Expert Analysis

• Opinion

  Time For Law Schools To Rethink Unsung Role Of Adjuncts

  

  As law schools prepare for the fall 2023 semester, administrators should reevaluate the role of the underappreciated, indispensable adjunct, and consider 16 concrete actions to improve the adjuncts' teaching experience, overall happiness and feeling of belonging, say T. Markus Funk at Perkins Coie, Andrew Boutros at Dechert and Eugene Volokh at UCLA.

• Investment Arbitration May Aid Stakeholders In Russian Cos.

  

  Though Russian countermeasures against international sanctions have caused many foreign investors' assets to become trapped in Russia, arbitration mechanisms provide investors with opportunities to recover significant monetary damages for their losses, say Eric Leikin and Photeine Lambridis at Freshfields.

• The Nuts And Bolts Of IRS Domestic Content Tax Credit

  

  Recent IRS guidance provides specifics on how renewable energy projects can qualify for bonus tax credits by meeting U.S. domestic content rules, but also creates a qualification framework that will be complicated for project developers to navigate, say Scott Cockerham and Wolfram Pohl at Orrick.

• Parties Will Face Barriers Challenging Trade Secret Sanctions

  

  An upcoming presidential report will identify foreign individuals and entities that may be subject to sanctions for trade secret theft under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act, and considering PAIPA provides little opportunity for parties to challenge these sanctions, there are significant due process concerns, says Jordan Rice at MoloLamken.

• Tips For In-House Legal Leaders In A Challenging Economy

  

  Amid today's economic and geopolitical uncertainty, in-house legal teams are running lean and facing increased scrutiny and unique issues, but can step up and find innovative ways to manage outcomes and capitalize on good business opportunities, says Tim Parilla at LinkSquares.

• The Multimillion-Dollar Patent Consequences Of 'A' Vs. 'The'

  

  Two Federal Circuit cases last month provide exemplary applications of both the general rule and its exception when interpreting the exact meaning of the indefinite articles "a" and "an" in patent claims, say attorneys at Shearman.

• Minimizing Discrimination Risks In Export Control Compliance

  

  A recently issued U.S. Department of Justice fact sheet on avoiding immigration-related discrimination in U.S. export control compliance should help employers learn to walk a tightrope to ensure their good faith compliance efforts do not unintentionally create risks, say attorneys at Baker McKenzie.

• M&A Considerations For European Cos. Acquiring US Entities

  

  As investment banks forecast a resurgence of mergers and acquisitions later this year, European companies seeking to acquire U.S. businesses should be aware of key procedural differences and federal regulatory requirements that will affect the process, timing and terms of the transaction, say attorneys at Mintz.

• What Associates Need To Know Before Switching Law Firms

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  The days of staying at the same firm for the duration of one's career are mostly a thing of the past as lateral moves by lawyers are commonplace, but there are several obstacles that associates should consider before making a move, say attorneys at HWG.

• A Case For Sharing Mediation Statements With Counterparties

  

  In light of a potential growing mediation trend of only submitting statements to the mediator, litigants should think critically about the pros and cons of exchanging statements with opposing parties as it could boost the chances of reaching a settlement, says Arthur Eidelhoch at Eidelhoch Mediation.

• How EU ESG Regs Affect US Financial Market Participants

  

  The European Commission recently confirmed that the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation applies to all funds marketed in the EU, so affected U.S. financial market participants will need to consider the new guidance on principal adverse impacts, sustainable investments and promotion of carbon emissions reductions, say attorneys at Debevoise.

• Preparing For Legal Scrutiny Of Data Retention Policies

  

  Two recent cases involving Google and Meta should serve as a call to action for companies to ensure their data retention policies are updated and properly implemented to the degree of being able to withstand judicial scrutiny, especially as more data is generated by emerging technologies, say Jack Kallus and Labeed Choudhry at Kaufman Dolowich.

• Opinion

  Attorneys Should Have An Ethical Duty To Advance DEI

  

  National and state bar associations are encouraging attorneys to apply diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the legal profession and beyond, and these associations should take it one step further by formally recognizing ethical duties for attorneys to promote DEI, which could better the legal profession and society, says Elena Mitchell at Moore & Van Allen.

• Climate Change Clarifications To Expect From World Court

  

  The upcoming International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change could help frame states' obligations and shape businesses' climate strategies, and the proceedings provide stakeholders with the opportunity to present their views on environmental responsibilities, say attorneys at Covington.

• Data-Driven Insights Are Key To Attracting Today's Clients

  

  As law firm growth slows and competition for clients increases, modern firms must rely on robust data analytics to develop the sector-based expertise and industry insights that clients increasingly prioritize in relationships with counsel, says Lavinia Calvert at Intapp.