The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a draft guidance document on the registration and listing of cosmetic product facilities and products, as part of the implementation process for the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). This action marks a significant shift in FDA’s oversight of the cosmetics industry, introducing new standards…
The legal realm is constantly abuzz with ongoing cases, legislative reviews, controversies and the invaluable interpretations of the Supreme Court. Just as reliably, there’s the attentive diligence of organizations like the SCOTUSblog, committed to presenting daily rundowns of some of the most pressing legal matters hitting our headlines. On Wednesday, August 30th, their coverage notably…
Professionals working in the legal sector of large corporations and multinational law firms should be conversant with the impacts of inefficient plan design on their organizations. This is particularly important when initiating procedures aimed at improving performance and reducing costs. In a recent article penned by Ary Rosenbaum of The Rosenbaum Law Firm P.C, the…
In a significant development on August 18, 2023, the International Trade Administration (“ITA”) of the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final “country-wide” circumvention determination surrounding the imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing import duties on certain solar cells and modules originating from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand. This ruling escalates the conversation on circumvention, a…
The nature of client entertainment at law firms is evolving, reflecting the wide-ranging changes within the industry itself. Keeping abreast with these developments can hold the key to understanding the shifting dynamics of the legal profession. Since the advent of the internet, traditional client entertainment strategies, such as off-site dinners, cocktail receptions and golf outings,…
In a fascinating shift towards proactive engagement, law firms are increasingly required to move beyond the traditional practice of owning merely a functional digital presence. Modern clients expect much more. They, now, demand bespoke, continually refreshed content that addresses topics germane to their industries. As discussed in a recent episode of the CMO Series Podcast,…
In a significant development for organized labor, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has simplified the path to unionization, allowing unions to represent workers without necessitating a formal representation vote. The decision was handed down by the NLRB, led by its Democratic majority. As stated in the judgement, the case in question involved Cemex Construction…
In the year 2023, the ever-rising focus on “Environmental, Social, and Governance” (ESG) and sustainability topics has evidently dominated the headlines. According to a recent update from Clark Hill’s Automotive & Manufacturing Industry Outlook, the attention of various stakeholders remains firmly rooted in these areas. Considering the escalating frequency with which the term “ESG” appears…
On Tuesday, an adversary lawsuit filed by the Girardi Keese bankruptcy trustee was dismissed by a California bankruptcy judge. The lawsuit aimed to reclaim $2.8 million, alleged to have been disbursed to BizJet, an aircraft maintenance company. The suit alleges these payments were part of the disgraced law firm’s fraudulent scheme to dupe creditors. Despite…
Law.com International recently undertook a comprehensive review of a vast array of submissions from leading law firms across Asia. Their objective was to compile Law.com’s inaugural list of Asia Rising Stars within the private equity field. Although the pool of contenders was impressively vast, the list has been meticulously whittled down to the top ten….
In a recent decision that has captured the attention of legal professionals, a federal judge in Maryland has upheld a nearly $9 million verdict in favor of plaintiff Alia Salem Al-Sabah against defendant Jean Agbodjogbe. The judge dismissed allegations by Agbodjogbe that his attorney had a conflict of interest, declaring such allegations insufficient to demonstrate…
In a significant decision regarding employment law, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals expanded Title VII coverage through its ruling on the Hamilton, et al. v. Dallas County case on August 18, 2023. This decision constitutes a reversal of a nearly 30-year old line of precedent. Previously, actionable employment actions under Title VII were constrained…
The Melbourne law firm Arnold Block Leibler, despite its smaller size of just 43 partners and 150 lawyers, holds significant sway in the legal landscape. This is evidenced by its recently held 70th-anniversary celebration, which played host to a notably influential guest list. An assortment of individuals from across government, politics and corporate Australia were…
In a move that seemingly carves out fresh terrain in the field of telecommunication law, the Eleventh Circuit, via an unpublished per curiam opinion, established the stance that a mere receipt of an unwanted text is ample ground to forward a claim under the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act (“FTSA,” Fla. Stat. § 501.059). The case…
The impending amendments to the Federal Rule of Evidence 702 has created a buzz in the legal fraternity even before its official implementation. Interestingly, courts are already citing them, indicating an assertive shift in judicial trends. These amendments, assigned by the Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules, call for more rigorous gatekeeping for expert opinions in…
A tumultuous episode has unfolded in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as the Chief Justice has accused fellow justices of a coup. The contention appears to be more about frustration over electoral outcomes rather than constitutional concerns. Yet, this indicative behavior reveals a concerning reality about our judicial institutions, becoming a stage for what can be…
In a significant turning point for US labor law, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a key decision allowing unions to secure recognition without the previously mandatory formal representation election. The ruling came down on August 25 in the case of Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC. As outlined in this JD Supra article,…
The arrest of former Gibson Dunn & Crutcher visiting lawyer, Romero Cabral Da Costa Neto, has shed light on Big Law’s ‘visiting attorney’ arrangements and the vetting processes involved. Costa Neto, previously a visiting attorney from noteworthy Brazilian firm Mattos Filho, was charged with insider trading for allegedly accessing internal law files through Gibson Dunn’s…
In a significant shift in labor law, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a ruling on August 25, 2023, that drastically reduces options for employers when challenging union organizing campaigns through secret ballot elections. This verdict, released in the case of Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC, effectively overturns the NLRB’s 1971 decision in…
On August 23, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took a new stance on private fund advising by implementing revised regulations and amendments under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This decision follows the original proposal submitted in February 2022 with considerable modifications. Despite the softening from the initial version, the enacted regulations…
In response to evolving expectations and needs in the legal field, firms are shifting their focus beyond the traditional lure of compensation. With the catalyst being the pandemic, law firms are now grappling with novel demands for quality of life and a positive firm culture. This transformation is being spearheaded by attorneys, staff and clients…
In a recent court case, the unpaid leave was ruled to be an appropriate accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), even though it wasn’t what the employee originally requested. The case in question involves United Parcel Service (UPS) and one of its delivery drivers. The driver, suffering from a health condition, proposed a…
In the landscape of modern law firm businesses, various departments stand out while others remain less understood. Among these, the Marketing and Business Development Department (MBD Department) often finds itself surrounded by confusion, unlike more easily understood areas such as the Finance, IT, Knowledge Management/Library, or HR/Talent Departments. With the role of the MBD Department…
In August 2023, key decisions were made on a number of patent cases that hold implications for legal professionals in the field of intellectual property, particularly those involved with pharmaceutical and therapeutic patents. One case of note is Incept LLC v. Palette Life Sciences, Inc., (Nos. 2021-2063, -2065 (Fed. Cir. (PTAB) Aug. 16, 2023) The…
The Troutman Pepper law firm recently released its weekly Consumer Financial Services newsletter, providing insights on national and state events to keep professionals updated in the constantly evolving Consumer Finance Services industry. This weekly publication notably covers regulated activities that impact the industry. While limited details are available from the latest newsletter, it appears to…