The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) has been in the spotlight with its recent proposal dating back to October 19, 2023. The Commission is planning on altering the manner of collection and the type of data being aggregated in its Electric Quarterly Reports (EQRs) (JDSUPRA). One of the key proposed changes involves…
The landscape of real estate and construction is in a state of flux, shaped by everything from large infrastructure projects to interest rate increases and the viability of corporations like WeWork. In the latest news roundup, we delve into the significant developments affecting these sectors. A spotlight has been shone on the state of New…
The domain of SEP (Standard Essential Patents) negotiations has recently come under the spotlight due to increasing emphasis on the “willingness” concept. License negotiations for these patents need to adhere to fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Interestingly, not showing willingness now can have practical consequences. An SEP is a patent that claims an invention,…
In a recent development, a claim pitting an unlicensed lender against charges of unfair competition witnessed a significant turn. The case involved stems from Lagrisola v. North American Financial Corp., 2023 WL 7273708 (Nov. 3, 2023). According to court records, the Court of Appeal maintained that the borrower had inadequately pleaded a cause of action…
In a recent display of their statutory authority, the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) has indicated a potential shift in its enforcement strategies that could materially change the landscape of labor law. The OLMS has signaled its readiness to utilise the far-reaching subpoena powers granted to it under Section 601…
On the popular Hulu series “The Bear,” there’s an up-close examination of the complexities inherent in managing people, contending with modern workforce generational challenges, and effective communication strategies to extract optimal performance from employees. Though ostensibly aimed at a mainstream audience, the show has offered insightful lessons that may serve as a playbook for employers…
In an extensive survey conducted with nearly 200 UK associates at prominent law firms, nearly one-third disclosed a decline in morale over the last year. The Legal Intelligencer’s piece highlights the elements contributing to this growing dissatisfaction, with particular attention drawn to the emphasis on billable hours, disappointing salary outcomes, and a taxing office environment….
This week, the Ninth Circuit Court landed in the spotlight as it addressed critical issues related to Article III and statutory standing, in addition to the mired incident of a drydock sinking in a marine sanctuary. The dialogue around Article III and statutory standing evolved significantly due to the case of Jones v. Ford Motor…
In an expansive move from the White House, an Executive Order was issued on October 30th pertaining to “the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development, and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” says Foley & Lardner LLP. This response comes amidst a rapidly growing interest in AI across a plethora of industries, from technology to healthcare, not…
California has recently passed three climate disclosure laws, with another one still pending. These new laws are an attempt to increase transparency and consistency in climate-related disclosures, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and carbon offset disclosures, and to promote climate risk mitigation, including decarbonization. The state appears to be taking steps independent of the Securities…
On November 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in a critical case, Jarkesy v. Securities and Exchange Commission. This case throws the spotlight on the use of administrative law judges (ALJs) by federal agencies, an issue at the core of a constitutional challenge by the respondents. This case…
In an unfolding legal issue much pertinent to the corporate world, a major company has been confronted with a reverse discrimination lawsuit following its decision to fire a white male employee implicated in a dispute with a black female co-worker. Unearthed by Law.com Radar, this case spotlights the escalating complexities of maintaining a balanced working…
While much of the legal spotlight this week has been cast on the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, our aim today is to shed some focus on the recently announced policy changes in the state of Texas which concern many of our readers in the insurance sector. The Texas Department Insurance…
As the world of healthcare law continues to evolve rapidly, the spotlight this week is turned towards the looming deadline for government funding. A major issue on the docket is that the government’s financial resources are set to be exhausted in just 11 days, on November 17th, 2023, raising pivotal legal concerns for corporations and…
The attention of legal professionals working within the world’s largest corporations and law firms tends to swerve to significant legal developments. Today’s spotlight is on a very significant legal case: In re PersonalWeb Technologies LLC, Appeals Nos. 2021-1858, -1859 -1860 (Fed. Cir. Nov. 3, 2023). As reported on JD Supra, this case, which appealed from…
Earlier this week, senior legal professionals and pro bono advocates convened in a meeting to inspire more lawyers to engage in pro bono work, especially in fields that surpass their standard areas of expertise. This event was orchestrated by Herbert Smith Freehills to commemorate the beginning of the U.K. Pro Bono Week 2023. An all-women…
In a recent California Court of Appeal case, there has been a resounding revelation that public employers might carry a certain degree of responsibility with regard to at-home working expenses of their employees. The case, Krug v. Board of Trustees of the California State University, serves as a pertinent example for public employers, clearly implying…
On October 31, 2023, a formal decision was published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), stating that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had failed to adhere to the prescribed Congressional Review Act (CRA) procedures by issuing Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121) in 2022. This finding raised significant concerns among legal professionals…
In the legal case of Great Concepts, LLC v. Chutter, Inc., numbered 22-1212 and decided by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) on October 18, 2023, intriguing questions rose to the surface, challenging long-held practices of the Trademark Office. The legal team of Irwin IP LLP adds a critical lens to the…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently published its 2023 biennial report as mandated by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act). The report marks the sixth instance of the bureau’s biennial examination into the state of the consumer credit card market. This was reported by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on JDSupra….
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently brought the doctrine of “analogous prior art” into the spotlight, a notable point of contention in patent law, highlighting its fundamental role in determining whether a patent can be ruled as obvious over previous art. The implications of this doctrine and its correct application can…
In a remarkable development, Neurovalens, a notable health tech industry player, has gained 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Modius Sleep, its groundbreaking product geared towards the treatment of insomnia and/or anxiety. The clearance, recorded on October 27, 2023, was backed by the results of a pivotal Phase III clinical…
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which forms part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, has enacted a new requirement for certain business entities, colloquially referred to as “Reporting Companies,” to disclose beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The requirements of this monumental act officially took…
In the realm of corporate law, it’s no secret that ranking up in the law firm hierarchy is a significant achievement. From elevating to a partnership to attaining a practice group chair, these are milestones that come packaged with a bevy of newfound responsibilities and, of course, well-earned acclaim. Quite fittingly, legal news outlet Law360…
A substantial development in the domain of California’s environmental laws and policies took place recently, garnering considerable attention from stakeholders. The spotlight centered around California’s water storage capacity, which achieved a significant milestone with the finalization of plans for the Sites Reservoir in Northern California. This news is particularly important to the legal professionals in…