In recent legal developments, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) — known for its inherent intent to target and address surging drug prices — has been subject to multiple legal challenges. It all kicks off in the wake of the United States Health and Human Services (“HHS”) agency announcing the first ten drugs to be included…
In a recent development in the art world, a case in the Second Circuit has reignited the debate around the intersection of intellectual property rights and contentious artwork. The heart of the controversy is whether or not an artist’s rights under the 1990 Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) are violated when a contentious piece of…
On September 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an issue spotlight examining the integral role mobile device operating systems perform in shaping consumer’s payment choices. This issue seems to have emerged amidst the continued shift towards the use of contactless payments on mobile devices such as smartphones and wearables. Given the abundantly available…
E-discovery company CS Disco recently announced that Kiwi Camara, its co-founder, has decided to relinquish his positions as both the chief executive officer and a board member. Popularly known as DISCO, the company chose Scott Hill as the interim CEO while the board looks for a suitable permanent replacement. Hill has been a member of…
Welcome to the September 2023 edition of ‘The On-Ramp’, a newsletter dedicated to exploring the legal and policy developments in the world of autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, emerging mobility technologies, and electrification. This newsletter, curated by Venable’s Autonomous and Connected Mobility team, keeps a keen eye on the latest happenings around these topics, from the…
After the fallout of Facebook v. Duguid, many have waited anxiously to observe how district courts would interpret the Supreme Court’s clarified definition of an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS). The case took the spotlight due to its severe implications under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This development comes as part of Manatt’s consistent…
Internationally recognized law firm, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, is currently investigating claims related to the diabetes medication, Ozempic. Primarily known amongst medical professionals, Ozempic had recently entered the public consciousness due to media attention highlighting the drug’s weight loss benefits. However, despite its budding popularity, allegations of the drug instigating severe gastroparesis have…
Recent litigation on the rise against Verizon is indicative of the increasing spotlight on environmental liabilities incurred by telecom companies. According to reports, these lawsuits are primarily informed by an investigative report from the Wall Street Journal that posits the threat of lead leaching into the environment from telecom cables. The lawsuits allege these telecommunication…
Current events in the legal world suggest an increasing scrutiny on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments within law firms. These efforts, largely driven by a series of lawsuits initiated by Edward Blum, are creating a unique tension in the global legal landscape. Edward Blum, a noted anti-affirmative action activist, has been behind these lawsuits…
In a major development within the healthcare sector, the Biden administration proposes a set of new staffing standards for nursing homes across the United States. Not only does the proposed rule plan to implement a minimum staffing “floor”, but it also initiates a nursing home accountability initiative. Long-term care facilities, a sector already wrestling with…
Last week, a development occurred concerning a legal battle shaking up the financial sector as three farm credit trade associations, namely the Farm Credit Council, Texas Farm Credit, and Capital Farm Credit, known collectively as “Farm Credit Intervenors”, entered the fray. This development comes in the form of unopposed emergency motions for leave to intervene…
On September 2nd, over 20,000 individuals staged protests in Berlin which took the form of dances. Conflicting with common associations of protests as violent and disillusioned, this stand against the German Federal Ministry of Transport’s plans to expand the A100 highway, portrayed an entirely different image. The affected area, well-known for its vibrant nightlife, stands…
Last week’s question in the legal profession: “Are legal rankings a substitute for thinking?” has sparked considerable discussion. The subject, presented by Christine Charnosky, a legal education reporter for Law.Com, appears to speak directly to leading figures in industry circles. Debate on the matter rages on with a spotlight on the extent to which rankings…
Over a year and a half ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated its intentions for new Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance, following the adoption of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 (VIDA). This proposal generated much attention from diligent mariners who are keen to see how the introduction of new…
Despite the leap forward in technology and the advantages it delivers, it has also bestowed upon us a new type of threat: the indiscriminate spread of personal data. You may find yourself startled at the sheer amount of personal information about you and your family that is freely traded online. This is the data that…
The legal dynamics between corporate counsels, clients and company shareholders often have fine margins for complexity, in particular, when it comes to attorney-client privilege. This intricate layer has been brought to the spotlight again, due to an exception to the attorney-client privilege that is recognized in many jurisdictions, allowing minority owners of LLCs and corporations…
In July 2023, the European Commission announced its latest annual Strategic Foresight Report – a critical document that sets out the future course for the Union’s strategic initiatives and objectives. The 2023 Report, according to details available, presents a renewed focus on environmental sustainability and the social well-being of people throughout the Union, aligning with…
In recent years, North Carolina has been steering the present and future of its economy through the use of megasites. These expansive tracts of land, each consisting of a minimum of 1,000 contiguous acres, have attracted large-scale projects that have not been previously seen in the state. According to a report from McGuireWoods Consulting, the…
In recent developments, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) initiated an investigation into the steady, efficient, and economic development of electricity generation within the province on September 11, 2023. The AUC’s inquiry underlines the growing emphasis on the role of renewable energy sources in molding the future of electricity generation. This intuitive move is likely to…
In what is emerging as a pivotal moment in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era of collegiate sports, former Florida Gators star defensive lineman and current Chicago Bears rookie, Gervon Dexter has thrust himself into the legal spotlight. Dexter recently filed a federal lawsuit aiming to void his agreement with the NIL group, Big…
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…