August 2024 Global Immigration Alert

Please note:  while we address certain country-specific updates, this Alert contains information regarding global requirements, policies, and procedures as they stand as of the date of publication. We highly recommend reviewing any global mobility inquiries on a case-by-case basis, including any consulate-specific or immigration authority resources, in “real-time” before traveling…

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Demystifying the Corporate Transparency Act for Tax-Exempt Organizations – Part 1: When to File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) took effect on January 1, 2024 and some U.S. nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations are still debating how the CTA applies to them. This article provides newly-formed and existing nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations with a general overview of their CTA compliance obligations and exemptions. For information…

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Into the Breach Podcast – Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk

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, the hosts in their unique, buoyant style, interview leaders from the industry, and explore the latest developments, market trends, and news impacting…

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Pioneers and Pathfinders Virtual Roundtable Series – Board Leadership in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Wednesday, August 7, 202412:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. MDT9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PDT About the Program Seyfarth’s Pioneers and Pathfinders virtual roundtable series has tackled critical topics intended to help our clients navigate the implications of generative AI and…

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Cost Accounting Board Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Conform Certain CAS Standards to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

On June 27, 2024, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy’s  Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comments on proposed changes to the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) on conformance to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) related to CAS 408 (Accounting for costs…

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Commissioner Sonderling to Depart from EEOC in August 2024

Seyfarth Synopsis: EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling, a Republican who first joined the EEOC in 2020, has announced his departure from the Commission in August 2024. Sonderling’s tenure was marked by his significant contributions to discussions on artificial intelligence in employment, establishing him as a leading authority on the subject. His…

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Authors Fight Court Order to Produce Pre-Suit Testing Data from ChatGPT in OpenAI Copyright Lawsuit

Sarah Silverman and her fellow author plaintiffs are fighting a judge’s recent order requiring them to disclose the prompts and outputs they used in preparation for filing their class action lawsuit against ChatGPT owner OpenAI. The judge is giving OpenAI until July 24 to respond to the plaintiffs’ argument that…

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Micro-Webinar Series: Legal Insights for the Transportation and Logistics Industries

About the Program: The first installment of this series will focus on key developments in labor management relations and address the following topics: What unions are prioritizing at the bargaining table and how recent contract settlements impacted industry standards 2023’s wave of high-profile strikes and what they signal for the…

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Recent Illinois Board Decision Reinforces Need for Vigilance on Dealer Agreement Renewals

A recent decision of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Board (the “Board”) reinforces why auto manufacturers need to ensure they have a proactive process in place to address the timely renewal of expiring dealer agreements. Based on the Board's recent decision, OEMs cannot and should not assume that the terms of…

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UPDATE: Texas Judge Swiftly Denies Plaintiffs’ Request to Expand Scope of Injunction in FTC Non-Compete Ban Case

In a rapid-fire response, the Ryan Court in the Northern District of Texas this morning denied Plaintiff and Plaintiff-Intervenors’ Expedited Motion for Limited Reconsideration of the Scope of Preliminary Relief, and Plaintiff and Plaintiff-Intervenors’ Motion for Expedited Consideration of their Motion for Limited Reconsideration of the Scope of Preliminary Relief…

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Preliminary Analysis on the Ryan Court’s Order Enjoining the FTC’s Ban on Non-Competes

Commentary:  The Court ruled on Wednesday, July 3, what most of the legal community already believed: that the FTC lacked the substantive rulemaking authority to issue a nationwide ban on non-competes between employers and workers. Nevertheless, the  ruling itself is not likely one that anyone expected.    On the one…

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WEBINAR – Time Well Spent Session 7: Compensable Work Time

About the Program: Much has happened in the ten years since our national Wage and Hour Litigation Practice Group wrote ALM’s authoritative Wage & Hour Collective and Class Litigation treatise. We are excited to continue our informative webinar series to discuss—in bite-sized increments—the past decade’s most important changes to the…

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At Least One Reason to Look Up: Celebrating 4th of July with Drone Light Shows

This 4th of July, look up and you might notice something spectacularly different lighting up the night sky. The days of stunning displays that relied solely on the crackle and pop of fireworks are numbered. In a remarkable twist of technology, drone light shows are offering a breathtaking alternative. Imagine…

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Best of Pioneers and Pathfinders: Cindy Cohn

