As we look into the future of eDiscovery, we may anticipate not only a substantial overall growth, but also noteworthy changes within specific segments of the market. This projection applies to the period between 2023 and 2028, according to a recent report compiled by EDRM – Electronic Discovery Reference Model and published by JDSupra. The…
As countries across the globe shift their focus towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, offshore wind power is gaining noticeable traction. One such region witnessing a pivot towards this renewable power source is South Africa, a country rich with an untapped potential for offshore wind. In a recent discussion, Alessandra Pardini of Allen &…
As with many sectors, the legal profession is experiencing an unprecedented technological revolution. The rise of AI-driven technologies offers promising avenues towards significant efficiency gains and improved decision-making processes. However, it is not without challenges and potential pitfalls. Balancing the transformative power of these technologies with the expertise and judgment of legal professionals is key….
Client communications, often seen as laborious and time-consuming, are a fundamental part of legal professionals’ work. Yet a trajectory for efficiency and accuracy is being charted thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Serving as a digital scribe, AI has the potential to assist lawyers in managing their client correspondence, notably in creating clear and…
Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its technical implementation guide related to the machine-readable file, which is a crucial part of the Hospital Price Transparency Rule. According to a publication from King & Spalding, the updated guide includes data dictionaries, CSV templates, and a JSON schema, catering to the newly…
In an intriguing development in Ohio, the Ninth District Court held in Snyder v. Old World Classics, LLC, 2023-Ohio-4019, that any motion to compel arbitration under Ohio Revised Code 2711.03 mandates an oral hearing. This is an opposing stance to decisions by the Fourth and Eighth District Courts of Ohio in Chrysler Fin. Servs. V….
In a recent conversation with The National Law Journal, former appellate judge Paul Watford, who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, opened up about the reasons behind his disheartenment and subsequent resignation from the court following the Supreme Court’s landmark revisions to gun-rights and abortion precedents in 2022. Watford declared,…
The Federal Circuit’s decision in the case of Medtronic, Inc. v. Teleflex Life Sciences Ltd. presents a particularly interesting debate for legal professionals in the field of patent law. Although this case was largely a straightforward affirmation of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) decision, it did present one intriguing issue which the Federal…
California seems to be considering an expansion to an existing consumer health protection law, widely known as Proposition 65 (Prop. 65). A recent report alluded to suggested amendments that could mean heavier warning-notice obligations for certain businesses. These businesses make, distribute, or retail consumer products that could potentially harbor hazardous chemicals, inclusive of food products….
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations has announced its examination priorities for the fiscal year 2024, as reported by JD Supra. While providing few details, the announcement implies that these strategic plans greatly impact SEC-registered investment advisers, including those who provide guidance to private funds. The Division’s priority list functions as roadmap…
Over a week has passed since Milbank raised the associate salary scale, yet no other significant firm has publicly matched the move. This lack of immediate reaction could potentially indicate a period of contemplation before a flurry of activity, according to some analysts and consultants. However, others suggest that the silence may reveal more about…
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards are rapidly becoming a pivotal aspect of supplier agreements, propelled by new regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and California’s Corporate Data Accountability Act (CCDAA). These impending laws are set to necessitate reporting on suppliers’ carbon footprints and other sustainability metrics by both medium and…
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced its intention to bring changes to the H-1B program through a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled, “Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers”. Unveiled recently, the NPRM has heralded potential significant changes across the waters of…
As we move towards the end of 2023, a central consideration for legal professionals in international trade concerns compliance. Navigating this complex arena is taking on an increasing significance, particularly given the ramifications it can hold not only for a firm’s legal health but its corporate image and bottom line. In an interesting development, many…
In what is becoming a beacon of light for conservative states across America, Missouri’s cannabis industry has proved to be a massive success, despite its relative infancy. Surprisingly, Missouri, often overlooked in discussions of American cannabis culture and industry, has taken large strides forward in a short time. According to a recent report from Cultiva…
In recent months, as the United States was struck by severe weather events, Massachusetts’s inaugural Climate Chief, Melissa Hoffer, was diligently crafting initial proposals to counteract climate change. On October 25, Chief Hoffer set forth an exhaustive 87-page Report that set out her recommendations to combat the climate crisis in the Commonwealth. The report was…
In an interesting turn of events, the Delaware Court of Chancery approved a reduced fee award for a derivative settlement associated with allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment. The settlement, recently reviewed in the case Sciabacucchi v. Howley, C.A. No. 2021-0938-LWW (Del. Ch. July 3, 2023), was brought forward by a stockholder…
The question on many minds within the legal industry today: will elite Biglaw firms match Milbank’s recent salary increase or could there be a firm raising the stakes even higher? As per comments given by law firm management consultant Kent Zimmermann to the American Lawyer, if all other firms chose not to enact salary raises,…
Big Law firms are expected to follow Milbank’s lead, hiking salaries for associates. The firm’s unexpected decision to increase associate salaries by $10,000 is predicted to create a challenging environment for other major law firms as they contemplate whether to match or not. Milbank LLP announced this raise on Tuesday in an unprecedented year for…
The Federal Regulators have proposed a new rule that has elicited a significant degree of interest among mortgage originators and issuers of mortgage-backed securitizations relying on automated valuation models (AVMs). The focal point of the proposed rule centers on the utilization of AVMs for determining the value of real estate collateral. For those unfamiliar, AVMs…
Ohio Supreme Court Justice, Jennifer Brunner, a democrat, has filed a lawsuit against state officials over a law that requires the political affiliations of justice and appellate judge candidates be made visible on general election ballots. Brunner argues that this law infringes her First, Fifth, and 14th Amendment rights. This law was operative during her…
As legal professionals, one of the key aspects we often encounter is drafting a settlement agreement. This process normally requires a high level of foresight, especially with an eye for enforcement down the line. This becomes particularly essential with industry-side activities that are either complex or disputed, such as in the recent cases involving construction…
The California Civil Rights Council (CRD), previously known as the DFEH, has ushered in new regulations that modify the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). These regulations dictate the conditions under which California employers may contemplate a prospective employee’s criminal history during their evaluation process. They became effective on October 1, 2023, and introduce an…
The landscape of remote work for Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) and mortgage company employees is rapidly changing in favor of flexible work conditions. The majority of American states are now allowing MLOs and mortgage employees to work remotely, and this changing trend signifies a fundamental shift in the way this industry operates. The latest state…
On October 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft guide titled “Communications From Firms to Health Care Providers Regarding Scientific Information on Unapproved Uses [SIUU] of Approved/Cleared Medical Products: Questions and Answers”, often known as the SIUU Guidance. This awaited guide aims to address frequently asked questions and concerns related to…