I-23- Stunning End-Of-Year NLRB Developments: An Extensive Interview With Former NLRB Associate General Counsel Barry Kearney
On June 11, 2025, the recently confirmed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, Brett Shumate, issued a memorandum directing Civil Division lawyers to prioritize investigations and enforcement actions advancing...more
On June 5, 2025, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) directed prosecutors to prioritize compensating victims when resolving multiagency investigations involving corporate defendants. ...more
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) on May 27, 2025, issued a memorandum implementing Executive Order (EO) 14222. As our team previously summarized, EO 14222 implemented the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) "cost...more
In a memorandum dated May 19, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the establishment of a new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (the Initiative) at the Department of Justice (DOJ)....more
In March 2025, the Department of Energy was rumored to be reviewing projects, which were awarded billions of dollars under the Biden Administration. This review reportedly targeted any program or project that had spent less...more
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) issued an internal policy on May 20, 2025, outlining its approach to English language proficiency (“ELP”) for commercial motor vehicle drivers. This policy is more...more
Two recent memoranda from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Board) have sought to clarify the factors by which boards will evaluate discretionary denial under Fintiv. This guidance follows the U.S. Patent and...more
In one of his first acts in his new role, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Acting General Counsel William B. Cowen rescinded dozens of general counsel memoranda issued by his predecessor, former General Counsel Jennifer...more
The U.S. Patent and Trade Office (PTO) on February 28, 2025, rescinded former PTO Director Kathi Vidal's June 21, 2022, memorandum (Memorandum) addressing discretionary denial of inter partes review (IPR) of patents that are...more
On February 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an updated policy memorandum expanding the authority of USCIS employees to issue notice to appear (NTA) charging documents to initiate removal...more
On February 14, 2025, the National Labor Relations Board’s ("NLRB" or "Board") Acting General Counsel ("GC"), William Cowen issued General Counsel Memoranda ("GC Memo") 25-05, which rescinded more than a dozen GC Memos issued...more
On February 24, 2025 the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that David Gooder would step down from his role as Commissioner for Trademarks at the end of the month....more
On February 28, 2025, the USPTO issued a Notice rescinding a Memorandum issued by former Director Kathy Vidal, which, since June 21, 2022, had defined USPTO guidance regarding whether to discretionarily deny a post-grant...more
In one of the first acts by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in the new administration, the USPTO – via an email sent February 28 – rescinded former USPTO Director Kathi Vidal’s 2022 memorandum titled...more
On February 28, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rescinded a June 2022 memorandum clarifying when the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) can issue discretionary denials of post-grant patent...more
Summary - Directs the heads of executive departments and agencies to review all funding provided to NGOs and align future funding decisions with the interests of the United States and the goals of the Trump-Vance...more
Tuesday evening, January 27, 2025, Matthew Vaeth, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), distributed a Memorandum to all federal department and agency leaders, instituting a temporary pause on...more
The Israel Tax Authority and the Ministry of Finance have published a memorandum of law to regulate the digital asset sector in Israel. This memorandum recognizes digital assets for the first time as capital assets subject to...more
On October 15, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new enforcement memorandum related to the animal slaughtering and meat processing industries. This is an expansion of an October 2015...more
On May 30, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) General Counsel (GC), Jennifer Abruzzo, issued a memorandum setting forth the GC’s position that the proffer, maintenance, or enforcement of noncompete agreements...more
In May 2023, Jennifer A. Abruzzo (the “General Counsel”), General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), took the position that certain non-compete provisions violate the National Labor Relations Act...more
Last year, National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, issued GC Memorandum 23-08 opining that, with some exceptions, the maintenance and enforcement of non-compete agreements...more
On October 7, 2024, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel (GC) Jennifer Abruzzo issued GC Memorandum 25-01, consisting of two parts. First, the GC urges the NLRB to provide make-whole relief to employees if the Board...more
In another post-McLaren Macomb challenge to common employer/employee agreements, on October 7, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) general counsel (GC) issued a memorandum warning employers that the GC views...more
The Beltway Buzz is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business....more