Alerts

Hydroponic production has become increasingly popular in American agriculture. Historically, fruits and vegetables had been grown exclusively on traditional soil-based farms. Hydroponics, by contrast, are typically grown in greenhouses and urban farms using innovative new technologies.

The first Monday of October means the Supreme Court begins to hear cases for the new term. As we promised at the end of last term, below we summarize cases the Court could address, including issues involving the federal Clean Water Act; standing and the appropriateness of executive action.

The Biden Administration, after ordering a series of reports on the risks and potential benefits of cryptocurrency and digital assets in its March 9, 2022, Executive Order (EO), has now published the “Comprehensive Framework for Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” (Framework).

The courts have, for now, stepped in and put a halt to the most egregious of prosecutions under the China Initiative. By the time the courts acted, great damage has already been done—careers are lost, finances drained, and lives forever scarred.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

It’s been one year since Illinois passed a sweeping energy bill – the Energy Transition Act, PA 102-0662 – commonly referred to as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The law targets 50% renewable electricity procurement by 2040 and 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.

In Advisory Opinion 22-17, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that a proposed restructuring of a loan and other contractual relationships between a health system and a federally qualified health center (FQHC) “look-alike” clinic.

On September 13, 2022, a federal court in San Francisco decided an NGO-led challenge to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final rule establishing a national standard for the disclosure of bioengineered foods.

Between consumer demand for more transparency and anticipated 2023 privacy laws, companies may be vulnerable to class action lawsuits.

Free-range hens, sustainably sourced, and 100% Parmesan Cheese: At first glance, these phrases are indistinguishable from the countless marketing consumers encounter on a daily basis. However, in courts across the country, these phrases could constitute false advertising.

On June 21, 2022, President Biden signed the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act into law. 

The California Board of Registered Nursing released proposed regulations setting forth requirements for the new categories of nurse practitioners created in 2020 by Assembly Bill 890, pushing nurse practitioners closer to an independent scope of practice.

Well, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) waited until the summer was over, but timing may be the best part of the new export controls on Russia and Belarus (the “Rule”). Understanding the new Rule and how the old regulations have been amended is a bear.

In response to multiple requests from California hospital industry members, the California Court of Appeal ordered publication of its decision in Bonni v. St. Joseph Health System et al. This important decision is a victory for peer reviewers because it establishes significant protections.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act requires the Commission to publish and maintain a list of communications equipment and services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of US persons The FCC added equipment and services from three entities.

Earlier this month, the US District Court for District of Maryland denied a partial motion for summary judgment in a case filed by Infotek Corporation against Mr. Dwight Preston, a former employee.  See Infotek Corp v. Preston, No. CCB-18-1386, 2022 WL 4121414 (D. Md. Sep. 9, 2022).  

In today’s podcast episode, Aaron Jacoby welcomes back Kim Linebarger and Lewis Fisher from Moss Adams to talk about how auto dealers can prevent and detect fraud in their businesses.

A pair of reports recently issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) highlight the important role telehealth services have played in ensuring access to medical services and care for Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a previous article, Litigating Spoliation Claims in Trade Secret Cases, we discussed the rise of spoliation in trade secret and restrictive covenant cases. In that article, we provided background on trade secret laws and the spoliation standard, and laid out a “how-to” guide with practice tips.

President Biden has revealed the next areas of focus in his effort to protect the United States’ technological leadership and economic competitiveness: biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and the bioeconomy.

In its upcoming October 2022 Term, the US Supreme Court is set to take challenge how states are permitted to exercise jurisdiction over corporations. Mallory v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., No. 21-1168, offers the Court a prime opportunity to clarify the boundaries of “general jurisdiction.”

Headlines that Matter for Privacy and Data Security.

Citizen suits begin with private parties sending “notice letters” to potential defendants apprising them that, if a specified action isn’t done within a certain period, litigation will be filed. A primary purpose of these letters is to allow parties to fix issues outlined in the letters.

In a new report issued September 8, the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) outlines the environmental and energy impacts of cryptocurrencies and digital assets and calls for the development of federal and state regulations to mitigate those impacts going forward.