In a bid to resume its regulatory oversight on Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Centered on the principles of net neutrality, this proposal largely retraces the groundwork laid out in an order that was adopted by the FCC in 2015 under the…
The UK’s identification doctrine has historically posed challenges for prosecutors, where they were required to prove that an individual who represented the company’s “directing mind and will” had the necessary state of mind to commit a criminal offense. Such offenses typically require proof of a specific mental state, otherwise known as ‘mens rea’, which may…
The merger talks between Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw & Pittman and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, two prominent law firms, have ended, according to a statement from Pillsbury. The talks were initially made public on September 21 and were described as ‘non-exclusive’ indicating that both firms were open to exploring potential partnerships with other entities concurrently….
Legal professionals operating in the business sphere should take heed of California’s recent legislative changes concerning restrictive covenant laws. California Governor, Gavin Newsom, ratified the second of two bills on October 13, 2023, that collectively amplify California’s restrictive covenant legislation. These laws now hold preference over the restrictive covenant regulations of all other states. Specially…
Significant legal developments have been unraveling in an emotionally charged case in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At its center, a dentist who allegedly had his sister’s ex-husband, a Florida law professor, murdered. The motive behind the atrocity was reportedly a bitter custody dispute that the professor refused to relocate for, proving to be a major bottleneck…
In a clear departure from the norm, Donald Trump’s legal woes took a daunting turn as he brazenly violated a gag order, resulting in a $10,000 fine by Justice Arthur Engoron The Washington Post reported. The fine stemmed from comments he made, seemingly aiming at the judge’s law clerk, despite previous admonitions to refrain from…
Mike Johnson, newly appointed as Speaker of the House, once had an ambitious endeavor in the legal education sector that has seemingly faded into obscurity. The seasoned politician once headed a law school project under the aegis of Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian College), which, notably, never saw the light of day. Not only did…
Change in the legal profession tends to be a slow process. Reminiscent of this, the shifting dynamics of the Bar Exam — an essential step to legal licensure in the U.S. — haven’t been any different. A fundamental change on this front came about when the National Conference of Bar Examiners announced the NextGen Bar…
In a new analysis conducted by Professor Michael Simkovic, it has been revealed that the average compensation for law professors has seen a significant fall over the last decade. Despite having reached its zenith at an impressive figure of $179,000 in 2013, the remuneration of law professors in real dollar terms has endured a substantial…
Given the looming expiry of the 2017 estate tax cuts at the end of 2025, it appears that wealthy American families are steering towards strategies that facilitate the relinquishment of wealth. As indicated by a report on JD Supra, families with a net worth of approximately $10 million or more are intensively collaborating with advisors…
Legal professionals should take note of new developments involving Weis Markets, Inc., a grocery store chain with wide prevalence throughout the Mid-Atlantic and headquartered in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. A recent lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accuses the grocery chain of not only subjecting an employee to sexual harassment but also allegedly…
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has made a significant shift in its upper echelon by appointing its first ever female general counsel. The new office holder, previously an in-house attorney for the organization, comes into a role unprecedented in the Authority’s 102-year history. Her appointment marks a profound step forward in…
In an unfortunate turn of events, the prime suspect in the killing of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson has reportedly been found dead, as per the statement issued by a local sheriff on Thursday. This development puts an unexpected end to the manhunt initiated following the judge’s shooting death. Further details remain inaccessible due…
The US Supreme Court is set to evaluate the constitutionality of the “impact fees” linked with permits. This move raises questions about the possibility of “Regulatory Takings” challenges to regulations. The case in point centers around the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution, which could potentially be violated by these fees. At the heart of…
Trade and commerce on an international level have always been accompanied by various complexities and legal hurdles, ones that are constantly changing and mutating as various nations adjust their regulations and enforcement measures. This week has proven particularly noteworthy, with an array of developments that demand the attention of corporations and law firms engaged in…
Enacted on January 1st, 2021 to demystify corporate ownership and enhance business transparency, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) can be a complex topic to decipher. Not limited to legal professionals in large corporations or law firms, it has also stirred confusion among individuals and small-business owners. To allay those doubts and provide some clarity, we…
On October 26, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “the Board”) unveiled a final rule, which redefines the standards for joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or “the Act”). The decision was made with a voting ratio of 3:1, with all three Democratic members of the Board endorsing the rule….
In a recent episode of Lay of the Land, interesting insights on Washington D.C.’s office and residential real estate markets were shared by Andrew Trueblood, a housing, economic development, policy, and land use professional. Key topics of the discussion centered on the unique challenges and opportunities present in the local office market, heavily influenced by…
The world of business and finance has seen a significant uptick in bankruptcy filings, marked by an increase of 40% over the last year alone in Chapter 11 filings. Specialists attribute this rise to a combination of high interest rates and increased financial pressure across multiple industries. Some of the hardest hit sectors include crypto,…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Examinations has recently unveiled its examination priorities for the fiscal year 2024. This release signifies a departure from previous schedule, having been publicized earlier than in prior years. The primary intention behind this adjustment is to streamline the process with the commencement of the SEC’s fiscal…
On October 19, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) launched an anticipated notice of rulemaking, a move that has attracted the attention of the global financial ecosystem. Ostensibly, this is a bid to ‘jumpstart’ open banking in America, building on the regulatory developments in the European Union and elsewhere. The CFPB’s proposed rulemaking emanates from Section…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has kick-started a comprehensive review designed to examine the potential expansion and enhancement of the Commission’s Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. The primary focus of this review is on optimizing digital health tools to improve maternal care. Maternal healthcare is a pressing issue plaguing the United States, with statistics…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has recently announced a new employee-friendly joint employer test, an event that could potentially redefine and reshape the dynamics between employers and their workforce. An essential shift in labour law, this decision is a critical element for legal professionals to monitor and understand, especially those in corporate institutions and…
In an unprecedented move, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has brought forth a transformation in the Supreme Court of Canada by nominating Justice Mary Moreau, marking the creation of a five-woman majority on the nine-person court. This is the first instance since the foundation of the court in 1875. Joining the ranks of other female…
In a recent development, Akumin Inc. reported a data security breach to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The announcement came after the corporation discovered it had fallen victim to a ransomware attack. The notice was filed on October 16, 2023 and detailed the circumstances surrounding the incident. The notification indicated that an unauthorized third…