ClientsFirst Consulting recently published an illuminating piece on the dangers of poor data quality in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategies. In today’s digital landscape, the age-old phrase “garbage in, garbage out” continues to ring true; while technology has taken strides forward with more sophisticated systems and tools, the issue of unreliable data management endures. The…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an update to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the Small Business Data Collection Rule, also known as the “Rule”, on September 14, 2023. This release follows an earlier publication of FAQs in June 2023. The updated FAQs offer clarifications and further instructions on the implementation of…
On September 27, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its 2022 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data. The data release forms part of a recent report titled 2022 Mortgage Market Activity and Trends, which delves into residential mortgage lending activity and trends for the current year. This recent HMDA data, according to an update…
On September 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled a proposal for a new rule concerning the regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). If the proposal is passed, changes would be made to the FDA’s existing regulations to make it explicit that in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs) are devices under the Federal…
As first reported on JD Supra, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) recently resolved a 148-day strike against several Hollywood studios. This groundbreaking nature of the strike results from the central issue at dispute: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. JD Supra The new labour agreement focuses on limiting the use and…
On September 28, 2023, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final approval of the Maumee River Watershed Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (Maumee TMDL). It was reviewed and submitted for approval by the Ohio EPA on June 30, 2023. The EPA’s stamp of approval signifies the Maumee TMDL’s full compliance with all statutory and…
Welcome back to another edition of our roundup, where we review some of the most notable Class Action & MDL cases from Q2 2023. In this period, the legal landscape has seen varied and intriguing developments, from essential oils needing therapy to a confounding library that seems to stagnate, not to mention a particularly ambiguous…
Continuing its global expansion amid turbulent economic times, litigating behemoth Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan declared its intentions of formally entering the Southeast Asian Market. The firm plans to apply for a Foreign Law Practice licence to launch an office in Singapore, having previously established new offices in Beijing and the UAE within the past…
The U.S. Department of Treasury, representing the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), has issued a public invitation to comment on the information collection for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report. This is part of the requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This step signifies an essential phase in the implementation of the CTA, which…
The recent report released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office of Inspector General (FHFA OIG), emphasized key areas where Federal Home Loan banks have fallen short of credit risk expectations. Published on September 21, the main focus of the FHFA OIG report was to assess the performance of the Division of Federal Home Loan…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily reshaping legal practices, promising greater efficiency and improved decision-making capabilities. However, it appears that the vast majority of in-house attorneys have yet to embrace this technology, harboring uncertainties about their understanding of AI. In fact, the adoption and utilization of AI within their legal operations seem to be more the…
The Brazilian Senate currently finds itself in discussions over Bill No. 4530/2023 (“PL 4530/23”) which, if passed, would introduce amendments to laws governing data protection compliance in the country. A key element of PL 4530/23 consists of adjustments to Law No. 13.709/2014 – commonly known as the Brazilian Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção…
Peter Wiley, the longstanding Chief International Counsel for The Walt Disney Co. has announced his departure from the multinational entertainment conglomerate. Following a fulfilling 27-year stint at the company, Wiley believes that now is an opportune moment to take a short hiatus, before deciding his future path. Serving in the capacity of counselor, Wiley began…
As we grapple with the uncertainties of 2023’s final quarter, revenue and growth forecasts in the world of big law reflect these mixed feelings, with future projections varying significantly depending on the standing of the law firms within the Am Law rankings. For some, there is an air of expectancy. Many law firm leaders are…
In a recent turn of events, the State of California plans on implementing a duo of far-reaching climate disclosure bills, set to affect large U.S. companies irrespective of their geographical base. The announcement was documented by the Associated Press and it was reported that Governor Gavin Newsom intends to sign these bills into law. The…
The constantly evolving landscape of renewable energy necessitates a focused and informed understanding of financing trends, particularly in the energy storage sector. To facilitate a deeper understanding of these trends, a recent episode of the ‘Battery + Storage Podcast’ hosted by Bill Derasmo, featured a discussion with George Koutsonicolis from SOLIC Capital Advisors. In this…
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, commonly referred to as “SECURE 2.0,” brings significant amendments that concern defined benefit pension plans, drawing attention from legal professionals and corporations alike. One of the topics of discussion is the addition of new reporting and disclosure obligations particularly when a lump sum window offering is in place. Moreover,…
The Federal Reserve, along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), have announced a 36-month extension that aims to give favorable consideration under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) for bank activities targeted at revitalizing and stabilizing areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas…
Hogan Lovells, an international law firm with a strong presence in the life sciences sector, has recently made strategic acquisitions to their intellectual property (IP) litigation roster. The firm has brought on board two seasoned patent litigators who hail from Dechert LLP where they served as IP partners. The new additions to the team will…
The specter of a government shutdown and a recent report on federal healthcare spending took center stage in health care policy circles last week. According to a synopsis provided by law firm Alston & Bird, unresolved political disputes threaten to cause a ripple effect across the health care sector, just as a new federal report…
When it comes to those pressing concerns in the world of law which affect legal professionals working within corporate environments, one looming issue is the prospect of a federal government shutdown. This possibility arises each year when Congress is required to pass annual appropriation bills to fund federal agencies and federal programs for the coming…
On September 18, 2023, a collective of 19 Democratic state attorneys general (AGs) filed public comments to the Draft Merger Guidelines. These draft guidelines were proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (the Agencies) earlier in the year, marking a notable moment in corporate and legal affairs. The response from…
Well-known for his controversial past, Justice Clarence Thomas has recently attracted attention not for scandal, but ethical conduct. Thomas identified an ethical dilemma, demonstrating insightful self-awareness of potential conflicts within his sphere. Rather than engaging in luxurious trips, public speaking assignments, personal benefits, or accepting tuition payments for his children, Thomas’ ethical conduct concerns John…
There was a time when every federal judge was hailed as a superstar, an embodiment of legal excellence, a beacon of the justice system. This eminent stature of federal judges seems to have lost a bit of its shine in past years due to controversial appointments ranging from dubious qualifications to inexperienced appointees. Loons, unseasoned…
The online learning environment, infamously dubbed as the “Zoom School of Law” during the pandemic, has precipitated a major development in the sphere of legal education. Guilding a path to mainstream online learning, the Southwestern School of Law is set to introduce the first fully online J.D. program. The program, which offers both full-time and…