Recently, there has been an increase in noteworthy events related to the Supreme Court. One event that stands out occurred on Tuesday, August 8, which saw the 9th Circuit overturn a butterfly knife ban. The court’s decision was largely influenced by the Supreme Court’s ‘history’ standard on guns. Kevin Rector, a reporter for The Los…
In a recent national healthcare update for August 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the rate of uninsured persons in the United States reached its lowest point. Amid the on-going healthcare reforms and changing regulatory landscape, this report indicates a noteworthy convergence of health industry advancements with effective legislation. This…
In a notable development from the pharmaceutical world, the former Analytics Director at Pfizer has reportedly filed allegations against the company. He asserts he was unjustifiably terminated from his role, with the claim that this act was in response to his attempts to expose violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) within the corporation….
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are increasing their focus on the evolving spheres of cryptocurrency and cybersecurity, adding new personnel to tackle emerging challenges posed by these digital frontiers. The purpose of this expansion is multifaceted, striving to establish more robust regulatory frameworks, conducting insightful investigations, and fostering…
On June 16, 2023, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, that significantly enhances the rights of temporary staffing agency workers in Illinois and requires agencies and their clients to bolster safety protocols. Gould & Ratner LLP reports that this new law has amended the Day and Temporary Labor Services…
The U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) launched a consultation on June 30, 2023, pertaining to its projected approach for assessing its rules, incorporating a proposed statement of policy. This information comes following a consequential change in law as described in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. In detail, the Act hands over the onus…
In a rapidly evolving legal landscape, the potential conflict between privacy laws and trade secret laws is becoming increasingly apparent. As we navigate what some have dubbed the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, facilitated by growing connectivity, prolific data generation, and the rise of analytics and artificial intelligence, this conflict will only become more pronounced. Privacy and…
In August 2023, one of the standout topics in international trade revolves around the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which was officially formalized around June this year. This initiative is more than just a trade agreement. In an article penned by Braumiller Law Group, PLLC, they suggest this development might also be seen as…
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) has issued a new Statement of Guidance for Mutual Funds and Private Funds (Corporate Governance Guidance). This new policy not only updates the existing guidance applicable to funds registered under the Mutual Funds Act (the MF Act), but also significantly expands the scope of CIMA’s Corporate Governance Guidance to…
As reported by JD Supra, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) began seeking public opinion on its proposed Rule Review Framework on July 14, 2023. This move comes in the wake of significant regulatory changes brought about by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. The referenced act impulsively increases the power of UK regulators…
Law School Toolbox, a widely-read resource for legal professionals, recently released a podcast covering important topics regarding relevance issues in evidence law. The podcast, eloquently titled “Listen and Learn — Relevance Issues (Evidence)“, delves into the specifics of when evidence is logically relevant, the potential multiple uses for a single piece of evidence, the concept…
On July 21, 2023, the Southern District of New York weighed in on a closely-watched class action lawsuit involving an undisclosed agriculture company and several of its senior officers (the “Individual Defendants”). The court, led by Judge Lewis J. Liman, both granted in part and rejected in part a motion to dismiss the securities class…
In a significant move within the US energy private equity sector, Allen & Overy has reportedly recruited a top-tier attorney from Paul Hastings. This news comes shortly before the planned merger of Allen & Overy with Shearman & Sterling. Although details of the transition are currently sparse, this announcement is expected to catalyze changes in…
On July 26, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a significant change in policy with the adoption of a new rule explicitly addressing cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance, and incident disclosure. The move reflects increasing concern surrounding cyber threats and a push for proactive measures to safeguard public companies and their stakeholders. This rule…
In recent developments, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has increased its focus on detecting, investigating, and prosecuting fraud, with special attention dedicated to the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) post-COVID. As reported by JD Supra, heightened scrutiny of ERC claims has culminated in these claims reaching the top of the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list of…
Early on Tuesday, global law firm Dentons announced a surprise de-merger from its mainland China branch, Dacheng Law Offices. Effective from this month, Dentons will no longer operate as a combined entity with Dacheng. In an email alert to its clients, Dentons attributed the split to “an evolving regulatory environment for Chinese law firms in…
Two prominent U.S. law firms, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Fried Frank, have recently extended their remote work policies for their UK-based employees for the entire month of August. The decision highlights a continuing trend found mainly among U.S. companies, allowing staff greater flexibility during the summer months. Quinn Emanuel typically requires their employees…
Global law firm CMS has witnessed a notable deceleration in its global revenue growth, according to a recent report. This news follows a period when the firm promoted a record number of partners across its global offices. This extensive growth initiative was part of a strategic effort to solidify the company’s footing in several international…
Global law firm Dentons is reportedly ending its association with Beijing Dacheng Law Offices. This notable split comes as a response to China’s newly implemented data privacy and cybersecurity regulations. Notably, this association previously brought thousands of lawyers under the Dentons banner, significantly expanding its global reach and areas of practice. The shake-up in this…
In an unexpected development, Dentons, one of the world’s most expansive law firms, has decided to terminate its merger with Dacheng, its mainland China arm. According to the details shared by Dentons with its clients during partner communications, the firm intimated that it will be “modifying its relationship with Beijing Dacheng Law Offices”. Under the…
In a response to the evolving demands of the legal services sector, Dechert LLP is permitting its current summer associates to defer their expected start dates by a full year. The law firm, which initially planned for the associates to start in the fall of 2024, is now offering these individuals the option to begin…
In a landmark scenario that could set precedent for future environmental legal cases, California witnessed the first appellate case in the country regarding the matter of the state versus the federal environmental regulation. A ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday requires San Francisco city and county to adhere to limits set…
In the realm of international trade, the role of customs brokers is essential, and maintaining their competency through formal accreditation has been historically significant. Recently, changes to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations have made this even more critical. The CBP published the Final Rule on continuing education for individual customs broker license holders…
The legal landscape relating to asbestos cases continues to evolve, with significant changes to filings throughout 2023. The data compiled by KCIC in their recent 2023 Mid-Year Asbestos Filings Update provides a succinct snapshot of the current situation. This mid-year update provides insights derived from information collected up to July 31. By analyzing this data,…
On July 10, Governor Gavin Newsom enacted an expansive streamlining plan that serves to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) immensely. The plan includes the signing of five CEQA reform bills—SB 145, 146, 147, 149, and 150—an act that the Governor’s office has synonymously characterized as “the state’s most ambitious permitting and project review…