What Pending DHS Rule Could Mean for Visa-Related Fees
Consider writing about:
The possibility of higher immigration costs for employers who take part in the H-1B visa program; type of fees at issue; employers or circumstances to which these could apply; where the pending Department of Homeland Security rule stands now; potential timeline for finalization and implementation; what else employers may need to know about their obligations, and workforce impacts, under this proposed rule.
How New USCIS Policy Could Affect Immigration Benefit Requests
Consider writing about:
A policy update issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Aug. 5; what this change means for the handling of immigration benefit requests; practical pointers for employers and foreign national workers on preparing immigration filings in a way that could maximize their chances of success.
Open AI, Subsidiary to Pay $3M Over Hiring of Foreign Workers
Consider writing about:
A $3.2 million settlement that OpenAI and a subsidiary will pay over allegations that the two companies favored foreign workers over U.S. citizens when hiring; key points of the Immigration and Nationality Act at issue in this case; employers’ obligations according to the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) process; related enforcement actions and trends involving alleged hiring-related discrimination against U.S. citizens.
Meta Sued Over Allegedly Discriminatory Use of AI Tools in Conducting Mass Layoffs
Consider writing about:
A novel lawsuit by more than two dozen former Meta employees over the company’s use of AI-powered software to select candidates for mass layoffs; claims involving alleged bias or other violations of state and federal laws; how the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and related rights and protections enter into this case; what other employers should be considering regarding their own layoff processes, accommodation obligations, and use of AI tools as the case against Meta progresses.
New Colorado Law Shows Data Disclosure Requirements Are a Moving Target for Employers
Consider writing about:
A recently passed Colorado law that sets workforce demographic reporting requirements for entities doing business in that state; when the reporting requirement takes effect; businesses to whom the new law applies; how the Colorado law compares to current or prior federal reporting requirements; what other states have laws similar to Colorado’s; whether additional states have recently passed, or are considering, new demographic reporting requirements in the wake of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s proposal to jettison its own longstanding requirement; how employers across the country should be approaching their data collection practices amid evolving disclosure requirements.
How Proposed DOL Rule Would Impact Group Health Plans
Consider writing about:
A proposed rule released by the U.S. Department of Labor last month; how it would impact options for communicating health plan information; plans, information, or required disclosures to which the proposed rule applies; what to know about the safe harbor that would be created under the proposed rule.
Refund Lessons From Pandemic-Related Lawsuits Against Educational Institutions Over Tuition, Student Fees
Consider writing about:
Lawsuits that were filed against educational institutions in response to pandemic-era shifts in class instruction; what to know about the outcome of these lawsuits; whether any significant lawsuits are still working their way through the courts; how those cases may have educational insitutions rethinking their tuitiion, fee, and refund policies; how educational institutions can best plan for another major disruption to their customary operations.
Judges Continue to Be Under Siege; What’s to Be Done?
Consider writing about:
Continuing threats against judges in the United States. Among the questions to consider exploring: How can judges be protected or supported in this time of heightened security concerns? How are local or federal authorities responding to this issue? How is the Trump administration responding to this issue, considering the fact that some of the threats are coming from individuals or entities that are upset over rulings that are not in the Trump administration’s favor? How might the Trump administration itself be adding fuel to the fire? What is social media platforms’ moral responsibility to curb online attacks, misinformation, and deliberate disinformation that exacerbates negative feeling toward judges? What are the threats’ potential impact to the rule of law? What can the United States learn from other countries that have experienced past attacks on judges, or that may still be experiencing continuing threats to their judiciary? And what role can individuals (whether those in the legal profession itself, the country’s education systems, the news media, or otherwise) potentially play in fostering a sense of respect for the judicial system, for legal processes, for factual information, and for judges themselves?
What’s Next for DOJ, Now That Blanche Has Officially Secured Top Slot?
Consider writing about:
The confirmation of Todd Blanche as attorney general; significance of the Senate’s vote to confirm Blanche; key challenges ahead for the U.S. Department of Justice under Blanche’s tenure, as well as lingering controversies from his time as acting attorney general; how Blanche’s professional record compares to that of prior attorneys general; what Blanche’s past actions may indicate regarding the priorities and approach he will be implementing at DOJ, now that he’s no longer simply acting AG.
