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Expert Analysis

• Structuring Noncompetes In License And Collaboration Deals

  

  As companies grappling with coming patent cliffs look to mergers and acquisitions to compensate, contracting parties assessing biopharma license and collaboration agreements should prepare to agree on noncompetes that ensure the parties' respective objectives are met and that their incentives are aligned, both under their collaboration and beyond, says Jeff Jay at Freshfields.

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  Coaching Cheerleading Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  At first glance, cheerleading and litigation may seem like worlds apart, but both require precision, adaptability, leadership and the ability to stay composed under pressure — all of which have sharpened how I approach my work in the emotionally complex world of mass torts and personal injury, says Rashanda Bruce at Robins Kaplan.

• 7 Ways To Fetch Patents In The World Of Working Animals

  

  Though developers rarely file patents related to working animals, and animal training techniques are generally considered unpatentable, certain aspects of training and developing animals may be ripe for patent protection, say Matthew Avery at Baker Botts, Makenzi Galvan at Perkins Coie and Lute Yang at Orrick.

• 9th Circ.'s Kickback Ruling Strengthens A Prosecutorial Tool

  

  The Ninth Circuit's decision last month in U.S. v. Schena, interpreting the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act to prohibit kickback conduct between the principal and individuals who do not directly interact with patients, serves as a wake-up call to the booming clinical laboratory testing industry, say attorneys at Kendall Brill.

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  Law School's Missed Lessons: How To Make A Deal

  

  Preparing lawyers for the nuances of a transactional practice is not a strong suit for most law schools, but, in practice, there are six principles that can help young M&A lawyers become seasoned, trusted deal advisers, says Chuck Morton at Venable.

• From Clerkship To Law Firm: 5 Transition Tips For Associates

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  Transitioning from a judicial clerkship to an associate position at a law firm may seem daunting, but by using knowledge gained while clerking, being mindful of key differences and taking advantage of professional development opportunities, these attorneys can flourish in private practice, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

• 9th Circ.'s Trade Secrets Ruling Is A Win For DTSA Plaintiffs

  

  The Ninth Circuit's recent decision in Quintara v. Ruifeng shifts the balance in federal trade secret litigation toward a more flexible, discovery-driven process, meaning that plaintiffs may be more likely to pursue claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and early motions to strike or dismiss will face steep odds, say attorneys at Cooley.

• Associates Can Earn Credibility By Investing In Relationships

  

  As the class of 2025 prepares to join law firms this fall, new associates must adapt to office dynamics and establish credible reputations — which require quiet, consistent relationship-building skills as much as legal acumen, says Kyle Forges at Bast Amron.

• Puzzling Out When Similar Insurance Claims Are Related

  

  A recent decision in Virginia federal court shows that more than identical allegations of negligent business practices across two lawsuits may be necessary to satisfy the strict definition of relatedness under claims-made liability insurance policies, say attorneys at Hunton.

• A Shifting Trend In FDA Form 483 Disclosure Obligations

  

  A New York federal court's Checkpoint Therapeutics decision extends a recent streak of dismissals of securities class actions alleging that pharmaceutical companies failed to disclose U.S. Food and Drug Administration Form 483 inspection reports, providing critical guidance for companies during the FDA approval process, say attorneys at Alston & Bird.

• Trending At The PTAB: IPR Memo And Its Fed. Circ. Backdrop

  

  There are new rules for when and how evidence other than patents or printed publications can be considered in inter partes reviews, and while this change is intended to reflect current Federal Circuit precedent, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's memo seems to acknowledge tension with last month's Shockwave decision, say attorneys at Finnegan.

• Lessons From 7th Circ.'s Deleted Chat Sanctions Ruling

  

  The Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Pable v. Chicago Transit Authority, affirming the dismissal of an ex-employee’s retaliation claims, highlights the importance of properly handling the preservation of ephemeral messages and clarifies key sanctions issues, says Philip Favro at Favro Law.

• Breaking Down The Proposed Hemp Bill

  

  A proposed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, recently approved by the House Appropriations Committee, contains a rider that would significantly change the definition of hemp and dramatically reshape the current hemp-derived product market, say attorneys at King & Spalding.

• Assessing Federal Securities Class Action Stats In '25 So Far

  

  The settlement amount as a percentage of damages in securities class actions has continued to decline in the first half of 2025, a trend that may be important for assessing exposure and risk in future securities litigation, say analysts at Analysis Group.

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  Quilting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Turning intricate patterns of fabric and thread into quilts has taught me that craftsmanship, creative problem-solving and dedication to incremental progress are essential to creating something lasting that will help another person — just like in law, says Veronica McMillan at Kramon & Graham.