In a significant interpretation of US environmental law, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (“5th Circuit”) has delivered an October 27th Opinion addressing an issue arising out of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Lability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”). For background, OPA and CERCLA…
On October 30, 2023, the White House issued an Executive Order to steer the safe, secure, and responsible growth and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The decree acknowledges the remarkable potential of AI’s commercial applications and advancements, along with the risks and harm potentially originating from misuse. With this move, the government underscores the…
As legal professionals, staying abreast with the developments related to federal laws, rules, and guidelines that might affect both our practice and our clients is crucial. Recently, a noteworthy change in the federal criminal sentencing guidelines came into effect. Named as the “2023 Criminal History Amendment” or Amendment 821, it was officially adopted by the…
In an era where workplace safety and health issues and legislations are increasingly gaining attention, employers need to be alert and proactive. Recently, federal labor and workplace safety officials have formed a partnership to strengthen whistleblower protections, hinting towards increased safety and health enforcement efforts. Hence, employers and corporations should prepare themselves for the impending…
The annual Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Public File Report deadline is imminent for December 2023, marking a critical date on the corporate legal calendar. Abiding by the EEO rules is a mandatory requirement for broadcasting entities, calling into stark focus the paramount importance of ensuring fair, unbiased employment opportunity practices. For clarification, the Federal Communications…
Jul 26, 2023 marked a significant shift in cybersecurity regulations as adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These so-called “Final Rules”, which took effect on Sep 5, 2023, are poised to introduce sweeping changes for companies under the purview of the SEC. As confirmed over at JD Supra, as of Dec 2023,…
In a significant policy adjustment, the New York State is making strides to vest the Department of Financial Services (DFS) with control over certain deposit charges, a move that is likely to bring into focus the ongoing conversation about unnecessary and unavoidable charges otherwise termed as “junk fees”. Widely recognized for inflating the cost of…
In an unanticipated turn of events, Taco Bell recently managed to secure a significant victory over the trademark rights of the ubiquitous phrase “TACO TUESDAY”. The fast-food chain, known for its Mexican cuisine, has publicly declared its intent to nullify all exclusive trademark rights over the phrase. This move represents not only a substantial corporate…
In recent years, the medical sector has witnessed considerable interest from private equity houses and retail behemoths like CVS and Walmart, who have begun significant acquisition sprees of physician practices and management organizations all over the United States. This rapidly changing landscape, where healthcare is increasingly falling under the umbrella of national, for-profit corporations, has…
On October 11, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a significant final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7), which necessitates that manufacturers supply a singular report to the Agency that reveals their use of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) for every year dating back to 2011. This rule stipulates…
The Internet era has ushered in a new age of healthcare consumerism. Today, more patients than ever before turn to the web for healthcare information and recommendations. Within this context, the online reputation of healthcare operations has surged to the forefront as a crucial concern. Whether it’s a private practice, a public institution, or a…
In a pivotal meeting held by the Council of the European Union on October 17, 2023, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been removed from the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes (Annex I) – often termed as the “blacklist,” or more officially, the “EU List.” This decision serves to reverse the Council’s…
In this ever-changing environment of online search, even mere seconds count towards the overall user experience. Major search engines are now placing significant emphasis on this aspect, making it absolutely vital for law firms to optimize their website’s load speed for better technical SEO. Sluggish load speeds in law firm websites do not only result…
The practice of law expands far beyond the confines of a courtroom, comprising a vast and complex amalgamation of specialities, one of which is the understanding and application of Fideicomisos, or “Trusts.” As attorneys, knowledge in this sphere can bolster your expertise and empower you to better serve your clients’ needs. This focus piece aims…
In a recent turn of events, opposing patent damages experts faced rough waters in the Ecolab Inc. v. Dubois Chemicals, Inc. case. Judge Andrews of Delaware District Court granted Daubert motions challenging the credibility of the experts and their respective calculations of reasonable royalty opinions. This occurrence underlines the necessity for careful crafting of patent…
A group of 13 state attorneys general from various regions have recently delivered a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Their communication expresses support for the proposed rule changes intended to bridge the informational chasm between railroad operators and first responders in instances where hazardous materials are involved. As reported recently, this development…
Renowned international law firm, Cooley LLP, has recently announced a bespoke virtual series known as “AI Talks”, a series dedicated to highlighting multidisciplinary perspectives on artificial intelligence and offering in-depth insights on large language models, machine learning, and AI technology. The series is especially known for showcasing the firm’s profound subject matter knowledge in legal…
Recently, the proposed EU measures intended to increase press freedom and safety have been highlighted in a dispatch from the EU by law students from the European Union reporting for JURIST. The ongoing threats facing journalists in the European Union (EU) and its member states have increasingly caught global attention. On the International Day to…
With divorce proceedings taking center stage as not just a personal but an overwhelming financial undertaking, informed advice is becoming increasingly important. The upcoming webinar on November 8th, titled ‘Preparing for Divorce—Tips for Organizing Your Finances and Investments’ aims to offer much-needed counsel for individuals preparing for a potentially arduous journey. The webinar is being…
In Pennsylvania, putting land partition actions into effect can appear quite daunting to those who are not familiar with the procedures, which can seem anachronistic at first interface. The associated paperwork is notorious for liberally using antiquated legal terms, such as “purpart” and “owelty”, established within the laws and case histories, which add an additional…
In recent times, Southeast Asia has experienced an influx of energy lawyers, spurred by increasing buy-in from investors in the Middle East, North America, and Europe for the regions’ projects. Notwithstanding the growing interest and a significant amount of ‘dry powder’ earmarked for renewable projects, there seems to be an inadequate number of scalable projects…
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has recently made an announcement concerning the 2024 dollar limitations for benefits and contributions relating to retirement plans. This information was further disseminated in a comprehensive article by Williams Mullen [available here](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/benefit-and-contribution-limits-for-2024-8081238/ “View Source” target=”_blank”). A closer look at these updates shows an increase in certain financial parameters. This revision…
In a time marked by increasingly complex privacy laws across the globe, Utah is the latest US state poised to implement its own regulations. Indeed, the coming of Utah’s Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) adds to the growing list of statewide privacy regulations. The steady rise of state privacy laws has been significant, with twelve such…
In a recent turn of events involving Bankruptcy Judge David R. Jones and his undisclosed intimate relationship with a Jackson Walker LLP bankruptcy partner, the U.S. Trustee, who effectively serves as the federal watchdog over the bankruptcy court system, has thrust Jackson Walker LLP into the limelight. Last week, the trustee filed multiple motions to…
In a momentous decision, a federal court agreed with public comments stating that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) acted imprudently in implementing a new share repurchase rule. This regulation required issuers to report share repurchase data on a daily basis each quarter and disclose reasons behind the buyback of their own stock. The ruling…