How Law Schools Are Grappling With AI
Consider writing about:
How law schools in the United States are restricting students’ use of artificial intelligence or other tech tools; basis for doing so; how these restrictions may be evolving or spreading; how other countries’ law schools are grappling with this matter; whether these restrictions are the best approach (and what might you suggest as an alternative).
Commonly available English restructuring plan options; eligibility criteria; pitfalls to avoid; how the UK restructuring process compares to the bankruptcy process in the United States; jurisdictional, access, and additional issues for U.S. companies that may be interested in availing themselves of UK options; any noteworthy recent cases involving the use of English restructuring plans.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13: Which to Choose? [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
How to choose between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for a personal bankruptcy; types of debt that can or cannot be discharged under each type of bankruptcy filing; pros and cons of liquidating assets vs. consolidating debt; exempt assets under each type of bankruptcy; means tests and debt limits; long-term credit implications; cost and time comparisons between the two forms of bankruptcy.
What to Know About the U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s Equal Treatment Rule [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s equal treatment rule; the rule’s focus and intent; any recent court actions involving the equal treatment rule; what else parties to a bankruptcy case should know about obligations and rights under the equal treatment rule.
FinCEN Hits UBS With Record $125M Penalty
Consider writing about:
A $125 million penalty that the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed this week against UBS Financial Services over alleged violations of the Bank Secrecy Act; factors contributing to the record-setting dollar size of the penalty; how this case may serve as a cautionary tale regarding BSA compliance and the perils of repeat offenses; and, additionally, what the UBS case may signal regarding financial regulators’ particular areas of focus under the second Trump administration as regards suspected money laundering activities.
A Safe Bet: Continuing Conflicts Over Prediction Markets
Consider writing about:
Your choice of recent developments involving prediction markets, whether legal actions by state regulators, court rulings, congressional action, or other activities of note. Among the points to explore: What stands out to you about these developments? What trends may be emerging? What is happening with the face-off between federal and state regulators over prediction markets? And how are firms dealing with insider trading concerns amid the surge in prediction market activity?
What Are Circle Hack’s Ramifications for Crypto Industry?
Consider writing about:
Legal fallout for blockchain company Circle following the Drift protocol hack earlier this year, possibly by North Korea-linked attackers; how the attack was carried out, and what this may indicate regarding the overall cyberthreat landscape for the crypto industry and the industry’s clients; what to know about allegations being made regarding Circle’s security systems or response to the hack; potential liability on Circle’s part; any options for financial recovery on the part of Circle users.
How Businesses Can Cope Amid Continuing Surge in Suits Over Website Tracking Tools
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Legal trends involving website tracking tools; data privacy issues individuals have raised over this technology; potential grounds for lawsuits in these instances; how courts have been treating these types of claims; where the greatest legal risk lies for defendant companies in these cases; how companies can reduce their potential liability.
Practical Lessons (and More) From Data Hacks by AI Agents
Consider writing about:
Recent data hacks committed by Open AI’s and Anthropic’s AI agents; how these incidents compare to each other; how legislators or regulators are likely to respond to these incidents (or how they are already responding); related implications for the AI industry as a whole; where liability may lie in the event of a hack carried out by an autonomous AI agent; what questions AI providers and their clients should be asking right now; practical lessons companies should take from these incidents as regards their own protocols for using AI tools, potential impacts on data security, and ways to conduct risk management.
The recent resolution of a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act involving an agricultural supply chain company; what this case may illustrate regarding federal enforcement priorities, internal controls, high-risk jurisdictions or activities, and more; additional practical guidance on FCPA compliance.
Lawsuits filed againt Apple Inc. by individuals who say the company’s AirTags enabled people to track and threaten them; status of these lawsuits; noteworthy developments regarding specific claims or types of claims against Apple over the AirTags; how Apple has responded to the lawsuits, whether in terms of product modifications or otherwise; practical issues that these cases may highlight regarding adequacy of safety guardrails, whether in consumer products generally or in data-centric tech tools in particular.
