Expert Analysis

• Series

  Watching Hallmark Movies Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  I realize you may be judging me for watching, and actually enjoying, Hallmark Channel movies, but the escapism and storylines actually demonstrate qualities and actions that lead to an efficient, productive and positive legal practice, says Karen Ross at Tucker Ellis.

• Stablecoin Yield Reform Raises Stakes For Community Banks

  

  Risks for community banks are heightened by the Clarity and Genius Acts, which establish stablecoin market parameters and may lead to traditional bank fund withdrawals in the long term, but a recent Senate amendment to the former bill could prevent deposit runoff, says Thomas Walker at Jones Walker.

• How Iran War Might Reshape Proxy Contests This Year

  

  The Iran war may function as a short-term poison pill for proxy contests, not because it strengthens corporate defenses, but because it increases the risks associated with activist commitments, say attorneys at Sidley.

• What FINRA Enforcement Changes Mean For Investigations

  

  It is essential for in-house counsel and compliance officers to familiarize themselves with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's recently announced changes to its enforcement program, which offer both clearer visibility into FINRA's expectations and a valuable opportunity to strengthen regulatory readiness, say attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland.

• One Idea To Fix The SEC's Risk Factor Disclosure Rules

  

  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins recently invited the industry to suggest ways to reform the current risk factor disclosure framework, and amending Rule 10b-5 is one potential option to consider, say attorneys at A&O Shearman.

• SEC Guidance Further Solidifies Status Of Tokenized Assets

  

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently released a statement that tokenized securities are securities governed by traditional securities laws, representing continued regulatory clarity and the development of expanded technical standards and risk management guidelines that can only improve the long-term viability of financial markets, say attorneys at Barnes & Thornburg.

• 5 Tips For Navigating Your Firm's All-Attorney Summit

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  Law firm retreats should be approached strategically, as they present valuable opportunities to advance both the firm's objectives and attorneys' professional development through meaningful participation, building and strengthening internal relationships, and proactive follow-up, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

• Opinion

  Clarity Act Would Clear Welcome Pathways For Blockchain

  

  The framework proposed under the Senate Banking Committee's version of the Clarity Act creates reasonable compliance obligations and meaningful token-distribution opportunities that would open the door for more U.S.-based blockchain projects, without the heightened risk of securities litigation and regulatory enforcement, says Karen Ubell at Goodwin.

• How Bankrupt Cos. Can Seek Refunds For Illegal Tariffs

  

  In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision striking down President Donald Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs as illegal, some companies may have strong prospects for recovering refunds from the government, and trustees in bankruptcy may have a significant role to play in seeking such recovery, say attorneys at Stinson.

• 6 Noteworthy Changes From SEC Enforcement Manual Update

  

  Recent updates to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement manual represent a commitment to transparency and fair process, with the signature change being a requirement that staff make certain probative evidence available during the Wells process, say attorneys at Debevoise.

• Series

  Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

  

  Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.

• What Texas Anti-Boycott Ruling Means For ESG Landscape

  

  A Texas federal court's recent ruling in American Sustainable Business Council v. Hegar that Texas' anti-ESG law is unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds will likely embolden legal challenges to similar laws in other states that have adopted fossil fuel boycott statutes, say attorneys at ArentFox Schiff.

• How To Wield The Clarity Act As A Litigation Defense Tool

  

  The Clarity Act is being discussed as a future compliance statute, but for litigators it can be used as a present-day defense tool to strengthen fair‑notice framing, argue for forward‑looking remedies rather than punitive ones and reprice settlement leverage as statutory clarity approaches, say attorneys at Baker McKenzie.

• Series

  Law School's Missed Lessons: The Human Element

  

  Law school teaches you to quickly apply intellect and logic when handling a legal issue, but every fact pattern also involves a person, making the ability to balance expertise with empathy critical to the growth of relationships with clients, colleagues and adversaries, says Rachel Adcox at Adcox Strategies.

• 7 Steps For Gov't Contractors In Post-IEEPA Tariff Landscape

  

  In response to U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down tariffs issued by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, there are several actions federal contractors should take to preserve their place in any refund waterfall, and to manage audit, overpayment and False Claims Act risk, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.