As usual this area has recently been quite busy, with many developments which are certain to impact every business. In this issue, we focus on:

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In an ABA Journal article entitled DLA Piper Could Jettison Some Smaller Clients, Lawyers with the Wrong Business Fit, DLA Piper Global Co-Chairman Tony Angel was quoted as stating “Some of our clients are too small to fit that model, so continuing to [represent] them doesn't make sense for them or us—even if the work is profitable."

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FisherBroyles Welcomes Michael Cone to Launch Firm’s Customs and International Trade Practice

FSB FisherBroyles, LLP (“FisherBroyles”) is pleased to announce that Michael T. Cone has joined the firm to launch the firm’s Customs and International Trade practice. Mr. Cone will practice from FisherBroyles’ New York office.

Mr. Cone previously practiced customs, international trade, and administrative law at Coudert Brothers, and corporate and securities law at Baker & McKenzie. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a law clerk to the Hon. R. Kenton Musgrave of the U.S. Court of International Trade, and he now serves on the court’s Advisory Committee.

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Nationwide 2012 To Do List for Employers

1. Make Effective Harassment-Prevention Training for Employees A Top Priority. In 2011, discrimination charges filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) -- the federal agency that enforces the federal laws prohibiting certain kinds of workplace discrimination -- hit a new record high. According to the EEOC’s annual Performance and Accountability Report, released Nov. 15, 2011, the EEOC received 99,947 charges of employment discrimination in fiscal year 2011, the highest number of EEOC charges filed in a single year since the EEOC’s founding 46 years ago. The agency also obtained $364.6 million in back pay and penalties for workplace discrimination complainants.

Tips To Avoid Patent Disputes in Federal Private Sector Research Collaborations

Under federal law, universities and others who perform research with the use of federal funds are considered federal contractors. Federal contractors and private companies who collaborate in research or development should fully understand the law governing the ownership of the resulting patent rights. Under the current case law, patent rights are not automatically transferred from the federal contractor’s research personnel to the federal contractor. As a result, patent ownership disputes can arise between the federal contractor, its research personnel and the collaborating company. This underscores the importance of implementing procedures and contractual language aimed to avoid these disputes.