In a pioneering legal move for freelance workers across the country, Illinois recently became the first state to enact far-reaching protections for this often under-served portion of the workforce. On August 4, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker solidified the state’s commitment to supporting and safeguarding the rights of freelance individuals by signing the Freelance Worker Protection…
In an effort to cultivate the next wave of leadership within its ranks, Norton Rose Fulbright has selected 26 high-performing non-managerial employees from its U.S. offices for a senior-level mentorship academy. This new initiative evidences the firm’s increased emphasis on internal talent development and succession planning in various departments, including information technology, development, client value,…
As generative AI establishes an enduring stance in the legal industry, prompt engineering is fast becoming a valued skill for the future of legal practice. It’s seen by some as a science and art, with its primary purpose being the creation, curating, and refining of inputs for a generative AI application to achieve the ideal…
In the wake of a recent court decision stalling the enforcement of regulations for the Consumer Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has expressed its intent to carry on with privacy enforcement measures. These developments come amidst an extension of the enforcement block by a considerable nine months. While this may…
In a recent turn of events, Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, has petitioned the Los Angeles County Superior Court for a civil forfeiture order. This move is intended to enable the state to collect unpaid taxes and fees from an unlicensed marijuana business, by taking possession of its assets. This action by the…
In a compelling decision, a recent case has addressed the ramifications of a tractor-trailer slamming into traffic that had been halted due to a prior accident, providing fresh insights for legal professionals. Based on the ruling, it was determined that the occurrence was a “foreseeable byproduct” of the initial accident, thereby inhibiting the driver, who…
In an interview, Latham & Watkins’ Michelle Kelban and Michael Haas shared their insights on effective leadership in law firms. Kelban and Haas emphasized the importance of early involvement and strategic forecasting in their journey to becoming significant figures in the law firm. They underlined that early involvement in the dynamic landscape of legal practice…
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA or the “Board”) recently convened a discussion on significant ongoing matters. On July 14, the conversation was led by the Board’s New CPRA Rules Subcommittee (“the Subcommittee”). The focal points of this meeting were automated decision-making technology (ADMT), cybersecurity audits, and cybersecurity risk assessments. These aspects do not only…
Three plaintiff law firms have recently been awarded roughly $8 million in combined attorney fees and costs, following their dedicated efforts leading to a $12.8 million false advertising judgment against Premier Nutrition Corporation. This legal battle centered on Premier Nutrition’s health supplement product, ‘Joint Juice.’ The rewarding of these significant legal fees comes after a…
In an update from our previous reporting on July 7, it seems that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the agreement of the U.S. Department of Justice, has decided to extend the comment deadline on changes to the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act of 1976’s premerger notification process. These proposed changes would be sizable and demand a…
The future of the Structured Finance Spectrum in the summer of 2023 continues to evolve, with noteworthy developments making an impact on the international structured finance markets in both the U.S and the UK. A comprehensive analysis of the structured finance scenario as published by JD Supra, sheds light on the significant trends and challenges…
In a recent update that could have significant implications for corporations and law firms dealing with environmental law, the Massachusetts Brownfields Tax Credits Program has been extended for an additional five years. The announcement came after Governor Maura Healy signed legislation extending the eligibility deadlines for the program. Introduced as part of a budget bill…
Bank OZK, a reputable financial institution, recently announced a concerning data breach affecting an undisclosed number of its customers. The breach originated not from the bank itself, but one of its business partners, demonstrating that the security vulnerabilities extend far beyond a single organization’s control. The bank discovered the breach on August 7, 2023, and…
In an unprecedented development in Canadian law, Alberta has introduced a new tort of harassment, as detailed by JD Supra. This new tort was established by the Alberta Court of King’s Bench during the proceedings of Alberta Health Services v. Johnston (Alberta Health). The decision and scale of adoption by other Canadian provinces remain speculative…
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…
In a recent decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has introduced a stricter standard for the assessment of the lawfulness of workplace rules. This change implicates companies with U.S. operations and should encourage them to review and, more likely, adjust their workforce rules. These rules apply not only to their unionized employees but also…
In a notable ruling on August 2, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the U.S. agency tasked with enforcing federal labor laws, has established a new standard for employer handbooks, policies, and work rules. Under this more restrictive test, the ways in which employers outline and apply their workplace policies stand to be profoundly…
Renowned public relations expert Karen Kessler recently featured on episode 26 of “The Presumption of Innocence” podcast, titled “Crisis Communication: Managing Perception & Mitigating Reputational Damage”. In the episode, Kessler, President of Kessler PR Group, joined host Matt Adams to delve into the critical role of strategic communication during a legal crisis. According to Kessler,…
On August 2, 2023, a decision in the case of Stericycle, Inc. brought about a significant change in the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) approach to assessing compliance of employer’s workplace policies with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). As indicated in a JD Supra article, the Stericycle case effectively reversed the NLRB’s previous stance…
The landscape of foreign trademark infringement has experienced a significant shake following the U.S. Supreme Court’s end-of-term decision in Abitron v. Hetronic. It has presented new challenges for brand owners and courts who are struggling to understand the implications of the ruling and how it affects the application of the federal Lanham Act in global…
Major legal industry movement continues to resonate across law firms around the globe. Most recently, Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl LLC, a firm rooted in Pittsburgh, has consolidated its presence in New York City by acquiring the New York business law firm, Robinson Brog Leinwand Greene Genovese & Gluck PC. The acquisition saw 24 attorneys…
New Jersey employers are now under increasing pressure, according to new amendments to the New Jersey Unemployment Compensation Act that came into effect on July 31, 2023. These changes highlight the growing seriousness of the consequences for employers who fail to issue Instructions For Claiming Unemployment Benefits, also known as Form BC-10, to separated employees….
For over a decade, email has remained a key tool for communication and marketing in the legal industry and its relevance has by no means diminished. Top law firms and corporations utilize email in their strategic marketing plans. Nonetheless, drafting an effective copy requires careful attention. Poorly written email can quickly lead to a surge…
On August 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the annual Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, setting a new direction for payment systems within the healthcare sector. The final rule addresses several pivotal…
In a remarkable revelation, it has been stated that some job interviewers have been misusing their power, treating potential candidates as potential dating prospects. Such incidents can be viewed as disruptive for various professions and stir up important conversations about workplace ethics, boundaries, and appropriate behavior. The situation was recently made public by Christa Laser,…