The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to put into action the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The notice for the proposed ruling was posted by the Federal Register for public review and comment, ultimately shedding light on the imminent enactment and enforcement of the PWFA….
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey recently unveiled that Alexander Schleider, a resident of Lakewood, has admitted to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. The fraudulent scheme was centered on durable medical equipment (DME). Schleider pleaded guilty to his actions as part of a large-scale kickback plot, which resulted in massive losses…
In a notable decision on July 31, 2023, Judge Jed Rakoff of the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) has made a decision in favor of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd. in the case SEC v. Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd. He ruled that trading of cryptocurrency assets to retail…
On August 1, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rolled out a new edition of Form I-9. This immediately usable document will become mandatory on November 1, 2023, according to JD Supra. Employers have two versions of the Form I-9 at their disposal until the end of October 2023. They can either use the new…
In the current complex legal landscape, the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors continues to generate much debate, as evidenced by the ongoing deliberations at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The decision-making criteria employed by ongoing government entities, the NLRB included, carry notable ramifications for corporations and their HR departments, especially considering…
Law professionals serving in the corporate sphere need to be well-acquainted with an important development from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On August 2, 2023, a verdict was passed in Stericyle Inc., which overturned the legal framework the NLRB had been using since 2017 to evaluate the legality of workplace rules, such as those…
On August 5, 2023, New Jersey’s Temporary Worker Bill of Rights (TWBR) law commences in full effect, introducing new responsibilities for temporary service firms and employers that hire temporary workers. The State of New Jersey has indicated plans to enforce the new law along the lines of the proposed rules revealed on July 21, 2023….
The US Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) has reviewed a record number of foreign investments for potential national security risk during the past year, according to its Annual Report to Congress for 2022. The Committee evaluated 440 covered transactions, marking an increase from the 436 transactions scrutinized in the previous year. This rise in reviews…
A surge in countercyclical legal work, increased billing rates and enhanced realization have catalyzed a quarter of heightened demand across the global legal industry, as per a recent report. This increase in demand was reported to be 1.5% in the second quarter of 2023. The latest Law Firm Financial Index also shows a significant rise…
In an unforeseen decision, the Alberta Minister of Affordability and Utilities issued an unexpected announcement on August 3, 2023. The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or Commission) received directions to halt approvals related to new renewable electricity generation projects until the end of February 2024, at the least. This directive aims to facilitate a comprehensive review…
On July 10, 2023, a notable decision took place in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz granted a motion to dismiss a putative securities fraud class action lodged against a mattress and bedding company and two of its executive officers. The decision has been stirring interest…
In a recent tale of professional growth, Michael Haas, Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins, shared his unique advice for advancement: “Lead From the Front, Not the Rear.” Having moved up within the ranks of one of the world’s top law firms, Haas’ thoughtfully constructed advice gives unique insights into the world of legal leadership….
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)’s application in terms of visually impaired individuals in employment settings is the focus of a recent technical assistance document (TAD) issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Notably, this document elucidates how ADA should be applied when encountered with situations involving job applicants or employees with visual disabilities….
In recent times, U.S. law firms have become key actors in London, enacting robust strategies that extend far beyond mere talent acquisition. It is a development worthy of attention, especially as it threatens to reshape the dynamics of the U.K.’s legal market. It appears that August, once a month of rest and reflection for the…
Clearer prospects are emerging in the legal and taxation landscape surrounding cryptocurrency staking rewards. On July 31, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Ruling 2023-14 that discusses the US federal income tax treatment of cryptocurrency tokens that taxpayers receive as a reward for validating blockchain network transactions. Operating under the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism,…
Oregon recently joined a growing list of U.S. states enacting comprehensive consumer data privacy laws, following the legislative stride of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The new legislation, known as the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, will come into effect on July 1, 2024. The law outlines new strictures around…
Every successful business operates on a framework of careful planning and strategizing. This becomes significant when business owners, perpetually engrossed in augmenting their ventures and optimizing success, need to contemplate what happens to their businesses upon their withdrawal or inability to manage. This situation is suitably addressed by the process of succession planning, a contingency…
A recent ruling by the District of Massachusetts Court against software firm Pegasystems could have significant implications for corporate responses to lawsuits. Judge William Young is making headlines in the legal community for holding Pegasystems accountable for asserting the baselessness of a lawsuit despite its merit. This ruling could potentially alter the commonplace, reflexive response…
The narrative surrounding the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) remains a cornerstone topic for businesses and law firms alike. With the growing reliance on digital platforms for conducting business and transferring data, the past several years saw many keeping a keen eye on developments pertaining to this framework, chiefly those moving data from the European…
In a recent announcement made on August 1, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau informed a gateway intermediate provider and originator about alleged illegal transmission and origination of robocalls. If actions are not taken to rectify this situation, the FCC may grant downstream service providers the legal authority to permanently block its traffic, resulting…
In the continuously changing landscape of the internet, domain names have become one of the most critical assets for businesses and legal enterprises. With its July/August 2023 edition, Anchovy News provides an in-depth look into the current affairs in the domain name industry, covering topics such as domain recuperation, regional distributions, and dispute resolutions. The…
On August 2, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) updated its Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) Examination Manual, a resource vital for legal professionals, examiners, and other stakeholders within financial establishments. The manual, according to a summary by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, provides necessary instructions for evaluating a bank or credit union’s adherence…
On July 21, 2023, five major U.S. agencies, namely the Federal Reserve, CFPB, FDIC, NCUA, and OCC, unveiled proposed guidelines on Reconsiderations of Value (ROV) in residential real estate evaluations. This initiative of the agencies aims to provide a clearer approach to ROV processes and introduce illustrative ROV policies and procedural frameworks. This information comes…
In a recent development, Elon Musk reportedly stated that he would cover the legal fees of individuals who were terminated due to abhorrent material published on Twitter. An intriguing assertion, given that Elon has a history of allegedly refusing to settle his own legal dues as per this report. More details on this story can…
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) issued a significant update on July 27, 2023, revealing the release of new technical reports and case studies carried out by its Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC). Eight comprehensive research documents were published, offering in-depth examinations of a variety of feedstock characteristics and processing techniques. This…