Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel.
- Butler Snow, long contracted by the state of Alabama to defend its prison system in major civil rights cases, faces potential sanctions after one of its attorneys submitted fabricated, AI-generated legal citations in court filings related to a case brought by an inmate who alleges severe abuse and neglect in a state prison. A federal judge is now considering sanctions against the firm, including fines and suspensions. Butler Snow apologized and launched an internal review, and the Alabama attorney general’s office continues to back the firm. (The Guardian)
- As Mexico prepares for its first judicial elections, concerns have emerged over candidates with troubling pasts, including a former US convict, a dismissed judge accused of abuse, and a lawyer who represented drug kingpin El Chapo. The judicial election—championed by former President López Obrador and current President Sheinbaum—aims to root out corruption by letting citizens elect judges, but others warn it could undermine judicial independence and empower criminal groups. (Reuters)
- Title IX attorney Arthur Bryant is launching a new law firm focused on combating sex discrimination in college athletics, amid what he calls a surge in enforcement opportunities. Formerly with Clarkson Law Firm, Bryant currently represents female athletes in lawsuits against Oregon, Fresno State, and San Diego State. (Sportico)
Laterals, Moves, In-House
- John Ilardo joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner in its banking and credit practice in Boston.
- Gurpreet Bal and Shaalu Mehra joined Foley & Lardner as partners in its innovative technology sector and transactions practice group in Silicon Valley. Bal joins from DLA Piper. Mehra joins from McDermott Will & Emery.
- Lily Wound joined Ballard Spahr as a partner in its business and transactions department, corporate group, and life sciences industry team in New York.
- Brian Robertson joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in its corporate department in Dallas.
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