Jury Returns $88M Verdict in Hernia Mesh Case
Consider writing about:
An $88 million jury verdict in the first of thousands of cases to go to trial over injuries allegedly caused by hernia-repair mesh implants made by Medtronic’s Covidien unit; factors likely contributing to the large dollar size of the verdict; what this verdict could portend for other lawsuits over mesh implants; what this case may illustrate regarding liability risks, litigation trends, or litigation over a company’s alleged failure to warn.
California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54); where this measure stands now; what it aims to accomplish; nature of opposing legal challenges to SB 54; how those challenges are progressing; why this California law seems to have become such a lightning rod for opposition; how other states’ extended producer responsibility (EPR) measures are faring, and how they compare to each other; whether EPR measures are multiplying; key compliance challenges, liability risks, or best practices for companies impacted by EPR measures.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Obligations: What to Know
Consider writing about:
California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253); whom this landmark law on greenhouse gas emissions mainly affects; related disclosure obligations on the part of covered companies; revised reporting deadline; any other recent changes of note to the Act; compliance priorities for companies impacted by the Act; and perhaps a related look at how other states are handling the issue of greenhouse gas reporting, and how those laws or proposals compare to California’s.
Newly Released Report Points to Idle Transmission Tower as Source of 2025 Wildfire
Consider writing about:
Findings released on Aug. 4 by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Los Angeles County Fire Department regarding the origin of a massive wildfire that started in Los Angeles County in January of last year; what the report says about an out-of-service Southern California Edison tower; how this finding stands to affect determination of liability and related damage awards associated with the wildfire; more broadly speaking, what interested parties should know about maintenance and safety obligations on the part of utilities or other entities as regards idle or out-of-service energy infrastructure or related equipment.
Artificial Intelligence and Insurance: Developments Worth Noting
Consider writing about:
Noteworthy AI-related developments involving the insurance industry. Among the possible angles to explore: new or evolving forms of insurance coverage in the AI era; potential misunderstandings regarding adequacy of traditional forms of insurance coverage in the event of an AI-related incident; what policyholders need to know about AI insurance limitations and exclusions and possible gaps in coverage; how legislators, regulators, or other decisionmakers are approaching the issue of AI and the insurance industry; other significant AI-related risks or needs that either insureds or insurance companies are – or should be – paying attention to right now.
Business Interruption Insurance: Trends and Tips
Consider writing about:
Specific events, emerging or accelerating risks, or other trends or developments that may be impacting the demand for business interruption insurance; what business owners should know about the pros and cons of this form of insurance; practical guidance on filing claims involving losses from business interruption; coverage limitations or potential impediments to recovery to be aware of; additional pointers on how to improve one’s chances of making a successful claim or successfully contesting the denial of a claim.
U.S. Department of State Finalizes Visa Bond Program
Consider writing about:
A final rule published by the U.S. State Department this week pertaining to applicants for B-1 and B-2 visas; purpose of this visa bond program; when it takes effect; conditions under which the bond would be levied, returned or forfeited; whom the visa bond program would most impact.
How Individuals Can Seek Expungement of Their Criminal Records [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
The process for obtaining expungement of criminal records; what this process consists of, and the significance of the end result; any universal or near-universal process guidelines vs. variations from state to state; key challenges or pitfalls that can arise in the process of seeking an expungement; potential resources that may facilitate the expungement process; alternative options to expungement, and how they compare in terms of financial expense, complexity of processes, and end results.
What to Know About Lapsed or Terminated Life Insurance Policies [Ongoing]
Consider writing about:
Lapsed or terminated life insurance policies; allowable grounds, and required steps on the part of either insureds or insurers, for terminating a policy; any noteworthy legal disputes over terminated policies; when an option may exist for a former policyholder to reinstate a life insurance policy.
Implications of Latest Trump Tariffs
Consider writing about:
The latest wave of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Among the possible points to examine: who stands to be most affected by these tariffs; rationale for this new round of tariffs; questions over legal authority to impose these tariffs; prospects for successful legal challenges to the new tariffs and possibly for refunds on any new tariffs; how the business community can best navigate international trade issues amid this latest development.