highlighted the community's dissatisfaction with existing Amazon facilities. Trustee Wezlynn Davis described the noise as "beyond tolerable."

 

The Columbus Dispatch

A lawyer has warned that England could become the "family court of the world" at a time when its family court system is "already stretched to capacity." Sarah Jane Lenihan, partner at Dawson Cornwell, made her comments following a Court of Appeal ruling involving a multi-billion pound Russian divorce settlement.  The England and Wales Court of Appeal (EWCA) granted Natalia Nikolaevna Potanina leave to pursue her financial remedy claim against her former husband Vladimir Olegovich Potanin under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. Lenihan said: "Few expected this outcome. The question now is whether it will open the door for others who have divorced overseas to seek a second bite at the cherry in England. Both parties were Russian and lived in Russia throughout their marriage. The wife may understandably have felt dissatisfied with the Russian settlement, but that alone should not make England the forum of choice."

 

Law Society Gazette

Havana is gradually returning to normal after a nationwide blackout left 9.7m residents without power. The Cuban Energy and Mining Ministry reported that 80% of the capital has regained electricity. The restoration process is ongoing, with officials aiming to fully restore service soon, although the country's power system has been in crisis for years, struggling to meet demand due to outdated infrastructure and dwindling fuel imports. Residents expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the severe impact on daily life amid Cuba's broader economic challenges.

 

Reuters