Expert Analysis

• How States And Cities Are Responding To Biden EJ Efforts

  

  Recent developments in Chicago and Louisiana show different ways local and state regulators have reacted to the Biden administration's "whole-of-government" environmental justice efforts, and may test whether the administration's approach comports with legal precedents, says J. Michael Showalter at ArentFox Schiff.

• Rethinking In-Office Attendance For Associate Retention

  

  The hybrid office attendance model doesn't work for all employees, but it does for many — and balancing these two groups is important for associate retention and maintaining a BigLaw firm culture that supports all attorneys, says Summer Eberhard at Major Lindsey.

• Opinion

  ALI, Bar Groups Need More Defense Engagement For Balance

  

  The American Law Institute and state bar committees have a special role in the development of the law — but if they do not do a better job of including attorneys from the defense bar, they will come to be viewed as special interest advocacy groups, says Mark Behrens at Shook Hardy.

• Murdaugh Trials Offer Law Firms Fraud Prevention Reminders

  

  As the fraud case against Alex Murdaugh continues to play out, the evidence and narrative presented at his murder trial earlier this year may provide lessons for law firms on implementing robust internal controls that can detect and prevent similar kinds of fraud, say Travis Casner and Helga Zauner at Weaver and Tidwell.

• When Only The Tippee Is Guilty Of Insider Trading

  

  A recent decision from an Illinois federal court, which simultaneously found an alleged tipper not guilty of insider trading while also finding the purported tippee guilty, may seem inconsistent with basic principles of insider trading law, but it has some support in controlling authority from the Seventh Circuit, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

• Firm Tips For Helping New Lawyers Succeed Post-Pandemic

  

  Ten steps can help firms significantly enhance the experience of attorneys who started their careers in the coronavirus pandemic era, including facilitating opportunities for cross-firm connection, which can ultimately help build momentum for business development, says Lana Manganiello at Equinox Strategy Partners.

• Prepping Your Business Ahead Of Affirmative Action Ruling

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on whether race should play a role in college admissions could potentially end affirmative action, and companies will need a considered approach to these circumstances that protects their brand power and future profits, and be prepared to answer tough questions, say Nadine Blackburn at United Minds and Eric Blankenbaker at Weber Shandwick.

• 4 Emerging Risks For US Insurance Markets

  

  Both insureds and insurers in the U.S. must be aware of significant inbound exposures — including the issues arising from opioids, climate change and artificial intelligence — that could lead to continued volatility in insurance markets, say Aidan McCormack and Wes Reichart at DLA Piper.

• Tackling Judge-Shopping Concerns While Honoring Localism

  

  As the debate continues over judge-shopping and case assignments in federal court, policymakers should look to a hybrid model that preserves the benefits of localism for those cases that warrant it, while preventing the appearance of judge-shopping for cases of a more national or widespread character, says Joshua Sohn at the U.S. Department of Justice.

• State Laws Could Complicate Employer Pandemic Protocols

  

  If the recent wave of state bills that would prevent employers from implementing certain safety protocols in a future pandemic is signed into law, companies — especially those that operate across state lines — will be forced to completely rewrite their pandemic playbooks to avoid compliance issues and discrimination claims, says Karla Grossenbacher at Seyfarth Shaw.

• Perspectives

  How Attorneys Can Help Combat Anti-Asian Hate

  

  Amid an exponential increase in violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, unique obstacles stand in the way of accountability and justice — but lawyers can effect powerful change by raising awareness, offering legal representation, advocating for victims’ rights and more, say attorneys at Gibson Dunn.

• Opinion

  Congress Needs To Enact A Federal Anti-SLAPP Statute

  

  Although many states have passed statutes meant to prevent individuals or entities from filing strategic lawsuits against public participation, other states have not, so it's time for Congress to enact a federal statute to ensure that free speech and petitioning rights are uniformly protected nationwide in federal court, say attorneys at Skadden.

• Financial Industry Must Beware Rising BIPA Litigation Tide

  

  As Biometric Information Privacy Act litigation engulfs more financial institutions, it’s important that they evaluate their practices for collecting biometric data, and to consider whether their vendors should comply with BIPA’s requirements, and even some related California laws, say attorneys at Katten.

• New FTC Policy On Biometric Information Creates New Risks

  

  In the absence of a comprehensive national data privacy regime, a new Federal Trade Commission policy shows the agency’s willingness to take action against companies using biometrics in ways the FTC deems unfair, but the guidance creates more questions than answers, and some of it appears unrealistic, say attorneys at Faegre Drinker.

• Looking For Plausibility In FTC's Amgen Merger Challenge

  

  The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block Amgen's acquisition of Horizon, alleging that, if consummated, the deal would violate Section 7 of the Clayton Act — but this may be the first merger complaint in a generation that could be dismissed for failing to state a claim, say William MacLeod and David Evans at Kelley Drye.