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MultiModel: Multi-Task Machine Learning Across Domains
June 25, 2017
Over the last decade, the application and performance of Deep Learning has progressed at an astonishing rate. However, the current state of the field is that the neural network architectures are highly specialized to specific domains of application. An important question remains unanswered: Will a convergence between these domains facilitate a unified model capable of performing well across multiple domains? Today, we present MultiModel, a neural network architecture that draws from the success...
June 25, 2017
Over the last decade, the application and performance of Deep Learning has progressed at an astonishing rate. However, the current state of the field is that the neural network architectures are highly specialized to specific domains of application. An important question remains unanswered: Will a convergence between these domains facilitate a unified model capable of performing well across multiple domains? Today, we present MultiModel, a neural network architecture that draws from the success...
USAA Inks Deal with Startup Built by Former IBM Watson Execs
June 24, 2017
USAA inked a deal with Austin-based artificial technology powered startup Cognitive Scale Inc. for a pilot within the local organization as well as venture capital investment in the startup. CognitiveScale was built by former IBM (NYSE: IBM) engineers that worked on the company’s Watson project, a supercomputer that uses artificial intelligence and analytical software to answer questions that mimic the cognitive ability of the human brain. The startup created a cloud-based system — called CortexOS...
June 24, 2017
USAA inked a deal with Austin-based artificial technology powered startup Cognitive Scale Inc. for a pilot within the local organization as well as venture capital investment in the startup. CognitiveScale was built by former IBM (NYSE: IBM) engineers that worked on the company’s Watson project, a supercomputer that uses artificial intelligence and analytical software to answer questions that mimic the cognitive ability of the human brain. The startup created a cloud-based system — called CortexOS...
The Number Of Law School Graduates Has Fallen 28%
June 24, 2017
The ABA just released 10-months out employment data for the class of 2016. The percentages of grads employed in full-time/long term Bar Passage Required and JD Advantage jobs is up (72.5% compared to 70.1% in 2015). However, the total number of these jobs is down (28,029 to 26,923). Is this good news for law schools? Not really. The employment percentage is up only because the number of law grads is dropping faster than the number of jobs. But both numbers — grads (supply) and jobs (demand)...
June 24, 2017
The ABA just released 10-months out employment data for the class of 2016. The percentages of grads employed in full-time/long term Bar Passage Required and JD Advantage jobs is up (72.5% compared to 70.1% in 2015). However, the total number of these jobs is down (28,029 to 26,923). Is this good news for law schools? Not really. The employment percentage is up only because the number of law grads is dropping faster than the number of jobs. But both numbers — grads (supply) and jobs (demand)...
Legal Industry Survey Rates How Clients Use Directories
June 24, 2017
Directories and rankings were named as the sixth most influential factor by clients when asked to indicate the importance...
June 24, 2017
Directories and rankings were named as the sixth most influential factor by clients when asked to indicate the importance...
88% Of Law Firms Have ‘Chronically Underperforming Lawyers’
June 23, 2017
Fifty-two percent of law firm leaders responding to Altman Weil’s Law Firms in Transition Survey said their equity partners are not sufficiently busy. Sixty-two percent said nonequity partners are not busy enough, and 25 percent said associates don’t have enough work. Eighty-eight percent of the leaders said they have “chronically underperforming lawyers” at their firms. When asked why, 82 percent identified weak business development skills and 59 percent said flat or declining market...
June 23, 2017
Fifty-two percent of law firm leaders responding to Altman Weil’s Law Firms in Transition Survey said their equity partners are not sufficiently busy. Sixty-two percent said nonequity partners are not busy enough, and 25 percent said associates don’t have enough work. Eighty-eight percent of the leaders said they have “chronically underperforming lawyers” at their firms. When asked why, 82 percent identified weak business development skills and 59 percent said flat or declining market...
