As we mark the sixth anniversary of the global #MeToo movement, the impact on U.S. workplaces is garnering renewed attention. The spotlight placed on sexual harassment and misconduct led to significant shifts in cultural norms and made it more pressing than ever for corporations and employment law firms to prioritize and address these issues proactively….
Evidence before a Minnesota federal court this week revealed that food distribution giant, Sysco, and legal investment firm, Burford Capital, settled a dispute over control of settlement approval. However, this dispute has been dismissed as irrelevant to a request to replace the plaintiff in a pork price-fixing lawsuit with a Burford-affiliated entity. As Law360 reports,…
On July 21, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adamantly refused a request that it reconsider its earlier decision taken in May 2022, permitting the use of eight different types of phthalates as food-contact substances. In the identical correspondence, the regulatory body further reiterated its commitment to maintain clearance for the additional five…
The legal landscape for corporate entities in New Jersey is undergoing significant alterations. As of July 3, 2023, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, gave his stamp of approval to Bill A.B. 5323, amending the state’s Corporation Business Tax (CBT). By signing this new legislation into law, a variety of clarifications, corrections, and amendments have been…
Internationally renowned law firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, announced on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, that it is initiating a specialized team directed towards scrutinizing how its clientele manages aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This prominent move towards advancing social justice on the legal scene substantiates the growing importance of advocating for civil rights…
Several leading cities in the Southeastern United States, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville, are experiencing a significant increase in lateral partner moves this year. This trend reflects the overall surge in legal industry activity throughout the region. According to newly released data from Decipher Investigative Intelligence, the majority of these moves occurred during the second…
During its annual meeting in Denver on August 8, 2023, the American Bar Association’s policymaking body deliberated for two hours before making vital changes to its Model Rules of Professional Conduct. These changes hold the potential to significantly alter attorney procedures when it comes to dealing with clients. See full article In a bid to…
A recent lawsuit has raised alarm in legal circles, attributing the untimely death of a U.S. Senate candidate to a cryptocurrency scam allegedly masterminded by a campaign staffer. This comes at a time when the legal community is paying keen attention to developments in the cryptocurrency sector, with its potential for misuse causing concern among…
In light of recent developments, we examine the July 11 announcement by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Office of the Chief Economist publicized the 2022 updates to its Trademark Case Files Dataset and Trademark Assignment Dataset. An evaluation of these updates shows an ongoing investment by the USPTO in improved transparency…
In a landmark decision that could potentially affect corporations and law firms worldwide, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a ruling on employer work rules, setting a stricter standard. In the Stericycle, Inc. case, 372 NLRB No. 113 (2023), the Board overruled existing precedent to establish this tighter test, which could make certain existing…
The concept of ‘shotgun’ pleadings in U.S federal litigation can be complex and yet, pivotal in the way a trial progresses. For legal professionals working in corporate law firms, these pleadings become a part of the intricate legal strategy around federal cases. Paraphrasing a popular phrase from House of Pain’s 1992 hit song, “Jump Around,”…
In recent times, numerous states are making significant strides to implement limitations on the protections provided by local employment laws. These efforts are, in part, a response to employment policies that are often administered in accordance with “applicable federal, state, or local law”. According to an analysis by Foley & Lardner LLP, in the specific…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new Form I-9 on July 21st, which has resulted in significant implications for many major corporations and law firms. This shift can largely impact your business operations and it is crucial to understand these changes to ensure compliance. The newly formulated Form I-9 became available for…
In a complex scenario indicative of the rapid expansion and legislative challenges of the crypto industry, two key cryptocurrency regulatory bills have been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, offering somewhat divergent perspectives on how this emergent technology should be governed. This topic has gained special attention from global legal professionals, as…
In today’s fast-paced, technologically driven world, law firms and corporations are continually required to sift through large volumes of electronic documents. A key process in this endeavour is known as Document Review for eDiscovery, a critical stage that involves examining collected documents to unveil evidence that is pertinent, responsive and privileged. In this article posted…
In light of the recent case in the Court of Federal Claims (COFC), “CACI Inc.–Fed. v. United States”, it’s become compellingly clear that adhering to post-government employment restrictions is paramount. In a decision that could potentially impact thousands of corporations and law firms, the COFC upheld a contracting officer’s decision to exclude CACI from competing…
With legal firms turning their sights towards strong marketing initiatives for the next years, it’s imperative to ascertain the ethical implications of their strategies – notably in the context of social media marketing. This includes examining standard marketing practices such as TV commercials, billboards, radio advertising, and internet advertising, with a keen focus on the…
For compliance professionals working in major corporations and global law firms, the question of how to fully operationalize compliance and embed it within the very tapestry of their organization is a critical concern. One often overlooked area central to cultivating and upholding an ethical culture within an organization is the Human Resources (HR) function. How…
For legal professionals working in corporate and financial law, a recent ruling by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should serve as a notable reminder of the importance of proper estate planning for retirement accounts. The IRS’ Private Letter Ruling (PLR) 2023-22-014 has highlighted several key considerations when handling Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), despite a finding…
Recently, the Second District Court of Appeal (Div. 5) affirmed a judgment which was of major significance in the realm of property law and development initiatives. The judgment involved the voiding of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)’s infill exemption for a Hollywood hotel project. The hotel construction proposal in question planned for the demolition…
In a significant data breach incident, American National Insurance Company, also known as American National Group (“ANICO”) reported that confidential customer data was accessible to an unauthorized party. The insurance company lodged a notice of the data breach with the Attorney General of Texas on August 7, 2023. According to the notice submitted by ANICO,…
The ‘State of R&C Report’ has recently highlighted a critical issue — the inconsistent commitment to compliance by mid-level management. Ethics and compliance are two sides of the same coin. Compliance refers to adherence to laws, while ethics signifies action that is deemed right regardless of what the law stipulates. Conventionally, compliance has been viewed…
With the passage of the Modernization Law (law of 21 July 2023) on 28 July 2023, Luxembourg has significantly updated its toolbox for investment funds. This refresh includes amendments to various existing laws that regulate alternative investment funds (AIFs) and their managers (AIFMs). Of these laws, the UCI Law, the SICAR Law, the SIF Law,…
In a recent court hearing at Montgomery County Circuit Court, it surfaced that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission staff is ready to proceed with licensee announcements at its next meeting. Judge James Anderson, who presides over all ongoing medical cannabis litigation, would permit this procedure to continue unimpeded until he hears challenges to the process….
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or “Commission”) formulated a novel oversight instrument called the Form PF (Private Fund). The inception of this mechanism was to primarily scrutinize and assess systemic market risks that could be potentially inflicted by private funds. This strategic move has…