As international regulatory bodies continue to grapple with the complexities of managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater, one thing is clear – a consistent approach is far from realized. State-level agencies across the United States, facing a void of federal guidance on PFAS remediation, have started implementing their own objectives. This situation has…
In an announcement of significant importance to legal practitioners and corporate professionals navigating the murky waters of U.S. immigration policy, the U.S. Department of State has released its visa bulletin for November 2023. As indicated by the information available, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be using the Dates for Filing Chart in…
Google’s external litigation firm, Williams & Connolly is preparing to take the frontline this Thursday in a bid to challenge the U.S. government’s antitrust case against Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company. This information comes from Bloomberg Law’s report on the upcoming court proceedings. The Washington-based boutique firm is famous not only for its aggressive approach…
In a noteworthy decision, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has offered guidance on contractual and implied indemnity claims. This is in context of a case involving a design engineer, WW Consultants, and Pocahontas County Public Service District (“Pocahontas County”). The details of the case relate to a wastewater treatment plant project that WW…
Amidst a sea of conjecture around potential changes in U.S. policy on Venezuela, it appears a crest of change has arrived. On October 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued four general licenses, indicating a noteworthy reorientation of its Venezuelan sanction program. The information has been verified…
In a significant development in the world of environmental law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new mandatory reporting rule for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their related products under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The rule, published on October 11, 2023, necessitates manufacturers of PFAS and PFAS-containing products to…
In the evolving legal landscape, employers are grappling with issues related to marijuana laws. As more states provide for the medical and recreational use of marijuana, there are a host of inconsistencies that are causing companies considerable difficulty in forming consistent drug-testing policies. These are necessary for a variety of circumstances, from pre-employment screenings to…
The engrossingly complex terrain of contemporary artificial intelligence (AI) litigation is a topic of vital importance for today’s legal professionals, especially those involved in the corporate and legal sectors. The convolutions of AI – now a conventional term in our common vernacular – are still elusive to many, particularly details of how “artificial intelligence” is…
As the third quarter of 2023 draws to a close, the oversight of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the United States has seen substantial developments. This update seeks to consolidate the major regulatory, legal, and scientific strides made within this period. One of the key highlights is the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) finalising its…
In an upcoming hybrid event, attorneys from fields including Restructuring & Reorganization, Real Estate, and Tax will navigate discussions around workout discussions with lenders, specifically focusing on trends observed from commercial real estate loan workouts in 2023. This forms a pivotal part of maneuvers when borrowers face the prospect of defaulting. The discussion promises a…
With commercial real estate markets navigating turbulent waters in 2023, a significant event titled ‘Navigating Workout Discussions with Lenders – Trends from 2023’ is slated to be discussed in depth on November 9th, in Dallas, TX. A key focus of this program involves the examination of critical issues surrounding commercial real estate loan workouts and…
Early this month, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) issued a Notice of Violation/Cease and Desist Order to Zimmerman Metals, Inc., an Adams County-based facility fabricating structural steel. In a move that is likely to have significant ramifications for the legal and corporate sector, the notice directs Zimmerman Metals to address infractions…
In a recently released episode of the Bar Exam Toolbox podcast, the discussion centered around ways in which individuals who have failed the bar exam could shift their mindset to prepare for re-taking the test, by viewing their failure as constructive feedback. The podcast, hosted by the Law School Toolbox, highlights practicable approaches to navigate…
Companies across various industries are facing a potentially precarious future due to mounting litigation linked to the use and proliferation of ‘forever chemicals’. Lurking risks to their bottom lines from these lawsuits could be significant, with predicted liabilities stretching into the trillions of dollars. The industry’s concern centers around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known…
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has undertaken a new measure in an effort to regulate the practice of civilian hackers operating in conflict zones. The initiative comes in response to an observed increase in civilian hackers becoming involved in inter-state conflicts. The ICRC has formulated a list of eight directives with the…
The Supreme Court of the United States, known as SCOTUS, recently announced its intention to hear Cantero v. Bank of America, N.A, a landmark case that centers around the contentious issue of state regulation in federally-chartered banks. The SCOTUS decision to review the case comes despite advice from the Solicitor General suggesting that such an…
The topic of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza is a contentious one, particularly when it involves a substantial figure of $100 million, as announced by President Joe Biden. Expressly aimed at assisting the residents of the strife-torn Gaza Strip, this move hasn’t come without its share of criticism. Following the announcement, Senator Rick Scott stated…
The California 2023 Legislative Session recently concluded on September 14, 2023, leading to Governor Gavin Newsom deliberating on multiple significant changes to water-related laws in California. Flash forward thirty days to October 14, 2023, which was Newsom’s deadline to approve all bills. Moreover, The State Water Resources Control Board (State Board), has issued new guidelines…
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently dismissed a proposed Class Action lawsuit against L’Oreal U.S.A., Inc. The allegations were that its mascara products contained per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances often referred to as “PFAS”. This decision was made without prejudice. Plaintiffs alleged on a “price premium” theory of injury. They asserted that…
Legal professionals working in prominent corporations and law firms frequently navigate a complex regulatory environment. Among these complexities, the rule 3a-7 exempts Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) from several regulatory regimes that typically apply to traditional CLOs. These are structured similarly to Section 3(c)(7) CLOs, but are subject to additional restrictions such as trading for value…
In a recent unexpected decision, a judge has issued the first post-Cemex bargaining order, despite the employer having won the union election. This decision, it seems, has been significantly influenced by the Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, LLC ruling, which has led to a dramatic alteration in the norm that used to dictate the issuance of…
The function and interpretation of an “S election”- a tax election for corporations to pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes- has once again been thrust into the spotlight. As always, the core question revolves around whether such an election can be considered “property” in the process…
Upcoming changes in cybersecurity disclosure norms are set to significantly influence the operations of public companies. A forthcoming webinar, organized by Vinson & Elkins LLP, will provide an overview of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) new requirements related to this important issue. On November 7th, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm CT, viewers can…
Two weeks ago, Donald Trump found himself in hot water after posting an unfounded screenshot on his Truth Social platform. He falsely identified a law clerk for the New York Supreme Court Justice Engoron as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s “girlfriend.” (Above The Law) Justice Engoron immediately took action and issued a gag order preventing…
The intricacies of legal protections over wetlands in North Carolina have taken a significant turn, leaving many developers exhaling sighs of relief. Following the enactment of the North Carolina Farm Act of 2023, the Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) in North Carolina is now only allowed to regulate wetlands that fall under the jurisdiction of…