Public Policy

  • January 01, 2025

    Top Environmental Cases To Watch In 2025

    The new year will likely see several consequential environmental law cases reaching resolution, including a legal attack on a long-used approach to pollution control in Clean Water Act permits and challenges to the Biden administration's environmental justice efforts. Here are the key environmental law cases to watch in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Native American Cases To Watch In 2025

    2024 brought lawsuits and rulings in state, federal district and appellate courts that will play out into 2025 with some uncertainties for Native American tribes on voting rights, protections for historical worship sites and land trust decisions.

  • January 01, 2025

    Trademark Cases To Watch In 2025

    Justices will decide whether it's appropriate to have corporate affiliates of a trademark defendant pay $47 million in damages, and appellate courts are expected to grapple with how to apply the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 opinion in Jack Daniel's fight over a chewy dog toy. Here are Law360's picks for trademark cases to watch in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    IPO Outlook Brightens As More Companies Eye 2025 Listings

    Capital markets attorneys are preparing to advise more companies toward initial public offerings in 2025, given evidence that a rising number of candidates are joining the pipeline in expectation of a long-awaited resurgence in new listings. ​​Here, Law360 looks at what deals attorneys and market participants expect.

  • January 01, 2025

    Patent Cases To Watch In 2025

    The Federal Circuit has taken on a rare en banc patent case looking at damages, while the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to review when foreign damages can be incorporated into patent awards. Here's what you need to know about these cases and others that attorneys are keeping an eye on in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Federal Rules Impacted Tribes In 2024, With More To Come

    U.S. federal agencies issued a slew of final rules that impacted Indigenous communities in 2024, giving their members greater autonomy over healthcare, environmental and energy regulations and land trust decisions.

  • January 01, 2025

    Top 5 Energy Policy Areas To Watch In 2025

    President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House and incoming Republican control of Capitol Hill heralds a major swing in energy policy away from promoting clean energy and tackling climate change and toward a renewed push for reliance on fossil fuels. Here are five pivotal policy areas that are expected to affect the energy industry.

  • January 01, 2025

    Top Texas Cases To Watch In 2025

    The new year could see Texas courts delivering decisions on several prominent cases, including gun rights and an alleged conspiracy to get advertisers to leave social platform X. Here's a look at the Texas cases Law360 will track closely in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Top Federal Tax Cases To Watch In 2025

    Over the next year, tax practitioners will be closely monitoring suits that challenge the IRS' use of the economic substance doctrine, take advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision curbing federal agencies' regulatory authority and dispute the government's handling of worker retention credits. Here, Law360 looks at key federal tax cases to follow in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Transportation Cases To Watch In 2025

    The Boeing Co.'s 737 Max criminal conspiracy case, consolidated D.C. Circuit litigation targeting new vehicle fuel-economy standards, and a Texas high court battle over a massive trucking accident verdict are among the cases that transportation attorneys are watching closely in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Key Immigration Cases To Watch In 2025

    The immigration litigation landscape is set to shift in 2025, with immigrant rights groups gearing up to challenge President-elect Donald Trump's anticipated policies, while his administration is expected to abandon challenges to Republican states' immigration enforcement laws.

  • January 01, 2025

    Top 5 Immigration Policy Issues To Watch In 2025

    Immigration attorneys are bracing for major changes under the incoming White House, including President-elect Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations, restrictions on employment-based visas and a rollback of Biden administration policies. Here, Law360 looks at essential immigration policies that could dominate in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    Washington Cases To Watch In 2025

    Washington's highest court will take a closer look this year at a Monsanto toxic tort verdict worth $185 million, a pay disclosure requirement that's triggered a wave of lawsuits against employers, and a new state gun law, while federal regulators forge ahead in district court with landmark antitrust litigation against Amazon.

  • January 01, 2025

    5 Policy Changes Benefits Attys Should Watch For In 2025

    With President-elect Donald Trump poised to return to the White House, experts are bracing for potential changes including shifts from the U.S. Department of Labor on who qualifies as a regulated fiduciary under benefits law to whether retirement plans can consider environmental and social factors when picking investments. Here, Law360 looks at five employee benefits policy issues to keep an eye on in the new year.

