FTC Warns Law Firms: Rethink Your Diversity Collaborations

February 13th, 2026|Categories: ELP, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , |

The FTC has warned dozens of major U.S. law firms that participation in diversity certification programs could raise antitrust concerns. This episode examines the agency’s cautionary letters regarding the Mansfield Certification program, the potential for coordinated diversity efforts to be viewed as labor-market collusion, and the broader regulatory pressure facing law firms and media organizations. It also explores recent court decisions, executive branch enforcement trends, and the growing intersection of antitrust law, free speech, and diversity initiatives. As scrutiny intensifies, firms must navigate evolving legal risks while maintaining independence and competitive integrity.

Using AI to Strengthen Law Firm Content Development – JD Supra ‘Office Hours’ with Tom Hagy

February 8th, 2026|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Journal, Law Firm Operations, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , |

In a JD Supra Office Hours session, legal content strategist Tom Hagy shared practical guidance on how law firm marketers can use AI to strengthen — not replace — their content development process. Framing AI as an editorial assistant rather than an author, Hagy explained how marketers can use the technology to generate better ideas, improve structure, translate legal complexity for business audiences, and repurpose existing firm content more effectively. He also emphasized that human judgment remains essential for accuracy, voice, and credibility. The discussion offers a clear, practical roadmap for integrating AI into law firm marketing workflows while maintaining editorial standards and client trust.

Opioid Addiction Litigation 2026: The New Post-Mega-Settlements Normal, Why Tribal Claims Are Central, and a Federal Pullback on Treatment Programs

February 7th, 2026|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Environmental Torts, HB Tort Notes, Journal, Mass Torts, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , |

Opioid litigation has entered a new phase defined less by courtroom trials and more by long-term settlement governance, tribal sovereignty, and evolving bankruptcy law. National opioid settlements now fund abatement through strict reporting and multi-year payment schedules, while Tribal Nations administer parallel sovereign recovery systems. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s Harrington v. Purdue Pharma decision has reshaped how mass-tort bankruptcies resolve claims. Yet as litigation-driven funding stabilizes, federal support for addiction treatment and overdose prevention faces deep cuts and growing uncertainty. Together, these developments show opioid litigation moving into a complex era where courts, settlements, and public policy intersect.

HB Environmental Update | Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 | Climate Funding, Wind Power, Wild Horses, PFAS Regs, PFAS Settlement, and the Decades of Debate Over the Pollution Exclusion

February 6th, 2026|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Environmental Torts, HB Tort Notes, Journal, Mass Torts, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , , |

Environmental law is entering another period of rapid change, as courts step in to define the limits of agency authority, corporate responsibility, and insurance coverage. Federal climate funding disputes now turn on contract law rather than administrative review. International prosecutors are bringing environmental crime cases. U.S. courts are shaping the future of wind energy projects, forest management, and wild horse policy. At the same time, PFAS regulation and settlement oversight are intensifying, while state high courts weigh in on long-debated insurance exclusions tied to pollution. This week’s developments reflect a legal landscape where judges increasingly steer environmental policy.

Cannabis Laws & Workplace Drug Testing: What Employers & Employees MUST Know in 2026

January 28th, 2026|Categories: ELP, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , |

As cannabis laws continue to evolve nationwide, employers and employees are facing new questions about drug testing, workplace safety, and legal compliance. In this episode, labor and employment attorney Keya Denner of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete explains how changing cannabis policies intersect with the ADA, privacy rights, and fitness-for-duty requirements. The discussion covers documentation best practices, reasonable accommodation, and how legal drug use affects workplace policies. Essential listening for HR professionals, business leaders, and anyone navigating substance use, safety obligations, and employment law in a rapidly shifting legal landscape.

An Innovative New Law Firm Self-Ranking Tool with Molly Huie and Sara Lord

January 27th, 2026|Categories: ELP, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , |

What if law firms could measure success using more than just headcount and revenue? In this episode, Molly Huie of Bloomberg Industry Group joins data strategist Sara Lord of Reed Smith to discuss Bloomberg’s innovative Leading Law Firms self-ranking tool. The program blends financial strength, talent, innovation, growth, and excellence metrics into an interactive platform that helps firms benchmark performance in a more meaningful way. The conversation explores how the tool benefits business development leaders, managing partners, and firms of all sizes seeking data-driven insights.

