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…
In an era where rapid change is the norm, maintaining a competitive edge requires a balance of foresight, flexibility and strategic planning. To this end, incorporating a Marketing RoadMap into the realm of corporate and legal strategies promises to move businesses forward, setting them on the path to real growth and profitability. As elucidated by…
The landscape of employment law is continually evolving, and a recent ruling delivered by a traditionally employer-biased appeals court appears to further broaden the scope of what constitutes as discrimination. This development, nestled within the labyrinth of federal and state laws, agency guidance and court rulings that protect employees, was reported by Foley & Lardner…
On August 24, 2023, the National Government of Colombia introduced Bill No. 166 to the House of Representatives. This bill seeks a labor reform aimed at establishing “dignified and decent work” in Colombia. The changes proposed in this new bill will alter the Substantive Work Code (CST). The CST is the primary set of regulations…
The International Emissions Trading Associate (IETA) has recently released its High Level Criteria for Crediting Carbon Geostorage Activities. This development, which follows a year-long consultation process that involved business stakeholders, experts, developers, investors, and others, impacts activities where carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and removal activities are undertaken with the goal of developing tradable credits. This…
The Inflation Reduction Act is proceeding as planned, with the recent introduction of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This program is a pivotal development aimed towards controlling skyrocketing drug costs via a negotiation scheme involving the Federal Government. Initiated on August 29, 2023, the program has already begun to draw attention within legal circles…
On August 28, 2023, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued a proposed rule to modify certain aspects of the procedure for requesting exemptions from the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. The proposed change is now open for public discussion, signaling an opportunity for corporations…
In a significant shift, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) issued its crucial Cemex decision on August 25, 2023, carrying broad implications for union organizing. In giving a partial nod to the Joy Silk standard, this ruling provides trade unions a notable win. The document extends two options to the employer when a…
Legal developments continue to unfold in the case surrounding two former clients of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. The international law firm has reportedly told a New York federal judge that two ex-advisers from IHT Wealth Management, who are now under the spotlight in a five-million-dollar criminal fraud case, have failed to demonstrate their inability…
With increasing incidence of “First Amendment Audits” in district offices and schools, it is paramount for districts to formulate pre-emptive strategies. Amidst these audits, individuals, or groups, enter a school district lobby, initiate filming, and subsequently publish the recorded interactions online. This article aims to provide an insight into how to prepare for such an…
Following the advancements in artificial intelligence, large language models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and Claude have become integral assets in major corporations and law firms. To maximize their utilization, it’s imperative to understand not only their capabilities and applications but also their associated costs. An insightful report recently published on JD Supra underscored the importance of…
In a pivotal ruling, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which covers jurisdictions in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, recently overruled a long-standing precedent regarding Title VII claims. The Fifth Circuit has differentiated itself through its opinion that, as per the decision, Title VII plaintiffs can display that they were subjected to…
The UK government has recently signaled an interest for the introduction of a permanent superfund regulatory regime. This comes after the considerable interest generated by Clara-Pensions’ approval as a “superfund”, or pension consolidator, towards the latter part of 2021. As a result, the market has been generally optimistic expecting the emergence of more pension superfund…
In an era where data breaches are increasingly common, corporations and law firms alike have a responsibility to protect not only their clients’ personal information, but that of their employees as well. Recent legal developments emphasize that employers owe their employees safeguards against potential threats related to private information collected during the course of employment….
In a surprising turn of events, Sandy Bohrer, a distinguished figure with 25 notable years at Holland & Knight, has decided to step out of retirement and join Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, a boutique firm located in South Florida. Bohrer has a rich history of service at Holland & Knight, where he last held the…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently initiated an investigation into OpenAI’s ChatGPT product. Regulators, AI developers, and privacy practitioners alike are keenly watching the unfolding story, given its potential to shape future federal scrutiny of privacy issues in relation to AI technology. The investigation by FTC is particularly focused on OpenAI’s use of personal…
Recently, the Chevron Federal Credit Union (“CFCU”) recently filed a notice of data breach affecting more than 90,000 consumers. This report comes after CFCU discovered a critical vulnerability in its file-sharing application, MOVEit. Disclosed on August 24, 2023, the notice was submitted to the Attorney General of Maine. Details within the notice indicated that as…
The rise of AI technologies like generative AI and ChatGPT has indeed taken the spotlight in the legal tech world, as visible in events such as ILTACON. However, before the surge of AI discussions, another important topic started gaining momentum: cybersecurity. Security poses an existential threat to law firms and their clients, and legal has…
Recent news from the legislative department of Texas indicates a significant amendment in its data breach notification law. The updated law will be effective starting from September 1, 2023. According to the legal professionals of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, there are two notable changes to the requirements for notifying the Texas Attorney General…
Expecting mothers in the workforce may anticipate smoother sailing ahead as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) comes into operation. The PWFA is set to provide substantial protections to employees and applicants who experience known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Crucially, employers are now mandated to provide reasonable accommodations, unless such…
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of New York, New York County turned down the motion for summary judgment advanced by the defendant, Rockwell Automation Inc. The motion was an attempt by Rockwell Automation to have the case against them dismissed, arguing that the plaintiff had not been exposed to asbestos from burners made…