Government Assertion of State Secrets Privilege in Private Party Litigation
Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.06.17
In a rare move, the Department of Justice intervened in Wever v. AECOM National Security Programs, Inc., asserting the state secrets privilege and requesting the dismissal of a $69 million dollar lawsuit between two private parties that it contends would risk the exposure of classified information if the suit were allowed to proceed. Although the Government was not an original party to the litigation, the Government argued in its Motion for Summary Judgment that the court is required to dismiss the case under the state secrets privilege because the Government, through the head of the department with control over the matter, after extensive consultation and coordination within and among relevant Executive Branch agencies, formally asserted the privilege and all three of the circumstances justifying dismissal exist: (1) the plaintiff cannot prove his or her claim without privileged evidence; (2) the defendants cannot properly defend the case without privileged evidence; and (3) further litigation would present an unjustifiable risk of disclosure.
Insights
Client Alert | 6 min read | 04.16.24
Navigating the AI Intellectual Property Maze - Key Points From Congressional Hearing
On April 10, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives, Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Intellectual Property convened Part III to an ongoing discussion and exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (IP) rights. The session, “Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property: Part III - IP Protection for AI-Assisted Inventions and Creative Works,” delved into the nuanced debate over what IP protections should exist for AI-generated or AI-assisted works.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 04.15.24
Making the EU Courts More Efficient for Trade-Related Decisions
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New FAR Part 40 to Address Supply Chain and Information Security Requirements
Client Alert | 1 min read | 04.11.24
U.S. Chamber Submits Comments on the FAR Council’s Proposed Rule Regarding Pay Transparency