In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and subsequent widespread protests against racial inequity in 2020, corporations have been confronting intensifying stakeholder pressure to take substantive action on diversity issues. This has often manifested in bolstering or implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. For many companies, their commitment to racial justice has involved establishing…
The U.S. Copyright Office is soliciting comments concerning copyright law issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) systems, as mentioned in the 88 Fed. Reg. 59942 (Aug. 30, 2023). Lawyers, general counsels, and legal teams worldwide are invited to provide their insights into the complexities of how copyright law intersects with the increasingly prevalent field of…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has unveiled the Making Care Primary (MCP) model as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle inefficiencies in primary care. Optimizing and modernizing healthcare delivery is at the heart of this initiative, and CMS has invited qualified primary care providers to participate. Details outlining eligibility criteria and…
A recent study published by Pew Research Center indicates that public discomfort with artificial intelligence tech continues to be a significant barrier for businesses aiming to integrate this technology into their operations. Therefore, it is crucial that legal professionals develop and implement best practices encouraging responsible AI use within their organizations, as suggested by Stephanie…
Addressing the needs of attorneys while implementing and managing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is vital for today’s modern law firms. Finding the right balance can often be challenging, transforming a tool meant to ease workflow into a cumbersome software package. There are four key strategies to effectively align your CRM with attorney needs and…
As witnessed recently, artificial intelligence (AI) use has seen an unprecedented increase amidst corporate circles. With the advent of AI tools and techniques like generative AI, organizations now have a robust new set of resources to leverage for a multitude of tasks and services. At the same time, this expansion has brought about a new…
As many companies seek to navigate the transition to low-carbon operations, Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) projects are emerging as an essential strategy. However, the development of these initiatives appears to be stuck, largely due to ongoing delays from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in issuing permits for CCS projects [JDSupra]. The problem is…
In a notable development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed new accessibility rules for government websites and applications, as well as for third-party vendors working with them. This proposal, if adopted, signifies a considerable shift towards inclusivity and sets a standard for all online interactions with government entities. The new proposal aims to have…
On August 23, 2023, in a move that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims will bring greater “transparency” to the functioning of private funds, the SEC adopted a swath of reforms for private fund managers. This adoption signifies an attempt to mitigate potential conflicts of interest and restrict or necessitate the disclosure of preferential…
The legal sector’s rapid adoption of flexible workplace policies, such as remote working, seems to be reversing. Previously, a growing number of law firms were seen to be fully and permanently embracing work-from-home strategies. However, the interpretation of hybrid work arrangements is evolving from “office optional” to a requirement of spending two days, and in…
The UN Human Rights Office has recently released a report focusing on reparations for people of African descent in response to the lasting impacts of slavery and colonialism. In its multi-tiered approach to address these historical legacies, the UN discussed the potential for providing monetary reparations to descendants of enslaved and colonized individuals. The report…
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are becoming increasingly important for investment decisions worldwide. Recognizing this shift, many countries are rolling out specific tax incentives to boost ESG-oriented practices. These tax incentives aim to encourage the more widespread adoption of environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and governance-related goals. As highlighted in a recent report by Ius…
Recently, Colombia’s Congress ratified Law No. 2327, which stands as a pivotal step towards the country’s commitment to environmental preservation and safeguarding. This law serves to establish a clear definition of environmental liabilities and outlines comprehensive directives for their management. The law was sanctioned on September 13, 2023, as highlighted by leading international law firm…
In a significant development, Virginia’s Fairfax County ‘Parking Reimagined’ project has taken a substantial step towards adoption following a favorable recommendation from the Fairfax County Planning Commission. On September 13, 2023, the Commission released a vote suggesting approval to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. This recommendation appears to endorse a progressive redesigning of the…
In today’s dynamic business landscape, effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems have become indispensible tools for organizations seeking substantial growth. While the benefits and potential offered by CRM systems are immense, measuring the real impact of their implementation often poses a challenge for numerous establishments. As such, understanding and applying tailored strategies for evaluating CRM…
A key upcoming event garnering attention within the legal field is the webinar titled “Managing Discovery in Arbitration,” slated for October 5th, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm PDT. This one-hour webinar hosted by Sky Discovery, in partnership with the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) UK Chapter and ACEDS ANZ Chapter, promises an insight-packed…
In an upcoming webinar on September 28th, industry experts will delve into the complex intersection of artificial intelligence, specifically large language models (LLMs) like GPT, and the law. As digital transformation spreads across every industry, legal professionals are considering using AI and LLMs for a variety of tasks, including document review, legal research and even…
British firm Macfarlanes has recently joined the roster of law firms adopting Harvey AI. This emerging trend among law companies marks a shift towards harnessing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to streamline their operations and services. To date, Allen & Overy and four additional firms have rolled out or started piloting the Harvey AI platform. These…
In recent news, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is persisting in its drive against the crypto industry as it delivers its second-ever settlement of a non-fungible token (NFT) enforcement action. The SEC settled with Stoner Cats 2 LLC (SC2), a firm that planned to fund an animated web series about cats who come into…
On Monday, September 18, 2023, the Court of Appeals of Georgia issued an intriguing ruling in the case of Smith v. Smith, centered around a divorcing couple’s dispute over a single viable embryo conceived through fertility treatment. This marked an issue of first impression in Georgia where the court mirrored the approach many courts around…
In a landmark development, the California Court has chosen to adopt the Caremark Standard for oversight claims. This decision outlines the standard for plaintiffs presenting derivative claims based on an alleged failure of supervision by directors and officers of Californian companies. The decision has significant implications for legal professionals within large corporations and law firms…
The Harvard Law AI Summit, a private event held by the Library Innovation Lab at Harvard Law School, sparked compelling discussions on the implications and challenges of generative AI in law areas. The key takeaways underscore the mounting recognition of the importance, and yet the complexity, of the role AI is set to play in…
San Francisco’s intersection of SOMA, Potrero Hill, and Showplace Square districts mark the location of a unique structure that’s been gaining attention from legal professionals and industry experts alike. 1 De Haro, a 134,000-square-foot, 4-story office and light industrial project, serves as a real-world case study in the mass timber construction trend that’s impacting the…
California has recently updated its non-compete laws, following the adoption of similar new legislation in both New York and by the Federal Trade Commission. This news comes after strong movements against non-competition clauses, which have been considered limiting for employees seeking opportunities outside their current workplace. California’s Governor Newsom has signed an amendment, known as…
In a significant shift from precedent, the Fourth Circuit Court now permits the awarding of attorney’s fees for some preliminary injunctions. In the past, this court held firm that plaintiffs securing a preliminary injunction were not considered “prevailing parties” for the purpose of recovering these fees. As such, this ruling opens a new avenue in…