In a notable development, the New York State Unified Court System announced that its Managing Inspector General for Bias Matters is now taking on the role of the System’s new Inspector General. The announcement, made on Tuesday, marks a significant personnel change within one of the largest and most influential court systems in the United…
In the delicate and highly-detailed domain of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), insurance is a factor that often goes overlooked. However, disregard for this critical area can lead to unplanned financial exposure, thereby threatening the acquiring party’s economic stability. The form of the M&A transaction, the specifics of the policy, and the applicable state law all…
Labor Day in the United States, unlike other federal holidays, carries a historical significance deeply rooted in the nation’s labor history. Its origins trace back to 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed into law a bill to recognize the contributions of American workers. The passage of this law culminated in the institutional celebration of Labor…
It has been previously reported this year that the Canadian Patent Office is set to scale up its official fees by as much as 36%, with changes taking effect from January 1, 2024. This impending increase has naturally led to patentees and applicants exploring cost-saving measures, with one open option being paying for impending Patent…
In July 2023, Ontario’s Ministry of Energy released a roadmap outlining its strategy for acquiring and maintaining the electric resources necessary to meet the province’s growing electricity demand. The comprehensive 84-page document, titled “Powering Growth: Ontario’s Plan for a Clean Energy Future,” (“the Plan”), outlines the region’s strategy for implementing production, storage, and transport infrastructures…
In 2019, California initiated a legislative maneuver with a potential far-reaching impact for both employers and employees. The state passed a law that called for the creation of the Long Term Care Insurance Task Force (“Task Force”). It tasked the group with a comprehensive examination of the design and implementation methodology of a long-term care…
Biglaw Chair, Paul Schmidt, has put forth a novel recommendation for law firm partners in an effort to enhance communication with associates – adopt texting and chat mechanisms. Schmidt believes immersing into such platforms, preferred by the younger generation of lawyers, would not only improve interactions but also address some of the distinct generational challenges…
On August 29, 2023, a joint proposal was made by The Federal Reserve Board, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – a move that did not go unnoticed by the financial legal community. According to this proposal, all banks with total assets amounting to $100 billion or…
With several high-profile law firm mergers on the horizon, legal professionals face a critical decision: to stay or to move on. In 2023, widespread consolidation was observed as numerous Am Law 100 firms – many keen on enhancing their competitive edge and geographic reach – absorbed smaller firms aspiring for scale. Among these, were over…
It’s seldom that we get to watch a corporate disaster in real-time, but Better.com certainly had us on the edge of our seats recently with what can only be described as one of the most dismal Nasdaq debuts ever seen. For those unfamiliar with Better.com’s recent plight, let me provide a brief snapshot. The mortgage…
In a latest episode of the podcast Illumination Zone, Tom Kemp, renowned author, technologist, policy advisor, and investor, joined hosts Kaylee and Mary for an insightful discussion. This episode, titled Illumination Zone: Episode 138, saw Kemp discuss various aspects of big data, artificial intelligence, the role of big tech, privacy issues, and the increasing influence…
In a significant turn of events for the legal industry, Daugherty Lordan, the firm that originated as a spinoff from leading law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, recently announced its decision to wind down operations. The implications of this development extend far beyond the closure of the firm itself, proffering valuable lessons for the…
In recent developments, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have moved to augment hospital price transparency stipulations and bolster enforcement practices. This initiative comes on the heels of CMS issuing its second highest civil monetary penalty for infringement of the hospital price transparency rule. On July 26, 2023, a mere two days subsequent…
Template documents often hold an allure for businesses under far-reaching pressure to sign contracts swiftly. This popular solution can notably increase convenience, but veils a vital requirement. When dealing with liability provisions, careful contemplation is vital for understanding the actual intentions of the parties involved and assessing potential amendments needed for such template provisions. The…
In a reversal of long-held legal precedent, a Federal Appeals Court has overturned a stringent rule followed by courts in the Fifth Circuit, affecting the viability for employees to sue under Title VII for workplace discrimination. The full details of this remarkable shift can be explored in detail here. For years, employees intending to bring…
We’ve often heard the adage “do it afraid”, a piece of advice aimed at motivating individuals to face challenges head-on, despite their fears. However, when it comes to pressing responsibilities such as reviewing, revising, drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts, can fear be a detrimental factor to in-house lawyers? For many legal professionals, their first in-house…
Former Donald Trump attorney, Michael Cohen, is reported to be considering a run for Congress, as he revealed in comments given to Semafor. “I am interested and there’s a multitude of folks encouraging me to run,” he stated. Notably, Cohen, a former Trump loyalist, has turned into a critic of the former president, undergoing a…
Contract lifecycle management company Agiloft has launched a new product called AI Trainer, specifically designed to empower non-technical legal and business professionals. This innovative tool addresses one of the primary challenges that arise when using artificial intelligence software for contract review: training AI to align with a company’s unique preferences for phrases and essential terms….
Within the world of legal estate planning, there’s a tool gaining prominence; one that can foster long-lasting wealth transfers through generations: the dynasty trust. This particular trust has the potential to not only streamline asset allocation among descendants, but also offer additional protections for families over extensive periods of time, possibly even indefinitely. According to…
In a recent development concerning governmental regulations surrounding telemedicine, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has indicated its intent to contemplate a potential new Special Registration for telemedicine. The goal of this registration process would be to allow health professionals the ability to prescribe controlled substances to their patients without the necessity of an…
As world economies grapple with the urgency of carbon emission reductions, the United States is charting a new path in the transportation sector, spearheaded by states such as New York. In order to accelerate electric vehicle usage across the state, New York’s Legislature has now passed four vehicle charging infrastructure bills during the recent session,…
In another instance confirming that, indeed, the devil resides in the details, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) recently delivered a noteworthy decision. On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Stericycle, Inc., 372 NLRB No. 113 (2023), the Board reassessed a critical legal structure to determine whether workplace regulations contravene the National Labor…
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), seeking to enhance the accessibility of state and local government websites to individuals with disabilities — a move that has implications beyond governmental spheres. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the DOJ is amongst those few federal agencies that hold wide-ranging responsibilities for…
In recent legal news, a series of events have unfolded that might leave one questioning the integrity and ethics among esteemed members of the legal community. The stories range from questionable finance practices to suspicion of heinous crimes, painting a disturbing picture. The everyman image of Justice Clarence Thomas seems to be specifically under question…
Business succession planning, though possibly uncomfortable to consider, is paramount to the longevity and prosperity of an enterprise following a transition in ownership. In an insightful article by Husch Blackwell LLP, several strategies that business owners may contemplate in the construction of their succession plans are brought to light. At the larger end of the…