In a landmark decision, a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri held liable a trade association and numerous residential real estate brokerages for $1.8 billion in damages. This substantial decision came about as a consequence of the defendants’ conspiracy to artificially inflate commissions on home sales, a move…
In an unforeseen turn of events, Sam Bankman-Fried recently learned a difficult lesson about not underestimating the intelligence of a jury, comprised of individuals that might not necessarily be his peers. Bankman-Fried’s recent time in court was a challenging experience that raises questions about the expectations, or perhaps misjudgments, high-profile individuals may harbor pertaining to…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed encouragement for the monitoring of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) to be included in discharge permits. The initiative, undertaken in August 2023, directed towards enhancing the protection of water bodies from industrial pollution, was introduced through a best management factsheet titled “Pollution Prevention Strategies for Industrial…
In a year characterised by a slower pace in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and a downturn in capital markets, the global legal industry is contending with decreased demand. This unpredictable market environment is compelling numerous law firms to downsize, merge, or fold. Notwithstanding these challenging circumstances, a select number of law firms, some with significant…
On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule ‘Medicare Program; Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System: Remedy for the Calendar Years 2018–2022‘. The rule addresses the agency’s plan to restore payments to certain hospitals impacted by a 2018 decision to reduce compensation on 340B-acquired drugs under the Outpatient…
Law firms are showing signs of recovery from the impacts of inflation and geopolitical disturbances, with optimistic projections for profit growth by the end of 2023. This positive outlook is highlighted in the recent Law Firm Financial Index report, which points out that the most pressing question surrounding many large firms is not about whether…
In a move that is rippling across the international legal landscape, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act was passed by the UK Parliament on October 26, ushering in several pivotal amendments to the law of corporate criminal liability. The passing of such an Act bears significant implications, particularly for the banking sector, Bryan Cave…
The esteemed firm Jackson Walker, recognized as an Am Law 200 firm with a well-established bankruptcy practice, is facing ongoing turbulence stemming from a past partner’s relationship with a federal bankruptcy judge in Houston. Aside from the internal implications, the firm now battles against a recent motion put forth by two creditors involved in a…
In a key development in Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) litigation, a lender’s second motion to dismiss was rejected by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The case revolves around allegations that a mortgage lender and a real estate firm were partaking in a prohibited kickback scheme. A previous…
In a significant development in the gig economy, Uber and Lyft have agreed to pay $338 million as part of separate settlements collectively referred to as “landmark” by investor circles. This agreement was catalyzed by allegations that both companies improperly deducted taxes and fees from drivers’ payments. Instead of shouldering these costs, they transferred them…
Recent evolutions in Canadian law have brought significant developments in bankruptcy, insolvency, and rehabilitation proceedings. A comprehensive insight into these considerations is essential for legal professionals navigating these complexities. An informative guide offering an overview of the legal aspects was recently published by the International Lawyers Network. This exposition serves as an introduction to the…
Transactional attorneys, faced with a domestic stall in the United States, are starting to cast their eyes to Latin America as the region experiences a rise in renewable energy investments, according to a recent article on Daily Business Review. This interest in Latin America is being driven by changes in both the political terrain and…
On October 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft guide titled “Communications From Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses [SIUU] of Approved/Cleared Medical Products: Questions and Answers”, often known as the SIUU Guidance. This awaited guide aims to address frequently asked questions and concerns related to…
A proposed settlement involving GoodRx Holdings Inc. could potentially award up to $4.5 million in legal fees to Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman. The law firm has been involved in a putative class action alleging that GoodRx improperly shared user data with social media platforms, in a case that’s currently being overseen by Federal Judge…
In a recent turn of events, the U.S. Senate passed a joint resolution of disapproval (S.J. Res. 32) under the Congressional Review Act, seeking to invalidate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) small business lending rule.JD Supra reports the resolution comes as a response to the CFPB rule which mandates financial institutions to collate and…
The European Antitrust Bimonthly Bulletin has yet again been published, serving as an important guide for legal professionals navigating the complex landscape of EU competition law. As the name suggests, this bimonthly bulletin condenses the significant antitrust developments in Europe from the past two months into lucid and implementable bullets. The bulletin, which can be…
The European Commission has recently put forth a legislative proposal aimed at reducing the scope of the EU Benchmark Regulation (BMR). This initiative is intended to amend the authorization, registration prerequisites for benchmark administrators, and the governance and control requirements they must adhere to, which also impacts third-country entities. The proposal can be reviewed in…
In a notable development in Canadian law, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has recently given an affirmative to the applicability of the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd., 2019 SCC 5 [Redwater]. This landmark ruling has been recognized and ratified in Saskatchewan, asserting its authority and relevance outside…
In the legal world, the advent of electronic communication has brought about significant changes, both in the ease of sharing documents and in the legal implications thereof. One interesting issue that has emerged is the question of whether attaching multiple documents to a single email could be seen to be procedurally unconscionable. Traditionally, procedural unconscionability…
In face of the increasing urgency for organizations to curtail their environmental impact, sustainability is emerging as a key factor in molding the dynamics of the commercial real estate market. Addressing this imperative, a recent global real estate research conducted by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner reveals an insightful trend of investor behavior and expectations. According…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is taking stringent steps towards achieving its much-cherished goal: equal pay and the elimination of discrimination. This has notably been unveiled in the EEOC’s prospective objectives for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 in their recent Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP). First released on September 21, the unflinching message of the…
Zoom Video Communications Inc. has recently undergone a reorganization of its in-house law department, resulting in changes to its key legal staff. The former General Counsel, Jeffrey True, has moved on, leaving the company since September, according to his LinkedIn profile and as reported by a Bloomberg Law Story. The same source indicated that Zoom…
The National Advertising Division (NAD) recently issued a noteworthy decision, providing important guidance on comparative advertising claims against unnamed competitors. The case was instigated by a challenge presented by Bath & Body Works (B&BW) against Goose Creek, tackling a number of common issues faced by advertisers. This is particularly significant for legal professionals working in…
The recent release of the 2024 calendar year cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to the contribution and compensation limits for tax-qualified retirement plans has sparked industry interest. These adjustments, issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Notice 2023-75, represent an essential annual update for firms dealing with tax-qualified retirement plans. As these changes take effect, legal…
Following the recent update in data protection law, a few noteworthy dates have emerged in Q4 that are worth pointing out. There’s no doubt these changes will influence corporate law departments and large firms across the globe during their ongoing interactions with data privacy. The key focus, notably, is on cross-border transfers of data, particularly…