The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lodged a complaint on 31st July with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against three cryptocurrency trading platforms, along with their founder. These entities are alleged to have partaken in unregistered offerings of crypto asset securities. The significant concern relates to the generated funding;…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued draft guidelines concerning the application of U.S. antitrust laws to merger investigations. This represents a significant shift in policy direction, calling into question decades of legal precedent on merger enforcement. Significantly, the draft guidelines propose an abandonment of competitive effects analyses, which…
In an unforeseen decision, the Alberta Minister of Affordability and Utilities issued an unexpected announcement on August 3, 2023. The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or Commission) received directions to halt approvals related to new renewable electricity generation projects until the end of February 2024, at the least. This directive aims to facilitate a comprehensive review…
On August 1, the Federal Reserve released its anticipated 2023 Cybersecurity and Financial System Resilience Report as required annually by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The report is part of the Fed’s continuing efforts to share information on its ongoing commitment to strengthen cybersecurity within the financial services sector. This is in addition to its…
In the complex landscape of corporate legal practice, understanding the nuances of civil procedure statutes often proves crucial. As per an article on JDSupra, the California Code of Civil Procedure provides general rules for the service of summons, outlined in Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 415.10 – 415.95. Additionally, added layers of provisions come from…
On July 10, 2023, a notable decision took place in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz granted a motion to dismiss a putative securities fraud class action lodged against a mattress and bedding company and two of its executive officers. The decision has been stirring interest…
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to infiltrate numerous sectors, including law. Legal professionals have begun leveraging advanced technology to streamline operations and deliver efficient services. However, with this development, lawyers are now faced with the dilemma of negotiating contracts for AI services. This exposure emphasizes the need to be thoroughly aware of all aspects surrounding AI…
In a recent case, United Therapeutics Corporation v. Liquidia Technologies, Inc., there was a discussion by the Federal Circuit on July 24 concerning the necessity for safety and efficacy within pharmaceutical method claims to be sufficiently enabled and backed by written description. This case was sparked when Liquidia Technologies filed a new Drug Application for…
On August 4, 2023, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB) announced plans to amend Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations. The amendment will introduce section 3396, which concerns the prevention of heat illness in indoor places of employment. This move by OSHSB is one of a number of similar initiatives…
On June 29, 2023, a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court definitively altered the landscape of affirmative action in higher education admissions. With its landmark verdict in the cases of Students for Fair Admission v. UNC and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the Supreme Court set a precedent that will undoubtedly compel colleges and…
In a significant development in the American legal landscape, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and FinCEN Final Rule are set to introduce comprehensive changes to current corporate disclosure norms. Due to take effect from 2024, these regulations will institute a pivotal shift in how ownership and control of legal entities are reported within the United…
Over the past year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s actions have indicated its increased role in health privacy enforcement. The FTC has strategically led enforcement actions, policy statements, and regulatory changes aimed at scrutinizing the misuse of consumer health data and related types of information by companies. This has positioned the FTC as one of…
In the most recent episode of “The Ethics Expert“, legal professionals receive valuable insights from some of the best minds in the field of compliance. Guests Ilse De Vocht, Director of Compliance, and Germaine Huka, Global Ethics and Compliance Business Partner (Director) from the leading biotech company Galapagos, share their experience and perspectives on pressing…
In an open dialogue on Monday, Japan’s foreign minister expressed concerns over the nature of Iran’s uranium enrichment program in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, according to an official press release issued by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministers candidly broached the topic of Iran’s “nuclear issue”, with Japan’s representative asserting the nation’s…
Proposition 65, a California law that requires businesses to provide clear and reasonable health hazard warnings about significant exposures to certain chemicals, has been a contentious issue for various quarters. Particularly in the first half of 2023, a surge in lawsuits related to violations of this law has been noted. The occurrence suggests a growing…
Despite a slight increase in demand, layoffs persist in Biglaw, prompting some firms to defer start dates for incoming associates to ease their attorney head count. Dechert, a renowned law firm that reported $1,288,692,000 gross revenue in 2022, recently declared an optional deferral program following a global reduction in force earlier this year, where it…
In a recent tale of professional growth, Michael Haas, Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins, shared his unique advice for advancement: “Lead From the Front, Not the Rear.” Having moved up within the ranks of one of the world’s top law firms, Haas’ thoughtfully constructed advice gives unique insights into the world of legal leadership….
In a significant turn of events, India’s lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha, restored the membership of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi following a Supreme Court stay of his previous defamation conviction. The reinstatement came after the apex court’s decision put his 2019 defamation conviction on hold. In the case, Gandhi, a key figure in…
As the eyes of the world focus on the indictment of former President Donald Trump, uncertainty surrounds the timing, process, and potential outcome of the impending January 6 case. The trial, which is expected to last for about three months, will examine various conspiracies associated with Trump’s alleged attempts to hold onto power post the…
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has initiated a lawsuit against Pfizer in an attempt to put a halt to their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for adults. GSK asserts that Pfizer’s vaccine, known as Abrysvo, infringes on four of their patents. The news of this lawsuit comes as we approach the RSV season, which usually kicks off in…
In a significant policy update, the Cayman Islands has issued a general license for the payment of legal fees. The Governor of the Cayman Islands introduced the license, known as GL/2023/0002, on the 14th of April, 2023. The main feature of this policy shift is its ability to allow Designated Persons to legally cover their…
In a recent decision offering insight into the interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama dismissed a TCPA complaint against a sender of fax advertisements. The case in question, Boone’s Pharmacy, Inc. v. Ezrirx, LLC, dealt with the issue of whether a phone conversation…
China is making notable strides in artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, with the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and six other Chinese government agencies jointly releasing a finalized version of the Interim Administrative Measures for Generative Artificial Intelligence Services on July 13, 2023. You can refer to the Chinese version here. The new measures are due…
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s application in terms of visually impaired individuals in employment settings is the focus of a recent technical assistance document (TAD) issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Notably, this document elucidates how ADA should be applied when encountered with situations involving job applicants or employees with visual disabilities….
Protests erupted in Belém, Brazil this past Sunday, coinciding with a Brazilian government environmental conference titled The Amazonian Dialogues. The focal point of the demonstrations were against Petrobras, the Brazilian state oil company’s proposal to begin offshore drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River. This proposed project would be in the deep waters off…