Beyoncé Becomes Most-Nominated Female in Grammy History

Beyoncé has been nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, surpassing Dolly Parton as the most-nominated female in Grammy history with 47 total. According to Billboard, Beyoncé is currently tied with producer David Foster as the seventh most-nominated artist overall. Next year’s Grammy Awards will be broadcast live by CBS on February 8th.

Beyoncé has won 17 Grammys in total. In 2012, she was awarded Best Traditional R&B Performance for her song “Love on Top” and took home 2009’s Best Contemporary R&B Album for her third LP, I Am… Sasha Fierce.

In November, the singer released a “Platinum Edition” of her self-titled 2013 LP, bundling the original album with two new tracks (“7/11” and “Ring Off”), a slew of all-star remixes (featuring Kanye West, Nicki Minaj and Mr. Vegas), music videos, a 2015 mini-calendar, two photo books and a DVD chronicling the massive Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. 

Insurance law firms Locke Lord, Edwards Wildman Palmer to merge

Two prominent insurance defense firms, Locke Lord L.L.P. and Edwards Wildman Palmer L.L.P., on Monday said they plan to merge, effective Jan. 10.

The combined firm will be named Locke Lord Edwards L.L.P. Terms were not disclosed.The creation of a 1,000-lawyer law firm with 23 offices will mean a significant increase in the depth of its insurance and reinsurance teams, among other industry sectors, the firms said in statement.Dallas-based Locke Lord states on its website that it counsels clients and tries cases across the property, casualty, life and health insurance industries, and that its clients include insurers, brokers, managing general agencies, third-party administrators, premium finance companies, trade associations, insurance investors, public and private rise risk pooling mechanisms and guaranty funds.Boston-based Edwards Wildman states on its website that the 75 lawyers in its insurance and reinsurance department represent clients in a full range of corporate, coverage, regulatory, litigation, arbitration claims and insolvency matters.Lord Locke was established in 1891, while Edward Wildman traces its roots back to 1880, according to the statement.