Agentic AI on Trial: You Be The Judge Part 1 – Medical Diagnostics | Featuring An AI Expert, a Google Cloud Exec, and a Florida Circuit Judge

January 25th, 2026|Categories: ELP, New Featured Post for Home Page|Tags: , , , |

When autonomous AI systems make life-and-death decisions, who is responsible when something goes wrong? In Part 1 of the Agentic AI on Trial series, Galina Datskovsky, PhD, Marina Kaganovich, and Hon. Lisa Walsh examine a hypothetical agentic AI mammography triage system designed to operate with minimal human oversight. The panel explores accountability across developers, hospitals, clinicians, and data providers—and whether new standards of care are emerging for machine decision-making. A must-listen for health tech, compliance, and healthcare operations professionals navigating the legal and operational risks of autonomous AI.

Voting Rights Under Threat: A Legal Challenge | Organizations Say Expansion of Citizen Database Violates Privacy and Voting Rights

January 23rd, 2026|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Environmental Torts, HB Tort Notes, Journal, Mass Torts, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , |

The rapid advancement of AI technology continues to challenge courts, companies, and consumers. Read about recent developments that in-house counsel and litigators should be watching.

HB Artificial Intelligence Update Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 | Wrongful Death, Discrimination, Intellectual Property

December 14th, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Environmental Torts, HB Tort Notes, Journal, Mass Torts, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , , , |

The rapid advancement of AI technology continues to challenge courts, companies, and consumers. Read about recent developments that in-house counsel and litigators should be watching.

HB Environmental Update Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 | Feds Step Back, States Step In, Courts Push Back, EPA Wavers

December 13th, 2025|Categories: Emerging Litigation & Risk, Environmental Torts, HB Tort Notes, Journal, Mass Torts, New Featured Post for Home Page, News|Tags: , , |

We’re in an age when deregulation hawks in just about every sector are getting what they’ve asked for. That includes environmental protection, something many of us have taken for granted, as we watch federal measures undergo a dramatic unwinding at a time when the scientific community agrees more should be done, not less, to safeguard the planet. Federal agencies are retreating from aggressive enforcement, states are asserting new authority, and courts—both state and federal—are emerging as decisive arbiters of climate and energy policy. The result is a patchwork of obligations and opportunities that lawyers, corporations, and communities must navigate with increasing urgency. This week’s developments underscore the trend.

The DOJ’s Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program 2025 : Take the CLE Webinar

November 30th, 2025|Categories: CLE OnDemand, Complex Business Litigation, Emerging Litigation & Risk, New Featured Post for Home Page, New Webinars|Tags: , , |

The Department of Justice’s new Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program is reshaping how insider reporting is incentivized in fraud-related antitrust cases. In this CLE webinar, leading whistleblower attorney Julie Bracker and veteran antitrust litigator Dan Mogin explain how the program works, who qualifies, and what types of violations may lead to monetary awards of up to 30% of criminal fines. The session covers whistleblower protections, antitrust enforcement fundamentals, strategic considerations, and current DOJ priorities—offering essential guidance for counsel navigating this rapidly evolving enforcement landscape.

Maryland Child Victims Act: Defending & Pursuing Insurance Coverage for Abuse Claims | Get CLE

November 26th, 2025|Categories: CLE OnDemand, Complex Business Litigation, Insurance, New Featured Post for Home Page, New Webinars|Tags: , , |

Maryland’s Child Victims Act has opened the door to a surge of revived abuse claims, raising significant challenges for institutions, insurers, and counsel. In this CLE webinar, Cameron Argetsinger, Brian Della Torre, Glen Feinberg, and Sean Gugerty examine the law’s key provisions, emerging litigation trends, and complex insurance coverage issues. The program explores liability risks for schools, nonprofits, and religious organizations, and offers practical guidance on locating historic policies, managing notice obligations, and navigating insurer defenses. Essential insight for anyone handling CVA-related litigation or insurance recovery.

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