In honor of Independence Day, we're revisiting our discussion with Cindy Cohn, executive director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). For many years, Cindy has been a champion for civil liberties in the digital space. In our conversation, she spoke about the EFF's history and mission, as well as the…

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DC Sources New Revenue From Assignments of Long-Term Leases

On May 17, 2024, the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) published a notice summarizing the District of Columbia’s current policy regarding the recordation and transfer tax treatment of an assignment of a lease, including a ground lease, with a term of at least 30 years (including…

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Hong Kong’s Foreign-Sourced Income Exemption (FSIE) Regime Refined

To bring Hong Kong’s Foreign-Sourced Income Exemption (FSIE) regime in line with the European Union’s updated guidance on FSIE regimes promulgated in December 2022, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Taxation on Foreign-sourced Disposal Gains) Ordinance 2023 was enacted on 8 December 2023 to refine Hong Kong’s FSIE regime with effect from…

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PAGA Reform: AB 2288 and SB 92 Introduced

Seyfarth Synopsis: PAGA reform has officially been introduced in the state Assembly and Senate! The language of the bills were released detailing the most substantive changes to PAGA in its 20-year history. The bills have numerous provisions that benefit California employers, including imposing more restrictive standing requirements for plaintiffs, codifying…

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2024 Company Law Changes in China: What Foreign Investors Need to Know Before July 1

Amendments to the Company Law of the People's Republic of China (the “New Company Law”) were passed on December 29, 2023, and will come into effect on July 1, 2024.  The New Company Law consists of 15 chapters and 260 articles, with substantial additions and modifications of around 70 articles…

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OEMs Face New Uncertainty on Right to Repair in Maine While Massachusetts Court Continues to Delay Ruling

Trade associations representing independent repair facilities have become strong advocates for expanding right to repair laws to increase member access to vehicle telematics data. These efforts have created uncertainty for auto manufacturers, most recently in Maine, where state legislators failed in their effort to amend that state’s right to repair…

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New Bill Seeks to Provide New York State Warehouse Workers with Additional Injury Protections

Seyfarth Synopsis: Expanding a law enacted in 2022, New York’s legislature passed another bill that seeks to limit warehouse-related injuries by requiring employers to establish and implement an injury reduction program, evaluate certain jobs for ergonomic injury risks, correct risk factors, and provide injury reduction training. Background: New York State’s…

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Governor Newsom Announces PAGA Reform

Seyfarth Synopsis: Governor Newsom announced that a deal has been made to reform PAGA and take the PAGA initiative off the ballot in November. The Governor’s announcement provides some highlights of what the reform package will include; however, the language of the proposed bill is expected in the coming days.…

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Fair Work Week Ordinance: Cruel Summer For LA County Employers

Seyfarth Synopsis: Are you ready for it? The record-smashing icon, Taylor Swift, may have taken her tour to Europe, but that doesn’t stop new laws from cropping up back home. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed the Fair Work Week Ordinance on April 9, 2024, which is set…

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Federal Court Website Accessibility Lawsuit Filings Took a Dip in 2023

By Kristina M. Launey & Minh N. Vu Seyfarth Synopsis: Plaintiffs filed 2,794 website accessibility lawsuits in federal court in 2023 – a 14% decrease from 2022.  After 2022’s record-setting year for website accessibility lawsuits filed in federal court, the 2023 filings dropped by 14%.  The total number of lawsuits filed in federal…

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Webinar: Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs

About the Program Join us for the third installment of our DEI Webinar Series: "Developments and Strategies in the Current Landscape of DEI Programs." During this third installment, Seyfarth attorneys explore common DEI programs and practices, including the effects of recent cases and developments. The webinar examines the structure and…

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Webinar Jun 25, 2024: Italy, Spain and France: Current Trends and Upcoming Regulations in the European Employment Law Landscape

About the Program: Italy, Spain and France have seen many changes in the employment law landscape within the last year. Seyfarth’s Italy, Spain and France qualified international employment law experts, Sofia Bargellini, Ana Cid and Laurence Harvey Wood, look forward to sharing some recent developments in their upcoming 45 minute…

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Ripples in the OT Waters: Considering the Downstream Effects of Reclassifying Exempt Employees

Terry Vlisidis, Unsplash By: Kevin M. Young Seyfarth Synopsis: With the DOL’s new overtime exemption rule weeks from taking effect, employers must consider the impacts of reclassifying exempt employees. Some potential impacts are obvious, others not so much. Proactive, thoughtful planning is key for employers to navigate these waters for…

