Operation Stop Scam Calls: FTC and FCC Unite to Combat Fraudulent Telemarketing

In a concerted effort to curb illegal telemarketing activities, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have partnered for a multijurisdictional campaign known as “Operation Stop Scam Calls”. This initiative underscores intensifying government strategies to cease unwanted and illegal phone calls and texts that have continued to distress consumers across various jurisdictions….

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Trump’s Twitter Woes Continue: DC Circuit Upholds Sanctions Amidst First Amendment Dispute

Donald Trump has recently been vehemently expressing his discontent concerning the DC Circuit’s latest order which upheld sanctions on Twitter for not providing his account information to Special Counsel Jack Smith quickly enough. The former President sees this as an egregious violation of his civil rights. The Circuit Court’s mandate, originating from a search warrant…

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UK Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Impact and Implications for Global Organizations

On July 11, 2023, the United Kingdom enacted the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (‘FIRS’). Embedded as part of the National Security Act of 2023, FIRS is a compliance obligation that bears strong parallels to the United States’ Foreign Agents Registration Act (‘FARA’). Although the UK and US policy frameworks have distinct intricacies, the core objective…

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Big Law Responds to DEI Scrutiny Following Affirmative Action Ruling

Employers across the United States are grappling with increased examination of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June to overturn affirmative action in university admissions. This new legal landscape has prompted several substantial law firms to form specialized teams, aiming to audit and defend employers’ actions in…

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Quantum Computing and AI: Emerging Threats to US Financial System Demanding Collaborative Action

In a recent report issued to Congress on August 1, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shed light on potential risks to the US financial system arising from the advent of quantum computing and generative artificial intelligence. The Board suggested that these emerging threats required collective actions across government sectors, as…

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National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan: Transforming Digital Security in the US

On July 13, 2023, the U.S. Government introduced the Implementation Plan for the National Cybersecurity Strategy, a follow-up to the National Cybersecurity Strategy that was released earlier in the same year. The purpose of the implementation plan is to guide federal agencies tasked with converting the objectives of the National Cybersecurity Strategy from concept into…

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Impact of UK Government’s Changes to EU Settlement Scheme on Corporate Employers

The British government has recently unveiled modifications to the EU Settlement Scheme, specifically touching upon the process for extending leave – the right to live in the United Kingdom – under this framework. The announcement signifies an important shift in the approach towards EU nationals residing in the UK, with potential repercussions for corporations that…

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Revamped Davis-Bacon Act: Decoding the DOL’s Final Rule on Prevailing Wages

In a major shift from previous regulations, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced on August 8, 2023, their final rule revising the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and Davis-Bacon Related Acts regulations. As legal professionals, government and public sector lawyers, particularly those with construction clients, should take note of these significant changes. According to PilieroMazza PLLC, these…

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PAIPA: Protecting American Intellectual Property and Addressing Legal Risks in 2022

In a push to safeguard domestic trade secrets against infringement by foreign entities, the U.S. Congress recently enacted the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2022, 35 USC § 1709 (PAIPA). This piece of legislation underscores Congress’s steadfast approach and aggressive stance on intellectual property protection. PAIPA dictates the use of sanctions, selected from a…

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Sustainable Procurement Rule: Impact on Legal Professionals and Contractual Accountability

On August 3, 2023, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council moved to clarify and streamline existing environmental regulations with a proposed “Sustainable Procurement” rule. Presented as an effort to enhance organization and lucidity within the sector’s normative landscape, the rule seeks to fundamentally rearrange FAR Part 23, transferring elements unrelated to sustainability or material safety…

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CHIPS R&D Office Receives $11 Billion Boost to Strengthen Semiconductor Industry and U.S. Technological Advancements

In a move set to pave way for innovation and create opportunities across various industrial sectors, the newly established Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Research and Development Office (CHIPS R&D Office) has received an appropriation of $11 billion. This funding is earmarked to advance research and development in semiconductor technologies, a cornerstone…

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Dentons’ Withdrawal from China: A Harbinger for Western Law Firms’ Future Operations?

In recent legal developments, Dentons – a heavyweight in the world of law firms – has ceased operations in China, triggering speculation about how other Western firms might respond to this decision. According to Kent Zimmermann, a U.S.-based principal at Zeughauser Group, Dentons’ withdrawal could herald wider trends as the stringent conditions for the practice…

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Increasing CMS Scrutiny on Hospice Sector Signals Need for Compliance and Transparency in 2024

The hospice sector is facing heightened government scrutiny, especially in 2023. As indicated by the situation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to enact further measures in 2024, primarily through surveys. This recent report elaborates on the scenario. Insights from legal professionals Meg Pekarske, Emily Solum, and Erin Burns from Husch Blackwell…

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Navigating DCO Judicial Reviews: Lessons from Recent Judgments

The subject of Development Consent Order (DCO) judicial reviews has been a point of contention for major scheme promoters, often stirring up challenges and unpredictability. For a significant project or development, acquiring a DCO can stretch across many years, involving tedious processes and extensive deliberations. As experienced legal professionals, we are all too familiar with…

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DEA Contemplates New Telemedicine Special Registration for Prescribing Controlled Substances

In a recent development concerning governmental regulations surrounding telemedicine, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has indicated its intent to contemplate a potential new Special Registration for telemedicine. The goal of this registration process would be to allow health professionals the ability to prescribe controlled substances to their patients without the necessity of an…

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EEOC’s Proposed Rulemaking to Advance Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act Aims at Comprehensive Workplace Accommodations

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Monday that, if finalized, could compel employers to adjust how they accommodate employees experiencing work-related limitations due to pregnancy or related conditions. This development is of vital importance to legal professionals working on employment law issues, particularly those advising corporations and…

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New Draft Merger Guidelines Signal Increased Scrutiny for M&A Deals

The US federal antitrust enforcement bodies have released a long-awaited draft of merger guidelines, according to JD Supra. These new draft guidelines are geared towards shaping the review process of mergers and acquisitions and embody significant changes to the existing enforcement policy. This update holds substantial implications for future Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) plans of…

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Norway’s Data Regulator Challenges Meta Over Privacy Violations and Targeted Advertising

On Tuesday, Norway’s governmental regulatory authority, Datatilsynet, revealed that Meta Platforms is seeking to contest a fine imposed on it due to user privacy rights violation. Datatilsynet subsequently advised against the use of Meta products because of potential security and confidentiality issues. They argue that Facebook, a Meta subsidiary, doesn’t adhere to the parameters defined…

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Canada Expands Sanctions on Russia, Belarus, and Ukrainian Separatists Amid Escalating Geopolitical Conflict

In an increasingly complex international landscape, the Canadian government has broadened its scope of sanctions in response to the recent events in Eastern Europe. These new measures specifically target Russia, Belarus, and the separatist territories located in Ukraine. Notably, this decision follows the Russian invasion of Ukraine in August 2023, marking another significant development in…

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