Consider writing about:
The EU Pay Transparency Directive; what to know about the directive’s main goals, effective date, and to whom it applies; what the directive means for employee rights, and employer restrictions or obligations; how employers can best prepare for the directive and related compliance matters.
Consider writing about:
A lawsuit filed against The New York Times by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on May 5; stated grounds for the lawsuit; what this case signals about the EEOC’s enforcement priorities and potential liability risks for employers; how this case compares to other Trump administration actions targeting perceived corporate DEI initiatives or policies; additional practical takeaways for employers who may feel as though they are walking a legal tightrope under the second Trump administration.
Related information:
https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-sues-new-york-times-dei-related-race-and-sex-discrimination
Consider writing about:
A Chinese court’s recent ruling in favor of a tech worker who was reassigned to a lower-level job with lesser pay, and ultimately terminated, after AI essentially took over his role; precedent for this type of ruling, whether specifically to China or globally; practical guidance for employers on carrying out personnel reassignments, layoffs, or downsizing in the AI age.
Related information:
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/01/nx-s1-5807131/tech-worker-china-ai
Consider writing about:
Lawsuits that consumers are filing against companies over the Trump administration’s tariffs and related refunds that companies are pursuing from the federal government; key claims in the lawsuits; potential obstacles to success for these sorts of claims; how companies can best anticipate and respond to these types of consumer complaints.
Related information:
https://qz.com/nike-consumers-tariff-refund-class-action-050826
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-sued-by-fans-who-want-tariff-refunds/1100-6539543
https://www.businessinsider.com/tariff-refunds-set-to-land-customers-sue-for-a-cut-2026-5
Consider writing about:
Recently announced multimillion-dollar settlements in False Claims Act cases involving customs fraud; key allegations in these cases; what these cases may demonstrate regarding custom enforcement trends, how investigations into alleged customs fraud are unfolding (and specifically how the False Claims Act may play a role), and where potential liability risks exist for importers in the current landscape.
Related information:
Consider writing about:
A new loan program that Canada announced this month for certain industries affected by U.S. tariffs; industries to which the program would apply; what to know about the loan program’s terms, workings, eligibility criteria, or application process; whether other countries hit by Trump administration tariffs are implementing, or considering, similar loan programs for their own industries; what else Canada has been doing to ease tariff-related pressures on its business sector.
Related information:
Consider writing about:
New legal tech tools being rolled out by Anthropic (and possibly other big tech firms); how significant a development this may be for the legal profession; best practices for vetting new AI tools and using them in real-life situations; what precautions, backup tools, or other safety nets law firms should have in place when expanding AI’s role in their processes.
Related information:
https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-expands-legal-ai-tools-claude-cowork-2026-5
Consider writing about:
Mental Health Awareness Month and its significance for your law firm or for the legal profession as a whole. Among possible topic ideas: Your piece could focus on this issue within the context of pro bono programs or other firm initiatives that have dealt with mental health challenges on the part of clients or a broader community, or you could write about mental health issues within the overall legal profession, how law firms can be more supportive of colleagues in need of help, and/or what your firm specifically has undertaken in this regard. How is the legal profession’s attitude evolving regarding its members’ mental health and well-being, what noteworthy progress has been made over the years, and what are the major barriers that remain to real change?
Consider writing about:
A summertime-themed topic of your choosing, whether practical or lighthearted. Among the possibilities: a look at work-life balance issues for lawyers; tips on disconnecting during a vacation while still managing client expectations (plus: additional challenges for solos or small firms); opportunities for summertime bonding experiences with current or prospective clients; or maybe a look at vacation reads, hobbies, or adventures, or a first-person account of how a vacation can open the door to a personal or professional “aha!” moment and perhaps a significant transition or new venture.
Consider writing about:
Recent scrutiny of the use of AI tools to provide health care services; practices that are drawing the scrutiny of legislators, regulators, or others; enforcement actions, legislation, lawsuits, or other actions of note; any interesting patterns that may be developing across jurisdictions; what else AI developers or health care practitioners should know about these or similar developments, and how to address concerns and reduce risk.
Related information:
Consider writing about:
Mental health-related developments, in time for May’s designation as Mental Health Awareness Month. Take your pick of newer or ongoing issues, whether they be legal disputes involving insurance coverage, or workplace issues involving employer obligations, best practices, or potential liability risks. What significant legal developments or trends are you seeing these days on the mental health front? What are the flashpoints for disagreement or misunderstanding? How have healthcare or insurance industry responses, or employer responses, to individuals’ mental health challenges evolved over the years?
Consider writing about:
The May 12 resignation of Marty Makary as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; highlights (or “lowlights”) of his term as FDA head; whether Makary left any kind of pronounced stamp on the FDA during his time there; potential candidates as his successor; top challenges or priorities for the FDA this year; what stakeholders should be watching for from the next FDA commissioner.
