In a recent turn of events, employers across the globe are finding themselves in a situation where they may need to revise their employment policies and handbooks. The changes are being driven by a recent decision made by an administrative agency, which is likely unfamiliar to most employers. Some context may illuminate the situation. The…
Recent actions by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signal a notable shift in the agency’s long-standing approach to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Historically known for declining to regulate manufactured goods or finished products also known as “articles” under the TSCA, the EPA seems to be departing from this norm. The institution has…
As the world continues to march forwards in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), fresh guidance has been issued by federal workplace officials clarifying the responsibilities of employers in relation to workers and applicants with vision impairments. This update signifies yet another adjustment to current legal guidelines in light of rapidly evolving AI technology. The…
On July 28, 2023, regulatory developments culminated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) releasing its long-anticipated final rule. In an attempt to address the growing bottleneck of interconnection requests across America, FERC confirmed the official introduction of reforms aimed at streamlined operations in the generator interconnection process. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP reports on…
Recently, a heightened level of focus has been designated to the legal niche of trade secrets, particularly regarding their bespoke ‘independent economic value’. This trait has long been a staple feature of what constitutes a ‘trade secret’. Simply put, for proprietary information to attain the status of a ‘trade secret’, it must articulate economic value…
The rise of generative AI in the workplace has given birth to a unique paradox. While its potential benefits are indisputable, businesses are left grappling with several critical questions – do they shy away or embrace it, and what role can it play to keep them competitive? This has elicited thought-provoking discourse, as witnessed in…
Join Nelson Mullins for the upcoming edition of FinTech University: Diversity in FinTech on September 5th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EDT as per JD Supra. Awaiting participants is a timely examination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the quickly-evolving FinTech industry. Panelists for the webinar include experienced attorneys from Nelson Mullins; Erin…
August has been a busy month in the legal landscape of the cannabis industry. One of the major highlights was the bipartisan effort in the United States Congress to address the legality and regulation of commercial hemp market. On July 20, the ‘Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act’ was reintroduced in Congress. This bill garnered…
Live Nation faces a securities class action following chaotic pre-sale events for the Taylor Swift Eras Tour. According to a complaint, the firm is alleged to have failed in maintaining a stable online ticket platform which could handle the surge in demand. This led to system crashes and sparked outcry from disappointed Swift fans who…
On August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a landmark decision in the case of Stericycle Inc. that marks a new approach in how the Board will weigh workplace policies and rules. The primary fork in this shift revolves around whether these rules infringe upon employees’ rights of engagement in collective workplace…
Amid evolving digital privacy laws worldwide, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have recently made bold moves on the frontier of data protection legislation. On August 4, 2023, they announced a petition against a decision that hampers the enforcement of the California Privacy Rights Act’s (CPRA) regulations. The petition,…
For legal professionals who are seeking to enhance their knowledge and network within their field, all eyes turn towards the upcoming Regional Compliance & Ethics Conference set for September 1st in São Paulo, Brazil. Organized by SCCE, short for the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, the event promises valuable compliance education tailored specifically for…
On August 3, 2023, the US Department of Labor (DOL) introduced a significant final rule, “Pre-enforcement Notice and Conciliation Procedures”, designed to update the procedures employed by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The new rule revolves around the issuance of pre-enforcement notices, and effectively rolls back the changes made to employment discrimination…
IVF mixups are an unfortunate reality not just in the United States, but worldwide. Such was the case when a New York couple gave birth to twins, who were not genetically related to the parents or to each other. A similar unfortunate incident was reported in India in June 2023 when a ruling found against…
Lloyd’s of London’s general counsel, who has been with the company for 27 years, is stepping down to pursue new opportunities within the Lloyd’s marketplace. As reported by Law.com, Peter Spires joined as a member of the global insurance and reinsurance provider in 1995. Over time, he added more responsibilities to his role before finally…
On December 29, 2022, President Biden added the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to the body of U.S. labor law. This milestone legislation, which demands equal treatment and fairness for pregnant employees in the workplace, compelled the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to draft and issue regulations within a year of the law’s enactment….
On August 7, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a draft guidance document, dubbed Registration and Listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products: Guidance for Industry (informally known as “The Draft Guidance”). This move reflects an intent by the agency to define its current perspectives on facility and product registration requirements, as per…
Former Hogan Lovells partner and one-time Trump legal team member, Ty Cobb, weighed in on ex-President Donald Trump’s present legal predicaments in a televised interview with CNN. A point of discussion revolved around current Trump attorney John Lauro’s First Amendment defense in connection with pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence into reversing the 2020 election outcome….
In recent years, the increasing use of data analytics in identifying fraudulent conduct within the healthcare sector has been a notable topic of interest in the legal world. Law enforcement authorities, federal agencies, and private whistleblowers are working in sync with data science practitioners to analyze extensive data sets, thereby bringing to light fraudulent practices….
In the latest episode of Talking Ag Biotech, Keith Matthews and Chris Wozniak were joined by a new guest, Kimberly Reynolds of Wiley’s International Trade Practice. The central topic of their discussion was the current U.S. Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) Genetically-Engineered (GE) corn trade dispute. This situation has come about as a result of Mexico’s decision…
Last month’s conference by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) seems to have missed its usual mark. Reflecting on the event, there was a feeling of disjointedness, less akin to the ‘unconferences’ it was likened to and more an illustration of a lack of direction and cohesion. An encounter with a fellow attendee highlighted…
Among the prominent regulatory shifts in the energy sector, one of the most noteworthy is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) recent generator interconnection process reforms. A prestigious order issued by the FERC on July 28, 2023, the reform is a response to the clear need for nationwide improvements. The rapidly changing resource mix, alongside…
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on August 7, 2023, unveiled its proposed regulations for the enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This move comes in response to the PWFA, which was enacted in 2022 and imposes requirements on employers to furnish reasonable accommodations for workers who are impacted by pregnancy, childbirth, or…
On August 1, 2023, The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board) made a significant adjustment to the standard for assessing the facial lawfulness of employer work rules. This was not merely a policy tweak, this was a 3-1 decision that overruled existing precedent. As a result, all employer work rules that reasonably could…
In an ever-changing digital environment, contemplating the intersection of law, technology, and social media becomes vital. Behaviors that seemed unthinkable just a decade ago, such as ‘witness tampering’ via social media platforms, have emerged, becoming a notable concern in the legal fraternity. The practice of witness tampering, typically involves attempting to improperly influence, intimidate, or…