As we move well into Q4 and nearer to the close of 2023, family-owned businesses find themselves at a significant point in time. While continuing to navigate the remaining weeks of the fiscal year, they are also pressed to think back on the successes and challenges of the past months and strategically plan for the…
In this era of digital transactions and virtual operations, understanding and complying with the signature requirements of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is of paramount importance. A significant part of this involves making sense of varying types of signatures. These include physical signatures or ‘wet signatures’, ‘s’ signatures such as /John Doe/, generated…
In the field of energy and sustainability, one company, in particular, has been making waves with its recent financial activities. This month, our spotlight shines on Activate Capital, a firm that focuses exclusively on innovative technology companies embarking on transformative journeys under the leadership of progressive entrepreneurs. By investing in ground-breaking future platforms, Activate Capital…
In a significant legal update, the California Superior Court in Los Angeles has recently rejected a motion for preliminary injunction against Opportunity Financial LLC (OppFi), a motion that was initiated by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). This case represents a key battleground in finance law pertaining to digital lending and fintech…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently made an announcement regarding the initiation of the 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection due by December 5, 2023. In light of this schedule, the commission is urging eligible reporters to commence the submission process without delay. This recent news is crucial for legal teams working in…
As Halloween nears, dental practice transitions seem equally, if not more, daunting for dental practitioners. Whether practitioners are considering buying, selling, or merging their dental practice, managing the legal aspects of these transitions can certainly be a stark reality check if not navigated properly. It is not just about the ghosts and ghouls, but the…
In an important update, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Revised Draft Guidance addressing communications by drug and device manufacturers about “off-label” uses of approved products. This updated guidance supersedes the FDA’s previous 2014 Draft Guidance on “Distributing Scientific and Medical Publications on Unapproved New Uses.” It reflects recent shifts in…
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently declared the 2024 annual cap values for tax-qualified retirement plans such as the 401(k). This marks the third consequent year where these limits have been augmented, enabling participants to augment their savings in 2024. With this, companies that maintain tax-qualified retirement schemes will be required to adjust…
In the present era, talks and headlines featuring Elon Musk’s Tesla are ubiquitous. A notable aspect that reveals a glimpse of the future, in line with the ongoing transition towards carbon-free vehicles, is the increasing appearance of the renowned EV manufacturer in patent litigation dockets countrywide. Interestingly, Tesla is currently embroiled in an ongoing legal…
In an unprecedented move, the Division of Examinations (Division) of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its examination priorities for the 2024 fiscal year earlier than typical, on 16 October 2023, according to K&L Gates LLP on JD Supra. These examination priorities were introduced just eight months after the Division disclosed its 2023…
On November 2, 2023, The Hilb Group Operating Company, LLC (“Hilb”) reported a data breach to the Attorney General of Maine. Following the detection of unauthorized access to certain employee email accounts, Hilb was obliged to disclose the breach, indicating the underlying vulnerability of their security systems. According to JD Supra, the intrusion led to…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently provided a significant ruling in favor of several agricultural groups. The court has granted these groups’ petitions for a review pertaining to a directive by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA had previously placed a ban on the use of a well-known pesticide named…
Law firm Kohrman Jackson & Krantz (KJK) has recently announced intentions to lend their support to students involved in hate crimes on college campuses. Considering the escalation of protests and associated violence witnessed at higher institutions since October 7, 2023, following the attack on Israel by Hamas, the firm’s Student and Athlete Defense practice group…
On October 20, 2023, a recent development unfolded within the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). It issued an unfavorable Advisory Opinion No. 23-08 that affects a supplier of cochlear implants combined with external sound processors, henceforth referred to as the “Device”. The Device supplier proposed to provide free…
This week’s Climate Policy Update brought to you by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP offers insightful information on the ongoing development in climate change policy and regulatory matters. The syndicated newsletter, accessible on JD Supra, covers significant climate-related headlines of the recent weeks along with noteworthy events and hearings related to climate change…
OptumRx Inc. and Express Scripts Inc., two major pharmacy benefit managers involved in the ongoing opioid multidistrict litigation, have filed an appeal against US District Judge Dan Polster’s recent refusal to disqualify Special Master David Cohen. The basis of their appeal stems from an incident where Cohen inadvertently engaged the “reply all” feature in an…
7-Eleven, a multinational convenience store chain, has reportedly accused Hofstein Weiner & Meyer, P.C., a prominent Philadelphia law firm, of trademark infringement. The details of the matter were first reported by Law.com Radar, prompting attention from the global legal community. Although further details of the case are limited, the implications could be significant for both…
As legal professionals, it’s crucial to stay updated on developments that could have an impact on our industry. This article shines a light on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) recent proposal regarding Personal Financial Data Rights. Proposed in the fourth quarter of 2023, the CFPB suggests new rule-making, a short time after the Federal…
In a recent move that may prove a real scare for some, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) on October 31, 2023, more aptly known as Halloween, issued a release proposing changes to the 1975 rule. The “1975 Rule” defines when institutions and individuals are providing fiduciary “investment advice” to employee benefit plans. These plans are…
The United States government, in a bid to secure its critical technologies, has enforced additional and multiplex export controls over chips and semiconductor equipment. This increasingly strict stance is intended to safeguard the semiconductor, advanced computing, and supercomputer industries, as observed and analyzed by the International Trade & Regulatory Group at Alston & Bird. As…
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently agreed on a partnership to bolster investigations and enforcement of protections concerning workers who raise safety issues and face consequential retaliation. This collaboration is considered a significant step in both entities’ ongoing efforts to safeguard workers’ rights and health standards. According…
As you continue to manage your companies’ employee benefits and executive compensation plans, it’s vital to maintain a clear understanding of the legal requirements that could impact those plans. One of the necessary considerations that often arise in this sector involves whether or not you need to send an annual notice to plan participants. As…
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations outlined its examination priorities for 2024, highlighting emerging and core risk areas for investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other entities. Particular attention will be given to cybersecurity and crypto assets. Published on October 16, 2023, the 2024 Priorities focus on specific practices, products, and services that the…
As legal professionals in the corporate and private sectors, we understand the importance of staying informed on relevant case studies. A recent example that has caught widespread attention is the potential connection between chemical hair straighteners and health problems. Renowned multinational companies such as L’Oréal and Revlon are implicated in this context, raising intriguing questions…
November 2023 is eyeing a significant trend in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) within the Energy and Sustainability sector, highlighting a noteworthy development involving ConnectGen and Repsol. ConnectGen, a purveyor in developing, building, operating, and financing utility-scale clean energy projects, was acquired by Repsol, a heavyweight in the renewable energy business, for an estimated $715 million….