Expert Analysis

• Companies Must Dig Up Old Laws To Stay Privacy-Compliant

  

  Despite the recent focus on new privacy and data security laws, companies cannot ignore existing rules that have recently been revived, amended or reinterpreted to address emerging privacy and data security challenges, says Julia Kadish at Sheppard Mullin.

• ABA's Money-Laundering Resolution Is A Balancing Act

  

  While the American Bar Association’s recently passed resolution recognizes a lawyer's duty to discontinue representation that could facilitate money laundering and other fraudulent activity, it preserves, at least for now, the delicate balance of judicial, state-based regulation of the legal profession and the sanctity of the attorney-client relationship, say attorneys at Ballard Spahr.

• Chatbot Lawsuits Push Calif. Courts To Rethink Wiretap Law

  

  Recent rulings alleging that website owners illegally eavesdrop on chatbot conversations show that courts are struggling to define the scope of California's wiretap law, and that plaintiffs are learning about the level of detail needed to plead that a chatbot is a third-party eavesdropper, say attorneys at Crowell & Moring.

• Behind The Economics Of The DOJ's Case Against Google

  

  Ahead of the U.S. v. Google search monopolization case set for trial in D.C. federal court Tuesday, economist Tessie LiJu Su discusses bundling, exclusive dealing, and the allegations of anti-competitive practices against the technology giant.

• 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.

• Series

  In A 'Barbie' World: How To 'Grow Up' IP With Fan Creations

  

  As seen with the recent popularity of the "Barbie" movie, adults are increasingly engaging with child-oriented intellectual property — and previous legal battles between toy-makers and entertainers over fan creations offer lessons in determining when to fight infringement and when to embrace expanded target audiences, says Seokin Yeh at Cole Schotz.

• Conn. Regulators Are Coming For Unlawful Cannabis Sales

  

  Regulatory and enforcement efforts against unlicensed cannabis sales in Connecticut have been ramping up this year, so it behooves retailers to prioritize compliance with all relevant statutes, lest they attract unwelcome scrutiny, says Eric Del Pozo at Shipman & Goodwin.

• 5 Takeaways From SEC's First Marketing Rule Action

  

  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recent settlement — the first under the amended marketing rule — with Titan Global on charges that the fintech company misled investors shows investment advisers that they should expect close scrutiny of marketing materials and that their questions will only be answered through SEC enforcement, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

• AI Can Level Up Gaming But Governance Strategy Is Key

  

  Artificial intelligence tools undoubtedly raise the bar for what video games can offer, but they should be introduced carefully with potential pitfalls mapped and safeguards planned, otherwise publishers and platforms could face serious regulatory risks, say attorneys at Linklaters.

• Potential Marijuana Status Change Would Shift Industry Risks

  

  Cannabis companies and their insurers should pay close attention to how the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' move toward marijuana reclassification plays out, and the potential for a shakeup in the landscape for cannabis regulation at the state and federal levels, says Ian Stewart at Wilson Elser.

• 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.

• Challenging Standing In Antitrust Classes: The Uninjured

  

  In virtually every antitrust class action, parties at the certification phase disagree about whether the proposed class includes uninjured members, but the goals of Rule 23 and judicial economy are best served by synthesizing two distinct approaches circuit courts take on this issue, say Michael Hamburger and Holly Tao at White & Case.

• Keys To Navigating The Post-Pandemic CRE Market

  Excerpt from Practical Guidance

  

  As the commercial real estate market continues to face repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic, lawyers should use office occupancy and leasing volume numbers to anticipate future trends and help guide clients through an uncertain landscape, says Joseph Calvanico at J2C Valuations.

• What Big Tobacco's Cannabis Investments Mean For Market

  

  The tobacco industry appears to be shoring up investments in the cannabis market, most recently with Philip Morris’ purchase of an Israeli cannabis tech company, pointing to a bright future for vaped and noncombustible products, and signaling that marijuana rescheduling may be on the horizon, say Slates Veazey and Whitt Steineker at Bradley Arant.

• 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.