The UK Government commenced a novel scheme of accommodating asylum seekers on a residential barge situated in Portland this week. The initiation of this unconventional measure marks the government’s intention to progressively increase the number of asylum seekers lodged on such similar provision over the ensuing months. The barge christened ‘Bibby Stockholm’ was initially boarded…
Recently, Hospitality Staffing Solutions LLC (“HSS”) placed a notice of data breach at the Attorney General of Maine’s doorstep, following the discovery of unauthorized access to the company’s computer network. This announcement was made on August 1, 2023, but the impact of the data breach already seems significant. According to reports, the security breach was…
Over the past few years, we have seen a progressive trend in the legislation related to the use of recreational marijuana across various United States jurisdictions. Of particular interest is California Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2188, which officially, and for the first time, provides protections for users of recreational marijuana within the employment context. This groundbreaking…
On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)’s return to older, more stringent policies intended to govern workplace rules commenced, a move that took many by surprise. This noteworthy shift is another example of the Board’s departure from numerous decisions made during the Trump administration. The defining turn which fostered these alterations…
In a significant turn of events, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed into law Public Act 103-0311, previously titled HB 2447, implementing new amendments to the Open Meetings Act (OMA). These modifications will become effective starting from July 28, 2023. The changes focus on two primary provisions within the OMA, introducing flexibility concerning remote attendance and the…
In a recent ruling, the Seventh Circuit upheld the conviction of a Southern Illinois University math professor tied up in charges related to false tax returns and breach of foreign bank reporting regulations. The court decision reaffirms his sentence, which has resulted from him concealing an undisclosed Chinese bank account. Law360 reports that the provost…
The compliance date for the Corporate Transparency Act (“the Act”), adopted in 2021, is fast drawing near. Despite the delay in its implementation brought by the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) establishing regulations, businesses have been keenly alert, with preparations in motion to meet the requirements of the Act. As outlined by…
In continuing with their expansion plans on the West Coast, Duane Morris LLP recently announced a new addition to their team. They are adding a seasoned white-collar lawyer and Intellectual Property (IP) attorney to their San Francisco team, reinforcing their litigation capability in the region. The attorney, formerly associated with DLA Piper, is set to…
In an era where most vacationers are looking for an adrenaline rush, extreme tourism is becoming increasingly common. The quest for extreme adventures, however, begs the question of limitations on liability regarding potential injuries or accidents that may occur during these activities. In a thought-provoking piece by Jonathan H. Freiberger, he brought to light the…
The Israeli government’s proposed overhaul of the country’s judicial system is reportedly causing unease within the nation’s legal community. Lawyers and legal experts are preparing themselves for the potential implications of these changes on the practice of law, and the broader reputational impact on the nation’s stability and transparency. Although it is currently unclear if…
In a recent legal development pertaining to distributor relationships, the Ninth Circuit has made a significant ruling. The court has permitted suppliers and manufacturers in Washington to contractually agree on termination of distributor relationship without cause, and also puts a limit to remedies for such termination. Details of this ruling emerge from the case of…
As legal professionals, we often look to regulatory commissions for changes that impact our work. Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) caught our attention with Order No. 2023. This order, issued on July 28, 2023, requires all public utility transmission providers to adopt reforms to FERC’s pro forma generator interconnection procedures and agreements. The…
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has temporarily suspended new applications for the 8(a) Business Development Program, in response to a recent decision from the District Court for Eastern District of Tennessee. This temporary halt enables the SBA to revise the application questionnaire, which many view as a prudent move in the aftermath of the court’s…
In a setback for employers, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), has adopted a new legal standard for evaluating the legality of facially neutral policies, handbook provisions, and employment rules. Under the new framework, items that don’t explicitly restrict an employee’s National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) rights may still be deemed illegal under Section 8(a)(1)…
The global commerce and investment landscape has endured significant alterations over the past decades. Undoubtedly, one sector being tremendously impacted is the commercial real estate (CRE) industry. Accumulating considerable benefits from prevalent favorable financing conditions, the CRE industry found itself uniquely equipped to cope with the tumultuous aftermath of the Great Recession. The ocean of…
The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) recently published its Quarter 2 Short-Term Assessment of Reliability (STAR) report on July 14, 2023, which raised concerns about potential electricity supply shortfalls in New York City beginning in the summer of 2025. The report has profound implications for law firms and corporations around the city and presents…
Attention, legal professionals. A recent final rule from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), put into action July 24, 2023, has significant implications for corporate entities and individuals registered to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. As reported by Foley & Lardner LLP on JD Supra, the key change is in the submission requirements for the…
The American Bar Association (ABA) has begun a new era under the leadership of president-elect, Thompson Coburn LLP partner, Bill Bay. During his early tenure, Bay has made it his mission to transform the ABA into a more inclusive and welcoming institution for all lawyers. This transformation, he believes, is a necessary step towards growth…
The state of New York has recently adopted new regulations targeting the prohibition of corporal punishment, aversive interventions, prone restraint, and seclusion. By implementing these new laws and regulations, it’s clear that the state is striving to establish sound principles for the physical interaction with students with disabilities within educational systems. Corporal punishment has been…
On August 4, 2023, a significant legal change occurred in Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that greatly modifies the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act—also known as “the Act”—effective from July 1, 2023. As provided in HB 2862, the amendment enhances equal pay rights and introduces new safety and training…
India is embarking on a journey to enhance its mining operations, focusing specifically on lithium and five other critical minerals. This follows the recent passing of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 (“Amendment Bill”) by the Indian Parliament, a move that seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)…
As the professional world gears up to reconcile remote work protocols with a return to on-site operations, law firms are especially confronted with the challenge of preserving the fundamental aspects of associate development integral to their trade. The law industry, renowned for its reliance on the practical training and experiential learning offered by the apprenticeship…
In a significant move by the Israeli legislative body, new enrollees in managers’ insurance plans are facing potential restrictions. The changes, given clearance by the Knesset Finance Committee, see an amendment made to the existing regulations, setting new guidelines for the insurance sector. According to a report by JDSupra, the changes are set to take…
Former Fisher Phillips partner Claud Lee “Tex” McIver III is once again seeking a bond from an Atlanta judge ahead of a retrial slated for October, over allegations concerning the fatal shooting of his wife. According to McIver, he has now procured a local apartment for living arrangements. Fisher Phillips, an internationally recognized law firm,…
As law firms worldwide try to frame return-to-work strategies encompassing flexible working models, the significance of in-office engagement in the development of associate skills often seems to get overlooked. A typical characteristic of law firms, more than most other professional services firms, is their strong fidelity to the apprenticeship model for career development. In this…