State AGs and Federal Regulators Reshape Legal, Economic, and Social Landscapes Across the U.S.

The Attorney General (AG) and federal regulators play pivotal roles in shaping legal landscapes across the U.S., making significant decisions that impact various sectors in significant ways. Here, we delve into several key stories highlighting areas where the influence of state and federal regulators is particularly salient. In Montana, the AG is playing a key…

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Innovative Startups Steal the Spotlight at ILTACON 2023: Exclusive Insights from 12 Legal Tech Founders

Live from Orlando, Florida, the International Legal Technology Association’s annual conference, ILTACON, is a vibrant mix of old and new as industry mainstays rub shoulders with innovative startups. This year’s conference once more featured a Startup Hub, where 27 new legal tech startups set up shop to showcase their innovations. Although it was impossible to…

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Dodd-Frank Act Spurs Quality Control Proposals for Mortgage AVMs

Mortgage originators and secondary market issuers have long relied on automated valuation models (AVMs) for calculating the value of collateral securing mortgages on consumers’ principal dwellings. With the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) reconfiguring the financial landscape, these processes have come under increased scrutiny. As a result of the Dodd-Frank…

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CFPB Targets Loan Churning Practices in Lawsuit Against Finance Companies

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently initiated a lawsuit in a South Carolina federal district court against Heights Finance Holding Co. f/k/a Southern Management Corporation and a host of its entirely owned, state-licensed subsidiaries, jointly referred to as Southern. The CFPB has alleged that Southern contravened the Consumer Financial Protection Act’s Unfair, Deceptive, or…

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Navigating Recent Legal Advancements in the Telehealth Sector

As telehealth continues to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered, keeping pace with legal developments in this sector is imperative for legal professionals navigating the sector. Between August 15 to August 21, 2023, several significant legal advancements concerning telehealth were observed. A detailed review of these occurrences was provided by McDermott Will & Emery, which…

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Elevating Corporate Ethics: The Crucial Role of Psychological Safety in Compliance Programs

In recent years, there has been surging interest in the corporate world towards compliance and ethics programs. This enthusiasm partly stems from a series of enlightening publications brought forth by esteemed compliance professionals. One of the notable releases includes “Level Up” by Mary Shirley, spotlighting innovative methods and ideas to bolster the efficacy of Ethics…

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Navigating Money Transmission Laws: A Comprehensive Analysis for Businesses in Payment Services

As various forms of digital payments continue to evolve and impact global economies, the legal underpinnings of these systems grow increasingly critical. A Deep Dive into Payments, an informative podcast series presented by McGlinchey Stafford, has captured attention due to its holistic discussion on the impacts of money transmission laws on entities involved in the…

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Court Ruling Reinforces Consumer Protection, Demands Accurate Communication in Debt Collection Practices

On August 22, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York refused to dismiss Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) claims. These claims, brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), alleged violations related to misrepresentation made to debtors by debt collectors. The complaint alleged that…

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Spain’s Failure to Implement UN Decision in Garzón Case Exposes Defiance of International Law

A recent development indicates that Spain has failed to comply with international law, as per the findings of a UN Human Rights Committee on Follow-Up Rapporteur. The findings, which have been published, reveal that Spain did not implement the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) decision concerning the case of Baltasar Garzón v Spain. Interestingly,…

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Hawaiian Power Companies Face Negligence Lawsuits in Wake of Deadly Wildfires

In the aftermath of an extraordinarily destructive wildfire on Maui, which resulted in over 100 fatalities, Hawaii’s power companies have become the subject of burgeoning legal action. The recent lawsuits level accusations of negligence against the utility providers, a development which could be a prelude to much larger litigation wave. Legal experts speculate that potentially…

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SEC Finalizes Private Fund Adviser Rule: Key Implications and Prospective Influence on Industry Regulation

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized the ‘Private Fund Adviser Rule’ (PFA), a regulation that had been under the spotlight ever since it was proposed on February 9, 2022. The proposal became the subject of extensive consultations with the General Partner and Limited Partner communities over approximately 16 months as the SEC aimed…

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Diverging Superfund Rules Pit Circuit Courts Against Each Other: Analyzing the Government’s Stance on Intervention

Coplex and intricate as ever, the U.S. environmental law is throwing yet another curveball in its statute, pushing legal professionals onto their toes. Over recent years, anyone exhausting the labyrinth of environmental law likely faced a case demanding a plunge into the mysterious well that is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act’s (CERCLA)…

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