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,…
In recent years, the prevalence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) has seen an exponential rise. This thrust into the future is laden with emerging developments in AI, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Automation, and several other technologically advanced disciplines. The use of AI-driven technology within the realm of GRC…
Truth or Consequences: The impact of the revised Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) endorsement guidelines can’t be understated, especially for large corporations and law firms. With endorsements and testimonials playing a significant role in business growth, it is crucial to navigate this new landscape cautiously. Authored by Douglas A. Thompson and Sarah Richards, the report underscores…
In the recent Nevada federal court decision of Ceja v. The Vons Companies, the pitfalls of misinterpreting court orders requiring a representative with full settlement authority to be present at negotiations were thrown into sharp relief. Legal professionals and corporations alike must heed this case as a reminder that court interpretations on what constitutes full…
Discussions around civil damage awards currently bring to the fore an intriguing concept behind a trend in growing verdict sizes – “social inflation”. This phrase has increasingly been mentioned in conversations around the persistent trend of escalating “nuclear verdicts”. It refers to a phenomenon where typical award levels have been consistently rising as society becomes…
Sweet James LLP, a prominent Southern California personal injury firm, has recently filed a lawsuit against its competitor, Sweet Justice, and its attorney, Rafael Contreras Sweet. The suit is centered on allegations of trademark infringement, with Sweet James contending that it possesses common law rights to the “Sweet Justice” name. The lawsuit came to light…
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial markets regulator, released a detailed summary of its concerns related to the sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) market on June 29, 2023. This move comes in the wake of concerns mounting over banks overstating their participation in green financing, or what is known as “greenwashing”, which may falsely represent…
The United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) has recently finalized a rule which adjusts the manner in which prevailing wages are calculated for federally-funded construction projects. These adjustments are explicitly applicable to contracts that are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act and affiliated regulations. As outlined in a recent article, the alterations in the prevailing wage…