Expert Analysis

• False Ad Snapshot Shows Risks Of Geographic Origin Claims

  

  A look at recent and historical cases involving deceptive use of geographic origin descriptors show that companies proclaiming they are American, but that sell products originating from outside the U.S., could be at risk under unfair competition laws or Federal Trade Commission enforcement, say attorneys at Carlson Gaskey.

• Opinion

  Bar Score Is Best Hiring Metric Post-Affirmative Action

  

  After the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling striking down affirmative action admissions policies, law firms looking to foster diversity in hiring should view an applicant's Multistate Bar Examination score as the best metric of legal ability — over law school name or GPA, says attorney Alice Griffin.

• Review Of Repatriation Tax Sets Justices On Slippery Slope

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to review the constitutionality of the repatriation tax in Moore v. U.S. has implications for many tax rules involving unrealized amounts and could leave the court on the brink of invalidating large swaths of the Internal Revenue Code, say attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland.

• 'Equal Harassment' Is No Shield Against Title VII Claims

  

  The Ninth Circuit’s decision in Sharp v. S&S Activewear, rejecting an employer's claim that it did not create a sexually hostile work environment because the misogynist music it played offended all workers equally, reminds companies that they can face Title VII liability even when misconduct does not target a specific group, says Laura Lawless at Squire Patton.

• As Biometric Privacy Laws Grow, Cos. Must Up Transparency

  

  As more states begin to introduce biometric privacy legislation, it's imperative for businesses collecting biometric data to proactively address prior notice, disclosure, collection and deletion directives, say attorneys at K&L Gates.

• RICO Ruling Makes US More Attractive Foreign Creditor Forum

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Yegiazaryan v. Smagin, allowing a foreign plaintiff to use the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to enforce a foreign arbitral award, will make judgment creditors more likely to seek out U.S. courts to remedy efforts to frustrate the enforcement of international arbitration awards, say attorneys at Paul Hastings.

• An Evil Bear May Provide High Court TM Ruling Clarification

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Jack Daniel's v. VIP Products leaves unanswered questions about the intersection of the First Amendment and trademark rights, which may be answered by the reconsideration of a dismissed case involving Disney and Lotso the bear from “Toy Story 3," say attorneys at Bracewell.

• Piecing Together The Blockchain Evidentiary Hurdles

  

  There are common challenges to introducing blockchain evidence at trial and a lack of uniformity in evidentiary codes at the state and federal levels means litigants must carefully navigate the uncertain blockchain puzzle, says Brett Sager at Ehrenstein Sager.

• Ghosting In BigLaw: How To Come Back From Lack Of Feedback

  

  Junior associates can feel powerless when senior colleagues cut off contact instead of providing useful feedback, but young attorneys can get back on track by focusing on practical professional development and reexamining their career priorities, says Rachel Patterson at Orrick.

• Pugin Ruling Lowers Bar For Felony-Based Deportation

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Pugin v. Garland that an offense may constitute an obstruction of justice aggravated felony, even when an investigation or proceeding is not pending, may allow the government to seek deportation for other low-level offenses never intended to be grounds for felony-based deportation, says Peter Alfredson at Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition.

• Would Biden Airline Service Order Raise 'Major Questions'?

  

  President Joe Biden's recent pledge to require airlines to compensate passengers for delays and cancellations could run afoul of the U.S. Supreme Court's recently expounded "major questions" doctrine — but that will depend on what kind of action the administration takes, and how federal courts choose to apply the doctrine, says Roger Clark at Signature Resolution.

• Wash. Health Privacy Bill May Affect Cos. Across Industries

  

  Washington’s recently enacted My Health My Data Act — a comprehensive privacy framework for companies that handle consumer health — will likely apply to companies outside the state and the health care industry, and may result in more privacy litigation than we have seen under any other state privacy statute to date, says Jenny Colgate at Rothwell Figg.

• Opinion

  States Must Fight Predatory Real Estate Listing Agreements

  

  As momentum against long-term real estate listing agreements continues to grow, states should take action to render existing agreements unenforceable and discourage future unfair and deceptive trade practices in real estate, says Elizabeth Blosser at the American Land Title Association.

• The Differing Court Approaches To Pay Equity Questions

  

  Employers face the tough task of navigating an increasingly complex patchwork of pay equity laws and court interpretations, say attorneys at Hunton.

• Washington State Puts Environmental Justice At The Forefront

  

  Two laws — the Healthy Environment for All Act and the Climate Commitment Act — have given Washington one of the most progressive environmental justice frameworks of any state in the country, and the resulting regulatory framework, which became fully effective on July 1, makes environmental justice assessments a key part of many projects, say attorneys at K&L Gates.