Chicago Federal District Court Issues Targeted Order Enjoining Department of Labor from Presenting DEI Certifications to Federal Contractors and Grant Recipients

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:7 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 27, 2025, a federal district court in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the Department of Labor from implementing key provisions from two of President Trump’s Executive Orders issued in January. Although the plaintiff sought a broad nationwide injunction against the entire federal government,…

Upcoming webinar: Managing cross border sexual harassment investigations in Australia and Asia

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Conducting workplace investigations into sexual harassment claims is challenging, and especially so across borders. Multinational organisations that implement robust, cross border investigation procedures can significantly lower their risk of facing disputes and legal actions. In this webinar, Seyfarth partners will explore managing sexual harassment claims in the Asia Pacific region,…

Into the Breach Podcast – Episode 40: Making the Change – Transitioning from Big Law Associate to RWI Underwriter

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Into the Breach is the first law firm podcast exclusively devoted to reps and warranties insurance and the transactional risk markets. Hosted by Seyfarth partners Bryan M. O’Keefe and Gena B. Usenheimer, each week the hosts in their unique, buoyant style, interview leaders from the industry, and explore the latest…

FinCEN Narrows Scope of Corporate Transparency Act

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

On March 26, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (“FinCEN”) interim final rule (the “Interim Rule”) exempting domestic entities and U.S. persons from reporting beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) under the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) was published in the Federal Register. Summary of Changes U.S. companies and U.S. persons are…

Six Essential Tips for Understanding Intellectual Property Rights Under Government Contracts

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:8 mins read

In celebration of the release of the 6th Edition of the Government Contracts Compliance Handbook, we are sharing six essential tips for understanding intellectual property (IP) rights in government contracts. Contractors navigating federal procurement must understand how IP is created, owned, and licensed under government agreements. The failure to properly…

DOJ Withdraws Eleven ADA Guidance Documents For Public Accommodations

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Department of Justice logo. By: Ashley S. Jenkins and Minh N. Vu Seyfarth synopsis: The Trump DOJ rescinded five COVID-19 related documents and six older guidance documents designed to educate businesses on the requirements of the ADA, claiming that the recission will reduce the burden on businesses to review them.…

Six Essential Tips for Avoiding Product Substitution Issues on Government Contracts

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:6 mins read

In celebration of the release of the 6th Edition of the Government Contracts Compliance Handbook, we are sharing six essential tips for avoiding product substitution issues in government contracting. Product substitution is one of the most frequent and costly procurement fraud risks. Contractors must ensure that all products delivered meet…

Managing labour cost: Insights and lessons for the resource and other sectors for 2025

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Employers in the resources sector are watchful of legal developments in 2025 that could significantly impact their labour strategies, particularly their ability to engage, utilise and remove contractors. With non-labour costs rising and commodity prices remaining below their 2022 peaks, companies are under pressure to find ways to reduce labour…

Federal Contractor DEI Certifications Allowed to Resume After Fourth Circuit Temporarily Blocks District Court’s Nationwide Injunction

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:7 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 14, 2025, the Fourth Circuit reversed a lower court's nationwide injunction that blocked key portions of President Trump's January 2025 Executive Orders on DEI programs. While the appeal is pending, federal agencies can now resume presenting federal contractors and grantees with the certifications required under the…

Legal Innovation Pioneer Seyfarth Collaborates with Stanford’s CodeX, Accelerating Technology Tools to Streamline Client Efficiencies

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

NEW YORK – March 13, 2025 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a pioneer in legal innovation for over two decades, announces its alliance with CodeX, the renowned center for legal informatics at Stanford University. Together, Seyfarth and CodeX will combine leading technology and resources to accelerate the research, development, and implementation…

HHS’ Withdrawal of 2022 Guidance Raises Questions about Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: In a move with potentially significant implications for entities subject to the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reversed course and now contends that Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity. In response…

Federal Court Denies Dealer Challenge To OEM Internet Sales Policy

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:6 mins read

A Massachusetts federal court recently granted summary judgment in favor of a motorcycle manufacturer and dismissed claims by a dealer who argued the manufacturer’s internet sales policy breached the dealer agreement between the parties and violated the Massachusetts Dealer’s Bill of Rights, Mass. Gen. Laws c. 93B.  The decision affirms…

FTC Requests Stay of Appeals to Challenges to FTC Non-Compete Rule Citing New Administration

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Sebastian Pichler, Unsplash On March 7, 2025, lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed motions requesting a 120-day stay of the agency’s appeal of district court decisions in the Fifth Circuit and Eleventh Circuit, which had blocked the FTC’s proposed ban on non-competes (the “Rule”) in the Ryan v.…

Cybersecurity In Construction: How To Effectively Mitigate Cyber Risk

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:9 mins read

Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash The construction industry’s reliance on digital data and devices has reshaped the construction process. When used properly, digital technology facilitates collaboration and increases productivity. However, growing dependence on digital innovation has also rendered construction companies a prime target for cybercriminals. The stark, inescapable reality is that the construction…

EEOC Prioritizes Campus Antisemitism: What Employers Need to Know

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

By: Ridhima Bhalla, Andrew L. Scroggins, and Christopher J. DeGroff In a March 5, 2025 press release, Andrea Lucas, the Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), emphasized the agency’s plans to prioritize holding universities and colleges accountable to prevent the creation of hostile work environments for…

ADA Title III Federal Lawsuit Numbers Rebound to 8,800 in 2024

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:5 mins read

By Minh N. Vu, Kristina Launey, and Susan Ryan Seyfarth Synopsis: The two-year decline in ADA Title III filings stopped in 2024, with plaintiffs increasing filings back to 8,800 complaints in 2024. When we first started tracking ADA Title III lawsuits in 2013, the total for the year was only…

