The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released an updated version of its General Compliance Program Guidance (GCPG), marking the first significant modification since 2008. The new guidelines, made public on November 6, 2023, come as a reference for the healthcare compliance community and other healthcare stakeholders. The…
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against major social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, alleging that they have caused a mental health crisis among young people. The responsibility of deciding the outcomes of these consolidated cases has fallen to Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a highly experienced judge serving on the US District Court for…
WeWork Inc. has recently enlisted the counsel of Kirkland & Ellis, among other legal advisers, for its bankruptcy filed late Monday in Newark, NJ. Additional advisory firms include regional law firm Cole Schotz and Toronto-based Goodmans, who are supporting WeWork on the insolvency process for its US and Canadian operations, and Munger, Tolles & Olson,…
Recently, two prominent ophthalmology practice groups — Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas (KEEC) and SouthEast Eye Specialists, PLLC (SEES) — have reached substantial settlements with the U.S. government. The allegations were serious; it was claimed that these groups’ cataract arrangements violated vital healthcare laws, specifically, the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the False Claims Act…
Jennifer Schubert, a former assistant US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, has joined litigation boutique firm MoloLamken as a partner in their New York office. The news was announced by the firm on Tuesday. With more than ten years of prosecution experience under her belt, Schubert has worked on a variety of…
In a significant legal development, the New York Appellate Division, First Department, has ruled that the automatic discovery stay embedded in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA) applies to actions instigated in New York state courts while a motion to dismiss is under deliberation. This ruling notably extends the stay, even in the absence…
While much of the legal spotlight this week has been cast on the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, our aim today is to shed some focus on the recently announced policy changes in the state of Texas which concern many of our readers in the insurance sector. The Texas Department Insurance…
Randy S. Grossman, former US attorney for the Southern District of California, has recently joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in the trial, white collar, and investigations practice. In addition to his new role, Grossman has also been appointed the lead of the firm’s newly established San Diego office, as confirmed by the firm this Tuesday….
In October, several developments observed in the employment sphere headline the global legal sector. Following a comparatively quiet summer period, a series of noteworthy updates surfaced last month. Notably, a new law emerged demanding employers take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, however, this legislation is not yet in effect. One of…
For legal professionals navigating the often complex terrain of tax matters, staying updated with the latest Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance is vital. This article aims to provide a clear summary of key IRS developments for the week of Oct. 30 – Nov. 3, 2023. Unfortunately, the full text of the original round-up, which was…
In the wake of a recent announcement by Inside EPA that the EPA is to revisit sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for the presence of PFAS on a case-by-case basis, there has been substantial concern among members of the regulated community. With the potential for a significant number of…
As the world of healthcare law continues to evolve rapidly, the spotlight this week is turned towards the looming deadline for government funding. A major issue on the docket is that the government’s financial resources are set to be exhausted in just 11 days, on November 17th, 2023, raising pivotal legal concerns for corporations and…
After an illustrious career spanning over 27 years, Rep. Earl Blumenaur has announced his retirement. Blumenaur has long been a notable figure within the American political landscape, often remembered for his efforts towards cannabis reform. In 1996, the notion of widespread cannabis reform, let alone nearly half of American states having fully legal recreational cannabis,…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) dated October 12, 2023, initiating a public consultation to gather feedback on distinct issues concerning treated seed and paint. As disclosed in this JD Supra report, this comment-seeking activity revolves around seed treated with standard pesticides and paint treated with…
The banking industry is continuing to navigate significant changes, with one of the latest developments coming from Citigroup. According to a recent report by Above the Law, the multinational bank is now under watch following revelations of finance layoffs. The details of the layoffs have not been fully disclosed, but there have been indicators pointing…
In a recent ruling, the Arizona Court of Appeals reinstated a retaliation claim by a former employee under the Fair Wages and Healthy Family Act. The case in question, Papias v. Parker Fasteners LLC, No. 1 CA-CV 22-0775, was filed by an employee who claimed he was unjustly discharged from his position after attempting to…
In a remarkable development, the New York District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit, known for its focus on investigating looted artifacts, seized a headless statue worth an estimated $20 million from the Cleveland Museum of Art. The event took place in August 2023, with the authorities acting under a search warrant issued by a New York…
As legal professionals, it’s critical to stay updated about actions people should take in the aftermath of an accident. One such scenario which frequently comes to light involves bicycle accidents, notably in Florida. The law firm Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley lays out several critical steps that a victim should consider following such an…
In this month’s Mobility@McDermott update, we bring insight into a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that could significantly impact the auto-industry, particularly independent repairers and car manufacturers. The ruling revolves around the access to electronic vehicle data systems. In the ruling, handed down on 5 October 2023, the ECJ decided that…
The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Division of Examinations (“Examination Division”) recently announced its 2024 Examination Priorities, placing a notable emphasis on cryptocurrency regulation and information security. This information was announced on October 16, 2023, indicating an expanding focus on newly emerging financial technologies and potential security risks. Particularly noteworthy is the SEC’s growing…
Relevant to recent regulatory activity, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published proposed amendments to the regulations under Section 3(21) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). These proposals, released on October 31, 2023, focus on changes to the definition of an “investment advice fiduciary” and certain related prohibited transaction class exemptions,…
The European Union (“EU”) has recently adopted two critical legal acts with the intention of enhancing the cross-border accessibility of e-Evidence for judicial authorities involved in criminal proceedings. The adaptation occurred in the summer of 2023, setting a new standard at a continental level The newly implemented laws, as reported by White & Case LLP,…
In a crucial development that has taken the legal arena by storm, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently filed a litigated complaint against SolarWinds and its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Timothy Brown. The complaint, which was filed on October 30, 2023, alleges that misleading statements and omissions about SolarWinds’ cybersecurity practices…
In an important ruling recently, a court of appeal found no private right of action against an unlicensed lender. As per Section 22100 of the California Financial Code, persons are prohibited from carrying out the work of a finance lender or a broker without obtaining a license from the California Commissioner of Financial Protection &…
The United Kingdom’s HM Treasury, in an effort to streamline regulation of growing cryptocurrencies, has published a Policy Paper focused on one specific type of digital asset: fiat-backed stablecoins. The emergence of stablecoins and their increasing use as a means of payment in the global economy has pushed authorities to establish clear guidelines to mitigate…