Alerts

Our National Security team has an overview of the new US export controls on Russia and the new US sanctions on Russia and Belarus.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The FCC is requesting public comment on proposed reforms to the Rural Health Care Program to “promote program efficiency and ensure that rural healthcare providers receive appropriate levels of funding.”

In December 2021, Canada announced plans to impose a digital services tax, or DST. A few days later, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) expressed opposition indicating that if Ottawa were to pursue this plan, “all options” would be considered. 

The advent of distributed ledger technology has ushered in a new digital era – a decentralized internet, neither owned nor controlled by a central authority. Blockchain enthusiasts hail this lack of centralization as representing a new chapter of freedom and individual empowerment.

Inter-Agency Spectrum Coordination Initiative will assist frequency requests of defense contractors in support of military priorities 

Back in 2017, the state of Nevada passed a sweeping bill into law that addressed not only drug pricing transparency, but also reporting obligations applicable to pharmacy benefit managers and non-profit organizations and also imposed certain requirements on manufacturer sales forces.

Responding to the Russian announcement recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) regions of Ukraine, President Biden signed Executive Order 14065 (the EO) on February 21, 2022, which went into effect immediately.

As you know, in our recent Alert, we addressed the announcement of the members of the FCC’s Precision Agriculture Connectivity Task Force (“Task Force). Now, the FCC has announced the new members of the four “Working Groups” that will assist the Task Force in carrying out its work.

Last week, the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed a $2 million jury verdict against Boeing in a breach of contract suit by Alabama Aircraft Industries, Inc. (AAI), a former government contracting partner, and revived a $100 million misappropriation of trade secrets claim.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Arent Fox’s upcoming merger with Schiff Hardin, Bond Buyer reported, will serve as a “perfect pairing” for the firm’s Public Finance practice, offering clients national support and industry-focused service.

On September 9, the White House announced Executive Order 14042, which requires covered federal contracts to include a clause mandating compliance with guidance that had yet to be issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (Task Force).

Headlines that Matter for Privacy and Data Security

Following House approval of H.R. 4445 with overwhelming support (335 Yeas to 97 Nays) on February 7, 2022, the Senate approved the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 by voice vote on February 10, 2022.

The California Supreme Court has held that the standard for assessing whistleblower retaliation claims under  California Labor Code section 1102.5 is not the McDonnell Douglas test, but the more plaintiff-friendly standard articulated in Labor Code section 1102.6. 

On January 18, 2022, an amendment to Bill 24-612 (legislation that would extend the eviction moratorium in DC until June 30, 2022) (the “Amendment”) was introduced to the DC Council that proposed tolling tenant deadlines under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (“TOPA”) until February 28, 2022.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

On February 7th, 2022, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) published the latest edition of its Caseload Statistics, confirming the strong demand for ICSID Arbitration despite challenges posed by a second year of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Download Our Summary of the Most Important Cases.

In a first-of-its-kind case, the Federal Trade Commission required Fashion Nova to pay $4.2 Million for blocking negative customer reviews in violation of the FTC Act. Shortly after, the agency released new guidance for online retailers and review platforms.

Foreign insurers can feel more confident in their ability to enforce international arbitration clauses in American courts. Last month, the US Supreme Court declined to reverse a decision of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that allowed Lloyd’s of London to compel arbitration.

In December, the Supreme Court requested that U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar file a brief in John Doe 1 v. Express Scripts Inc., weighing in on whether the Court should hear a case about prescription drug costs.

It’s that time of year again when employers have to decide who they are sponsoring for an H-1B visa.

With nearly 150 similar class action lawsuits pending nationwide, the ruling is a win for the ERISA plaintiff’s bar, potentially supporting their expansive view of plan fiduciaries’ duty to monitor investments.