Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its much-anticipated decision in Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., Inc., et al. In a unanimous decision authored by Justice Sotomayor, the Court vacated a Fourth Circuit decision and ruled in favor of Truck Insurance Exchange, confirming that an insurer with financial responsibility for a bankruptcy claim is a “party in interest” and therefore has standing to object to a Chapter 11 plan. Full background: https://lnkd.in/ehBTn_YF

On March 15, 2024, the member states of the European Union voted in favor of the significantly revised compromise proposal submitted by the Belgian Council Presidency on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, a highly anticipated legislation aimed at enhancing environmental and human rights protections within the EU and globally. The revised CSDDD has now been finally adopted by the EU Council on May 24, 2024. Full background: https://lnkd.in/eCTCMTgg

On June 12, partners Jared Bartie and Andy Spital, and counsel Kathiana Aurelien, will moderate the panel titled “Ask A Labor Attorney Anything (Unofficial Legal Advice)” as part of the Excellent Leadership HR Summit. The event is hosted by Nolan Partners in Frisco, Texas. The summit will unite HR leaders across the major leagues, renowned brands, and prominent sports businesses to glean insights from industry pioneers, collaborate with your colleagues, learn from thought leaders, develop meaningful professional relationships, and foster a culture of continuous learning. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e8hS7y68

As we celebrate Pride month throughout June, we wanted to highlight some of the ways Willkie has supported the LGBTQ+ community through pro bono work. #probono #pridemonth #lgbtq

In recognition of World Environment Day this year, Willkie’s London office participated in a charity cycling event with PWR Hour. Teams of six from some of the biggest companies in London raced head-to-head to generate and store as much renewable green energy as possible. All energy produced will be donated to Greenhouse Sports, a charity empowering young people to engage with sports. Congratulations to our Willkie cyclists who ranked second. Thanks to all who participated!

Thank you to our many clients and friends who attended our London Summer Reception yesterday. The event was held at Lancaster House, next door to the residence of King Charles, Clarence House. The opulent building is most recognized for its portrayal of Buckingham Palace in The Crown on Netflix.   Our London office was recently recognized as being among the fastest-growing firms in London by Legal Business, and we were also ranked first among top international firms that gained the most Legal 500 practice area rankings in London in the five-year timeframe.    The London Summer Reception has steadily grown in size over the many years that we have hosted it. We are thrilled to have hosted approximately 500 guests last night and enjoyed spending time with each other in such a beautiful setting. 

Alex Weingarten, Managing Partner of Willkie’s Los Angeles office and Chair of the firm’s Entertainment Litigation Practice, has been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “LA500 2024,” an annual series recognizing the most influential business leaders in Los Angeles. LABJ again recognized Alex’s accomplishments as one of entertainment industry’s foremost litigators and trial attorneys, noting his record of success in “bet the company” cases and high-profile disputes. The publication also highlighted his leadership in launching and growing Willkie’s L.A. office, which opened in September 2021 and now numbers nearly 100 attorneys, ranking among the largest in the region. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e9njQvEQ

Willkie’s Intellectual Property Department has once again been recognized as a market leader by IAM Patent 1000, an annual guide to the top patent firms and practitioners around the world. The 2024 guide ranked Willkie in both Washington, DC, and Chicago for its strengths in patent litigation, highlighting the firm’s record of success in high-stakes cases. The following eight Willkie partners were recognized among the top patent litigators in their respective jurisdictions: Michael Babbitt, partner in the Intellectual Property and Litigation Departments in Chicago Sara Horton, Co-Chair of the IP Litigation Practice Group in Chicago Michael Johnson, partner in the Intellectual Property Department in New York Steve Marshall, partner in the Intellectual Property Department in Washington, DC Craig C. Martin, Chairman, Midwest, and partner in the Litigation Department in Chicago Indranil "Indy" Mukerji, Chair of the Technology Patent Litigation Practice Group in Washington, DC Krista Schwartz, Co-Chair of the IP Litigation Practice Group in San Francisco Heather Schneider, partner in the Intellectual Property Department in New York and President of the New York Intellectual Property Association Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esSQwcVk

Willkie has once again been recognized as a leading firm in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, an annual guide to the top law firms and attorneys across the country. The firm was recognized for outstanding work across its offices nationwide, earning a total of 54 practice area rankings and 136 individual rankings. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e99YxbBS

Earlier this week, Willkie Chicago was thrilled to support Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 33rd Annual Corporate Night Out. This year’s theme was “Shaken, Not Stirred” and our team enjoyed James Bond themed music, cuisine, and drinks amongst the company of other local business, civic, and cultural leaders. The CSO has been iconic in Chicago’s cultural landscape since 1891 (making it 3 years younger than Willkie) and is consistently hailed as one of the greatest orchestras globally. Pictured here is summer law clerk Simone Laverdiere and associates Elizabeth Astrup, Eve Hastings, Rachel Kreager, Lenore Hipsher, and Alex Owings.