A spate of recent ransomware attacks illustrates the increasingly difficult calculations that businesses face following the theft or encryption of their data… more
On April 7, 2024, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released a… more
For many charitable institutions, accepting gifts subject to certain donor-imposed restrictions is in the normal course of business. While these restricted funds are quite common, their usefulness can occasionally become impractical… more
In Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, Mo., the U.S. Supreme Court made it easier for employees who are involuntarily transferred to a lateral position to pursue discrimination claims, even when they retain the same pay, benefits and… more
On Wednesday, 10 April 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This came one day after EPA’s… more
As we kick off Earth Day 2024, we look to this year’s Earth Day theme–“Planet versus Plastics.” Planet versus Plastics seeks to focus attention on the challenges that plastic pollution poses to the planet. In recognition of this… more
On December 29, 2023, the Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan or "OJK") issued a new regulation, OJK Regulation No. 29 of 2023 (the "New Regulation"), which revokes the previous OJK Regulation No… more
On Friday, April 19, 2024, the United States Department of Education (USDoEd) released the final version (“final rule”) of its amendments to the regulations implementing Title IX. Title IX has now been significantly amended for the… more
Regulators at all levels are seeking to advance climate-change related policies. Of late, municipalities have increasingly sought to “decarbonize” buildings and related infrastructure through changes to building codes and legislation… more
In a unanimous decision, the US Supreme Court held that pure omissions are not actionable under Rule 10b-5(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Rather, the Court found that Rule 10b–5(b) prohibits half-truths, not pure… more
On April 19, 2024, just nine days after finalizing the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard for six individual per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Agency designated PFOA and PFOS, two widely used… more
On March 13, 2024, Governor Spencer Cox signed House Bill (H.B.) 55 into law, making Utah the latest state to restrict the use of certain nondisclosure and non-disparagement agreements relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment… more
Recent bribery and corruption enforcement efforts by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), combined with new legislative and policy initiatives, including last December’s passage of the… more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted final rules that affect businesses that manufactured or used PFAS substances and establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for drinking water… more
Precedential and Key Federal Circuit Opinions - 1. JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA, INC. [OPINION] (2022-1258, 2022-1307, 4/1/2024) (Dyk, Prost, and Hughes) - Prost, J. The Court affirmed the district… more
In Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. v. Moab Partners, No. 22-1165, 2024 WL 1588706 (U.S. Apr. 12, 2024) (“MIC”), the United States Supreme Court (Sotomayor, J.) held unanimously that “pure omissions” in a Securities and Exchange… more
On April 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing a new rule updating the mitigation and enforcement provisions of the regulations administered by the Committee on Foreign… more
On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or the “Commission”) published its final rule (“Final Rule”) and interpretive guidance to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The Final Rule… more
On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the United States Supreme Court provided an opening for workers to allege employment discrimination claims regarding job transfers based on sex, race, religion, or national origin. In Muldrow v. City of… more
All Cayman entities that fall within the definition of “private fund” in the Private Funds Act (2021 Revision) are required to register with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA)… more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the launch of “an easily accessible online portal for the public to report health care practices that… more
Last Friday, EPA formally designated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) – including their salts and structural isomers! – as hazardous substances under CERCLA. I cannot really quarrel with the… more
Tuesday, April 16, 2024: Federal Trade Commission Poised to Issue Final Rule to Prevent Most Worker Non-Compete Agreements - The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is on the brink of issuing its Final Rule that would generally prevent… more
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has heralded its increased antitrust scrutiny of price discrimination under the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), though little has come of it to date. Yet, our review of trends in private enforcement… more
In January and March 2024, respectively, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued final rules concerning special purpose acquisition companies and mandatory climate-related disclosure. Each rulemaking was the culmination of… more
Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 15, 2024 – April 19, 2024… more
In April 2023, we published an alert in relation to two European Commission legislative proposals: new Regulation 2023/0131 and new Directive 2023/0132, to replace the current EU regulatory framework for all medicines (including those… more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a Final Rule on April 4, 2024, that makes a number of changes to regulations governing the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Among other things, the… more
For decades, law firms have organized themselves into practice groups or fully specialized firms to marshal resources and expertise, increase efficiency, and develop strong relationships with companies in specific industries or with… more
As I sat down to begin the workshop, my client provided me with some insights about their team. I listened attentively as they shared anecdotes about the ambitious young talents poised to become the firm’s future rainmakers, alongside… more
