Black History Month: A Time for Reflection and Action

Consider writing about:

Your choice of topics related to your firm’s recognition of Black History Month. Among the potential areas to explore: special events or initiatives that your law firm is undertaking for Black History Month; how law firms can put words into action and combat internal biases and improve their DEI performance throughout the year; what clients want to see from law firms in terms of diversity; obstacles to change, and how to overcome them; personal success stories; a description of your firm’s current or past pro bono efforts addressing racial inequities and the legal system; how law firms can avoid social media blunders and other missteps during Black History Month.

Law Firms: Coping and Helping Amid the Los Angeles Wildfires

Consider writing about:

How your law firm or your clients may have been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Among the possible points to choose from: how your firm is managing operations amid disruptions; how colleagues are being assisted by co-workers or the firm as a whole in this time of need; any pro bono projects or community assistance efforts in which you or your firm is taking part in conjunction with the local disaster recovery process; strengths and past achievements of the legal community in the wake of natural disasters; lawyers’ ethical obligations to clients while dealing with disaster impacts; what your firm, or the legal community overall, has learned from past natural disasters and how to prepare for, or recover from, them; additional disaster preparation and recovery tips or pointers on maintaining one’s mental health and balance while recovering from a disaster.

How to Know When It’s Time to Fire a Client (and How to Go About It)

Consider writing about:

What happens when a lawyer or firm decides to end a relationship with a client – an issue that’s gotten a fresh burst of attention from recent news headlines; how to know when it’s time to take this step; how changing circumstances can lead to one side taking a different fork in the road; ethical and legal considerations that arise in conjunction with a professional breakup; loose ends to tie up after severing the relationship. Conversely or additionally, consider presenting a list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when (or before) ending a client relationship.

Related information:

https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/bay-area-lawyer-mark-lemley-fires-zuckerberg-meta-20034699.php

Practical Takeaways From CFTC Enforcement Report

Consider writing about:

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s enforcement results for fiscal year 2024; how this period’s tally compares to prior years in terms of litigation, sanctions, or other actions or achievements; what lessons the regulated community may be able to draw from the CFTC enforcement report as regards the commission’s focus and potential areas of risk or need for improvement on businesses’ end.

Related information:

https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9011-24

Record-Keeping Trends and Reminders

Consider writing about:

Legal trends involving financial institutions’ record-keeping; noteworthy fines, penalties, settlements, enforcement actions, or other regulatory activity of note; what these events demonstrate regarding the risks of substandard record-keeping; how financial institutions can maintain, or improve, their compliance efforts as regards record-keeping requirements.

CFPB Report Shines Spotlight on Student Loan Violations

Consider writing about:

A report released in December by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau involving student loans; alleged violations described in the report; regulatory action that has been taken, or may be on the horizon, against alleged violators; how lenders can maintain proper control over their practices to keep them compliant with the law; what student loan recipients can do if they suspect their rights have been violated or that they have been wronged in some manner.

Related information:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-uncovers-illegal-practices-across-student-loan-refinancing-servicing-and-debt-collection

https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_supervisory-highlights-special-ed-student-lending-issue-36-winter_2024-12.pdf

Federal Judge Strikes Down Expansion of Title IX

Consider writing about:

A Kentucky federal judge’s recent ruling that blocks the Biden administration’s revised Title IX regulations; background on the revisions and Title IX’s history; grounds for the judge’s finding that the Biden administration’s changes were unconstitutional; where the ruling leaves Title IX, protections for students, and educational institutions’ compliance obligations.

Related information:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/01/09/biden-title-ix-rules-vacated/77580480007

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/09/politics/title-ix-lgbtq-protections-ruling-kentucky/index.html

Online Harassment Trends: What to Know

Consider writing about:

Trends involving online harassment; most prevalent forms of cyber harassment; how individuals (or in the case of minors, their parents or guardians) may be able to prevent or minimize harms from online harassment; how evolving technology may be shaping harassment cases; difficulties in identifying and prosecuting online harassers; potential civil or criminal penalties for cyber harassment; any convictions or lawsuits worth knowing about.