In a bid to address relevant environmental issues, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed amendments to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations on July 28, 2023. These alterations concern the strategies federal agencies utilize when assessing the environmental impacts of federal projects of significant scale. JD Supra reports on this matter. The changes…
With the rise of the legal cannabis industry, businesses seeking to out-perform their competition are investing time and money into perfecting their grow processes or creating unique cannabis extracts. These competitive advantages are investments that businesses need to protect. At the heart of this protection lie the trade secrets that give these companies an edge…
In the continually emerging and intricate field of legal updates, it remains crucial for legal professionals to stay abreast with the most recent significant rulings. As such, we bring to you a procedural summary of specific notable decisions primarily in the food and consumer packaged goods industries for the month of August 2023. First amongst…
Legal matters revolving around E. Jean Carroll, author and plaintiff in a defamation trial against former President Donald Trump, continue to intensify. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan of Kaplan Hecker & Fink, recently called a Manhattan federal judge to grant summary judgment on the merits in anticipation of the trial, relying on the argument that “no…
Healthcare organizations today often grapple with a significant snafu of the digital age: online reviews. These public testimonials, for better or for worse, have a massive influence on a healthcare organization’s reputation. Even a small number of dissatisfied patients can cause substantial harm with negative comments posted on social media and customer review platforms like…
The United States Sugar Corp. may have ended its nearly $10 million legal battle against a proposed class action over toxic emissions from pre-harvest sugarcane burns, but the financial fallout is far from over. After seeking recoupment from its insurer for all incurred expenses related to the suits, a federal judge in Florida has ruled…
Legal professionals worldwide, particularly those working within educational institutions, need to be aware of the latest amendments and introductions to legislation that directly affect their operations. One such significant law is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which went into effect on June 27, 2023. This recent legislation has a direct bearing on how schools, as…
While artificial intelligence (AI) may be a fairly recent addition to tech stacks generally, M&A lawyers are quite accustomed to this form of technology. Having been incorporated into their utilities for some time, near about a decade now, AI is not a newcomer in the world of mergers and acquisitions law. The increase of AI…
Automakers are eager to capitalize on consumer data gathered from internet-connected vehicles, but privacy watchdogs are urging for more scrutiny before this potential source of revenue becomes too difficult to regulate. The Enforcement Division of the California Consumer Privacy Protection Agency (CCPPA) announced this week it would review the data privacy practices of connected-vehicle (CV)…
In a bid to offer essential clarification and guidance, representatives from the Copyright Office revealed insights during a June 2023 webinar regarding the registration process for works that include material generated through artificial intelligence (AI). These clarifications arrive following the office’s initial guidance shared in March 2023 concerning “Works Containing Material Generated by Artificial Intelligence”….
In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it can be easy to lose sight of the ongoing legal challenges to federal programs that have far-reaching implications for major corporations and law firms. These challenges cover a wide range of areas: from tribal gaming support, and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) program, to…
The patent infringement case against biotechnology firm Pacific Biosciences of California Inc. has been moved from a Delaware federal court to California. According to the judgement, there were insufficient reasons to support maintaining the case proceedings in Delaware. Pacific Biosciences of California Inc., commonly known as PacBio, is a biotechnology company that’s profusely involved in…
Sean Edgett, Twitter’s former general counsel, has taken up the reins as the first chief legal officer at Upside Foods, a pioneering firm in lab-cultivated meat. Known for crafting “no kill” meat products, the Berkeley, California tech-unicorn specializes in producing only the edible parts of livestock – chickens, pigs, and cows. The appointment coincides with…
In a recent opinion piece, renowned legal scholar David Levitt argues that the disclosure of third-party litigation funding should be made mandatory across all cases. This call to action comes on the back of the Appellate Rules Committee’s decision to defer the issue. Third-party litigation funding, wherein a third party unconnected to the lawsuit provides…
Portland’s geographical advantage due to its proximity to Vancouver, Washington is both a boon and a bane for builders, according to panelists at a recent virtual Builder Breakfast event. This event, organized by the Daily Journal of Commerce, witnessed insurance, tax, and legal experts impart critical knowledge on what all contractors need to consider when…
In a move that’s poised to greatly affect the design, production, and waste management sectors of the battery industry across the European Union, the new EU batteries regulation is set to instate enhanced sustainability, recycling, and safety requirements. This development is of critical importance to all our esteemed readers who are engaged in legal advisories…
In response to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced an alternative verification procedure for the Form I-9, which businesses use to verify an employee’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. In addition, a new edition of the Form I-9 itself has been released. As…
In a recent ruling that has sent ripples across the UK’s litigation funding industry, the UK Supreme Court declared that a large number of litigation funding agreements are in fact damages-based agreements (DBAs), and hence, are subject to comply with the relevant regulations. This ruling has caused concern among funders as they scramble to reassess…
Well-known as the former lawyer of an ex-president, Rudy Giuliani, or as some refer to him, “Co-Conspirator 1,” has thus far evaded any criminal indictments. However, Giuliani managed to envelop himself in a series of civil lawsuits, ranging from election interference to his personal behaviour. Giuliani is currently facing a $10 million lawsuit filed by…
In a significant decision made on 26 July 2023, the UK Supreme Court has made its stand clear on Litigation Funding Agreements (LFAs), holding them to be “damages-based agreements” (DBAs) under section 58AA of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. The case, R (on the application of PACCAR Inc and others) v Competition Appeal…
In recent legal news, a former longtime paralegal at the New York City office of law firm Cozen O’Connor has taken legal action against the firm and one of its distinguished trial lawyers. It has been alleged that her work under the influential partner led to severe deterioration of her mental and physical health according…
In a recent development in the financial industry, Mastercard’s warning and track-and-trace lawsuit has been revived. Without revealing further details at this stage, this development indicates potential implications across the board, particularly in the financial services and payment process sectors. Legal professionals and other stakeholders are awaiting further updates with bated breath. This comes amid…
Joe Dunn, former executive director for the State Bar of California, seeks to put an end to the ongoing contentious disciplinary case against him. As reported on Law360, Dunn contends that the case should be dismissed based on a recent ruling by a State Bar Court appellate panel. This panel had previously dismissed several charges…
In recent times, a common headache for consumers worldwide has been the auto-renewal systems implemented by various companies – you sign up for a free trial or an annual subscription, forget to cancel, and suddenly you’re billed heavily for a service you didn’t wish to continue. This unfortunate circumstance is not uncommon. The Better Business…
Jack Smith, the appointed special counsel leading one of the most significant indictments against the former President, Donald Trump, brings along a wealth of experience from his long service as a federal prosecutor. However, it’s worth noting that many members of his legal team have significant backgrounds in some of the most prestigious large law…