In the face of a generally sluggish deals market, 2023 managed to present notable moments. The year was marked by significant activity in the energy sector, largely benefitting from commodity prices, while the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors also excelled, thanks to strong balance sheets bolstered by pandemic-related cash inflows. Notably, overall deals activity dropped by…
The United States’ food and drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is reportedly gearing up to implement numerous anticipated rules and guidelines in the upcoming year of 2024. This development, fueled by the election year, is under the backdrop of a legal dispute at the historic US Supreme Court pertaining to the agency’s…
Apple Inc. is tackling an import ban issue – a ban that has resulted in their most significant money-making Apple Watch models removed from the store shelves over the holiday season. The suspension, due to a patent-infringement loss to medical-device creator Masimo Corp., has driven the Cupertino-based leading tech company to resort to unconventional strategies…
As companies head into 2024, they are predicted to be met with a rising tide of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) politicization. With ongoing environmental concerns and increasing scrutiny over ‘greenwashing’, corporate leaders must navigate a complex commercial landscape shaped by mounting pressures and evolving standards. Among the key issues set to dominate boardrooms is…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is reportedly hastening its efforts to safeguard its most influential regulations from potential alterations by imminent administrative or congressional changes. According to the regulatory agenda of the Biden administration, the SEC aims to finalize nearly two dozen regulations by April, which include those pertinent to climate disclosure. More than…
The once thriving blank-check market is now grappling with persistent accounting dilemmas. According to a story by Bloomberg Tax, the latest issue disturbing the market includes figuring out how to account for certain types of backup funding arrangements utilized by special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). SPACs employ these arrangements to ensure that transactions to take…
In an interesting shift in legal practices, at least 10 states and Washington, D.C. have taken steps to enhance access to justice this year. These jurisdictions have either considered or put into effect programs that permit non-lawyers to serve as legal advocates or own law firms. Such moves reflect a potential trend toward restructuring the…
In 2023, headlines of US Supreme Court justices accepting extravagant gifts unpinned critical discussions around judicial ethics within congressional Democrat circles. These highly publicized incidences sparked a series of discussions and legislative efforts, bearing significant implications on the judiciary’s transparency on a wider scale. Democratic efforts to instigate a code of ethics and boost overall…
Mass arbitration and class actions play pivotal roles in enabling consumers and employees to seek reparations against companies that utilize their terms and conditions or employment agreements. Both avenues ensure that corporations are held accountable for violations, thereby vindicating consumer rights. Amid this context, a recent debate has emerged regarding the efficiency of resolving consumer…
It’s been an eventful year for copyright and trademark law, with several high-profile rulings from the US Supreme Court adding new dimensions to these crucial areas. These rulings have delved into aspects like trademark territoriality, fair use, and First Amendment protection, leaving some significant gaps for future deliberations. Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc….
As the 2024 presidential election season begins, there are numerous US tax policy changes that are slated to occur at the end of 2025. Internationally, there are also significant shifts in taxation that are poised to add to the legislative agenda. Given these forthcoming developments, it is crucial for taxpayers to begin evaluating potential outcomes…
The Washington State Supreme Court’s determination of its new capital gains tax as constitutional predominantly pivots around the tax’s categorization as an excise tax under state law, a legal nuance tax professionals around the world should be acutely aware of. While the US Supreme Court deliberates on taking the case, the Washington capital gains tax,…
The Indian government issued an advisory on Tuesday to all social media platforms operating in the country, addressing the growing concerns around the negative impact of deepfakes. These concerns increased following a viral manipulated video featuring actress Rashmika Mandanna, prompting Delhi police to arrest four individuals in connection with the incident. The main purpose of…
A lawsuit challenging Alabama’s Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act (VCCPA) remained active on Tuesday, as a federal judge in Alabama declined to stay the case. This action came as an act of refusal towards a request from the United States government, intent on pausing the case while appellate courts determine the appropriate standard of…
In a new legal development illustrating the evolving relationship between the media and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, The New York Times Co. has launched a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI Inc. The renowned media organization accuses the tech giants of using its copyrighted content to aid the advancement of AI services, specifically chatbots and…
The Indian army has recently initiated an investigation into the deaths of three civilians, named Mohammad Ishaq, Zahid Iqbal, and Shakir Ahmed, in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The individuals were reportedly in army custody following a militant attack on December 21 that claimed the lives of four soldiers. This incident has caused…
The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently released the Standard 509 Information Reports for all 196 ABA-accredited law schools and revealed a decline in first-year enrollments for 2023. The figures presented, however, have shown some inconsistencies, depending on the resources cited. As initially released by the ABA…
Reading can offer not only an escape but also a wealth of knowledge and an insight into different perspectives. As 2024 begins, brushing up your company library with a selection of handpicked general-interest nonfiction books could provide valuable insights for those rare breaks between your legal tasks. This list features selections that have touched on…
In a recent revelation, lawyer and law official Jonathan Turley has once again found himself under scrutiny. Known for his provocative comments and controversial position in numerous legal debates, Turley has been accused of seeking attention through clickbait posts. On another note, legal professionals are being encouraged to embrace a healthier work-life balance by taking…
The Michigan Supreme Court has decided it will not prevent former US President Trump from appearing on the state’s primary ballot. This comes after a group of plaintiffs brought a challenge to disqualify him based on Section 3 of the US Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment. The court stated it was “not persuaded that the questions presented…
In a significant development, a divided Maryland Supreme Court has adopted a two-part test for determining whether a disability accommodation request for the state bar examination should be granted. This decision sets a new precedent in this area of law, marking a first impression. According to this new rule, the 4-3 majority reversed a decision…
In the ever-evolving landscape of the legal profession, having reliable sources of career advice can make a world of difference. Recently, I posed a question on my column in Above The Law: who are the best people to follow for career development advice for attorneys? I was looking for individuals who offer practical, tangible advice…
With the rapid technological advancements becoming ubiquitous, initiated tectonic shifts in various sectors, including the legal industry. One such notable development posing risks to legal professionals is the evolution of deepfakes. As we delve into 2024, it’s crucial to highlight some pressing concerns associated with the use of deepfakes in the legal landscape. Primarily, deepfake…
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has sanctioned Mark Cuban’s decision to divest from the Dallas Mavericks by approving the sale of a majority stake to the family of Miriam Adelson. Ms. Adelson is the controlling shareholder of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. The deal, worth $3.5 billion, received clearance from the NBA’s Board of Governors…
Salespeople who were involved in the $1 billion TelexFree multi-level marketing scheme for internet call technology were not successful in their bid to engage Bank of America NA in their extensive lawsuit against banks and other organizations and individuals. As reported by Bloomberg Law, the court presiding over the cases has allocated counsel costs and…