Related information:
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5819722/fda-commissioner-makary-resigns
Consider writing about:
A $2.25 million settlement to be paid by Delta Dental over alleged violations of the New York State Department of Financial Services’ cybersecurity regulations; background to the alleged violations; why Delta’s incident response performance was deemed by regulators to be inadequate; what other entities can learn from this case as regards their own policies and procedures for responding to suspected breaches of sensitive information.
Related information:
https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr20260430
Consider writing about:
Options for a commercial tenant if a property owner defaults on a mortgage; what to do regarding rent payments or other customary tenant obligations if such a situation arises; rights regarding either the continuation of a pre-existing lease or exiting from that lease; guidance on interacting with the defaulting owner or with a lender in a default situation; any other options for minimizing disruptions to one’s business or other financial losses as a result of such a scenario. Alternatively or additionally, consider writing about precautions a commercial tenant can take prior to or during the intital rental agreement process to head off problems that may erupt as a result of an owner default down the road.
Consider writing about:
Investment opportunities in the real estate sector (in the jurisdiction or your choice, or globally). Among the questions to consider exploring: What are some primary drivers of investor opportunities right now? How is the real estate market shaping up in 2026 compared to recent years? Are there any new incentives or emerging forms of opportunity that would-be investors should be aware of? How is international conflict affecting the real estate sector? What other upsets or surprises are making their mark on real estate this year? How can either first-time or experienced investors best position themselves for success when participating in the real estate market?
Consider writing about:
Insurance trends or tips involving construction defects; noteworthy disputes or rulings; contractor or subcontractor liability; what to know about insurance coverage or other forms of relief when construction defects become an issue.
Consider writing about:
Two new questions that prospective visa holders are being asked by officials at U.S. embassies and consulates; official rationale for the required new questions; what these asylum-related questions could mean for nonimmigrant visa applicants; practical guidance for individuals and for the business community.
Related information:
https://www.newsweek.com/us-visa-update-state-department-questions-asylum-11889179
Consider writing about:
Notices of Inspection issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; what these notifications consist of; how they are delivered; practical guidance on complying with an NOI; what an NOI does or does not entitle ICE agents to do on company premises or with company records; how the NOI process may be accelerating and leading to heightened risks for employers.
Consider writing about:
Immigration-related developments involving foreign-born truckers in the United States; what percentage of the commercial trucking industry is estimated to consist of immigrants; what to know about their immigration status, rights, and protections, and how that population has trended over the years; new pressures that immigrant truck drivers are facing from state or federal authorities; related enforcement actions or lawsuits, and their current status; potential impacts on the U.S. trucking industry’s overall workforce and operations, as well as on the numerous other industries that rely heavily on the trucking industry; what the U.S. trucking industry should be doing in the face of a potentially worsening shortage of drivers.
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:
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
Consider writing about:
The SEC conflict minerals rule; the rule’s intent and history; to whom the rule applies; filing deadline and procedure; additional compliance guidance and points to keep in mind when preparing required reports involving the conflict minerals rule; how to correct any mistakes or oversights after the fact.
Related information:
https://www.sec.gov/rules-regulations/2012/08/conflict-minerals
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.
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:
Consider writing about:
Debtor-in-possession financing; what it consists of; when it should (or should not) be used; pros and cons of this financing option when compared to other alternatives; what factors may determine whether or not a DIP loan will obtain the approval of a bankruptcy court; other potential roadblocks to securing DIP financing.
Consider writing about:
Trademark applications recently filed by pop star Taylor Swift; what to know about this legal avenue for potentially protecting one’s voice and likeness; likelihood of securing trademark protection for these purposes; how this type of IP protection would compare to other potential legal protections for a voice or likeness; how to think about multi-layered IP protections for a particular purpose; technological or legal trends or gaps that may be spurring evolving utilizations of trademark law.
Consider writing about:
Supplemental guidance issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 13; what the USPTO’s action means for design patent protection for digital works; efective date of the new guidance; how companies should be responding to this USPTO guidance to maximize the IP protections available to them.
Related information:
Consider writing about:
Noteworthy legal disputes involving the use of graffiti artists’ works. How have these cases evolved, in terms of claims, counter-arguments, outcomes, or other significant points? Have graffiti artists gained stronger rights over their works over the years? What should someone know before assuming that all or part of a graffiti work can be repurposed for commercial use downstream?
Consider writing about:
Notices of proposed rulemaking issued in April by U.S. financial regulators. What the proposed rule revisions would mean for efforts to curb money laundering and the financing of terrorism-related activities; practical takeaways regarding financial institutions’ compliance obligations, regulators’ priorities, and likely triggers for enforcement actions; background information regarding the frequency or scale of money laundering activities and financial transactions suspected of having links to terrorism.
Related information:
Consider writing about:
M&A activity in the financial services industry, in the country or region of your choice; specific deals worth knowing about; key factors driving M&A plans in the financial services industry right now; challenges facing financial services industry M&A deals in the current landscape; and perhaps some practical guidance on executing a successful M&A deal. and overcoming antitrust arguments or other opposition to M&A plans.