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Expert Analysis


Legal Ethics Considerations For Law Firm Pro Bono Deals

If a law firm enters into a pro bono deal with the Trump administration in exchange for avoiding or removing an executive order, it has an ethical obligation to create a written settlement agreement with specific terms, which would mitigate some potential conflict of interest problems, says Andrew Altschul at Buchanan Angeli.


Cannabis Deregulation Raises Bankruptcy Access Questions

Attorneys at Thompson Coburn explore why cannabis companies have been historically prohibited from filing for bankruptcy, certain exceptions to the general rule, and the potential effects of federal deregulation on such companies' bankruptcy eligibility.


How To Address FCA Risk After 4th Circ. Ruling On DEI Orders

Following the Fourth Circuit's ruling in National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump, which freed the administration to enforce executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, government contractors should take stock of potentially unlawful DEI programs, given their heightened risk under the False Claims Act, say attorneys at Sidley.


Avoiding Compliance Risks Under Calif. Recycling Label Law

CalRecycle's recently published final findings on California's S.B. 343 — determining which products and packaging materials are eligible to use the "chasing arrows" recyclability symbol — offer key guidance that businesses operating in the state must heed to avert the risk of penalties or litigation, says Christopher Smith at Greenspoon Marder.


Reproductive Health Under Trump So Far, And What's Next

Based on priorities stated so far, the Trump administration will likely continue to weaken Biden-era policies that protect reproductive health, with abortion, in vitro fertilization and contraception all being issues to watch closely amid a post-Dobbs shift, say attorneys at McDermott.


FDIC Unlocks A Door To Banks' Potential Crypto Future

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s recent crypto guidance broadens the scope of permissible activities for banks to an unprecedented level, although most institutions are unlikely to initiate or expand such practices in the immediate future, says Amanda Kowalski at Barley Snyder.


Del. Dispatch: Open Issues After Corp. Law Amendments

Recent amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law represent a significant change in the future structuring of boards and how the First State will approach conflicted transactions, but Delaware courts may interpret the amendments narrowly, limiting their impact, say attorneys at Fried Frank.


Series

Playing Football Made Me A Better Lawyer

While my football career ended over 15 years ago, the lessons the sport taught me about grit, accountability and resilience have stayed with me and will continue to help me succeed as an attorney, says Bert McBride at Trenam.


What Del. Supreme Court LKQ Decision Means For M&A Deals

The Delaware Supreme Court's recent decision in LKQ v. Rutledge greatly increases the enforceability of forfeiture-for-competition provisions, representing an important affirmation of earlier precedent and making it likely that such agreements will become more common in M&A transactions, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.


Tracking FTC Labor Task Force's Focus On Worker Protection

The Federal Trade Commission recently directed its bureaus to form a joint labor task force, shifting the agency's focus toward protecting consumers in their role as workers, but case selection and resource allocation will ultimately reveal how significant labor markets will be in the FTC's agenda, say attorneys at Venable.


10 Arbitrations And A 5th Circ. Ruling Flag Arb. Clause Risks

The ongoing arbitral saga of Sullivan v. Feldman, which has engendered proceedings before 10 different arbitrators in Texas and Louisiana along with last month's Fifth Circuit opinion, showcases both the risks and limitations of arbitration clauses in retainer agreements for resolving attorney-client disputes, says Christopher Blazejewski at Sherin and Lodgen.


How High Court's Cornell Decision Will Affect ERISA Suits

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Cunningham v. Cornell, characterizing prohibited transaction exemptions as affirmative defenses, sets the bar very low for initiating Employee Retirement Income Security Act litigation, and will likely affect many plan sponsors with similar service agreements, says Carol Buckmann at Cohen & Buckmann.


Aviation Watch: New FAA Chief Will Face Strong Headwinds

Once confirmed, Bryan Bedford, President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration, will face steep challenges — including a shortage of air traffic controllers, a recent spate of high-profile crashes, and the difficulty of working within an administration intent on cutting staffing and funding, says Alan Hoffman, a retired attorney and aviation expert.


Contract Disputes Recap: Q&As, Gov't Claims, Pleading

Attorneys at Seyfarth examine decisions from the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims covering matters including superior knowledge, government claims and pleading standards.


How Trump Energy Order May Challenge State Climate Efforts

Even if the Trump administration's recent executive order targeting state and local environmental, climate and clean energy laws, regulations and programs doesn't result in successful legal challenges to state authority, the order could discourage state legislatures from taking further climate action, say attorneys at Foley Hoag.


AI Use Of Hollywood Works: The Case For Statutory Licensing

Amid entertainment industry concerns about how generative artificial intelligence uses its copyrighted content, a statutory licensing framework may offer a more viable path than litigation and petitions — one that aligns legal doctrine, economic incentives and technological progress, says Rob Rosenberg at Telluride Legal.


Notable Q1 Updates In Insurance Class Actions

The first quarter of 2025 was filled with the refinement of old theories in the property and casualty space, including in vehicle valuation, time to seek appraisal and materials depreciation, says Mathew Drocton at BakerHostetler.


Keys To Handling Digital Investigations In Pharma IP Litigation

In the high-stakes realm of pharmaceutical intellectual property litigation, efficient e-discovery and digital investigation workflows are essential to supporting strategic arguments, building defensible cases and proving that the requirements for market entry have been adequately met, says Jerry Lay at FTI Consulting.


The SEC's Administrative Law Courts Are At A Crossroads

The U.S. Department of Justice's recent departure from its prior defense of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's administrative law judges' legitimacy moves the forum deeper into a constitutional limbo that likely requires congressional action, says Dean Conway at Carlton Fields.


2nd Circ. Ruling May Aid Consistent Interpretation Of ADA

In Tudor v. Whitehall Central School District, the Second Circuit joined the majority of circuits by holding that an employee's ability to perform their job without an accommodation does not disqualify them from receiving one, marking a notable step toward uniform application of the Americans with Disabilities Act nationwide, says Michelle Grant at Wilson Elser.



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Special Series


My Hobby Makes Me A Better Lawyer

In this Expert Analysis series, attorneys share how their unusual extracurricular activities enhance professional development, providing insights and pointers that translate to the office, courtroom and beyond.




Adapting To Private Practice

In this Expert Analysis series, attorneys who have made the move from government work to private practice in the last few years reflect on how they transitioned to law firm life, and discuss tips for others.




Opinion


It's Time To Reform Mass Arbitration

A number of recent lawsuits demonstrate how problematic practices in mass arbitration can undermine its ability to function as a tool for fair and efficient dispute resolution — so reforms including early case filtering, stronger verification requirements and new fee structures are needed to restore the arbitration system's integrity, says Kennen Hagen at FedArb.

Administrative Disaster At Bankruptcy Courts May Be In Sight

If, as a result of voluntary resignations or terminations, the professional staff of the U.S. Trustee's Office is depleted, it will undoubtedly cause a slowdown in the administrative process for the significant majority of bankruptcy cases, says Charles Tatelbaum at Tripp Scott.



Access to Justice Perspectives


The Benefits Of Aligning States On Legal Paraprofessionals

Texas' proposal to become the latest state to license paraprofessional providers of limited legal services could help firms expand their reach and improve access to justice, but consumers, attorneys and allied legal professionals would benefit even more if similar programs across the country become more uniform, says Michael Houlberg at the University of Denver.





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