The Serious Fraud Office’s strategy for 2024 to 2029 indicates aspiration to be a more effective agency and to incentivise personnel. On 18 April 2024, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published an ambitious, albeit high-level… more
The "Agreement amending the various regulations by which the Ministry of Economy issues General Rules and Criteria on Foreign Trade" (Agreement) was published in Mexico’s Official Gazette of the Federation on April 15, 2024. The… more
We have been talking about it since last year: the bill to secure and regulate the digital space ("SREN") has now been passed. The legislative process leading up to the enactment of the SREN bill has been slow (as a reminder: the bill… more
The U.S. agencies most well-known for their enforcement of U.S. trade and national security laws are the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”), the Office of Foreign Assets Control… more
On April 15, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its final rule interpreting and providing guidance on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)… more
In its November 2023 Proposed Rule and in its recently issued Final Rule that will be published in the Federal Register later this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressed concerns related to agent and broker… more
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) and LEI, Inc. (“LEI”) entered into a Settlement Agreement (“SA”) addressed alleged violations of certain hazardous waste regulations. See SA-HE-23-0086… more
Undoubtedly, development impact fees (DIFs) can make or break the pro forma of any development project. Until this month, developers hoping to challenge the assessment of project-related DIFs were often limited in the causes of action… more
2024 amendment: Unveiling unpublished opinions - The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s recent amendment to Rule 1.200 on February 26, 2024, continues the court’s shift towards judicial modernization and transparency, allowing unpublished… more
This BLOG has previously addressed issues related to proper licensure for contractors and the problems that arise for them if they perform work without a license. We have previously noted that home improvement contractors are… more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Logan Agride – Service, Inc (“Logan”) entered into an April 15th Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) addressing alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide… more
The foundation of virtually every business and commercial transaction is a contract. It is difficult to imagine a transaction for the purchase or sale of goods, the merger or acquisition of a business, or the provision of services that… more
This is the final post in our 2024 Year in Preview series examining important trends in white collar law and investigations in the coming year... Politicians in Republican-led states have painted a target on environmental, social… more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a prepublication version of a Final Rule that would designate two of the Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) as Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation… more
The video game industry is brimming with innovation, competition, and transformative technological advancements. As we look at the current state of this vibrant sector, it is evident there are both challenges and opportunities… more
CONGRESS AWAY, ADMINISTRATION STILL IN PLAY - Congress is mostly in recess this week, with the exception of the Senate returning on Tuesday, April 23, to consider the House-passed foreign aid package. Thus there are no hearings… more
Settles Federal Charges the Casual Dining Chain Allowed Female Employees, including a Teen, to be Sexually Harassed, Retaliated Against, and Forced to Resign - EVERETT, Wash. – Restaurant chain Red Robin International, Inc. agreed… more
On Friday, April 5, 2024, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (the “Service”) finalized a rule clarifying the procedures and criteria for listing, reclassifying, and delisting species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and… more
Supporters of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) who hoped the Food and Drug Administration would adopt a more progressive view of CBD were disappointed when FDA Chief Robert Califf recently testified that FDA does not consider… more
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) became effective on June 27, 2023. On August 11, 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued its proposed regulations on the PWFA. After receiving over 100,000 public… more
Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the… more
With 2024 underway, we highlight some of the most pressing legal issues facing employers this year, including increased regulation of noncompetition agreements, new paid family and medical leave laws, a new Overtime Rule, and a heated… more
How can you defend yourself if you are accused of misappropriation of trade secrets? This is a complex area of the law and there is no one-size-fits-all defense. Developing a strategy to successfully defend against a claim that you… more
As is the case with most emerging technologies, developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are quickly outpacing regulations, and with this comes a variety of important legal considerations. While there has been a push for more… more
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will vote on whether to issue a final rule that will prohibit organizations from enforcing non-compete agreements with current and former workers. The vote will take place during… more
Last week I had the privilege of attending the Construction Financial Management Association Dallas/Ft Worth Chapter’s monthly membership education luncheon as a prospective member. The educational topic was Cybersecurity and the… more
Effective January 1, 2024, multinational companies (“MNCs”) intending to do business in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”) with a KSA government entities are required to incorporate their regional headquarters (“RHQ”) in KSA. Qualifying… more
On April 17, 2024, the Oregon Court of Appeals recognized a government employee’s whistleblower claim under state law against a city that employed him under an intergovernmental agreement with another city… more
