Technology

Expert Analysis

• New FTC Mergers Approach Raises Risks For Buyers, Sellers

  

  In rescinding a 1995 policy statement last week, the Federal Trade Commission likely seeks to more regularly impose "prior approval" obligations for future transactions in its merger cases, which changes the risk profile for buyers and sellers negotiating antitrust provisions in deal agreements, say Jon Dubrow and Noah Feldman Greene at McDermott.

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  Embracing ESG: Exelon GC Talks Diversity Initiatives

  

  Executing a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion programming, through recruitment, inclusive legal pipelines and community empowerment via pro bono efforts, can ensure a strong environmental, social and governance proposition, says Gayle Littleton at Exelon.

• Data Trends To Watch In M&A And Competition Investigations

  

  With an uptick in mergers and acquisitions and dramatic shifts in the data landscape, practitioners need to understand the myriad emerging trends affecting regulatory oversight, second requests, merger clearance and competition investigations, and avoid data-related problems that might derail deals, say Andrea Levine and Tim Anderson at FTI Consulting.

• A Legal Primer On Social Tokens

  

  Social tokens, a new class of blockchain-based assets that celebrities and brands can use to connect with fans and consumers, hold great promise — but their value may be volatile, and issuers must understand the advertising, contractual and intellectual property issues that come with them, says Hannah Taylor at Frankfurt Kurnit.

• How Tech Cos. Can Guard Against DOJ Gag Orders

  

  In light of recent criticism technology companies have faced over compliance with Stored Communications Act nondisclosure orders from the U.S. Department of Justice, companies can protect themselves and their customers through formal policies, contractual provisions and First Amendment challenges, say Kellen Dwyer and Kim Peretti at Alston & Bird.

• Recent SPAC Settlement Signals SEC Enforcement Wave

  

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recent settlement with special purpose acquisition company Stable Road — and its sponsor, CEO and proposed merger target — over false representations to investors illustrates the agency's heightened focus on policing SPAC transactions and should prompt participants to ensure adequate due diligence, say attorneys at Pillsbury.

• Revamping Law Firm Marketing Lists — With Partner Buy-In

  

  Jackson Lewis’ Paige Bowser shares lessons from the firm's recent overhaul of an outdated email marketing database, including tips for getting partners on board, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and augmenting outreach strategies.

• Ensuring Patent Subject Matter Eligibility For Blockchain Tech

  

  In order to survive subject matter eligibility challenges of patent filings for blockchain-related emerging technologies, practitioners should highlight technical features implementing novel applications and avoid drafting applications that could be interpreted as routine and conventional business practices performed via blockchain, says Drew Schulte at Perkins Coie.

• NFTs May Come With Rewards, But Also Legal Risks

  

  While some buyers of nonfungible tokens are experiencing enormous returns on their investments, those just entering the market should proceed with caution, and be sure to understand the risks related to contracts, taxation, intellectual property and money laundering regulations, says Anne-Laure Alléhaut at Patterson Belknap.

• Gov't Contractor Input Vital After Biden Cybersecurity Order

  

  The Office of Management and Budget's upcoming recommendations for improving U.S. cybersecurity defenses, following President Joe Biden's recent executive order, could create burdensome obligations for government contractors, so it's important for the government to actively engage with the industry during the rulemaking process, say executives at Leidos.

• The Murky World Of Legal Rankings Gets Some Clarity In NJ

  

  New Jersey's new, stringent approach to legal rankings will make accolade advertising more transparent, benefiting both attorneys and clients and offering legal marketers a new set of best practices amid evolving standards, say Penny Paul at Lowenstein Sandler and Susan Peters at Greybridge.

• Awaiting High Court Answer On Post-Cyan Discovery Issue

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision in Pivotal Software v. Tran next term may clarify a question begat by the court’s 2018 Cyan decision — whether the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act’s automatic discovery stay provision applies in state courts — and thereby lessen the burden on parties litigating amid the ambiguity, says Liz Cassady at Steptoe & Johnson.

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  Embracing ESG: Cigna Counsel Talks Employee Wellness

  

  Building employee well-being into corporate environmental, social and governance priorities required our legal team to focus more closely on cross-functional collaboration within the company and increased communication with our board of directors and shareholders, says Julia Brncic at Cigna.

• Hybrid Work Models Are Key To Gender Parity In Law Firms

  

  To curb the historically high rates of attrition among female lawyers, Roberta Liebenberg at Fine Kaplan and Stephanie Scharf at Scharf Banks suggest firms must normalize hybrid work schedules, and they recommend best practices to promote engagement among all attorneys, regardless of where they work.

• Baltimore Bill Is Most Draconian Facial Recognition Ban Yet

  

  Because Baltimore's recently passed bill banning use of facial recognition by private entities goes even further than Portland's ban by imposing criminal penalties and may encourage lawmakers in other jurisdictions, companies need to institute flexible, adaptable biometric privacy compliance frameworks, says David Oberly at Blank Rome.