Robert Johnston

2 months ago | theweek.com | Robert Johnston

Since Abraham-Louis Breguet first opened his business on the Île de la Cité in Paris in 1775, Breguet has been one of the most respected and storied watch brands in the world. Indeed, the list of its achievements is remarkable – the first self-winding watch; the gong spring that made the minute repeater possible; the tourbillon; and the world's first wristwatch. Many of its early patents are still used in watchmaking today.

Oct 23, 2024 | theweek.com | Robert Johnston

I first fell in love with the art of paperback covers at school in the 1970s. I had always adored books and had been brought up in a house packed to the rafters with them – and, much to my partner's annoyance, I still live in a home like that. The vast majority of the paperbacks on my father's shelves that I was interested in reading were the classic, colour-coded Penguin books created by graphic designer Edward Young for the imprint's founder, Allen Lane.

Oct 11, 2024 | theweek.com | Robert Johnston

Florence ranks as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Indeed, it's so packed with wonders that it has inspired a psychosomatic condition, Stendhal syndrome – named for the French author who first described it in 1817 – which induces rapid heartbeat, fainting and even hallucinations when individuals are exposed to so many objects and artworks of great beauty.

Apr 28, 2024 | law.com | Robert Johnston |Gary Feldon |Ross Todd

Judges are like umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules, they apply them. The role of an umpire and a judge is critical. They make sure everybody plays by the rules, but it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ball game to see the umpire. – Chief Justice John Roberts, Confirmation Hearing Opening Statement In a major league baseball game, you don’t expect the umpire to suggest a curveball to the pitcher and then tell the batter whether he should bunt or swing for the fences.

Mar 6, 2024 | news.bloombergtax.com | Robert Johnston |Gary Feldon

More than 70% of federal civil cases are part of a multidistrict litigation, according to 2023 US Courts data. Despite their crucial role in the US judicial system, there is presently no formal guidance to MDL courts on how to promote an outcome reflective of the cases’ merits despite the unique challenges posed by this type of mass litigation. That may be about to change. Anticipated to go into effect on Dec.