In an era of digital domination, the tactile pleasure of leafing through a physical book remains a distinctive experience. Despite the wealth of e-books, audiobooks, and other digital reading tools at our disposal, there’s no better time to pick up an old-fashioned paperback than National Book Lover’s Day on August 9. This sentiment rings especially…
The field of corporate and cyber law is continuously evolving, and it has become increasingly crucial for legal professionals to familiarize themselves with risk and process management frameworks. In a recent webinar titled “Risk and Process Management Framework: Lessons Learned in Getting Started”, hosted by NAVEX and featuring Forrester’s Cody Scott, pertinent insights were offered…
Recent comments from Justice Samuel Alito have ignited debate over the perception of Supreme Court justices as being above the law. Alito’s views have drawn criticism, with Justice Elena Kagan emerging as a counter-voice of reason amidst the controversy. Drawing attention to the ethical standards of the Court, Kagan represents a growing sentiment that the…
Recent rulings in the Southern District of New York have sparked discussion on whether a token is considered a security. These cases in question are SEC v. Terraform Labs and SEC v. Ripple Labs. In under three weeks, two distinct rulings were made by separate judges. Judge Torres held that the digital asset XRP, under…
Rudy Giuliani, noted for his central role in one of the latest Trump indictments, has found himself again in the spotlight following harsh words from former vice president Mike Pence. Pence, in a tweet posted recently, emphasized that anyone who prioritizes their personal ambitions over the Constitution is ill-suited for the presidency. The former vice…
In a fascinating finding published by Empirical SCOTUS, it turns out that there is a notable pair of conservative Supreme Court justices who voted together a remarkable 95 percent of the time in the most recent Term. The revealed fact brings a new lens through which we can observe the workings of the Supreme Court….
In an effort to expand access to capital for small businesses, the Biden Administration has announced a series of policy adjustments and modernizations to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) and 504 loan programs. According to an announcement shared by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on August 1, the adjustments are aimed at simplifying…
As an avenue for property investment, United Kingdom Real Estate Investment Trusts (UK REITs) are increasingly becoming a significant mechanism in the market. In particular, UK REITs provide the advantage of tax exemptions which, in effect, place their shareholders in a tax position almost identical to that of a direct investor in UK real estate….
Blackstone Group’s Private Credit Fund and Secured Lending Fund have given a joint announcement about a significant change within their leadership structures, through securities filings. An existing deputy general counsel within their ranks has seen a promotion up to the level of chief legal officer. This individual will also take on the role of secretary…
In a recent development, Argentina-based Cool Brands Supply SA has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against LIV Golf Inc. and HyFlyers GC. This high profile case has caught the attention of the legal industry, with a particular focus on the issues that a New Jersey district court may consider in the case. Renowned for its…
In response to the profound changes of today’s economy, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have jointly issued new draft guidelines regarding mergers on July 19. This move signals the ongoing evolution of these two influential agencies and their increasing focus on the dynamics of the modern market. JDSupra…
Investing in a competent employee selection process isn’t just about getting the best people on board; it has far-reaching financial implications for a company. As revealed by a survey conducted across 2500 firms, one incorrect hiring decision can lead to an astounding loss of more than $25,000, owing to decreased productivity, low morale, and other…
A refusal by a Pennsylvania federal court to diminish claims from a lawsuit against Takeda Pharmaceuticals and a number of generic-drug makers denotes an escalating issue concerning alleged anti-competitive behavior. These pharmaceutical companies have been accused of striking up exclusivity contracts aiming to delay competition for Takeda’s anti-gout drug, Colcrys. As a result, this controversial…
The worlds of law and corporate affairs have seen several significant changes recently as governments and corporations alike tackle emerging and re-defined challenges in their sectors. Whilst new legislation and pivoting business transactions are a focal point of these changes, it is important for lawyers and in-house legal teams in corporations to look at the…
As many legal professionals are undoubtedly aware, the COVID-era policy permitting employers to remotely inspect documentation for completing form I-9 concluded on July 31, 2023. Following this deadline, a recently implemented policy requires all employers to physically examine the I-9 documents, which employees were previously authorized to present remotely. These changes are broadly applicable, and…
In recent years, the call for diverse representation in all sectors has gained significant traction. One such sector is legal professions, where clients are progressively seeking information regarding the culture of diversity at law firms. Certainly, it is increasingly evident that diversity information plays a vital part in earning business from clients. According to Lloyd…
The Ninth Circuit, a pertinent figure in the US court jurisdiction, has recently passed a judgment that affirms Zillow, the popular real estate marketplace, as guilty of infringing copyrights owned by a well-known real estate photography studio. With the given background information, it’s apparent that this case’s decision marks the second round of a prolonged…
In a move aimed at bolstering the transparency around cybersecurity risks, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enacted final rules requiring public companies to disclose pertinent cybersecurity incidents and strategies. The directive came into effect on July 26, 2023, generally obligating public organizations to shed light upon (i) the materiality of cybersecurity incidents within…
In a move that is vital for legal professionals working in large corporations and law firms, particularly those concentrating in environmental and property law, the U.S. Supreme Court released an order that directly impacts the construction of energy pipelines across the country. The order, issued on July 27, nullified the U.S. Court of Appeals for…
In an interesting development in the field of copyright law, the Ninth Circuit recently issued an opinion stating that Zillow, the popular real estate marketplace, infringed thousands of copyrights owned by a real estate photography studio. This critical opinion was presented as part of a podcast episode on The Briefing, led by Scott Hervey and…
Legal professionals should take note of the rising trend in the secondary’s market where loan participations have garnered substantial interest among clientele. A recent article published on JD Supra titled ‘Game On August 2023 – Participation Trophies: Documenting and Negotiating Loan Participations’ offers an insight into this growing development. This trend particularly stands out for…
Recent activity by the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) indicates a growing intent to closely examine employers who classify their workers as independent contractors. This newfound scrutiny signifies a definite shift in the labor landscape, one that could carry heavy implications for companies with significant contractor roles. In June 2023, the NLRB amended…
On July 28, 2023, an unexpected shift occurred in the mattress industry. A coalition of United States domestic producers and wholesalers of mattresses officially filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Within these petitions, the coalition was seeking the imposition of antidumping (AD) duties on imports…
In a recent development, the U.S. Geological Survey has raised alarms over the quality and sustainability of tap water in the United States. This study mentions that up to 45 percent of the water supply could possibly be contaminated with Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS. Motivations behind the research include rising domestic…
The director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has imposed penalties on a company challenging a key VLSI microchip patent, securing Intel a $2.2 billion jury verdict. The company under question is Patent Quality Assurance, which was brought before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. This punitive action has been taken due to what’s…