Brand owners face a changing landscape at the U.S. federal registration level as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) implements a new fee structure. These changes have important implications for trademark registration… more
In Target Insurance Company Limited v Nerico Brothers Limited & Lee Cheuk Fung Jerff (2025) HKCA 1024, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal has handed down its Reasons for Judgment clarifying when a director may be made personally liable for… more
The transition to CRS 3.0 and the implementation of CARF for digital assets are redefining how cross-border reporting is examined. Financial institutions remain central to FATCA and CRS reporting, but CARF expands the regulatory… more
The New York LLC Transparency Act (NYLLCTA) takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026 (as we previously covered here and here). The NYLLCTA was largely modeled on the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a federal law that came into effect in 2024… more
After the Council of the European Union (Council) adopted its negotiation position on the so-called Pharma Package in June 2025, the Council and the European Parliament have now reached an agreement in the trilogue negotiations… more
A December 29, 2025, deadline is fast approaching to submit comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule to reduce Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) reporting requirements. The proposal… more
Welcome to the 2025 year-in-review edition of REIT Tax News. Below, we summarize five key developments impacting REITs from the past year. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s impact on REITs - On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump… more
On September 16, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") proposed a sweeping rollback of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program ("GHGRP") under 40 C.F.R. Part 98. Comments were due November 3, 2025. If finalized, reporting… more
While global M&A volumes fell in 2025, in the Middle East they rose sharply. Many of the biggest investments involved the region’s sovereign wealth funds, which pursued strategic transactions in AI, semiconductors and data centers amid… more
On Dec. 8, Caroline D. Pham, acting chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), announced a digital assets pilot program enabling certain digital assets to be used as collateral in derivatives markets. Pham stated that… more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) final rule for Medicare payment for services provided in hospital outpatient departments (paid under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System or “OPPS”) and ambulatory surgery… more
In November 2025, a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Alert was issued regarding revised inventorship guidance for AI-assisted inventions. In the notice, the USPTO pointed out that the office… more
Du nouveau en Ontario - Les employeurs sous réglementation provinciale qui exercent des activités en Ontario devraient être au courant des modifications à venir et proposées à la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi de l’Ontario (la… more
Edwards v. GigaAcquisitions2, LLC, C.A. No. 2024-0591-LWW (Del. Ch. July 25, 2025) - The Court of Chancery dismissed at the pleading stage a claim by former members of a now-bankrupt health care company (the “Company”) that the… more
On December 5, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) ordered every 8(a) participant (over 4,300 firms) to submit detailed financial records covering the last three fiscal years. The deadline is January 5, 2026. All 8(a)… more
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights has called for input on a thematic report on “forever chemicals (PFAS) and human rights.” According to the UN, the report will identify how the adverse impacts of… more
In a case of first impression, on November 24, 2025, Michigan's Circuit Court for the County of Kent ruled both federal aviation law and state law barred the State's claims under Part 201 of Michigan’s Natural Resources & Environmental… more
Welcome to the December issue of Blakes Competitive Edge, a monthly publication of the Blakes Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment group. Blakes Competitive Edge provides an overview of recent developments in Canadian… more
In the new year, New York State is set to increase its minimum wage and overtime exemption salary thresholds. The increase in minimum wage is a part of a broader budget legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in May 2023 which… more
ERISA class action litigation did not let up in 2025. Retirement plan fee litigation – which has dominated for several years – remained steady, with new, or in some cases refined, theories targeting 401(k) forfeitures and stable value… more
Japan and China were the mainstays of M&A across Asia Pacific in 2025, with regulatory reforms and restructurings in China, and a sustained run of take-privates in Japan, driving a significant proportion of regional deal activity. Here… more
Reporting entities are already familiar with the real challenges that can arise when seeking to meet their customer due diligence and ML/TF risk management obligations without engaging in “tipping off”. While recent changes to the… more
A new letter opinion from the Delaware Court of Chancery offers a clear look at how guardianship disputes can unravel when families delay planning and old loyalties collide. The case, In re Guardianship of W.E., involved a… more
Suppliers and sellers doing business in California that rely on pricing algorithms or shared pricing tools should review price-setting processes in light of a significant update to California’s state antitrust law… more
Welcome to the latest edition of Fenwick’s Securities Law Update. This issue contains updates and important reminders on the following topics… more
The FCA wants to reset how firms distinguish between retail and professional clients, balancing promoting growth with consumer protection… more
In Florida, two recent court rulings and a number of laws enacted in 2025 will directly impact employers. This article summarizes the two cases and the new laws, which address open carry of guns, medical marijuana use by employees… more
The Iowa Supreme Court recently decided Teig v. Hart, No. 24-0029 (Nov. 25, 2025), which provides much-needed clarity to governmental bodies on the limits to Iowa’s open meetings law… more
In late 2025, the Trump administration advanced measures that reset federal energy priorities. The headline moves expanded support for coal, canceled federal funding for offshore wind projects, and terminated more than $7.5 billion in… more
