Expert Analysis

• Series

  Watching Hallmark Movies Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  I realize you may be judging me for watching, and actually enjoying, Hallmark Channel movies, but the escapism and storylines actually demonstrate qualities and actions that lead to an efficient, productive and positive legal practice, says Karen Ross at Tucker Ellis.

• Opinion

  AI Doc Ruling Got Privilege Analysis Wrong

  

  Broad reasoning used by a New York federal judge in U.S. v. Heppner — to determine the criminal defendant's interactions with a generative artificial intelligence platform were not protected — mistakenly treats AI use as dispositive disclosure to a third party and adopts an unduly narrow conception of work product, say attorneys at Lankler Siffert.

• Assessing Potential Legal Claims From Private Credit Turmoil

  

  Amid the downturn in the private credit markets spurred by multiple high-profile bankruptcies, a New York lawsuit stemming from the collapse of First Brands provides an important case study for investors to help minimize future losses and maximize any potential recovery in the event of a private credit default, say attorneys at Bleichmar Fonti.

• Nippon Case Illustrates Challenges Of Proving Antitrust Injury

  

  A recent California federal court decision dismissing challenges to Nippon Steel's purchase of U.S. Steel underscores the longtime antitrust precedent that while the limitations of injury are critical for defendants sued under U.S. antitrust laws, showing that the harm is real is the key, says Cameron Regnery at Freeman Mathis.

• How Iran War Might Reshape Proxy Contests This Year

  

  The Iran war may function as a short-term poison pill for proxy contests, not because it strengthens corporate defenses, but because it increases the risks associated with activist commitments, say attorneys at Sidley.

• When Trade Secret Litigation And Criminal Law Collide

  

  An increasing convergence of trade secret litigation and white collar defense, especially with several recent criminal prosecutions from the Justice Department, should prompt businesses and counsel to adapt within the overlapping landscapes, says Kenneth Notter at MoloLamken.

• How DOJ's New Corporate Crime Policy Will Work In Practice

  

  The upshot of the Justice Department's new corporate crimes enforcement framework is uniformity for self-reporting companies, but there is uncertainty around how it will be applied in interaction with the Southern District of New York's more lenient, yet unpredictable, financial crimes enforcement program, say attorneys at Cahill Gordon.

• One Idea To Fix The SEC's Risk Factor Disclosure Rules

  

  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins recently invited the industry to suggest ways to reform the current risk factor disclosure framework, and amending Rule 10b-5 is one potential option to consider, say attorneys at A&O Shearman.

• 3 Policy Lines To Revisit After Justices Nix Emergency Tariffs

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court's invalidation of President Donald Trump's emergency-based tariffs could expose businesses to allegations of misrepresenting tariff effects and raise the prospect of consumer actions seeking refunds — underscoring the need for policyholders to potentially reposition their insurance portfolios, say attorneys at Reed Smith.

• 5 Tips For Navigating Your Firm's All-Attorney Summit

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Law firm retreats should be approached strategically, as they present valuable opportunities to advance both the firm's objectives and attorneys' professional development through meaningful participation, building and strengthening internal relationships, and proactive follow-up, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

• CFTC's No-Action Relief Fuels Energy Market Competition

  

  The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission recently launched a pilot program aimed at expanding access to energy markets, reflecting a shift toward supporting robust derivatives markets that balance regulatory safeguards with the needs of commodity end users, say attorneys at Moore & Van Allen.

• How Bankrupt Cos. Can Seek Refunds For Illegal Tariffs

  

  In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision striking down President Donald Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs as illegal, some companies may have strong prospects for recovering refunds from the government, and trustees in bankruptcy may have a significant role to play in seeking such recovery, say attorneys at Stinson.

• 5 Gov't Contractor Tips Following Anthropic Risk Designation

  

  The Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk is an unprecedented action that raises significant legal questions, and with government contractors already receiving directives and inquiries concerning their use of Anthropic products and services, there are several strategies contractors can use to manage risk, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

• 6 Noteworthy Changes From SEC Enforcement Manual Update

  

  Recent updates to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement manual represent a commitment to transparency and fair process, with the signature change being a requirement that staff make certain probative evidence available during the Wells process, say attorneys at Debevoise.

• Series

  Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.