In a recent episode of “Trekking Through Compliance”, the focus was on a topic dubbed “The Empath”. The episode debuted on December 6, 1968, and occured on Star Date 5121.5. Within this installment, the plot centered around the Vions’ endeavor to evaluate if a planet inhabited by empaths is worthy to save. The resolution landed…
On July 21, 2023, five major U.S. agencies, namely the Federal Reserve, CFPB, FDIC, NCUA, and OCC, unveiled proposed guidelines on Reconsiderations of Value (ROV) in residential real estate evaluations. This initiative of the agencies aims to provide a clearer approach to ROV processes and introduce illustrative ROV policies and procedural frameworks. This information comes…
The role of Human Resources (HR) within a corporation has traditionally been focused on managing the company’s workforce. However, in recent years it has become increasingly clear that HR has a significant part to play in ensuring corporate compliance. In a recent video titled One Month to More Effective HR in Compliance: Day 5 –…
In a recent development, Elon Musk reportedly stated that he would cover the legal fees of individuals who were terminated due to abhorrent material published on Twitter. An intriguing assertion, given that Elon has a history of allegedly refusing to settle his own legal dues as per this report. More details on this story can…
On July 26, the Senate Banking Committee led by Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), chairman of the committee, conducted a hearing concerning “fees and tactics impacting Americans’ wallets” with a focus on financial services and the role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in tackling harmful fees. An alarming finding is that a third of…
As of July 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has made notable additions to the Specially Designated Nationals (“SDN”) List per the guidance of Executive Order (“EO”) 14024. This renewed effort is aimed at curbing Russia’s capabilities on several key industrial fronts. According to the facts shared…
In a critical development impacting labor standards, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), on August 2, 2023, overturned an employer-friendly standard from the Trump administration. The decision highly favors employees and workers’ rights, setting a new standard for judging infringements of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) through workplace rules. JD Supra reports. The ruling…
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has recently made public its first inquiry, where they have declared a review of the data privacy practices of manufacturers of “connected vehicles” and related technologies. As reported by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on JD Supra. The focus on ‘connected vehicles’ indicates the agency’s recognition of the increasing…
In a recent episode of All Things Investigations, legal experts Kenyen Brown and Kevin Carroll shed light on the legal intricacies surrounding the Donald Trump indictments. The discussion, hosted by Tom Fox, vigorously explored the indictment against the former President. The conversational depth illuminated the reality of a nation coming to terms with the unprecedented…
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) issued a significant update on July 27, 2023, revealing the release of new technical reports and case studies carried out by its Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC). Eight comprehensive research documents were published, offering in-depth examinations of a variety of feedstock characteristics and processing techniques. This…
The recent Mining Reform in Mexico has placed new obligations on mining concessionaires. Among these obligations, one of the most significant is the requirement to request a change of water use from the National Water Commission. This change in the Titles of Concession of National Waters must go from “industrial” to “industrial in mining”. Notably,…
On July 31, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas granted, in part, and denied, in part, a preliminary injunction against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This injunction had been filed by a bank and two trade associations. Their purpose was to prevent the CFPB from enforcing its new final rule,…
The attention of legal professionals across corporations and law firms has shifted towards Texas, Arkansas, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as they withdrew their support for the pyramid scheme “Blessings in No Time” (BINT). BINT Operations LLC and its owners found themselves in the crosshairs of two separate but coordinated lawsuits as a result…
On August 2, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against a prominent auto-loan servicer. The CFPB alleges a series of illegal practices perpetrated against individuals with auto loans by the servicer. The lawsuit cites a blatant violation of the Consumer Financial…
Recent rulings have underscored the significance of meticulous record-keeping in companies when dealing with possible Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) violations. The examples highlight the potential of the established business relationship (EBR) exemption to avert class certification, this exemption may hinge on the defendant company’s record-keeping systems and policies. One must comprehend the intricacies of…
In an intriguing meld of classic literature and modern corporate compliance, lessons are being derived from the well-known Sherlock Holmes stories, specifically “The Man with the Twisted Lip”. Brought to us by Thomas Fox, a Compliance Evangelist, this unique approach seeks to draw parallels and insights from these timeless tales. The 12-part series, “Adventures in…
Baker McKenzie, a multinational law firm, has appointed Kirsty Wilson as the new chair of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) division. Currently based in London, Wilson is a corporate partner with an extensive background of work at the firm, boasting over three decades of experience. More details can be found here . Wilson,…
A number of top international firms, like Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Mayer Brown, have advised on the $500 million sale of Hasbro-owned media company Entertainment One (eOne) to film and TV giant Lionsgate. Teams from global power cities such as London, New York and Paris were engaged to bolster the transaction. The Cravath team…
Pinsent Masons, the international law firm, has advised the Spanish engineering and construction company Técnicas Reunidas on a collaborative effort with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to speed up the process of decarbonization in Eastern European economies. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Técnicas Reunidas and the IFC, the private sector branch…
The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the United States is initiating a push for enhanced consequences for individuals who partake in misconduct or neglect suitable oversight. The proposed avenue for this change is through the introduction of compliance compensation programs that incorporate monetary fines. Recognized compliance evangelist, Thomas Fox, details this development in a recent…
In an intriguing development, the acclaimed FCPA Compliance Report has posted a new episode featuring industry heavyweights Ragini Bhalla, Head of Content and PR for Creditsafe in the North American region, and Steve Carpenter, Country Manager for Creditsafe in Canada. This latest podcast installment, titled “Fighting Forced Labor with Credit Risk,” focuses largely on the…
Morrison Foerster’s London office has recently gone through changes on its team. The office has seen the departure of finance partner, Vlad Maly, who is moving to McDermott Will & Emery, while also welcoming a new senior tech partner, Charlotte Walker-Osborn. These changes come amidst a spate of key partner moves in U.S. firms which…
In a recent bid to strengthen its dispute resolution team, Norton Rose Fulbright has successfully brought on board the UK Disputes Head from BNP Paribas, as reported by Law.com. This movement in the legal world holds significance as it involves the transfer of a key professional who holds a significant position in UK’s legal landscape…
In a tactical shift observed among numerous Am Law 200 law firms, an intensified focus is being placed on expanding operations based in Washington, D.C. Aiming to meet the regulatory needs of their core clients beyond their original locations, these firms have started operating out of full-service offices in the U.S. capital. This is clearly…
Leading law firms Goodwin Procter and Nelson Mullins, Riley & Scarborough have been enlisted to advise on a major $685 million merger between Crown LNG holdings AS, a notable player in the realm of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and regasification terminals technologies, and Catcha Investment Corp., a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) listed in New…