In a tactical legislative attempt to address plastic pollution, the two major political parties within the United States have presented diverging viewpoints. The Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) public request for commentary on its draft strategy to mitigate plastic pollution sparked diverse responses from a group of 14 Democratic Attorneys General (AGs) and another of 16…
In an ecosystem where creditors often find themselves at the tail end of priority during bankruptcy filings, a particular provision in the Bankruptcy Code can potentially offer a silver lining. Amid the gambit of general unsecured claims, Section 503(b)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code functions like an ace in the pack, potentially tilting the scales towards…
The second day of the NILG (National Industry Liaison Group) 2023 National Conference continued the event’s momentum with treats of in-depth discussions and keynote addresses. This year’s conference held true to its reputation as the beacon of information for legal professionals in large corporations and top-notch law firms. First on the schedule was an interactive…
Recent developments have seen the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), an institution pivotal in regulating labor practices in the US, reignite the ‘Biggest Idiot’ standard. This resurfacing could have significant implications for employers and their respective handbooks. Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) bestows on employees the robust right to unionize, participate…
Earlier this summer, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance for those researching the use of psychedelics to treat certain serious medical conditions including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and substance use disorders. This initiative marks the first time the FDA has provided guidance to the numerous entities conducting research on these controlled substances…
In a high-profile case concluded in July 2023, the Court of Québec ruled against the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (the Quebec Health Insurance Board, RAMQ), citing “serious” and “systemic” violations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As a result of the ruling, evidence against medical specialists was excluded due their rights…
The toll of counterfeiting on the economy and businesses has traditionally been a problem plaguing the high fashion industry. Recognizable high-end brands like Prada, Gucci, and Versace have regularly been victimized. These high-priced luxury items, including Rolex watches, Hermes handbags and Dior fragrances, are particularly attractive targets for counterfeiters, as the resale value of seemingly…
On July 31, 2023, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed the Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule, better known as Phase 2 of the Biden Administration’s revisions to the regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This proposal carries significant implications with a potential transformation of existing structures and practices surrounding environmental policy….
In one of the recent judgments, the Supreme Court decided on the issue of affirmative action in two cases, namely the SFFA v. Harvard/UNC. This has raised many questions among private employers, who are keen to understand the implications of this decision on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. This article aims to provide…
German authorities announced the arrest of a Syrian national on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, connected to a series of alleged offenses committed between 2012 and 2015. The suspect, known as ‘Ahmad H.,’ reportedly partook in extreme cases of torture, killings, and enslavement while operating as a member of a pro-government militia…
In an insightful discussion, Troutman Pepper White Collar and Legal Partner Cal Stein recently touched upon the role of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) with regards to enforcing and collecting foreign arbitration awards. This conversation unfolds amidst a backdrop of increasing relevance and complexity in cross-border business and legal matters, warranting an…
In the world of corporate compliance, it’s not unusual to see names such as Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart leading the conversation. These two top compliance commentators recently got together in a fray of fascinating dialogue on their program, 2 Gurus Talk Compliance, in an episode dedicated to exploring the intricacies of conducting ethical business…
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (NRFSA) made a substantial change to its organizational hierarchy with the announcement of its new CEO, Brent Botha. Known for his expertise in corporate and commercial litigation, Botha is set to step into his new role starting October 1. Botha, who is the leader of the firm’s disputes practice group,…
In an unexpected turn of events, top-tier law firm Stewarts has suffered a significant 55% profit-per-equity-partner (PEP) drop, a notable contrast to the fortunes of the previous year. This unplanned occurrence goes against the upward profit trajectory that characterized the firm’s financial performance in 2022. Despite this downturn in PEP, the firm’s managing partner holds…
This week’s discussion within the legal fraternity revolves around two major points of interest. Firstly, the U.S. Judicial Conference raised its concerns regarding the congressional budget proposals for the judiciary in the coming fiscal year. Furthermore, light has been shed upon the long standing history between former President Donald Trump and U.S. District Judge Tanya…
The legal market in China is buzzing with activity as multiple legal firms have made strategic team hires in recent months. Among the firms leading with lateral partner movements are Jingtian & Gongcheng, Han Kun Law Offices and Global Law Office, all strengthening their legal contingents within their China offices. More details are available in…
Wilko, a prominent British high street chain, has enlisted the legal services of Fieldfisher, a leading U.K firm recognized within the top 50 law firms in the nation. The move comes in the wake of Wilko filing a notice of its intention to appoint administrators, as reported by Law.com. In a statement released on Thursday,…
In a recent turn of events, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) has updated its listing rules. Prior to this change, companies seeking to list in Hong Kong were required to delineate risks related to their operations in China. These China-related risks covered a broad field, including applicable laws and regulations, political structure,…
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, following unsuccessful merger discussions with several law firms, announced on Thursday its intention to eliminate a significant hurdle on the path to a partnership deal. In a substantial move, the firm’s partnership has authorized a full pension buyout. This decision is aimed at managing the complexities that an accrued pension…
Legal professionals worldwide, welcome to the daily update on compliance news. On August 4, 2023, Tom Fox, renowned as the Voice of Compliance, once again brought us thought-provoking stories on business regulation, ethics, risk management, and leadership. This edition of his series, aptly named ‘Follow Your Passion Edition,’ was released via the Compliance Podcast Network….
An esteemed tax practitioner, Cameron Blackwood, has recently left PwC to join fellow Australian law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Blackwood’s departure followed closely after PwC’s global legal boss, Tony O’Malley, stepped down ahead of his slated retirement. Blackwood, however, joined PwC only a year ago, in June 2022, following the accounting firm’s acquisition of his…
On July 26, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Justice released an essential joint compliance notice, referred to as the “Compliance Notice.” This document updates and summarizes each agency’s stance on businesses’ voluntary self-disclosure of potential violations concerning sanctions, export controls, and other national security laws. According…
Just weeks after Judge Analisa Torres’s novel securities analysis in SEC v. Ripple Labs, a different judge in the Southern District of New York has drawn a distinction between Ripple’s approach and its policy outcomes. The judge’s argument is presented within the context of another highly-public, SEC enforcement action involving digital assets. For readers desiring…
Ransomware actors are increasingly targeting smaller companies, particularly those with revenues ranging from $10 million to $50 million, according to a recent report by Kovrr, a cyber-risk quantification platform. The rationale behind this shift appears to be the smaller IT budgets and less security expertise available in such entities, rendering them easier targets. “They’re willing…
The now-famous line, “With great power comes great responsibility,” has gained new relevance in the sphere of legal technology. The increasing influence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the legal world has highlighted the need for certain guardrails to be in place to ensure safe and ethical usage. The discussion around the responsible use of…