  • January 01, 2025

    California Legislation And Regulations To Watch In 2025

    California legal experts anticipate a busy 2025 in regulatory and legislative affairs, particularly as lawmakers and regulators ready the Golden State for potential attacks from the incoming Trump administration on a number of issues including reproductive care, LGBTQ rights and environmental protections.

  • January 01, 2025

    Top International Trade Policy Stories To Watch In 2025

    The re-election of Donald Trump has once again put U.S. trade policy center stage, as corporate attorneys brace for the sort of tariff and dealmaking whirlwind that came to define much of Trump's first term.

  • January 01, 2025

    Cannabis And Hemp Lawsuits To Watch In 2025

    A California litigator alleging the unconstitutionality of multiple state and local cannabis licensure programs is pushing his actions through the federal circuit courts, hemp industry stakeholders are alleging that states have overstepped their authority with policies meant to rein in intoxicating products, and a coalition of marijuana companies' challenge to the federal ban on prohibition had its day in federal appellate court.

  • January 01, 2025

    Cannabis Advocates Hone Their Policy Goals For 2025

    With Republicans set to control the legislative and executive branches, cannabis advocates predict that federal cannabis reforms in 2025 are still achievable, but note they will likely be more incremental than holistic, with an emphasis on public safety and states' rights.

  • January 01, 2025

    Energy Cases To Watch In 2025

    Federal courts will be addressing disputes that could reshape the authority of several U.S. energy regulators and subsequently impact the future of power development in the nation. Here are the biggest lawsuits on Law360’s radar that energy attorneys must watch in 2025.

  • January 01, 2025

    DC Circuit Cases To Watch in 2025

    The D.C. Circuit's 2025 docket is stacked with challenges to alleged misbehavior by federal regulatory agencies, with the behavior including the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's bid to ban wagering on elections and the Federal Trade Commission's efforts to crack down on Meta's privacy practices.

  • January 01, 2025

    NC Legislation To Watch In 2025: Power Plays, Helene Relief

    A sprawling North Carolina bill that combined Hurricane Helene relief efforts and controversial power shake-ups seemed destined to become law when state lawmakers overrode Gov. Roy Cooper's veto, but a subsequent lawsuit by Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein has placed the proposal in limbo. 

  • January 01, 2025

    Pa. Legislation To Watch: Noncompetes, Funding Solutions

    A new Pennsylvania law restricting noncompete agreements for certain healthcare workers has left some employment law attorneys with questions, while perennial public transit funding issues signal that revenue-generating regulations could appear on next year's legislative agenda.

  • January 01, 2025

    New Jersey Legislation To Watch In 2025

    New Jersey lawmakers passed legislation in 2024 aiming to ensure some of its most vulnerable residents have access to affordable housing, promised to put an end to book bans and provided job seekers more pay transparency for the roles they seek, reflecting the social issues that dominated headlines. Here, Law360 highlights New Jersey legislation to watch in the new year.

  • January 01, 2025

    NJ Cases To Watch In 2025: Power Broker, Pollution Cleanup

    This year, litigators in New Jersey and beyond will be watching the state's prosecution of power broker George Norcross and his close associates for the alleged wide-ranging RICO conspiracy to obtain Camden waterfront properties and the millions of tax credits that come with the lots.

  • January 01, 2025

    Key Environmental Policies To Watch In 2025

    Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election means that several key environmental policies developed by the Biden administration will be subject to scrutiny and probably revision, if not outright revocation. Here are four key policy areas to watch this year.

Expert Analysis

  • A Look At The Hefty Demands In Calif. Employer AI Draft Regs

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    California's draft regulations on artificial intelligence use in employment decisions show that the California Privacy Protection Agency is positioning itself as a de facto AI regulator for the state, which isn't waiting around for federal legislation, says Lily Li at Metaverse Law.

