Expert Analysis

• Issues To Watch As Biochar Carbon Project Demand Heats Up

  

  Entities considering financing, constructing or operating biochar projects should evaluate the increasing demand for biochar as a soil amendment, the potential to generate revenue from carbon credits and produce other byproducts, and a variety of legal hurdles in this rapidly emerging market, say Mackenzie Schoonmaker and Astrika Adams at Beveridge & Diamond.

• Law Firm Professional Development Steps To Thrive In AI Era

  

  As generative artificial intelligence tools rapidly evolve, professional development leaders are instrumental in preparing law firms for the paradigm shifts ahead, and should consider three strategies to help empower legal talent with the skills required to succeed in an increasingly complex technological landscape, say Steve Gluckman and Anusia Gillespie at SkillBurst Interactive.

• Industry Takeaways From OMB's Final Buy America Guidance

  

  The Office of Management and Budget's recently released guidance on "Buy America" requirements for federal infrastructure projects provides clarity in certain areas but fails to address troublesome inconsistencies with state laws and international trade agreements, so manufacturers and suppliers will need to tread carefully as agencies implement the changes, say Amy Hoang and Sarah Barney at Seyfarth Shaw.

• Opinion

  A New Strategy For Defending Spine Injury Claims

  

  With spinal injury claims proliferating — often with verdicts in the seven-figure range — defense counsel can expand their current trial playbook by retaining experts to prepare and publish peer-reviewed scientific studies that can then be used in the courtroom to help juries understand the issues, says Nicholas Hurzeler at Lewis Brisbois.

• New 'Waters' Rule May Speed Projects, Spawn More Litigation

  

  The Biden administration's new rule defining "waters of the United States" in accordance with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision will remove federal protection for some wetlands — which could both enable more development and lead to more legal challenges for projects, says Marcia Greenblatt at Integral Consulting.

• Fair Lending Activity: Calm On The Surface, Churning Below

  

  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's recently released annual fair lending report to Congress confirms that despite the paucity of public fair lending enforcement actions in 2022, the CFPB and prudential banking agencies are engaged in significant nonpublic oversight, examination and enforcement activities, say attorneys at Cooley.

• The Basics Of Being A Knowledge Management Attorney

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Michael Lehet at Ogletree Deakins discusses the role of knowledge management attorneys at law firms, the common tasks they perform and practical tips for lawyers who may be considering becoming one.

• The 7 Most Notable FCRA Cases Of 2023 So Far

  

  Both consumer reporting agencies and furnishers should take note of Fair Credit Reporting Act decisions by federal district and appellate courts so far this year, especially those concerning dispute processing and the distinction between legal and factual inaccuracies, say attorneys at Troutman Pepper.

• Calif., Wash. Rest Break Waivers: What Carriers Must Know

  

  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's recent invitation for petitions to waive its rules on meal and rest breaks for commercial drivers in California and Washington is an unusual move, and the agency's own guidance seems to acknowledge that its plan may face legal challenges, says Jessica Scott at Wheeler Trigg.

• Mont. Kids' Climate Decision Reflects 3 Enviro Trends

  

  A Montana district court's recent ruling in Held v. Montana represents a rare win for activist plaintiffs seeking to use rights-based theories to address climate change concerns — and calls attention to three environmental trends that are increasingly influencing climate litigation and policy, says J. Michael Showalter at ArentFox Schiff.

• $735M Tesla Settlement Drives Home Lessons For Boards

  

  As one of the largest settlements of its kind, the recent $735 million deal between Tesla and 11 nonemployee directors highlights the increased scrutiny placed on compensation practices and director independence, and provides further caution to members of boards and their compensation committees, say attorneys at Cleary.

• 3 Areas Look Ripe For New SEP Licensing, Litigation

  

  As we wait for standard-essential patent litigation over 5G, data compression and several other technologies have quietly developed elements that make them attractive to SEP holders, turning them into areas to watch for increased licensing and litigation in the near term, say Brian Johnson and Michael O’Mara at Axinn.

• To Hire And Keep Top Talent, Think Beyond Compensation

  

  Firms seeking to appeal to sophisticated clients and top-level partners should promote mentorship, ensure that attorneys from diverse backgrounds feel valued, and clarify policies about at-home work, says Patrick Moya at Quaero Group.

• Automakers Must Prep For California's Car Data Privacy Probe

  

  With California recently announcing its intent to probe how automotive companies are collecting and using data from internet-connected vehicles, automakers and their suppliers must act quickly to create flexible, dynamic data management and compliance programs, say Melissa Ventrone and Myriah Jaworski at Clark Hill.

• Calif. Protected Species Law Changes: Real Fix Or Red Tape?

  

  California's recent amendments to its "fully protected species" statutes create a temporary permitting regime intended to accelerate the building of renewable energy, transportation and water infrastructure in response to climate change — but the new legislation could become another obstacle to the projects it purports to benefit, says Paul Weiland at Nossaman.