In a recent development in the Robichaux Mesothelioma matter, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana issued split rulings on two key motions. This case, which has been under continuous legal watch, saw arguments from both plaintiff and the defendant, Avondale. One of the motions under consideration was put forward by…
In a significant shift, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has temporarily suspended its widely utilized Employee Retention Tax Credit program. As of September 14, 2023, claims submitted will be placed on hold until the close of the year at the very least. This development was reported by Tucker Arensberg, P.C., via a recent update on…
In the ongoing saga that has been laced with legal intricacies and forms the backdrop of many conversations in the corporate legal landscape, Thelen v. Somatics, LLC, appears as the most recent chapter. The U.S. District court case – Thelen v. Somatics, LLC, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 165819 (Mag. M.D. Fla. Sept. 18, 2023) throws light…
In the quest for optimal compliance, embracing a culture of ‘Speak Up’ can radically transform a corporation’s environment and performance. Based on a recent podcast series with Case IQ, legal professionals have shared various aspects of a successful speak-up regimen that can significantly augment corporate culture. A podcast series featuring Sharlyn Lauby, Jakub Ficner, Kenneth…
In an interesting development, Honeywell, the American multinational conglomerate, has failed to secure $2.65 million in attorney fees following their victory in a scanner royalty dispute with a Japanese competitor. The omission of the word ‘attorney’ in a certain provision, that Honeywell referred to justify the award, turned out to be a crucial factor. The…
In a substantial gesture of recognition, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued cumulative whistleblower awards totalling over $15 million to two individuals. This announcement, made on September 19, 2023, credits the aforementioned whistleblowers for providing pivotal information that bolstered two separate enforcement actions. The whistleblowers played an instrumental role in the legal task…
In a swift ruling, a judge has compelled a cannabis company to acknowledge and negotiate with a labor union following the seminal “Cemex” decision. This development signals a potential shift in how companies manage union organization efforts. Hinging on the National Labor Relation Board’s (“NLRB”) decision in the Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC case(327 NLRB…
The Canada Labour Code – the “Code” – and its regulations are currently experiencing a number of substantial changes. These amendments have been introduced and will gradually come into effect over the next year. The implementation of these changes has been ongoing for a considerable amount of time, having been set in motion primarily through…
In recent times, the National Labor Relations Board has made decisions that significantly impact the ease with which employers can make unilateral decisions corresponding to past practices during the negotiation of a first contract, and when negotiating a successor contract following the expiration of the preceding one. Detailing such changes, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP identifies…
On June 26, 2023, the National Financial Reporting Authority of India (NFRA) issued a reminder to statutory auditors in India, emphasising their legal obligation to report any instances of fraud “against the company by its officers or employees,” amounting to one crore rupees or more (approximately $120,000), to the Indian Central Government. This decree clarifies…
With the evolution of technology, few sectors have experienced transformative change quite like the world of finance. This domain, colloquially known as FinTech, continues to show remarkable growth with startups drastically increasing accessibility to financial services–a phenomenon particularly impactful for unbanked and underserved communities. One notable emergence of this trend can be observed in the…
Francesca’s Acquisition, LLC reported to the Attorney General of Maine that an unauthorized party had gained illicit access to certain parts of its computer network on September 25, 2023. The breached segment of the network reportedly contained sensitive consumer data, prompting Francesca’s to issue a public notice. According to the notice, the extent of the…
In a recent ruling, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has denied tax-exempt status to organizations formed to provide opportunities for student athletes to monetize their “name, image and likeness,” commonly referred to as “NIL”. This decision shakes up the fledgling industry built around NIL rights, the financial interests of which have gained growing attention in…
In a recent twist in the legal landscape surrounding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), the dispute over ownership claims of what is described as “The First NFT” is now on appeal. This legal quandary commenced when the digital artwork “Quantum” by artist Kevin McCoy, minted in 2014 on the Namecoin blockchain, was put up for auction. Many…
As the holiday season rounds the corner, many major law firms are tasking themselves with the substantial effort of updating their holiday mailing lists. Before getting wrapped up in the fun of designing holiday greetings or selecting the ideal client gift, it is pivotal to ensure that these tokens of good will actually land in…
Two pension reform statutes have come under legislative scrutiny recently; while one managed to hold fast in the face of legal challenge, the other, unfortunately, was not so fortunate. These statutes are pivotal elements of legal discourse surrounding felony forfeiture, a topic that continues to gain traction among legal professionals. The first part of our…
In a significant move by the State of California, a recent climate bill has been enacted that compels larger companies operating within the state to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. As announced by Governor Newsom earlier this month, the legislation specifically targets companies with an annual revenue exceeding $1 billion – encompassing both public and…
In a recent update published in September 2023 by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, several critical legal developments were brought to light pertaining to Human Resources (HR) in United Kingdom (UK). For the industry’s professionals, following these transitions and implications is indeed of paramount importance. As reported here, a featured case involved assessing whether a transgender…
The conundrum around the European Union’s (EU) renewable energy targets, particularly the 40% renewable goal, is attracting significant attention. Questions surrounding the actualization of this pledge, exacerbated by post-pandemic supply chain issues, decreased fossil fuel supply, and adverse weather events are rife. While the path toward achieving this goal is not transparent, the conversations surrounding…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently outlined its top priorities through its Strategic Plan for the period between 2022 and 2026 as reported in an article on JD Supra. As legal professionals servicing some of the world’s biggest corporations and law firms, it is paramount to pay keen attention to these new…
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, state entities have been rendered responsible for protections concerning abortion. The resultant scenario encompasses a variegated patchwork of laws across the United States, with states treading diverse legislative pathways. While some have focused on fortifying their protections to bolster abortion access, others…
In a nearly five-hour-long hearing on Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) heard a case put forth by six youth plaintiffs against 33 European governments to push for stronger climate change mitigations measures. The case, Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others, saw six plaintiffs from Portugal including Catarina, 23, Cláudia,…
A recent development in environmental law has seen several environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, issuing a Petition for Rulemaking to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 26th. This petition has requested for the establishment of a nationwide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, specifically for uncovered railcars that transport coal, under…
With an increasing spotlight on data privacy, both globally and within the United States, several New England states have taken the initiative in considering the adoption of comprehensive consumer data privacy legislation. The norm of sector-specific and activity-specific models for US privacy regulation is undergoing a rapid transformation, reflecting a growing awareness of the significant…
On September 25, the California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with a biotech company, Biora Therapeutics, Inc. (Biora). The settlement addressed misleading claims the company made about the cost of its genetic testing services. As mandated by the settlement agreement, Biora is now obligated to waive all outstanding debts for their California customers….