  • Series

    Being A Navy Reservist Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Serving this country in uniform has not only been one of the greatest honors of my life, but it has also provided me with opportunities to broaden my legal acumen and interpersonal skills in ways that have indelibly contributed to my civilian practice, says Phillip Smith at Weinberg Wheeler.

  • How To Prepare For Expanded HSR Notification Process

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    Following the recent publication of the Federal Trade Commission's final rule enhancing premerger reporting requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, filing parties can take key steps to comply by the new Feb. 10 effective date, say attorneys at Squire Patton.

  • Cos. Should Inventory Issues To Prep For New Congress

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    As the legislative and oversight agendas of the 119th Congress come into sharper focus, corporate counsel should assess and plan for areas of potential oversight risk — from tax policy changes to supply chain integrity — even as much uncertainty remains, say attorneys at WilmerHale.

  • Incoming Admin May Shake Up Life Sciences Regulation

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    Though President-elect Donald Trump has not yet articulated policy priorities regarding the life sciences industry, the sector is positioned to see significant changes that could affect everything from drug exclusivity and generic drug approvals, to the availability of over-the-counter drugs, to laboratory-developed tests and digital health, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • OCC Recovery Guidance Can Help Banks Bounce Back Better

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    The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's recently finalized recovery guidelines add to the constellation of exercises that larger banks must undertake, while also aiding information-gathering and preparedness efforts that can help prevent — or better manage — bank failures, say attorneys at Davis Wright.

  • Conservation Easement Cases Weave Web Of Uncertainty

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    Much of the IRS and Justice Department’s recent success in prosecuting syndicated conservation easement cases can be attributed to the government’s focus on the so-called PropCo ratio, which could indicate treacherous waters ahead for participants and their advisers, even under the incoming Trump administration, say attorneys at Polsinelli.

  • Trump Fossil Fuel Focus Won't End Interest In Clean Energy

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    A second Donald Trump administration is expected to prioritize expanding oil and gas drilling and reducing regulations — but some clean energy investments, including energy storage, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel, will likely continue to garner bipartisan and market support, says Scott Segal at Bracewell.

  • EPA's New Lead Pipe Rule Leaves Key Questions Unanswered

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    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recently released update to its Lead and Copper Rule is a major step forward in the elimination of lead from drinking water systems, but it lacks meaningful guidance on alternative materials, jurisdictional concerns, cost allocation and other topics, say attorneys at Foley Hoag.

  • Navigating DOJ's Patchwork Whistleblower Regime

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    In the past few months, the U.S. Department of Justice and several individual U.S. attorney’s offices have issued different pilot programs aimed at incentivizing individuals to blow the whistle on misconduct, but this piecemeal approach may create confusion and suboptimal outcomes, say attorneys at BakerHostetler.

  • What To Expect From State AGs As Federal Control Changes

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    Under the next Trump administration, Democratic attorneys general are poised to strengthen enforcement in certain areas as Republican attorneys general continue their efforts with stronger federal support — resulting in a confusing patchwork of policies that create unintended liabilities for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • So You Want To Move Your Law Practice To Canada, Eh?

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    Google searches for how to move to Canada have surged in the wake of the U.S. presidential election, and if you’re an attorney considering a move to the Great White North, you’ll need to understand how the practice of law differs across the border, says David Postel at Henein Hutchison.

  • A Look At Similarities Between SOX And SEC's Cyber Rule

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    Just as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act paved the way for greater transparency and accountability in financial reporting, the SEC's cybersecurity rule is doing much the same for cybersecurity, ensuring that companies are resilient in the face of growing cyber threats, says Padraic O'Reilly at CyberSaint.

  • Opinion

    Efficiency Dept. Should Consolidate Antitrust Enforcement

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    President-elect Donald Trump's planned Department of Government Efficiency should transfer the authority of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition into the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, because there is no justification for two federal entities to enforce antitrust and competition laws, says retired judge Susan Braden.

  • What To Expect Next From Federal Health Tech Regulation

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    Healthcare organizations should pay close attention to federal health information technology regulators' recent guidance concerning barriers to accessing electronic health information, which signals that more enforcement in this area is likely forthcoming, say attorneys at Ropes & Gray.

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