As the holiday season approaches, law firms worldwide are once again given an opportunity to engage in some festive creativity in the form of Above the Law’s 15th Annual Holiday Card Contest. As always, audits of holiday bonuses for Biglaw firms are commencing, signaling the onset of festive mood among legal professionals. This year’s competition,…
In a significant development for the corporate legal world, Governor Kathy Hochul signed SB 4516 on November 17, 2023, amending the N.Y. General Obligations Law §5-336. This amendment provides noteworthy changes affecting settlement agreements, specifically those involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claims. This amendment specifically targets nondisclosure provisions. It prohibits the inclusion of…
The festive season is underway, and along with it, the bonus season is also in full stride and it appears law firms are vying with each other to dole out handsome benefits to their lawyers. A significant highlight this year is that these bonuses are apparently coupled with decent salary hikes. A notable firm to…
In the field of petroleum storage, the Arkansas Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”) is an essential name for legal and industrial professionals. Established over 30 years ago, this state statutory mechanism serves both aboveground and underground storage tank owners and operators. Primarily designed to manage and address petroleum leaks and spills, often referred…
In a recent speech during the 2023 U.S. Treasury Market Conference held in New York, the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Rostin Behnam, addressed the CFTC’s forthcoming strategies to augment utilization of data and the initiation of an internal Artificial Intelligence (AI) task force. This move is highlighted as a recent focus…
In a significant development for the telecommunications sector, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The notice suggests the reinstatement of the open Internet rules previously adopted under the 2015 Open Internet Order. The measures, if enacted, could have significant implications for companies that offer broadband internet access service…
The Supreme Court of South Carolina has disbarred Cory Fleming for ‘deplorable misconduct and shocking abuse’ of the state’s legal system. Fleming, a once-close associate known as an enabler to the now-also disbarred Richard ‘Alex’ Murdaugh, had earlier pleaded guilty to criminal charges this year, leading to this conclusion in his professional life. Fleming’s disbarment…
In a recent development in consumer protection cases, a DNA testing firm, CRI Genetics, LLC, has been served with a substantial $700,000 fine for allegations related to deceptive ads. The action comes as a result of collaboration between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. This decision was aimed at resolving…
According to recent updates in tax law, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have released proposed regulations concerning the Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) under Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary purpose of the proposed regulations is to clarify recently added qualifying property, as well as offering valuable guidance…
On November 20, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made a significant announcement regarding vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications. The organization has decided to withdraw a prior proposal that involved the creation of a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). The purpose of this proposed standard was to mandate V2V communication technology in certain…
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated three of its cybersecurity directives that regulate freight and passenger railroad carriers, as stated in an October 2023 report. This move falls into a continuing effort to fortify the cybersecurity of surface transportation systems.Hogan Lovells reported the following three security directives have been renewed and updated: Enhancing…
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new inflation-adjusted amounts for 2024, according to an update provided via Revenue Procedure 2023-34 and an accompanying News Release. This annual adjustment, revealed on November 9, 2023, affects over 60 tax provisions. The announcement, which is a part of the IRS’s ongoing efforts to manage inflation, is expected…
In an evolving employment law landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have come under increasing scrutiny in the United States, with Ogletree Deakins launching a series, “DEI Under Scrutiny,” examining these shifts. The first part of the series specifically addresses the growing challenges to DEI programming, prompting employers to undertake risk assessments. DEI programs…
The UN Human Rights Office issued a statement on Tuesday decrying Iran’s execution of 17-year-old Hamidreza Azari and 22-year-old Milad Zohrevand on November 24. The office has called for a death penalty moratorium in Iran and an end to the use of criminal procedures to repress political activists and others exercising their rights to freedom…
Just under two years since the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act was enforced, on 13th November 2023, the UK government issued a Call for Evidence regarding the regime’s execution, scope, and outcome. The request is aimed at gathering insights about the functioning of the NSI Act from stakeholders. Despitethe anticipation that no revisions…
In an increasing trend, corporations and firms are facing adversarial legal action characterized as ‘Do-Gooder’ litigation. This new wave of lawsuits is typically mounted under the auspices of environmental conservation, consumer protection, or animal rights. They are brought forth in an effort to promote the common good and are often framed as false-advertising class actions….
Recently, in a potentially influential decision, the Sixth Circuit deemed the record insufficient for a conclusive appellate review. It compelled a case to be remanded for a new hearing due to a defendant’s denied permission to withdraw his guilty plea on drug and gun charges. In this case, the district court twice denied the defendant’s…
In overview of the 2023 search engine optimisation (SEO) scene, there’s a noticeable drive within the legal profession for law firms to stay current as the digital landscape evolves. Law firms are keenly trying to keep pace with the changing technological landscape, particularly with the rise in prominence of SEO. Fierce competition in the legal…
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently dismissed a racial bias claim by an executive who was terminated based on comments he made during an off-duty podcast. The case reaffirms the principle that employers do have grounds to respond to employee conduct outside of work hours and duties. It also emphasizes…
The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) recently published their yearly report illustrating an interesting development in the American legal landscape: For the first time, more Americans believe the death penalty is administered unfairly than those who opine otherwise. Strikingly, this report comes despite an increased number of death penalty sentences imposed compared to executions carried…
As the beginning of the new year unfolds, so too do changes in legal regulations. On November 17, 2023, the California Department of Justice (“Department”) initiated its third attempt at implementing new parameters for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities within the state. This development is part of the execution process for Assembly Bill (AB)…
Despite a record-breaking year, improvements in the SEC Whistleblower Program are necessary to align with the White House anti-corruption initiative. As recently announced, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler, states that the Commission received an unprecedented 18,000 whistleblower tips for the fiscal year 2023. Since its launch in 2010, the SEC…
Attorneys representing objectors in Facebook’s Meta Platforms Inc.’s $725 million class action settlement are pushing back against demands to post $8,500 bonds prior to lodging their appeals. This dispute emerged after the legal representatives for the plaintiffs in the Facebook settlement demanded that bonds be posted by John Kress, Kendrick Jan and John Pentz. These…
If you are a business owner preparing to franchise your brand or concept, you might be unsure about the next steps to take or when the ideal time to start franchising is. While there is no universal answer to these questions, there are some key steps that can help guide you on this new chapter…
On November 29, 2023, a significant moment unfolded in the realms of administrative and constitutional law when the U.S. Supreme Court listened to the oral argument in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) v. Jarkesy case (No. 22-859). This case carries enormous potential implications not only for the SEC but for numerous other federal agencies….