Expert Analysis

• Caregiver Flexibility Is Crucial For Atty Engagement, Retention

  

  As the battle for top talent continues post-pandemic, many firms are attempting to attract employees with progressive hybrid working environments — and supporting caregivers before, during and after an extended leave is a critically important way to retain top talent, says Manar Morales at The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance.

• The FTC May Be Expanding Its Monetary Relief Toolbox

  

  The Federal Trade Commission's recent settlement with crypto exchange Celsius — which resolved a Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act pretexting count — reveals an attempt to significantly expand the FTC's authority to obtain monetary relief in ordinary matters regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices, says Nikhil Singhvi at Covington.

• 5th Circ. Ruling Will Spur Challenges To No-Action Letters

  

  The Fifth Circuit's recent Clarke v. U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission decision that withdrawing no-action letters constitutes a final agency action subject to judicial review means federal agencies should expect more challenges to the practice, which has been criticized for failing to provide clear standards and enabling agencies to change course abruptly, say attorneys at Sidley.

• Leveraged Finance Market May Rebound After Cruel Summer

  

  It has been a challenging summer for the leveraged finance market due to the economic climate and tight credit conditions, but cooling inflation and signs of life in the syndicated loan market suggest brighter days ahead, say attorneys at Weil.

• 4 Ways Company Execs Can Prep For SEC Cybersecurity Rule

  

  In light of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent, and final, cybersecurity disclosure requirements, company leaders should undertake four factual assessments now to prepare their companies to respond quickly and agilely to the seemingly inevitable cyberattack, says Jennie Wang VonCannon at Crowell & Moring.

• NC Sports Betting Law May Bring New Blockchain Frontier

  

  North Carolina's new law that allows online and retail betting on professional, college and esports sports events has provided the blockchain industry with an opportunity to prove that its technology is better than that of traditional financial systems by listing cryptocurrencies as an accepted asset to wager, says Samir Patel at Holland & Knight.

• In-Office Engagement Is Essential To Associate Development

  

  As law firms develop return-to-office policies that allow hybrid work arrangements, they should incorporate the specific types of in-person engagement likely to help associates develop attributes common among successful firm leaders, says Liisa Thomas at Sheppard Mullin.

• SEC Focus On Perks Offers Insights On Cooperation

  

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recent settlement with Stanley Black & Decker is the latest example of the SEC's continued focus on executive perquisites and highlights what type of cooperation may be required to avoid a civil money penalty, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

• Perspectives

  A Judge's Pitch To Revive The Jury Trial

  

  Ohio state Judge Pierre Bergeron explains how the decline of the jury trial threatens public confidence in the judiciary and even democracy as a whole, and he offers ideas to restore this sacred right.

• How SEC Money Market Fund Reform Diverges From Proposal

  

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's final amendments to a rule that governs money market funds include several differences from the proposed rule, namely the elimination of swing pricing, the imposition of a new liquidity fee framework, and certain regulatory reporting requirements, say attorneys at K&L Gates.

• 5 Quick Takeaways From Feds' New Bank Capital Proposals

  

  The federal banking agencies' recent proposed rulemaking on capital requirements is the culmination of a holistic review of U.S. capital standards initiated by the Federal Reserve, and at over 1,000 pages, the proposal will take some time to fully digest, but there are a few items that can be immediately highlighted, say attorneys at Simpson Thacher.

• How To Recognize And Recover From Lawyer Loneliness

  

  Law can be one of the loneliest professions, but there are practical steps that attorneys and their managers can take to help themselves and their peers improve their emotional health, strengthen their social bonds and protect their performance, says psychologist and attorney Traci Cipriano.

• Opinion

  Litigation Funding Disclosure Should Be Mandatory

  

  Despite the Appellate Rules Committee's recent deferral of the issue of requiring third-party litigation funding disclosure, such a mandate is necessary to ensure the even-handed administration of justice across all cases, says David Levitt at Hinshaw.

• Recalling USWNT's Legal PR Playbook Amid World Cup Bid

  

  As the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team strives to take home another World Cup trophy, their 2022 pay equity settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation serves as a good reminder that winning in the court of public opinion can be more powerful than a victory inside the courtroom, says Hector Valle at Vianovo.

• A Closer Look At Competing Stablecoin Legislative Proposals

  

  Attorneys at Davis Polk dissect the key similarities and differences between competing stablecoin discussion drafts from Reps. Patrick McHenry and Maxine Waters, and while neither bill is enjoying overwhelming bipartisan support, there appears to be a greater sense of urgency for legislative intervention in the crypto industry.