In a significant move towards comprehensive employee rights protection, California has legislated that by January 1, 2024, most employers within the state must provide up to five days of unpaid leave to an employee experiencing a reproductive loss. This comes in pursuant to the newly passed Senate Bill 848 and represents a shift in how…
In July 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new cybersecurity rules with the aim of augmenting and standardizing disclosures pertaining to cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and incidents by public firms. This information comes as an augmentation of measures first proposed in March 2022, in response to an array of factors that have…
The profound growth and implementation of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) are undeniably reshaping numerous industries, and the legal sector is not immune to this evolution. The influence of AI on the legal field has manifested in both constructive and adverse ways, prompting a broad discourse about its present effects and future implications. As revealed by…
The era of advanced technology is upon us and we have found ourselves living in a ChatGPT, or generative AI, world for nearly a year now. This time has been hallmarked by the potential gargantuan – albeit, so far, vague – shifts in the way we do, well, everything. However, one question begs an answer:…
In a surprising turn of events, a California Court of Appeal has applied English common law to settle a dispute over a gambling debt. This landmark decision is notable as it resurfaces the debate around the historical adoption of English common law in California, a state that was never under English colonial rule. Tak Chun…
In recent years, there has been an uptick in class action lawsuits filed under various wiretapping and privacy laws. These range from the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) to the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act. Judicial decisions resulting from these cases offer valuable insights for legal professionals navigating similar issues. Fox Rothschild…
Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law will be in effect in Illinois that requires covered employers to provide their covered employees with the opportunity to pay for commuter passes on a pre-tax basis. This is according to the recently legislated Transportation Benefits Program Act (the Act). Employers that will be affected by this statutory…
In a significant move aimed at bolstering food safety, California Governor Gavin Newson recently signed into law AB-418, also known as the California Food Safety Act. The legislation endeavors to completely ban the use of four food additives, perceived as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The ban is set to come…
On August 4, 2023, Luxembourg made a significant step in tax policy implementation as it published a bill of law, often referred to as the “EU Minimum Tax Directive” or “Pillar Two Directive”. This bill aims to apply a minimum global Effective Tax Rate (ETR) of 15% for both the global activities of large multinational…
In a recent development, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer has released a report illustrating how the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s holistic approach is aiming to tackle the climate crisis, as detailed in JD Supra. The report disseminates vital information about the current trends, barriers, and gaps in Massachusetts’ climate policy, establishing several guiding principles for exhaustive governmental…
Employers across various jurisdictions are witnessing several recent changes in employment law. Given the intrinsic significance of these changes, it is crucial to understand whether they affect your operations, thereby ensuring full compliance and mitigating potential legal risks. One of the notable changes has been observed in California, compelled by S.B. 848. According to this…
Understanding the intricacies of Infant ‘Safe Haven’ Laws can help legal professionals in their daily duties, particularly when dealing with cases related to women’s health, adoption, and child protection. While certain contexts, such as the ongoing debates related to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, have highlighted these laws, it’s vital for professionals to grasp…
Converting legal professionals to embrace Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is an ongoing challenge facing many law firms and corporations. As much as technology has streamlined and simplified CRM usage, attorneys often question its real value, leading to minimal updating and uploading of contact records within these systems. ClientsFirst Consulting provides some fundamental solutions to…
In a development that may have broad implications for corporate litigation, the Delaware Court of Chancery recently evaluated a motion to dismiss a stockholder action aiming to enjoin a transaction due to the adoption of measures restricting investor’s voting and transfer rights. The relevant case, In re Edgio Stockholders Litigation, No. 2022-0624-MTZ (Del. Ch. May…
In a bid to elucidate the privacy and security risks inherent in the use of telehealth services, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two resource documents on October 18, 2023. These resources were aimed at guiding patients on potential risk mitigation strategies while using…
The burgeoning cannabis industry, despite its controversial nature, has experienced healthy growth and increased adoption in multiple states. However, this surge in industry growth further highlights the discrepancies between state and federal laws, which paint a particularly complex picture when it comes to bankruptcy protocols regarding cannabis-related businesses. At the heart of this legal quagmire…
On October 10, 2023, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) introduced a number of significant changes to the beneficial ownership reporting rules and filing requirements set out under Regulation 13D-G, promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The changes were formalized through the adoption of final rule amendments, or as they…
In what seems to be a major stride towards the future of finance, the practice of asset tokenization is increasingly being regarded as a useful, and promising application of blockchain technology. Numerous experts envisage it as a critical catalyst for the enhancement of decentralized finance and its broader applications. In essence, asset tokenization pertains to…
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a pivotal step in their commercial leasing process, publishing a notice inviting public comments on the Draft Wind Energy Area (WEA) in the Gulf of Maine. The BOEM has requested comments on several key elements of the Draft WEA, including the provision of bidding credits designed to…
One of the recent events, Master’s Conference New York delivered a day full of insightful, practical tips for everyone in the legal profession. Experts in eDiscovery, change management, and AI shared some incredibly useful advice. The Master’s Conference served as a significant meeting point for eDiscovery experts predominantly from the east coast. The following are…
The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into our daily practices have significantly changed the way we work, creating a range of legal complexities that necessitate thoughtful consideration and careful navigation. Workers and legal professionals, particularly in California and other locations with rigorous privacy legislation, are delving into the ramifications of these AI technologies in…
In the most recent October Open Meeting, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) took several significant actions, as reported by Foley Hoag LLP – Energy & Climate Counsel. The actions of note focused on the mandates involving energy storage resources and Inverter-Based Resources. FERC has accepted the ISO-NE’s proposal that now allows energy storage resources…
In 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the adoption of regulations for mobile driver’s licenses. Soon after, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began accepting mobile driver’s licenses for identification at airports. Several states promptly followed suit, offering mobile driver’s licenses through state-run apps or via Apple and Google Wallet. Most recently, the TSA…
As legal professionals, it is imperative to be aware of the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, particularly as it pertains to ethical business practices. Of particular note is the adoption of new modern slavery legislation in Canada, dubbed the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (the Act). The Act will significantly…
On October 7, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom of California brought into effect two new climate-related disclosure laws aimed at increasing the volume of publicly accessible information on businesses’ greenhouse gas emissions and related climate risks. The expansive scope of these disclosure requirements, unprecedented in the United States, will be of particular interest to large corporations…