IBM Blockchain & AIG team up for “Smart Insurance”
June 23, 2017
Reuters reported that “AIG and IBM completed a pilot of a so-called “smart contract” multi-national policy for Standard...
June 23, 2017
Reuters reported that “AIG and IBM completed a pilot of a so-called “smart contract” multi-national policy for Standard...
Fifth Circuit Holds Payday Lender Waived Right to Arbitration
June 23, 2017
In a 2-1 decision, the nation’s Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled a payday loan lending company that sought criminal charges against customers who failed to repay their loans waived its right to arbitration by substantially invoking the judicial process. In Lucinda Vine, et al. v. PLS Financial Services, Inc., No. 16-50847 (5th Cir., May 19, 2017), a Texas payday lender, PLS, provided short-term loans to two customers, Vine and Pond, in exchange for a fee. Before the loan was provided,...
June 23, 2017
In a 2-1 decision, the nation’s Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled a payday loan lending company that sought criminal charges against customers who failed to repay their loans waived its right to arbitration by substantially invoking the judicial process. In Lucinda Vine, et al. v. PLS Financial Services, Inc., No. 16-50847 (5th Cir., May 19, 2017), a Texas payday lender, PLS, provided short-term loans to two customers, Vine and Pond, in exchange for a fee. Before the loan was provided,...
SCOTUS Denies Certiorari in Texas Arbitration Case
June 22, 2017
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari in Parallel Networks, Inc. v. Jenner & Block, LLP, No. 16-1271. The case involved a patent-holding company’s request to vacate a $3 million arbitration award following a legal fees dispute. The high court’s decision to deny certiorari is not surprising as a Dallas County, Texas district court’s order denying the patent holding company’s motion to vacate the award was previously affirmed by both the Fifth District Court of Appeals...
June 22, 2017
On Monday, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari in Parallel Networks, Inc. v. Jenner & Block, LLP, No. 16-1271. The case involved a patent-holding company’s request to vacate a $3 million arbitration award following a legal fees dispute. The high court’s decision to deny certiorari is not surprising as a Dallas County, Texas district court’s order denying the patent holding company’s motion to vacate the award was previously affirmed by both the Fifth District Court of Appeals...
First Circuit Finds Class of Independent Truckers Excluded From Federal Arbitration Act
June 22, 2017
The Federal Arbitration Act has been in effect for nearly 100 years (92, to be precise). Nevertheless, the First Circuit found two issues of first impression to address this month. In Oliveira v. New Prime, Inc., 2017 WL 1963461 (1st Cir. May 12, 2017), the court refused to compel arbitration of a class action complaint, because it interpreted Section One of the FAA to exempt contracts for independent transportation contractors. Mr. Oliveira brought a putative class action suit against...
June 22, 2017
The Federal Arbitration Act has been in effect for nearly 100 years (92, to be precise). Nevertheless, the First Circuit found two issues of first impression to address this month. In Oliveira v. New Prime, Inc., 2017 WL 1963461 (1st Cir. May 12, 2017), the court refused to compel arbitration of a class action complaint, because it interpreted Section One of the FAA to exempt contracts for independent transportation contractors. Mr. Oliveira brought a putative class action suit against...
Law Firm Failed to Provide Sufficient Notice of its Arbitration Agreement
June 22, 2017
In Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, LLP v. Vance, the United States District Court (Western District, Austin) held that a law firm did "fairly suggest to employees that the firm was implementing a mandatory, binding arbitration policy" and denied the firm's motion to compel arbitration. According to the decision, ADJT terminated Vance's employement with the firm. The firm sued Vance on causes of action including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act,...
June 22, 2017
In Alexander Dubose Jefferson & Townsend, LLP v. Vance, the United States District Court (Western District, Austin) held that a law firm did "fairly suggest to employees that the firm was implementing a mandatory, binding arbitration policy" and denied the firm's motion to compel arbitration. According to the decision, ADJT terminated Vance's employement with the firm. The firm sued Vance on causes of action including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act,...
