A recent report commissioned by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has provided a comprehensive review of maternal health services within the Commonwealth state. The governor’s directives mandated the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) to assess the state of healthcare provision for mothers and potential areas for…
In a noteworthy ruling, the U.S. District Court for District of Kansas recently handled a case involving eDiscovery and personal cell phones. The court’s decision was split: granting a limited discovery request but denying others, and in the process, raising an important question about the scope of eDiscovery in today’s digital landscape. In this instance,…
The nature of litigation over standard-essential patents, or SEPs, can be viewed as a cyclical phenomenon. This cycle commonly follows the path of generational changes in technology. Instances of this pattern have been observed with 3G and 4G technology, where each respective change led to an influx of litigation focused mainly on smartphones. As we…
As a significant development in the renewable energy landscape, on November 28, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially signed Michigan’s House Bill 5120 and House Bill 5121. These amendments to the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act and Zoning Enabling Act, could potentially bring about greater efficiency in the permitting of renewable…
On November 28, 2023, it was announced that the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion is set to hold a crucial hearing. The meeting, titled “Fostering Financial Innovation: How Agencies Can Leverage Technology to Shape the Future of Financial Services,” is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2023,…
In the face of rising cybersecurity threats, significant steps are being taken by federal entities in the United States. On November 17, 2023, the United States Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office (FIO) in coordination with the Volatility and Risk Institute at the NYU Stern School of Business co-hosted a conference on Catastrophic Cyber Risk and…
The legal profession is a field that thrives on precision and preparation. Questions of law and fact require in-depth analyses — be it for daily operations, interactions with clients, or interactions with opposing parties on various legal matters. A recent article underscores the importance of this principle by emphasizing a seemingly simple, yet profound, mantra:…
On November 28, 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a limited extension of the critical deadline vital to the tech-law sector. The deadline revolves around the prioritization of Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-formatted emergency alerts. Pertinently, these regulations chiefly impact customers of equipment vendor Sage Alerting Systems (Sage). These clientele, operating as Emergency Alert System…
On November 6, 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General released a fresh compilation of compliance guidance titled General Compliance Program Guidance (GCPG) for the benefit of the healthcare compliance community and other healthcare stakeholders. This new development is in line with the OIG’s announcement made on April…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published a new report on November 15 highlighting the EPA’s top management challenges for the fiscal year 2024. The report, entitled “The EPA’s Fiscal Year 2024 Top Management Challenges”, provides a detailed insight into the main issues faced by the EPA’s top management….
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it might be easy to overlook the vitality of your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Just as you would deck the halls and trim the tree, your CRM also deserves a refresh to ensure it remains a vital and efficient tool for your business. With the…
The question of resolving mass torts remains a persistent hurdle for today’s commercial litigators. This complex challenge encompasses a variety of legal specialisms and infiltrates nearly every business sector, not just in the US, but also in the UK. Whether these mass torts involve personal injury incidents or the mis-selling of financial products, finding an…
In a recent development, key regulators have claimed that the new Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rule was designed purposefully to elevate the expectations for CRA performance. However, this may bring management woes to the banking industry, with some projecting it as a potential disaster. Thus, the new CRA rule is under scrutiny not just for…
In accordance with the announcement made on October 17, 2023, by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD), the U.S. Tanker Security Program (TSP) has reached full enrollment alongside its sister program, the Maritime Security Program (MSP). Both these initiatives play critical roles in supporting the U.S. Department of Defense during times of need….
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced the commencement of a comment period for proposed updates to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). This invitation allows stakeholders to discuss and propose suggestions on forty-six distinct topics related to the regulatory updates on hazardous materials (Hazmat) transportation. The comment period…
The National Advertising Division (NAD), the Better Business Bureau’s self-regulatory body in the advertising world, recently called out a sneaker brand for its arguably inadequate disclosure practices. According to NAD, the use of the term “Sponsored” was insufficient for consumers to distinguish between ads and editorial content in the brand’s sponsored posts on social media…
With end-of-year holidays rapidly approaching, various corporate entities brace themselves for the annual routine of festivities and celebratory gatherings. This time-honored tradition typically involves company-wide holiday parties, catered office luncheons, or the distribution of year-end bonuses and gifts. Even though these events are meant to foster camaraderie and boost the morale of employees, potential liabilities…
On November 27, 2023, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its concluding report on its review into corporations’ noticing and implementation of internal capital adequacy and risk assessment (ICARA) methodologies and reporting obligations. This comes as part of the Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR) initiative, which is intended to shift the way investment…
Regulation can often seem like a labyrinth to those attempting to bring a new product to the table in the U.S., especially within the healthy food and beverage sector. Identifying the authorities that govern one’s product and understanding their respective purview is a paramount initial step. However, this task might not always be as straightforward…
In a recent development, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has overturned a district court’s decision to certify a large-scale class action lawsuit implicating contamination of blood with PFAS/PFOA (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The class comprised an estimated 11.8 million individuals, representing all residents of Ohio. According to the court’s directive,…
Executive compensation is an area of perennial interest for corporations and law firms alike, with changing trends heavily influencing decision making in the world’s most established firms. This article, based on coverage from jdsupra.com, offers some insights into the latest shifts in this arena. As we move closer to 2024, concerns relating to end-of-the-year cash…
On October 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) put forward a proposition to modify the fiduciary rule under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). If implemented, the new rule would broaden the definition of “investment advice fiduciary”. The reformation’s scope could significantly widen to include specific one-off recommendations, while also escalating the…
In a development that continues to draw attention in the legal and corporate sectors, U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP) and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (Welsh Carson) have both reportedly filed motions to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit brought against them by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This case centers on allegations of executing a multi-year…
The Seventh Circuit in Motorola Solutions, Inc. v. Hytera Communications Corp. is slated to hear key arguments on December 5. Arguments will revolve around the application of the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) for trade secrets that are taken overseas. This case poses to be the first instance where a U.S. Court of Appeals…
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a Notice of Opportunity for Public Input on November 29, 2023. This announcement underlines the forthcoming implementation plan for the agency’s National Spectrum Strategy, an initiative outlining the national objectives for spectrum policy set by the Biden-Harris Administration. The NTIA has expressed interest in entering dialogues to…