In a recent decision, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania affirmed a lower court ruling clarifying that a history of welfare fraud and outstanding restitution cannot justify a denial of housing assistance. This marked a victory for applicants seeking support through Pennsylvania’s housing voucher programs. The case at the center of the ruling involved the Lawrence…
Latham & Watkins, the second highest-grossing firm in the Am Law 100, announced the induction of 34 new partners, fewer than the 44 appointed during the past two years. The new partner class consists of 13 women and 21 men, indicating a female representation of 38%, an encouraging increase from last year’s 31%. Read More…
In a significant development in the ever-evolving legal landscape of marijuana, the November 2023 edition of “The Week in Weed” showcases a vibrant collection of stories from the world of legalized marijuana. Most notably, numerous cannabis companies have taken a bold step forward in asserting their rights. They have lodged a lawsuit against the federal…
An attorney from Passaic County, New Jersey, has admitted to misrepresenting himself as a business to fraudulently claim $300K intended for small companies suffering financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guilty plea, confirmed by federal prosecutors last Friday, highlights a case of professional deceit for financial gain amidst unprecedented times. Interestingly, this case…
In a recent development, France has adopted a new series of measures aimed at promoting “Green Industry”. Comprising a blend of regulatory and fiscal measures, the newly adopted plans are designed to streamline environmental and industrial authorizations, while lending support to low-carbon industrialization projects. The carefully considered measures are a part of France’s renewed efforts…
On October 31, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) built upon their ongoing commitment to ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. They announced the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening their joint efforts of promoting workplaces where workers’ voices can be sufficiently heard….
An attorney from Passaic County, New Jersey, has admitted to defrauding the federal government’s pandemic relief initiative aimed at helping small businesses remain solvent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The attorney falsely represented himself as a small business to secure financial aid, according to federal prosecutors. The fraud totals to approximately $300,000. This comes amid a…
In a recent incident shaking the corporate legal and tech world, hackers have absconded with a notable sum of $4.4 million in cryptocurrency. As confirmed by Bleeping Computer, ZachXBT’s crypto fraud researchers, and MetaMask developer Taylor Monahan, the high-value theft took place on October 25, 2023. This case holds particular significance as it highlights the…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a final rule that provides a significant revision of the Standards for Determining Joint-Employer Status under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). (Full text) This important shift clarifies the circumstances in which two or more entities can be recognized as joint employers of a certain group of…
On October 25, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit validated the dismissal of a lawsuit brought forward by a certified nursing assistant against a state-funded healthcare facility. Citing the principle of qualified immunity, the court confirmed that the defendant facility, which houses veterans, was entitled to this defense. According to the full…
A growing concern within the legal profession is the depreciating state of mental health and the associated costs it incurs. According to a recent survey by Unmind, a company specializing in workplace mental health solutions, the impact is far from minimal. On average, large law firms are witnessing nearly a 10% loss which is equivalent…
Law firm Quarles & Brady LLP is continuing its expansion with the opening of an office in St. Louis, Missouri. According to a report on November 3, 2023, this latest addition is the third new office launched by the nationwide firm within the past year. Increasing its geographical presence, Quarles & Brady’s move into the…
Canada’s approach to the regulation of cryptocurrencies and blockchain is unique, in that it isn’t dictated by a singular regulatory body, but by individual levels of government and their administrative agencies, based on the specific activity conducted. Despite the challenges posed by these jurisdictional constraints, Canadian regulators remain forward-thinking and receptive. In a novel demonstration…
In an intriguing development amid the ever-evolving legal landscape, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has made adjustments to its exam manual. This move follows in the wake of the ruling made by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce litigation. As reported earlier, on…
On September 5, 2023, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (“BCBSIL”) informed TTEC Healthcare (“TTEC”) about a data breach affecting TTEC employees. BCBSIL filed a formal notice of data breach with the Attorney General of Massachusetts following the discovery of a data security incident that compromised sensitive information about TTEC employees. An unauthorized party was…
In a recent development concerning the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the requirement of specificity in pleading has been analyzed again, drawing on the Supreme Court’s decision in Ashcroft v. Iqbal. This examination provides valuable insight for the legal community, particularly for those handling cases involving unpaid overtime under the FLSA. JD Supra provides a…
In a recent judgment, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has made a noteworthy clarification regarding bankruptcy law. In the case of Spark Factor Design, Inc., et al. v. Hjelmeset (In re Open Medicine Institute, Inc.), No. 22-60017 (9th Cir. Oct. 30, 2023), the court found that a bankruptcy court possesses the discretion of whether…
In a significant development for the gaming and hospitality industry, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has reportedly reached a $6.8M settlement with an operator of MGM Springfield, a notable MGM resort and casino. This case highlights an alleged violation of the Massachusetts Wage Act, Minimum Wage Law, Overtime Law, and the state’s Earned Sick…
In a significant development in employment law, paid sick leave guarantees for employees have been increased. As part of a collective effort to halt the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases in the workforce, Governor Newsom recently signed SB 616. This course of action extends the previously implemented Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of…
On November 1, 2023, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) adopted comprehensive amendments to its cybersecurity regulation. These updates, which include the notification provisions of §500.17, are set to go into effect on December 1, 2023. However, the majority of the other provisions will require compliance by April 29, 2024, giving corporations…
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the ongoing struggle with mental health issues and substance use disorder (SUD) among children and youth in the United States. As a result, federal and state institutions, among other entities, are broadening financing and treatment initiatives to boost the behavioral health of these vulnerable demographics. This pervasive crisis is impacting…
In a noteworthy development for the medical and legal fields alike, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated a willingness to approve a CRISPR-based form of treatment for Sickle Cell Anemia. This signals a potential landmark advancement in the use of genetic engineering methodologies in the treatment of diseases caused by genetic mutations. As…
In Virginia, a recent lawsuit has taken an unforeseen turn as a former son-in-law of a well-known law professor made robust allegations towards his former family member. During a session with the Garden State federal jurors, the litigant professed that he produced and published videos asserting that his ex-mother-in-law had illegally transported a firearm across…
The recent enforcement actions taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in September have underscored the necessity for all corporations to revisit their existing employee agreements, and to pay particular attention to possible violations of the SEC’s whistleblower protection rule. This trio of enforcement actions not only serves as a warning bell but also…
In recent legal news, Eric Trump, a key figure in his father’s real estate business, has testified in a New York civil fraud trial, saying he would never sign any inaccurate financial documents. He asserted that the documents sent by his father’s company, the Trump Organization, to Deutsche Bank AG to secure loans were “accurate”….