At a time when generative artificial intelligence (AI) lawsuits are becoming more common, legal technology providers and in-house legal teams are starting to take notice. As these lawsuits continue, various industry insights are arising that could prove useful for these firms and departments. One of these insights is the crucial understanding that legal technology and…
Recently, there have been insightful developments on the consumer understanding of arbitration clauses given by Professor Jeff Sovern, who specifically discussed the FTC’s June 2023 revisions to its Endorsement Guide. Sovern’s blog spotlighted the FTC’s new definition of “clear and conspicuous” – a significant change that has a broad impact on the advertising industry. As…
In a recent decision that diverges from a half-century of precedent, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) has altered the landscape of union certification elections. The NLRB’s Cemex decision on August 25, 2023 marks a significant shift away from secret-ballot elections as the preferred method of union certification. In the Cemex decision, the…
As the modern world increasingly adopts Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in various businesses, an important issue comes under the spotlight: data privacy. Privacy protection has become a crucial concern in the realm of AI. To create AI tools that uphold the sanctity of users’ privacy is indeed a significant challenge. However, it also offers a…
JD Supra, a popular platform for the latest legal authorship, recently spotlighted some of their most widely read updates, analysis, and commentary during August 2023 in a post, providing a recap for legal professionals and enthusiasts alike. The legal updates covered a broad range of topics with special emphasis on corporate law, intellectual property rights,…
In what could be seen as a considerable revitalization in the field of business disputes, accounting claims seem to be coming back into the spotlight. An article initially published on JD Supra, expounded on this trend. The equitable accounting cause of action raised considerable interest at the onset of the previous year. Despite its potential…
The executives of Lundin Oil, now known as Orrön Energy, Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter, began their criminal trial for alleged war crimes in Sudan on Tuesday. The allegations mark the start of a landmark trial that spotlights corporate accountability for alleged war crimes. Dating back to the company’s operations in Sudan from 1999 to…
In a recent move to curb misuse and fraud within the hospice industry, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took definite steps towards change. August 22, 2023, marked the day when CMS announced the conduct of surprise site visits to each Medicare-enrolled hospice facility across the United States. This drive is an extension…
In recent years, cybersecurity and data protection have steadily occupied the spotlight in discussions at the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) table. More recently, attention on these matters reached a new high as the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on August 25, 2023. Introduced by the FCC, this NPRM seeks public comments on…
The annual African Legal Awards ceremony is a prominent event in the global legal calendar, recognising the outstanding work conducted by legal professionals across Africa. This year, the awards highlighted both established firms and rising stars, with Webber Wentzel garnering the most accolades. Webber Wentzel, a South African law firm, proved to be the biggest…
In the realm of hotel litigation, an increasing trend of class-action lawsuits revolving around fees has placed hotels squarely in the spotlight. The most recent example of such legal action is the class-action lawsuit filed by Travelers United, a Traveler advocacy organization, against the Hyatt Hotels Corporation and its affiliates on August 18, 2023. The…
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has reissued its opinion for the second time in a lawsuit challenging United Behavioral Health’s (UBH) internal mental health coverage guidelines, according to a recent report on JD Supra. Last week, in its third opinion in the case, the court reversed a lower court’s decision that…
The Golden State appears poised to make alterations to its existing data broker law with Senate Bill 362, informally dubbed the Delete Act (“the Act”). Following its recent approval in the Assembly’s Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, the Act has been passed on to the Assembly’s Committee on Appropriations. This imminent change in legislation…
In a continuation of their efforts to spotlight impressive independent sponsors, McGuireWoods has conducted an interview as part of their ongoing commitment to the independent sponsor community. This time, the spotlight fell on Maury Bradsher of District Equity. The interview is a part of a series by McGuireWoods, who have shown a consistent dedication to…
The U.S. Center for SafeSport, a nonprofit organization established by Congress to combat sexual abuse within Olympic sports, has appointed Jessica Perrill as its new general counsel. With a background as a veteran prosecutor and Division III soccer player, Perrill brings a unique perspective to the role. Prior to her appointment, she held a senior…
In the escalating quest to address the increasing cost of prescription medications, it appears lawmakers’ spotlights have focused on the end consumer. The rallying call among policymakers has been a combination of measures aimed at simultaneously lowering drug prices while also providing consumers with more options for their out-of-pocket expenses. On this account, an increasing…
In a significant recent decision, New York State Human Rights Law’s (NYSHRL) source-of-income anti-discrimination statute has been ruled unconstitutional. The ruling, in the case of People v. Commons W., LLC, throws a spotlight on the difficult equilibrium between promoting equitable housing practices and protecting constitutional rights. The source-of-income discrimination statute was formulated to ensure that…
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced that globally-renowned home appliances manufacturer, Whirlpool Corporation, has conceded to pay a hefty $11.5 million civil penalty. This substantial settlement arises from the CPSC’s charges asserting that Whirlpool deliberately did not promptly report, as mandated by law, that 17 models of their electric radiant heat cooktops had…
In a disturbing turn of events, late last month, over 300,000 customers of Standard Insurance Company were impacted by a data breach. The breach, centered on the MOVEit data healthcare transfer service, was revealed by Pension Benefit Information, LLC (“PBI”). The extent of information accessed by unauthorized parties is believed to include sensitive details such…
In a recent development, the No Surprises Act (NSA) regulations have been struck down by the Eastern District of Texas court, marking the fourth defeat for the federal government in its attempts to combat cases brought by health care and air ambulance providers. Embodied in a case known as TMA III, the court’s decision specifically…
In an era where diversity and representation are paramount, we spotlight professionals making significant contributions to their sectors. In this installment, we focus on the narratives of black dealmakers and change makers in the private equity and financial community. The insights offered in this series serve to both illuminate the unique challenges faced by black…
In a move that came as significant, yet not unexpected, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 30, 2023, proposing to increase the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA’s) minimum salary threshold for white-collar overtime exemptions. This was reported by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on their legal news page,…
As we traverse the labyrinth of legal regulation updates, it is essential to keep up with new mandates. One such significant update arrived in the form of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) new small business lending data collection and reporting rule—Section 1071 Final Rule. Legal professionals worldwide, especially those working within large corporations and…
In an announcement made on August 25, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed its decision to grant an award exceeding $18 million to a whistleblower. The individual in question first reported misbehavior within their organization internally before providing key information and assistance that engendered a successful SEC enforcement action. The grant signifies…
With the turning of the midpoint of 2023, the arena of drug pricing sees an influx of developments. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its guidance to prepare for unprecedented price negotiations, putting a highlight on the initial 10 drugs covered under the Innovation and Regulatory Affairs (IRA). Meanwhile, the constitutionality of…