Client Relationship Management (CRM) software has proved to be a powerful tool for large law firms, greatly contributing to their business performance and firm revenues. Leveraging vital intelligence computed from relationship data, such applications support law firms in making improved business decisions, while facilitating the enhancement of client relationships. CRM software is much more than…
In a significant move echoing the rising global sentiment on the oversight of technology within the legal and business spaces, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has highlighted its increasing focus on artificial intelligence (AI). As indicated in its latest published board minutes, the regulatory body has brought to light a few pertinent questions regarding…
Businesses across the globe continue to tackle the complex issue of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. Distilling this down, the ‘S’, representing the social aspect of these considerations, has been attracting significant attention, particularly from the perspective of Human Resources (HR). On September 21st, an insightful webinar titled ‘How to tackle the ‘S’ in…
On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission publicized a draft suggesting an update of the Merger Guidelines. The public has been invited to provide their comments on the proposal. If accepted, this drafted version of the Merger Guidelines would present a consequential shift in how the U.S. antitrust…
Law.com’s recent class action briefing, Critical Mass, touched upon significant legal stories of the week, notably the impressive $725 million class action settlement surrounding Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal. The piece, penned by Amanda Bronstad, reported that the case has accumulated over 17 million claims. The astronomical figure clearly left an impact on the presiding federal…
In a recent decision, the Massachusetts Appellate Court vacated a grant of summary judgment in favor of an employer, contending that a class action lawsuit — filed by employees alleging failure to receive ‘Sunday pay’ — was improperly dismissed. The plaintiffs are employees from Bella Sante, a local spa and salon. Their claim is primarily…
An aviation attorney, embroiled in a defamation lawsuit against a Connecticut-based blogger and journalist, contends that his case remains viable, asserting he complied with Connecticut state law by refiling his suit within the one-year stipulated timeframe. The litigation, originally filed in a federal court, is part of an ongoing legal face-off that has garnered significant…
The recent dispute concerning Alabama’s electoral map has gained significant attention, as allegations of “racial gerrymandering” have led the case to the US Supreme Court. Originating from the case of Allen v. Milligan which began in November 2021, the spotlight has been on the way Alabama’s legislature drew their congressional districts. The denial of the…
Sanctions and the specific systems businesses have in place to ensure compliance are once again gaining attention. This renewed focus follows the recent guidance put forth by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. This surge in focus has implications not just for legal frameworks but also puts a spotlight on recent decisions from courts and various…
As we spotlight the contemporary challenges faced by law firms, one area that has stood the test of time is managing conflict-check processes. Evaluating a law firm’s financial statements is a crucial task, but an even greater insight into a firm’s health can be extracted through a comprehensive analysis of its conflict check reports. The…
Recent events have spotlighted a growing concern in the international business and legal sectors related to intellectual property rights and patent filing procedures. A specific highly-publicized case revolves around a company named Zotz, which designs and manufactures toys for children. As described in a recent article on JD Supra, Zotz decided to expand its operations…
The alarming climate crisis is ever again under the spotlight. This time, potentially catastrophic repercussions thrust the topic into the limelight. It was signaled this morning in Barrett Pond Park Dam in Leominster, Massachusetts. Inhabitants and workers in the area have been direly warned to evacuate at once. This unusual and extreme measure was taken…
As private funds advisors and legal professionals within the corporate world, the ground continues to shift beneath our feet. Regulators are enhancing their scrutiny on private equity firms, evident as an increased need for disclosure and fresh restrictions on giving certain investors preferential treatment. Are firms ready to meet these changes and is the current…
Earlier this year, the United States Congress implemented the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a significant addition to the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. This legislative move forms part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act and seeks to deter illicit activities through improved transparency in corporate entities. The crux of the CTA centers on imposing…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has escalated its attention on off-channel communications at registered firms. In the age of digital transformation, traditional means of communication have taken a back seat. Financial services companies interact with stakeholders through diverse off-channel mediums such as social media, instant messaging, email, and other digital platforms. While such…
In a recent update, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) made public its second 2023 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL). A significant development released on September 8, 2023, this impacts an estimated 1,000 supply and service establishments. The CSAL serves as an advance notification to contractors of impending audits, and thus warrants immediate…
Alabama is once again under the spotlight of the Supreme Court. The state is contesting that it does not need to create two majority-Black congressional districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. This issue arose after the rejection of the state’s second map and subsequent instruction by the lower court for experts to redraft…
Several legal developments this week have raised eyebrows, touching on matters of controversy within the law profession and beyond. The discussion space extends from the university classroom to courtrooms nationwide, spotlighting issues ranging from dubious canine companions to judicial representation. At the academic foreground, an ASS Law Professor has been expressing his opinions. Somewhere off…
Earlier this year, a unique topic of conversation was brought into the spotlight by the Maryland intermediate appellate court’s decision in the case of Eastland Food Corp. v Mekhaya. A concern was raised over a nebulous area of law concerning close corporation shareholders and the potentially illegitimate actions of their directing boards, particularly in New…
The ongoing legal debate over preferred pronoun usage in classrooms has left many Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) feeling like they are ‘between a rock and a hard place’. The increasing scrutiny that these pronoun policies are receiving can be seen in the Seventh Circuit’s latest ruling from July 28, 2023. As reported on by…
Add to the growing list of concerns for building safety in the UK, there is a new kid on the block – Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Particularly in the spotlight during the recent ‘back to school’ week, the material has been found in over 150 school buildings, presenting a substantial risk of collapse. Yet,…
In a landmark decision, a U.S. District Court has declined to grant copyright protection to artwork generated by artificial intelligence (AI). This development comes amidst the ongoing legal wrestling match involving Dr. Stephen Thaler, who has sought legal protection for creative work developed by his AI software. Given the rapidly expanding role of AI in…
In a riveting news update from Foster Garvey PC on JD Supra, the world of sports and entertainment is once again put under the spotlight. The briefing comes amid significant personal developments of the author, who is recovering from a recent hand surgery. Despite the challenges imposed by this condition, the report provides a succinct…
In an environment where corporate compliance protocols are under the microscope, two recent actions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) spotlight the diligence required by legal and compliance departments, especially when it comes to reimbursing travel and hospitality-related expenses. These actions – a Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion letter and a Securities and Exchange…
In the realm of international trade law, August offered substantial activity as far as enforcement actions are concerned, with a couple of significant Russia-related cases capturing the spotlight. The first case of note involved a dual Russian-German citizen. The individual was arrested and subsequently charged with breaching the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) by allegedly…