What the DOGE “Cost Efficiency Initiative” Executive Order Means for Government Contractors and Grantees

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

On February 26, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14222 entitled, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Cost Efficiency Initiative” (hereinafter, the “E.O.”), as well as an accompanying fact sheet describing the E.O.’s goals. The E.O.’s stated purpose is to spur “transformation in Federal spending on contracts, grants, and…

The Fate of Hundreds Of EPOA Class Actions Await The Washington Supreme Court’s Decision in Branson v. Washington

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

The Washington Supreme Court recently entertained oral arguments in Branson v. Washington Fine Wines on the following certified question from the W.D. Washington regarding the Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (“EPOA”): What must a Plaintiff prove to be deemed a “job applicant” within the meaning of RCW 49.58.110(4)? For example,…

Webinar: Illinois Emerging Privacy Litigation – What 2025 Has in Store

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

FlyD, Unsplash Wednesday, March 12, 20253:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Central1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pacific Register Here About the Program Join us for an informative program that offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of privacy law in Illinois.…

Now Available! 2025 Commercial Litigation Outlook

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:3 mins read

Last year’s Commercial Litigation Outlook was dominated by the promise and peril that AI poses to myriad industries. No doubt, the evolution of AI in the last year has been significant, and it is still a material consideration. In this year’s Outlook, as we reach our fifth year of publication,…

Plaintiffs Are Responsible for Commencing Court-Ordered Arbitration

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Court of Appeal held that after the employer-defendant successfully moved to compel arbitration of the plaintiffs’ employment-related claims, the employer-defendant did not waive its right to arbitration by failing to commence arbitration. The fact that the employer was the only party that “wanted” arbitration was irrelevant.…

Federal Court Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Blocking Enforcement of Key Provisions of DEI Executive Orders

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:8 mins read

Seyfarth Synopsis: On Friday, February 21, 2025, a federal district court in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of several key provisions of  the January 2025 executive orders targeting DEI programs. The nationwide injunction blocks the federal government from requiring federal contractors and grantees to certify they do not…

Navigating Trump’s FCPA Enforcement Pause: Strategic Recommendations for Corporate Leaders

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:8 mins read

Overview President Trump’s February 10th Executive Order (EO) titled “Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security,” has introduced significant uncertainty into FCPA enforcement. Despite this companies should remain committed to their compliance efforts and consider whether this is an appropriate time to amplify to staff…

Seyfarth Creates Two C-Suite Roles to Lead Innovation Efforts

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

NEW YORK – February 19, 2025 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a pioneer in legal innovation for over two decades, announces the creation of two key leadership roles that reinforce the firm’s longstanding commitment to technology, AI, data-driven insights, and design strategy. Byong Kim will be the firm’s first Chief Data…

Six Essential Tips for Selling Commercial Products and Commercial Services to the Federal Government

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:7 mins read

In celebration of the release of the 6th Edition of the Government Contracts Compliance Handbook, we are sharing six essential tips for selling commercial products and commercial services to the federal government. While legislative reforms have simplified the process of selling commercial products and commercial services to government agencies, federal…

Webinar: Drafting Restrictive Covenants That Work – Insights from Recent Legal Battles

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Denys Nevozhai, Unsplash 2025 Trade Secrets Webinar Series REGISTER HERE Thursday, February 27, 20251:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pacific About the Program Restrictive covenants continue to face evolving legal challenges and heightened regulatory scrutiny. With…

Navigating the New Energy Landscape: Key Takeaways from Trump’s Recent Executive Actions

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:5 mins read

In a decisive shift from the prior administration’s energy policies, President Trump has enacted a series of executive orders aimed at bolstering domestic fossil fuel production and overhauling the permitting process for energy projects. These actions underscore the administration’s commitment to achieving energy independence, expediting infrastructure development, and reinforcing the…

Venezuelan 2023 TPS and CHNV Parole Get the Axe—What Employers Need to Know

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:7 mins read

By: Dawn Lurie, Mia Batista, and Fanny Wong On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued the Securing Our Borders executive order, citing national security, crime prevention, and the protection of American interests as justification for terminating categorical parole programs for certain Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Then on February…

Taste the Rainbow of Sanctions – Cannabis Company Violates Skittles Permanent Injunction

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

What happens when a party attempts to sidestep the strict guidelines of a court order?  A cannabis company’s non-compliance with an injunction illuminates the consequences of playing with fire.  Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company v. Terphogz, LLC U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case: 1:21-cv-02357.  In 2021, Wm.…

Signs You Can’t Ignore If You’re Doing Business In California

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:10 mins read

California Employers, Watch For Sharp Turns Ahead If you operate a business in California, you know how difficult it is to keep up with ever-changing legal trends. California employers should review and refresh their workplace postings each year to keep up with legislative changes and annual minimum wage increases. Various…

Countdown to Chaos? The 540-Day EAD Extension in Legislative Crosshairs

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:7 mins read

If you have been following immigration news and are wondering how changes in Washington might affect your workforce, you are not alone. Senate Joint Resolution 8 (S.J. Res. 8) in the 119th Congress aims to undo a USCIS regulation that grants certain eligible applicants a 540-day automatic extension of their…

USCIS Removes COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:4 mins read

By: Peace Ibe and Mia Batista In a significant policy update, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for individuals applying for Adjustment of Status (AOS). Effective January 22, 2024, USCIS will no longer require applicants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as part of…

The New Administrative False Claims Act: Key Amendments and Implications

  • Post category:Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Reading time:5 mins read

On December 23, 2024, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025 NDAA) (P.L. 118-159) was signed into law. Among its numerous provisions, the FY 2025 NDAA revitalizes an existing but underutilized fraud enforcement mechanism: the Administrative False Claims Act…