Amnesty Report Condemns Canadian Government’s Treatment of Indigenous Pipeline Protestors

Amnesty International, a global human rights advocacy group, recently published a report critiquing the Canadian government’s oversight of interactions between law enforcement agencies and indigenous Wet’suwet’en protestors engaged in demonstrating against the Coastal GasLink pipeline project. In their report, Amnesty alleges that the Canadian government, through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and a private…

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$17.6 Million Verdict in Monmouth County: Drug-Impaired Trucker’s Multi-Vehicle Crash Results in Record-Breaking Judgment

A jury in Monmouth County has levied a $17.6 million verdict in favor of a man severely injured in a multi-vehicle accident involving a drug-impaired 18-wheeler driver. The record-breaking judgement includes $6.5 million in compensatory damages and a further $11.15 million in punitive damages. This final judgement follows a separate $6.85 million settlement last year…

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Addressing the AI Policy Gap: Simplifying Strategy for Legal and Corporate Governance

The evolution of AI technologies continues to pose unique challenges for legal teams within corporations. Despite a surge in AI deployment, surprisingly few companies have established robust guidelines for its use. The Society for Corporate Governance’s 2023 Board Practices Report revealed that a mere 13% of 97 public companies examined possess an AI use framework,…

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CFPB Approves Pilot Program for Construction Loan Disclosures: A Shift in Regulatory Landscape

In a step signalling change, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) gave green light to a pilot program addressing construction loans. This approval followed an application submitted by a community banking trade organization indicating a significant shift in the existing regulatory landscape. The application, prepared under the CFPB’s trial policy programs that fall under Section…

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NLRB’s Cemex Decision: A Major Shift in US Labor Relations and Union Recognition

Legal professionals around the globe whose work pertains to labor-relations should be aware of the implications of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent decision in the Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC case. This decision, issued late last month, signified a significant move by the current NLRB leadership to stem the tide of diminishing union…

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Fifth Circuit Ruling Denies Cajun Industries’ Research Tax Credit Claim, Impacting Future Corporate Filings

In a recent ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled against Cajun Industries LLC in a case concerning its claim for research credit under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 41. The case, United States v. Grigsby, Docket No. 22-30764, has far-reaching implications for companies attempting to claim tax credit for…

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DBE Program Lawsuit: The Future of Race and Gender-Based Policies in Business after SFFA

In the context of the U.S. Supreme Court’s precedent-setting verdict in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181 (2023) (SFFA), which curtailed the extent of race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions, a consequential federal lawsuit has now been leveled in the Eastern District of Kentucky. This…

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UAE’s Push for Green Real Estate: Overcoming Challenges and Incentivizing Sustainable Construction

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is spearheading a movement toward sustainability in the Middle East, incorporating eco-friendly standards into the realms of construction and real estate. However, as outlined by professionals Ian Bevan and Ejiro Otu of the multinational law firm Allen & Overy LLP, there are still steps to be taken to further incentivise…

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CFPB Approves ICBA’s Application for Alternative Disclosures on Construction-to-Permanent Loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently approved an application from the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA) for alternative disclosures under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA)/Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule for construction-to-permanent loans. This approval is specifically for a Trial Disclosure Program Waiver Template (TDP Waiver Template). However, it’s…

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Landmark Ruling in Cunningham v. Cornell University Clarifies ERISA Prohibited Transaction Pleading Standards

The Second Circuit, through its landmark decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University, has taken significant strides in clarifying the pleading standards for ERISA prohibited transaction claims. This conclusion came after years of courts wrestling with establishing an appropriate standard. The matter, as per the perceived legal consensus, was becoming an urgent one, given that too…

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FinCEN and IRS CI Tackle COVID-19 Employee Retention Credit Fraud

On November 22, 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation (CI) division regarding the ongoing issue of COVID-19 Employee Retention Credit (ERC) fraud. This information, as detailed by legal news platform JDSupra, reveals FinCEN’s ongoing efforts to tackle fraud schemes that have…

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Navigating Pitfalls in Major Construction Projects: Risk Mitigation for Corporations and Law Firms

Delivering major construction projects, as many corporations and law firms are well aware, presents its own unique set of challenges. These can range from the financial, exploratory, labour or operational aspects and affect the overall trajectory and success of the project. The state of the global climate has only amplified these challenges, spurring an increase…

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Constructive Acceleration and Delays: Navigating Flow-Down Provisions in Federal Construction Projects

The realm of construction law often involves complex intersections between legal regulations and business practices. One such area is the treatment of constructive acceleration and delays on federal projects. The regulatory framework for this field is governed primarily by the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). These rules outline the management of claims against the government for…

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Novo Nordisk Pledges €2.1 Billion to Expand French Facility Amid Rising Global Metabolic Drug Demand

Demand for metabolic disorder drugs from Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, has far surpassed the supply, resulting in product shortages. In response to this, the company is planning a significant expansion of an existing production site. A recent investment announcement from Novo Nordisk indicates a sum of more than 16 billion Danish Kroner (approximately…

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