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Jury Finds Major E-Discovery Firm Guilty of Illegally Accessing and Destroying Woman’s Emails, Awards $50K in Damages

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FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth jury recently concluded that Consilio, the Washington, D.C.-based global leader in E-discovery, unlawfully accessed a woman’s computer without authorization, breaching Texas law. The jury found the firm guilty under Title 7, Chapter 33 of the Texas Penal Code, which classifies unauthorized computer access as a Class B Misdemeanor. In a consequential decision, the jury also determined that Consilio was negligent after they overreached an agreement to narrowly search a client’s emails, instead downloading and subsequently destroying ten years’ worth of emails. This action led to the jury awarding … Read more

Supreme Court Blocks Nonconsensual Third-Party Bankruptcy Releases, Reshaping Chapter 11 Landscape

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Washington, D.C. — The Supreme Court has handed down a significant decision on June 27, 2024, that changes the landscape of bankruptcy law, particularly how claims against third parties are handled in Chapter 11 reorganization cases. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision across ideological lines, prohibiting the inclusion of nonconsensual third-party releases in Chapter 11 reorganization plans, a practice that had previously allowed for the discharge of claims against nondebtors without their consent. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, which included Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, … Read more

Florida Voters Stumped by Failed Amendments Despite Majority Support; Debate Over 60% Approval Threshold Intensifies

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LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A wave of perplexity washed over some Florida voters as recent constitutional amendments, despite securing over half of the votes, failed to become law. In Florida, amendments need a 60% supermajority to pass, a threshold that has made the state one of the most challenging in the U.S. for enshrining new laws into its constitution. This requirement came under the spotlight after the latest election results showed that over 57% of voters supported Amendment 4, and 56% backed Amendment 3, which aimed to legalize marijuana. This heightened benchmark for approval was … Read more

Swedish Animation Shines at Cinekid 2024 with Top Awards for ‘Puck’ and ‘Millie and the Secret of the Crocodile’

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Amsterdam, Netherlands – The Cinekid Festival, renowned for showcasing the best in youth-oriented films, series, and games, has recently announced its 2024 award winners. Held annually, the festival serves as a platform to celebrate innovative and compelling storytelling aimed at younger audiences. This year’s event introduced new accolades and celebrated a diverse range of creative productions from around the globe. Among the notable awards, the newly introduced Council of Europe Series Co-production Development Award was granted to the Swedish animated series “Puck.” Directed by Anna-Karin Garhamn and produced by Caroline Drab, the series clinched the … Read more