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…
With the pace of regulatory scrutiny in today’s business environment, it is imperative for legal professionals, particularly those working in corporate houses and multinational law firms, to be prepared in advance for potential SEC (Securities and Exchange commission) examinations. As such, SEC Compliance Consultants, Inc., also known as SEC³ – a team that includes ex-SEC…
On November 1, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a bulletin on “commercial loans to early-, expansion-, and late-stage companies,” a term they have termed as “venture loans.” This signals the OCC’s recognition of the unique risks and opportunities associated with such lending activities. The OCC clarified that venture lending has…
Bankruptcy trustees and receivers managing distressed commercial real estate entities have a new precedent to consider. The California Second District Court of Appeal recently ruled in the case of Breanne Martin v. Leslie Gladstone, potentially influencing the receivership and bankruptcy industries. This case emerges during a timely period as bankruptcy proceedings and receiverships, especially for…
The Data Provenance Institute has raised alarm on the widespread presence of improperly licensed data within open-source data sets. The institute, consisting of machine-learning engineers and legal experts, reported a significant amount of the data used for training large language models to be unlicensed. Among the institute’s voiced concerns, one is the practical difficulty faced…
The legal sector never sleeps, and this week has been no different with multiple noteworthy incidents unfolding both in and outside the courtroom. All the following information has been collated and evaluated thanks to the hard work of Howard Bashman at his How Appealing blog, the first-ever blog dedicated to appellate litigation. One of the…
In an unprecedented move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has endorsed a bill that restricts the use of four food additives. This novel legislation, the first of its kind in the United States, has caused a ripple effect within the food industry, resulting in subsequent pleadings for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to respond….
The Florida Bar Association is currently deliberating a provocative question regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by lawyers: should client consent be necessary before lawyers use AI in their legal matters? This controversy adds another layer to the increasingly complex relationship between technology and law. Karen Sloan, a correspondent for Reuters, reports that Florida…
Delaware’s highest court is currently deliberating on a ruling that could potentially reshape corporate dealmaking. The case in question revolves around the intricate restructuring of the holding companies responsible for operating Match.com, a popular online dating site. This case serves as an opportunity for the leading U.S. forum for mergers and acquisitions disputes to either…
In July, NetDocuments commenced a trial launch of its AI-based product, PatternBuilder MAX. This generative AI tool aspires to facilitate firms in creating customized AI automation that caters to their specific practice areas, offering a glimpse into the transformative potential of AI in streamlining operations for legal firms. This product was intended as the forebear…
In instances where a parent contemplates leaving their current employment voluntarily, questions often arise regarding how such an action could impact their ongoing child support obligations. As explored in a recent article by Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP found on JDSupra.com, a detailed understanding of Pennsylvania child support laws sheds light on possible implications….
One might find it challenging to draw a line connecting rapper Cardi B and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, but a provision in federal bankruptcy law that has little public attention could significantly impact their financial situations by millions of dollars. Recently, Jones was forbidden by a judge from leveraging bankruptcy to avert the payment of…
In an article published by JD Supra, of interest to legal professionals managing teams or overseeing compliance, Fisher Phillips discloses a valuable checklist encompassing pointers to contemplate when conducting one-on-one meetings with team members. This comes as a much-needed directive, particularly in this timeframe when numerous organizations are preparing for annual evaluations. According to Fisher…
In a tragic turn of events, Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson was fatally shot on Thursday night on his property. According to authorities, the gunman was identified as a man who had earlier that day lost custody rights of his children in a court proceeding presided over by Judge Wilkinson. The disconcerting incident brings…
China continues to make strides in data regulation as the country sheds more light on its approach towards cross-border data transfers. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the body tasked with the oversight of data protection and cybersecurity, announced the release of draft provisions designed to regulate and facilitate such transfers. Public consultation on these…
In recent years, this era has been marked by various symbols of unity and solidarity—pink pussy hats, black squares on Instagram, and safety pins worn on jackets. However, distinguishing genuine “awareness-raising” efforts from mere “clout chasing” and virtue signaling can be a difficult task. As we approach the ABA’s upcoming Equity Summit, the focus needs…
The future of non-compete clauses in New York hangs in the balance as Governor Hochul deliberates on a broad non-compete ban bill passed by the New York Legislature earlier this year. While the FTC also contemplates a similar ban, it is the state-level movements that have been the driving force in this area. The proposed…
In a recent trial involving former U.S. President Donald Trump, a senior employee of Trump Organization Inc. has given testimony suggesting that Trump’s top aides had contemplated implementing a “presidential premium” to his property values post his 2016 election to the White House. As per the employee’s statements, the premium, estimated to be as high…
Armenia formally submitted a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanding provisional measures against Azerbaijan, alleging acts of “ethnic cleansing” in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian region. According to an ICJ document, Armenia charges Azerbaijan with breaching its obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The…
As the end of the year approach, many legal professionals contemplate switching jobs, often deferring their considerations to the start of the next year, viewing January as a more favorable time to transition. This belief, however, could inadvertently obscure the potential benefits of initiating a lateral move in the final quarter of the year. Lateral…
Legal professionals working for corporations and law firms have much to contemplate in the light of recent developments in the state of Washington’s pay transparency law. Over the past week, approximately thirty-class action lawsuits were filed against various employers, alleging infringements of the newly established regulation. This wave of lawsuits should serve as a clarion…
Between October 11 and November 7, 2023, Ohio will become the latest state in the US to contemplate the legalization of recreational marijuana use for adults. Voters will decide whether to approve Issue 2 – a voter-initiated law named “To Commercialize, Regulate, Legalize and Tax the Adult Use of Cannabis”. A simple majority vote is…
In a race towards environmental reform, California has sprinted ahead. On October 7, 2023, Governor Newsom ratified California Senate Bill 253 (SB 253), known as the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. This marks a significant advance in how official disclosure requirements for greenhouse gas emissions are executed in the United States.[1] With the formal enactment…