Three recent developments signal continued – and in some areas intensified – scrutiny of DEI-adjacent initiatives for employers, federal contractors, and higher education institutions

by Victoria Grieshammer, Andreas Mosby, and Martha Zackin at Womble Bond Dickinson

What to Know About Expanded U.S. Sanctions Targeting Cuba

Consider writing about:

Expanded U.S. economic sanctions involving Cuba, as announced by the Trump administration this month; types of entities, industries, or individuals who are currently targeted by, or likely to be targeted by, the sanctions; compliance obligations and related risks for businesses; authority under which the Cuba sanctions are being imposed; how the Cuba sanctions compare to prior U.S. actions targeting Cuba and to other U.S. sanctions-related actions.

Related information:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/05/imposing-sanctions-on-those-responsible-for-repression-in-cuba-and-for-threats-to-united-states-national-security-and-foreign-policy

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/07/2026-09173/imposing-sanctions-on-those-responsible-for-repression-in-cuba-and-for-threats-to-united-states

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/05/u-s-sanctions-target-cubas-military-regime-elites

https://ofac.treasury.gov/faqs/added/2026-05-07

What Latest Federal Privacy Legislation Could Mean for Businesses, Consumers

Consider writing about:

The SECURE Data Act and the GUARD Financial Data Act; main focus of these congressional bills; how they compare to current state-level legislative trends or to previous congressional attempts to address data privacy issues; what the latest congressional measures could mean for consumer rights, for companies’ data-related obligations and related liability risks, and for state laws on data privacy; current status of the congressional bills, potential sticking points, and their prospects for passage; what interested parties should be watching for from Congress on this front.

Related information:

https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411100

Will Cannabis Company Smoke Out a Solution to Bankruptcy System Access?

Consider writing about:

A recent Chapter 15 filing by a cannabis company; what to know about the strategy the Cannabist Co. is using in a bid to access the U.S. bankruptcy system; challenges ahead for Cannabist; what else stands out to you about this bankruptcy filing, both in and of itself and for what it may portend for the overall cannabis industry’s options; alternative scenarios for cannabis-related companies that find themselves shut out of bankruptcy proceedings.

What to Know About Spirit Airlines Bankruptcy

Consider writing about:

The closure of Spirit Airlines; factors leading to the budget airline’s bankruptcy filing; related challenges for the aviation industry as a whole; what Spirit’s demise means for its former competitors; how the budget airline sector, and the overall aviation industry, are faring this year; how airlines are responding to the energy crisis created by the U.S-Iran conflict; what airline passengers should know about their rights or options when an airline stops doing business.

Related information:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/spirit-airlines-goes-out-of-business-after-34-years-ceases-operations-immediately