In a bid toward sustainable housing, the City of Los Angeles’s Planning Department is proposing an expansion of the city’s adaptive reuse policies. The proposal is a revision and an expansion of Sections 12.03, 12.22 A.26, 12.24 X and 16.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) and the Adaptive Reuse Incentive Areas Specific Plan…
In the ever-evolving landscape of employment law, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has recently made a noteworthy comment on non-disparagement provisions in the case of Wright v. Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. This development is of significant importance to legal professionals managing employment contracts and disputes within major corporations and law firms. Typically,…
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently proposed amendments to the HIPAA guidelines, specifically the Standards for Privacy for Individually Identifiable Health Information (the “Privacy Rule”), as indicated by an April 17, 2023 release. This proposal pertains to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act…
Legal professionals working at top law firms and world-renowned corporations would be interested in examining a recent resource provided by Lathrop GPM on the topic of franchising as exemplified by Ben & Jerry’s – a veritable case study in this area. This discussion is part of Lathrop GPM’s Increasing Diversity initiative in Franchising and provides…
On July 21, 2023, New Jersey passed a significant piece of legislation, Assembly Bill No. 4694, which has profound implications for nonresident workers in the state. According to the Ogletree Deakins report, this new policy adds a “convenience of the employer” rule that has the potential to substantially increase tax revenues from individuals who, while…
In a recent legal development, New York has successfully maintained subrogation rights, an important aspect in the realm of insurance law. Subrogation rights are essentially the rights claimed by an insurer to recover the losses it paid for on behalf of the insured party, from the party at fault. It effectively allows the insurance company…
In a recent legal development, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employees who have been on a an extended leave may be required to perform additional tasks upon their return. The ruling settles an issue pertinent to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which offers its covered employees up to 12 weeks…
For government attorneys, the current market boasts a surge in demand for their unique skills. Prestigious firms such as Cravath, Sidley Austin, Skadden, Cleary, Kirkland, Jenner, Arnold & Porter, Mayer Brown, and Boies Schiller have all recently integrated high-level government attorneys into their cadre of legal expertise. Notably, this could be an opportune time for…
In a significant development towards greater corporate transparency and accountability, on 31 July 2023, the European Commission has adopted the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) for companies reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD). The ESRS are founded on technical advice from the EFRAG, previously the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group. Full…
With the growing threat of cybercrime, there’s a pressing question on the rise: Is Biglaw asleep at the cybersecurity wheel? Despite the legal sector’s awareness of these unique cybersecurity hazards, the best practices continue to evolve, leaving some firms unprepared. Being prepared means being able to detect and swiftly respond to threats. But the question…
The North Carolina General Assembly, composed of representatives from municipalities, corporate transportation entities and nonprofit organizations, among many others, continues to shape policy and advocacy, according to a recent post by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. The firm, known for advising an array of clientele ranging from local community bodies to Fortune 500 companies, provides…
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has unveiled draft regulations and guidance pertaining to the new federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). This update shed light on noteworthy inclusions that employers, especially those from significant corporations and law firms, should be mindful of. The draft regulations and guidance are expected to be published on…
Two months ago, we only witnessed West Coast law firms deferring their summer classes. Today, large legal firms rooted in the East Coast and Midwest, including Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Katten Muchin Rosenman, and Dechert, have reportedly joined the trend as well. Dechert, for instance, offers deferrals for its 2024 class until 2025. Reported by…
In recent updates, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has overhauled their Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (JD Supra). The Commission has produced these guides in an effort to provide administrative interpretations of rules around endorsements and testimonials in advertising, marketing, and various promotional messaging mediums. The guides are classified…
Associates appear to be remaining at their respective firms for longer durations than traditionally expected, prompting law firms to downsize in response to a precarious job market for junior lawyers. This anomaly is challenging expectations of normal employee turnover in these firms. Read more. In an effort to retain their associate talent once the lateral…
In an $8.5 billion deal that elevates the landscape of the luxury fashion industry, elite law firms Latham & Watkins and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz have advised on a revolutionary acquisition. This venture gathers several celebrated luxury brands including Versace, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Coach, and Kate Spade under a single entity. This epic…
Mass arbitration is a rising trend that’s stirring unease among major corporations and law firms. It’s not difficult to see why. Hypothetically, picture reaching your workstation to discover up to 20,000+ individual arbitration demands. The charges appear to be carbon copies with negligible merits. But the catch? You will have to fork out nearly $60…
On August 9th, 2023, a significant shift was seen in US trade policy with China, including Hong Kong and Macau, when President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order. This Order has set the outline for investment restrictions in these regions, displaying a new approach in matters of global trade and national security. The Executive Order…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up its regulatory endeavors with draft guidance for cosmetic manufacturing facility registration and cosmetic product listings. The recent draft is specifically designed to assist the “responsible persons” that are required to submit these registrations and listings under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA)….
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, legal professionals must stay updated on changes and trends impacting global legal affairs. This article addresses a few significant developments relevant to corporate lawyers, those in big law firms, and legal teams in multinational corporations. Each topic discussed pertains to a recent legal event or jurisprudence that may influence future…
In a ruling on 11 July 2023, the English High Court delivered its decision in the case of Armstrong Watson LLP v. Persons Unknown, granting a judgment in default along with permanent injunctive relief. The rare occasion of this legal act against unknown parties – in this instance, a cluster of unidentified hackers – was…
In recent times, the Cayman Islands have become a hub for schemes of arrangement and restructuring, a process made critical due to the widespread economic instability caused by the global pandemic. Navigating such turbulent times has become a key concern for big businesses and law firms alike across the globe. Conyers, a prominent law firm…
As corporations around the globe continue to intensify their focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Big Law firms are increasingly stepping in to provide critical guidance. The growing scrutiny of these programs has created a demand for assured legal advice to ensure DEI initiatives are effective, sustainable, and lawful. Though much about the…
On August 7, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which officially went into effect in June 2023. As per the law, employers are obliged to offer reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees and job applicants, unless it would equate to undue…
In a dramatic turn of events, the University of California has ceased assigning new work to the firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. This step comes in response to the firm’s release of internal emails that disclosed derogatory language and offensive remarks between two of its former senior partners. This development is particularly notable…