In an earnest move reflecting sweeping concern for air quality standards, seventy trade organisations have recently addressed an urgent letter to Mr. Jeffrey Zients, the Chief of Staff in the White House. The central issue broached in the letter pertains to the Clean Air Act and, more specifically, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)…
The long-anticipated update on the Financial Data Rights Rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was revealed on October 27, 2022. This noteworthy announcement, which carries significant implications for both new fintech enterprises as well as deeply-rooted traditional financial institutions, concerns Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act. As noted by Hinshaw & Culbertson, experts…
In a recent legal development, a New Jersey jury delivered a ruling on a privacy invasion case lodged by a man against his former mother-in-law. The latter, a law professor, was found guilty of illicit wiretapping and subsequently penalising him by violating his privacy rights. As reparation for the violation, the jury assigned a sum…
Legal professionals must be aware that a significant transformation in employment verification processing requirements has been announced. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently disclosed these critical updates, which are bound to immensely affect employers throughout the United States. The updated procedures have been enacted to…
As tech trends continue to permeate all aspects of the business world, the legal landscape is no exception. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming commonplace in various workplace practices, bringing its share of significant elaborations in legal concerns. In particular, AI in the workplace incites concerns about possible instances of discrimination. The question at the heart…
Amid a shifting regulatory landscape, this October has seen significant developments in the world of finance with the introduction of new guidelines and initiatives aimed at addressing emerging trends and challenges. One such event worth noting is the recent involvement of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in Project Guardian, an initiative by the Monetary Authority…
In September 2023, the UK’s Institute of Directors (IoD) signalized a wide-ranging agreement for the adjustments implicated to the UK Corporate Governance Code, as proposed by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). These propositions by the FRC are intended to ameliorate internal controls, both internal and external assurance, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting. Cadwalader,…
The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is advocating for a reform in biometric data and face identification laws, urging the state Legislature to take firm steps. In a recent report, they proposed to expand the Civil Rights Act of New York. The primary purpose of this expansion is to prohibit companies from discriminating against…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has introduced amendments to Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, more popularly known as the fund “Names Rule”. These adjustments, according to the SEC, are meant to boost investor safeguards. The amendments aim to do a number of things to enhance the protection of investors….
On November 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in a critical case, Jarkesy v. Securities and Exchange Commission. This case throws the spotlight on the use of administrative law judges (ALJs) by federal agencies, an issue at the core of a constitutional challenge by the respondents. This case…
In an effort to recognize a year that the firm’s chair described as “a very, very busy year” where productivity has “materially” increased and the cost of living continues to rise, Milbank has announced that it will be giving its associates a $10,000 raise while maintaining the same bonus scale as the previous year. This…
Clients and legal talents hold the belief that law firms aren’t doing enough to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria, reports a study released by Lamp House Strategy, a reliable specialist in legal sector insights. The intersection of environmental considerations, social responsibility, and ethical corporate governance, ESG continues to pose significant challenges for organizations…
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recently proposed a new rule that could make millions more workers eligible for overtime pay, unless their employers are willing to meet a significantly higher salary threshold. FordHarrison provides an insightful examination of these proposed changes. Under the current framework of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees…
Milbank LLP has disclosed to its associates that they will be receiving year-end bonuses similar to those distributed last year. Furthermore, the firm announced a pay raise for its associates effective from January 1, 2024, according to an internal memorandum examined by Law360 Pulse. This remuneration adjustment aligns with an industry-wide trend of law firms…
Helga Kahr, formerly a Seattle-based attorney, has been disbarred in both Illinois and Washington following a conviction for stealing over $280,000 from a vulnerable client to pay her delinquent mortgage. The Washington State Supreme Court’s decision for reciprocal discipline came after the Illinois Supreme Court deemed such a necessity. The Supreme Court of Washington concurred…
A California-based attorney has been ordered by the Ninth Circuit to personally pay over $100,000 in legal fees following the unsuccessful litigation of a purported copyright-infringement concerning a PowerPoint presentation. The court confirmed the ruling of a federal judge in California indicating either the refusal of the lawyer to present the supposed infringed materials, or…
In October, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) made a significant announcement, aiming to provide a degree of assurance to firms involved in mergers and acquisitions (M&A): acquiring firms will face no penalty for timely voluntary disclosure of any criminal conduct of the organizations they have acquired. This Safe Harbor Policy was unveiled by U.S….
Autumn’s arrival often symbolizes change. Yet, for those awaiting significant variations to Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) during last spring’s legislative session, you may find yourself curious about the lack of discernible shifts. The anticipation was fueled by widespread rumors hinting at potentially considerable amendments to the FOIA, as summer vacations recede into the…
Kenly Kiya Kato, a former federal public defender and magistrate judge, was recently confirmed to serve on the US district court based in Los Angeles. The confirmation, which occurred on November 7, 2023, happened almost two years after her nomination by President Joe Biden. The confirmation vote passed 51-46 along party lines, without Republican support…
In response to prevalent concerns about abuse of dominance, the Competition Bureau has newly updated their guidance and amendments to the use of dominance provisions in the Competition Act. Set to significantly broaden the provisions’ scope, this development is anticipated to augment the application of abuse of dominance provisions notably. Coupled with private access to…
In an interesting turn of events, a federal court in Virginia has denied a franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction against a former franchisee who supposedly violated the franchise agreement’s non-compete clause after termination. The case in focus is JTH Tax, LLC v. Younan, 2023 WL 6304865 (E.D. Va. Sept. 27, 2023). The case has garnered…
In a recent development, Milbank LLP, a law firm with a long standing reputation of leadership in the legal field, took a notable step towards rewarding its associates. According to an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg Law, the firm announced a $10,000 increase in salaries for its associates and initiated annual bonuses for junior lawyers….
Several Democratic and Republican Senators in the United States have introduced a new bill, known as the Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2023 (GSRA), to reform current intelligence and surveillance legislation, aiming to provide greater national security protections for US citizens. The bill, targeted for those whose data has possibly been collected unknowingly by government…
The Better Health Care Newsletter of November 2023 focuses on the significant and problematic differences in health outcomes between racial groups in the United States. Differences such as these have unfortunately persisted for many years, despite broad consensus that health and wellness should be universal and non-discriminatory objectives. The newsletter was released by Patrick Malone…
In a critical development, law firm Foley & Lardner LLP has withdrawn its lawsuit against Mark Bruce International, a notable recruitment firm. This development comes approximately one month after Foley & Lardner LLP had alleged that Mark Bruce International owed the firm a refund. The circumstances that led up to this legal dispute involved a…