In a proactive stance towards environmental preservation, Minnesota has enacted a new set of legal provisions regarding the handling and sale of products containing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The law, signed by Minnesota’s Governor on May 24, 2023, imposed a sweeping array of new standards for the state, putting into place bans on multiple…
A pivotal development in the ongoing Camp Lejeune toxic water contamination litigation has been introduced, according to a recent report on JD Supra. The Department of the Navy is now offering an expedited resolution process for victims of the water contamination incident at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base camp in Jacksonville, North Carolina….
A group of 40 survivors of a boat accident involving migrants in Greek waters has filed a criminal complaint against all parties they consider accountable for the tragedy, according to a statement from the survivors’ representatives. The survivors are clamoring for an in-depth investigation into the reasons behind the sinking and the response from the…
In a significant move, developers are preparing for changes in both building density and wetland restrictions, following a recent policy shift by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Obama administration’s EPA, in 2011, issued a rule interpretation that significantly broadened the definition of “Waters of the United States” falling under the EPA’s regulatory jurisdiction. However,…
Decentralized finance (“DeFi”) protocol Uniswap and its investors have successfully avoided a class action lawsuit alleging fraudulent activities on Uniswap’s digital asset exchange. This case, a first of its kind, was dismissed in entirety by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 30, 2023. The parties implicated in the…
The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) recently highlighted a series of important cases in the sales and use tax law. These cases, while technologically and legally intricate, underscores the increasing importance of proper comprehension and application of legal principles in this rapidly changing field. In one significant recent case, Stingray Pressure Pumping, LLC v. Harris,…
The UK legal landscape witnessed some significant upheavals during the past week. A Kazakh paper recycling company changed the course of their investment dispute against their CEO and the litigation funder, Harbour Fund. In another instance, a real estate company founded by Axiom’s former chief was implicated in a breach of contract claim. Noted street…
In a noteworthy development earlier this year, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a memorandum stating that numerous employers’ imposition of noncompetition and related agreements potentially infringes upon the National Labor Relations Act. Such agreements, it was argued, could interfere with employees’ rights to negotiate with their employers and to…
In the area of environmental law and public policy, the conversation around Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), popularly known as “forever chemicals”, continues to evolve. Forever chemicals, common in drinking and wastewater treatment, and related sludge disposal, have been a constant topic of legal discourse owing to their environmental and health implications. Recent developments, however,…
California’s recent legislative move, a statute that invalidates non-compete agreements, has been stirring up controversial discussions amongst legal professionals. The question at the forefront is: Will this new statute survive any potential constitutional challenges that may arise? As JD Supra reports, Article I, Section 10 of the United States Constitution prohibits a state from passing…
European and American corporations are bracing for a new era of data privacy standards, following the unveiling of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. This latest development has gained considerable traction in legal circles, as it attempts to fill the significant regulatory gap left by the annulment of its predecessor, the Privacy Shield. As detailed by…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently upheld the rejection of a trademark application from PIM Brands, a candymaker who created Sour Jack Wedges, asserting that a confectioner cannot obstruct its competitors from producing candy similar in appearance to a watermelon. The Sour Jack Wedges, which debuted two decades ago, mirror the…
Modern regulations have dictated a sharp turn in the realm of marketing funds within the European Union, and the French enforcement agencies are leading the way with a particular emphasis on reverse solicitation practices. As the financial landscape continues to adjust to nativist tendencies and famous Brexit exit, subtler nuances are beginning to emerge from…
The Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment – Division of Environmental Quality together with the Lonoke County Property Owners’ Multipurpose Improvement District No. 12 (“MID”) entered into a recent Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”). The CAO aims to address alleged violations of a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit according toMitchell, Williams,…
In a notable move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have amended the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), following the Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The modification in the definition invalidates the agencies’ previous definition. The modified rule was announced recently and took immediate effect…
In recent times, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has become a determining factor in the operations of registered investment advisors. Regardless of the size or nature of operations, no investment advisor is immune to the scrutinous lens of an SEC examination. This event is not merely a possibility; it is a certain inevitability. Against…
Organizations across the globe are grappling with the rapidly evolving landscape of data privacy regulations. From the proliferation of state and federal laws within the United States to the international waters of directives such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), businesses big and small face challenges in complying with a myriad of…
In a striking turn of events, large corporations and law firms find themselves in hot water due to inadequate policies guiding the creation of performance numbers. While these institutions generally work fervently to stay within the realms of legality, recent reports highlight significant gaps in their operations that have led to punitive measures. Remarkably, it…
Recent litigation on the rise against Verizon is indicative of the increasing spotlight on environmental liabilities incurred by telecom companies. According to reports, these lawsuits are primarily informed by an investigative report from the Wall Street Journal that posits the threat of lead leaching into the environment from telecom cables. The lawsuits allege these telecommunication…
In August of the previous year, Starbucks found itself in the defendant position in a lawsuit filed by the National Center for Public Policy Research. The complaint revolved around the allegation that Starbucks’ officers and directors initiated a set of policies contravening various state and federal civil rights laws, purportedly demonstrating racial discrimination. Starbucks, however,…
On September 8, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final rule amending the significant definition of “waters of the United States” pursuant to the Clean Water Act. This rule, collectively referred to as the "Agency Rule," revises the Agencies’ definition which had…
In a recent conversation with geopolitical risk intelligence expert, Dr. Ian Oxnevad, critical insights about Russia and potential prospects for rebuilding Ukraine were elucidated. Dr. Oxnevad, in his capacity as the Director of Geopolitical Risk Intelligence at Infortal Worldwide, has built a reputation for his profound understanding of the global landscape, thanks to his academic…
Nearly 15 years subsequent to the initial enactment of the 45Q tax credit, along with one year following the significant enlargement of the said credit in line with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), projections reveal the expanded 45Q mechanic is poised to bring substantial investment in the Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) sector. The progressive…
Legal professionals who specialize in workplace litigation are keeping a close eye on a recent case in the Second Circuit, which has raised significant questions on the topic of academic freedom and freedom of speech in the workplace. A ruling has now determined that the Garcetti defense does not apply to a professor’s claim of…
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has recently announced expected updates to its Surface Water Quality Standards, which are projected to have significant implications on properties with New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permits, laboratories, and remediation sites. This important update pertains to the standards for various substances with both freshwater and…