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Webinar: Workplace Political Expression: Best Practices for Balancing Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities

Thursday, June 13, 20243:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mountain12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pacific About the Program Workplace political speech poses unique challenges for employers, particularly in a polarizing U.S. election year, and amid political demonstrations worldwide.  Employers must balance…

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Seyfarth Continues Strategic Growth in Real Estate with Addition of Partner John Domby in Charlotte

NEW YORK – (June 3, 2024) –  Seyfarth Shaw LLP announced today the arrival of partner John Domby to the firm’s Real Estate department in Charlotte, NC. Domby joins Seyfarth from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP where he was a partner in its real estate finance and lending practice. “John is another…

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WEBINAR – Jun 6, 2024 – Strategic Approaches for Conducting DEIB Reviews

About the Program: Join Us for the second installment of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (“DEIB”) Webinar Series: “Strategic Approaches for Conducting DEIB Reviews” This micro-webinar series is designed to support employers as they navigate, refine, and enhance their DEIB programs within the current legal, societal, and cultural landscape.…

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Glimmer of Hope? Judge Suggests Some Claims in AI Image Case May Survive

We are still waiting for a formal ruling on the Andersen v. Stability AI defendants’ second round of motions to dismiss, but so far it’s looking like most of the case may be allowed to proceed to discovery. The judge heard oral arguments on May 8, 2024 in this case…

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Seyfarth’s Robert Milligan and Dawn Mertineit Lead Contributions to Chambers Trade Secrets 2024 Global Practice Guide

We are thrilled to announce the release of the Chambers Trade Secrets 2024 Global Practice Guide, a comprehensive resource providing the latest insights and legal updates in the field of trade secrets law. Authored by leading experts in the industry, including Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s very own Robert Milligan and Dawn…

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UK Criminal Liability Alert: Safeguarding Companies Operating in the UK From the Actions of Their Employees

What do I need to know? New criminal laws in the UK will make companies more vulnerable to criminal prosecution for the acts of their employees and agents than ever before. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“ECCTA”) introduces two significant changes to the criminal law in the…

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FTC and DOJ Seek Public Help Identifying “Serial Acquisition Strategy” Targets

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced on Thursday, May 23, that they are expanding their search for businesses using “roll up” strategies to consolidate competitors and reduce competition across the U.S. economy. Previously, the agencies had primarily focused their efforts…

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A puzzle for employers: the future of work health and safety laws in Australia

The last several months have seen rapid changes in the employment and workplace health and safety space. With such dynamic movement, and then lots of commentary on each of these changes, it’s easy to view all these changes as one big jumble of puzzle pieces. And it can be hard…

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Colorado Governor Signs Broad AI Bill Regulating Employment Decisions

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 17, 2024, Colorado Governor Jared Poils signed Colorado SB 24-205, making Colorado the first state to enact broad legislation regulating employers’ use of AI to make “consequential decisions.” Colorado SB 24-205 broadly covers a wide range of AI applications, including employment, and incentivizes AI risk management practices…

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Maryland Amends Pay Transparency Law to Require Wage Range Disclosure in Job Postings

Seyfarth Synopsis: Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed into law a bill that will expand Maryland employers’ pay transparency obligations.  Effective October 1, 2024, employers must disclose in public or internal job postings a good faith wage range and a general description of benefits and other compensation offered for the…

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Not Selected in the H-1B CAP? Discover Opportunities in Canada: Exploring Alternatives for Talent Retention

By: Rania Abboud For many highly skilled international workers, securing an H-1B visa in the United States can be elusive. With this year’s lottery results announced, employers find themselves exploring alternative strategies to retain invaluable talent. Among these strategies is the consideration of relocating talent to Canada, where a range…

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Good Faith Defense Applies To Wage Statement Penalty Claims

Seyfarth Synopsis: The California Supreme Court concluded that the “good faith” defense applies to claims seeking to impose penalties under California Labor Code section 226. An employee must show that an employer’s failure to comply with section 226(a) was both knowing and intentional in order to establish an entitlement to…

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A Matter of Trust – DOL Issues Final Amendment Broadly Expanding Definition of Investment Advice Fiduciary

Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 23, 2024, the Department of Labor released its latest attempt to amend its 1975 “fiduciary rule” and seven prohibited transaction class exemptions issued between 1975 and 2020 that investment advice fiduciaries have relied in connection with sales of common investment products like securities, mutual funds and…

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