Effective January 1, 2026, the minimum wage rate in the State of Washington will increase to $17.13 per hour for employees sixteen years of age or older. For minor employees (fourteen or fifteen years of age), the minimum wage rate… more
As organizations increasingly rely on cloud computing, many face complex compliance obligations under Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) when storing or transmitting controlled technology. Global Affairs Canada (GAC)… more
The SEC’s recent policy change on issuer-investor mandatory arbitration provisions has prompted quick reactions from proxy advisors and early adopters in the market—setting the stage for renewed debate over whether companies should… more
The Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force—a bipartisan coalition of 51 AGs that investigates and takes legal action against companies allegedly responsible for illegal robocall traffic routed into and across the United States—announced… more
The final draft of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes the proposed BIOSECURE Act (the Act), which would place restrictions on dealings with certain “biotechnology companies of concern” (BCOCs) by federal… more
On Friday, December 5, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) announced that it sent letters to all entities that participate in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program—over 4,300 entities, per SBA—directing those 8(a)… more
Effective Dec. 8, 2025, a valid police clearance certificate (PCC) must be provided when submitting Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications… more
On December 9, 2025, the University of Utah, in what appears to be the first such deal of its kind, announced plans to partner with Otro Capital in a private equity arrangement. The deal is projected to generate approximately $500… more
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that it has begun integrating artificial intelligence-powered tools across several key departments, in a move that may indicate major changes in how the agency will handle taxpayer cases… more
The New York City Council recently voted to override the veto of Mayor Eric Adams and pass two laws aimed at increasing pay equity and transparency. These laws amend the administrative code of the City of New York and will require… more
The Competition Bureau has closed its civil investigation into RealPage and Yardi’s use of algorithm-driven pricing tools in Canada’s rental housing market. While the probe is over, the Bureau also issued a position statement… more
The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in the ongoing challenge by former Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter to the Trump Administration’s decision to remove her from the FTC in March before her term was set to expire… more
This three-part series on OSHA recordkeeping and reporting provides tips for employers on maintaining compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements… more
This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection issued 13 warning letters to rental housing management software providers focused on the display of the total advertised price of their properties… more
On December 6, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing a sweeping federal inquiry into alleged price-fixing and other anticompetitive conduct across the U.S. food supply chain. The Order is framed explicitly as a… more
The first utility scale wind and solar power projects in the United States were developed in the early 1980s. As early-generation renewable projects reach the end of their useful lives and as new projects are being developed, owners… more
In the retirement plan world, there aren’t many do-overs. You don’t get to “try again” after a fiduciary breach, a failed compliance test, or a DOL investigation. You get one shot to get it right… more
It appears increasingly likely that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies will face yet another shutdown at the end of January 2026. When Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the… more
BLOG OVERVIEW: The New York City Council overrode Mayor Eric Adam's veto of two pieces of legislation regarding annual pay data reporting by employers. Reporting could start as early as 2026… more
Glass Lewis has released its 2026 US Benchmark Policy Guidelines, which will apply to shareholder meetings held on or after January 1, 2026. Consistent with recent years, the updates are incremental rather than structural, but they… more
Prior to suing under Title VII or other federal civil rights laws, an aggrieved party must first file an administrative charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The charge must contain allegations… more
On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum directing the agency to place on hold all benefit requests for individuals from one of the nineteen countries of birth or countries of… more
Effective Nov. 1, 2025, Employment Pass (EP) applications in Malaysia’s eastern state of Sarawak must be submitted via a new online platform. Previously, Sarawak work permit applications were customarily prepared and submitted manually… more
On November 28, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued Revised Inventorship Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions, which rescinds its earlier guidance from February 2024. This new guidance represents a… more
A federal court in New Mexico denied a supplier’s motion to transfer venue after finding that a forum selection clause was invalid under New Mexico law. Rawson Inc. v. Associated Materials, LLC, 2025 WL 137811 (D.N.M. Sept. 30, 2025)… more
Ofcom has stepped up the pressure, firstly, by issuing two new sets of fines, with one reaching up to £1,050,000 for failure to implement highly effective age verification and failure to respond to statutory notices… more
On December 4, 2025, the New York City Council overrode a mayoral veto to enact two new pay data reporting laws, Int. 0982-2024-A and Int. 0984-2024-A, that will require large employers to submit annual reports with pay data by race… more
Wong Leung Revocable Tr. v. Amazon.com, No. 487 (Del. July 29, 2025) - In the wake of antitrust investigations and an action filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an Amazon stockholder sought books and records to investigate… more
2 Gurus Talk Compliance: Episode 65 – The This Is Nuts Edition
Compliance Tip of the Day – Ethical Deployment of AI Powered Controls
Founding Vision: Mike Halpert on VR Training and Entrepreneurial Resilience
AI Today in 5: December 12, 2025, The Person of the Year Edition
Daily Compliance News: December 12, 2025, The All New York Times Edition
