The first week of November 2023 has seen significant developments in the telehealth sector. Both state legislation and regulatory changes are making their mark on healthcare providers, digital health companies, telehealth organizations, pharmacists, and technology firms that facilitate the delivery of virtual care. A detailed analysis of these changes and their impact on the sector…
Following the Fourth Resolution of Modifications to the General Foreign Trade Rules for 2023 in Mexico, companies holding certification for Value-Added Tax (IVA) and Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) in the categories AA (Two years) and AAA (Three years) are now facing a new renewal period with a maximum span of one year….
In a world of globalized commerce, international disputes have become the norm rather than exception. Thus, it stifles no one to learn that data from the Ministry of Justice indicates 63% of cases listed in 2022 and a whopping 69% of cases presented in the first two quarters of 2023 in the Commercial Court involved…
In a recent development, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted a proposal from ISO New England Inc. (“ISO-NE”) to permit electric storage facilities to be planned and operated as transmission-only assets (“SATOAs”). This decision was made to primarily address system needs identified during the regional system planning process. FERC’s ruling acknowledges the growing…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, titled, “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees,” has seen closure on November 7, 2023, with over 33,000 submissions recorded from engaged stakeholders. The task at hand for the Department now lies in reviewing…
Veolia North America, known commonly as VNA, recently publicized the implementation of a solar energy system at its Gum Springs hazardous waste treatment facility, situated in Arkansas. As reported on JD Supra, the announcement was made in a November 7th news release. The renewable energy modification demonstrates a responsible and forward-thinking approach to energy consumption,…
The rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence (AI) has implications across sectors and industries, and the legal profession is no exception. Mastering the utilization of powerful generative AI technologies can provide substantial benefits to legal professionals. With these technologies, the potential to improve the practice of law, and increase the quality and accessibility of legal…
In a significant regulatory move, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) announced on November 7, 2023, that it is preparing to extend its supervisory authority over larger nonbanks that offer digital consumer payment applications. This change implies that digital payment platforms—popularly categorized as peer-to-peer (“P2P”) payment apps and digital wallets—will be subject to closer scrutiny…
In light of the advancements in technology it seems natural to look for its aid in the legal profession. One such advancement is by Fulcrum GT, a technology firm who have launched a product called RAPIDx. This was made with one goal in mind, simplifying the process of hiring outside counsel. Imagine combining the business…
On October 19, 2023, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took a significant stride towards implementing an extensive consumer financial data portability rule. The new rule is proposed under Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Financial Protection Act. This rule’s aim is to provide consumers with ease in porting their banking…
In a landmark move that could have widespread implications for the energy storage sector, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit has disavowed the Town of Mansfield’s restriction on battery energy storage systems. In a letter dated September 19, 2023, the state’s chief legal officer effectively nullified the town’s limitation on these systems, imposed under…
On October 19, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a significant directive, charting new waters in the energy infrastructure landscape. With a directive aimed at the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC), FERC required the development or modification of reliability standards concerning inverter-based resources (IBRs), which include solar photovoltaic, wind, fuel cell, and battery…
In an effort to solidify the European Union’s position as a leading market for sustainable finance, the European Commission has adopted the EU Green Bond Standard (EU GBS). This new standard is anticipated to serve as the ‘gold standard’ for green bonds around the globe. The Commission’s latest move is part of its Sustainable Finance…
The International Criminal Police Organization—better known as INTERPOL—is gearing up for its upcoming General Assembly in Vienna, Austria. The choice of location is steeped in history, marking INTERPOL’s centennial year. The city was the birthplace of this critical global law enforcement organization. The General Assembly occupies an eminent position in INTERPOL’s annual calendar, drawing in…
Responding to HM Treasury’s policy update in October 2023 regarding stablecoin regulation, both the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have released discussion papers that delve into the specifics of the envisaged regulatory frameworks for stablecoins when utilized as payment methods. Notably, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England…
On November 7, 2023, the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) instigated a Whistleblower Program (BC Policy 15-604) that offers financial awards for tips that result in effective enforcement. The new policy promises to reward contributors to the program with financial incentives ranging from C$1,000 to C$250,000. This revelatory program represents a key milestone for corporate…
In a recent development, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a noteworthy policy statement regarding abusive acts and practices under the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). The statement provides a framework for discerning what qualifies as abusive conduct under the CFPA. This podcast episode from Ballard Spahr LLP thoroughly explores and examines this latest…
Today, we delve into the increasingly relevant realm of cloud services within the life sciences industry, a narrative that has long caught the attention of legal professionals worldwide. Notably, an article published by leading legal research site JD Supra focuses on the concept that life sciences regulators need to formulate specific guidances for cloud usage….
Artificial intelligence (AI) is continuing its permeation into various industries, with the legal sector not exempted. Particularly, generative AI is finding its foothold, shaping what can be described as the future of AI in the legal industry. Generative AI refers to forms of artificial intelligence that can create high-quality content from scratch, such as writing…
In what might come as a surprise to many, only 15 percent of lawyers are reported to be currently utilizing generative AI in their work. However, according to Wolters Kluwer’s 2023 edition of its Future Ready Lawyer Report, this trend is set for a considerable shift in the near future, with a large majority of…
On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a significant measure providing renewed flexibility for healthcare systems dealing with large caseloads due to the continued impact of the pandemic. The announcement revealed that CMS has extended virtual direct supervision provisions through December 31, 2024. This extension permits practitioners to carry out…
Legal professionals should be aware of a significant move by the U.S. Treasury Department, which has recently started to confront the practice of Convertible Virtual Currency (CVC) mixing. A widespread practice in the cryptographic currency arena, this operation on the radar of regulatory authorities worldwide has major implications spanning the entire financial sphere. CVC mixing,…
In an ever-competitive legal landscape, one realm that deserves unwavering attention is the appropriate utilization of marketing and business development technology. Today, top global law firms have recognized these tools, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and marketing automation, as indispensable resources for streamlining operations and fostering client engagement. Evidently, these technologies present a strategic…
UAE-based law firm Al Tamimi & Co. is one of the first in the region to adopt Harvey, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions specifically for the legal sector. This strategic partnership aims to augment the firm’s legal processes with Harvey’s state-of-the-art AI capabilities. Harvey, backed by noteworthy entities such as the OpenAI Startup…
In the latest episode on the path to outcomes-based regulation in the modern legal environment, Matt Van Buskirk, co-founder of Hummingbird Regtech, sat down with RegFi hosts Jerry Buckley and Sherry Safchuk, for an illuminating discussion. According to the conversation on JDSupra, the discussion gravitated towards addressing the crucial need for regulators and in-house compliance…