Expert Analysis

• Revenue Sharing Argument Might Save Barrick In 401(k) Case

  

  During recent oral arguments before the Tenth Circuit, Barrick Gold presented revenue sharing as an obvious alternative explanation for the selection of higher-cost share classes in its ex-workers’ 401(k) plan, establishing that dismissal of the case would be consistent with U.S. Supreme Court pleading standard precedent, say Emily Costin and Blake Crohan at Alston & Bird.

• 10th Circ. Highlights US Court Discretion On Arbitral Awards

  

  The Tenth Circuit's recent decision enforcing an arbitral judgment against a Mexican cement company even after it was annulled in Bolivia could signal an expansion in district courts' discretionary powers over motions to enforce foreign arbitral awards, say Max Chester and Parker White at Foley & Lardner.

• A Lawyer's Guide To Approaching Digital Assets In Discovery

  

  The booming growth of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens has made digital assets relevant in many legal disputes but also poses several challenges for discovery, so lawyers must garner an understanding of the technology behind these assets, the way they function, and how they're held, says Brett Sager at Ehrenstein Sager.

• How Tenn. Privacy Law Nuances Could Affect Compliance

  

  Tennessee’s recently enacted data privacy law is similar to statutes passed in other states, but also contains its own nuances that could change how a business needs to comply, such as data protection impact assessments and an affirmative defense for violations, say attorneys at Lewis Rice.

• Opinion

  High Court's Ethics Statement Places Justices Above The Law

  

  The U.S. Supreme Court justices' disappointing statement on the court's ethics principles and practices reveals that not only are they satisfied with a status quo in which they are bound by fewer ethics rules than other federal judges, but also that they've twisted the few rules that do apply to them, says David Janovsky at the Project on Government Oversight.

• Navigating Data Privacy Assessments Amid New State Laws

  

  As more comprehensive privacy laws move through state legislatures, a common thread is the requirement to conduct and document a data protection impact assessment, meaning businesses should establish not only how assessments are to be conducted, but also the standards and frameworks that should be applied, say Alan Friel and Sasha Kiosse at Squire Patton.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Challenging Standing In Antitrust Class Actions: Injury-In-Fact

  

  As demonstrated in recent cases, the classic injury-in-fact requirement for Article III standing claimed in most antitrust suits is economic harm — and while concrete harm satisfies the requirement, litigants may still be able to challenge whether economic injury has occurred, say Michael Hamburger and Holly Tao at White & Case.

• 3 Key Areas Where Fintech And Sports Gaming Intersect

  

  Sports gaming operators cannot produce reliable and efficient products without the full participation and support of their fintech vendors and suppliers, so firms in both industries should follow developments and changing regulation in the arena, including state expansion of crypto-funded wagering and advancements in payment processing, say attorneys at Nelson Mullins.

• Colo. Bankruptcy Ruling Clarifies Debt Collection Rules

  

  The Colorado Supreme Court’s recent ruling in U.S. Bank v. Silvernagel provides necessary clarification on the state's debt collection statute of limitations commencement rules and gives lenders breathing room to pursue foreclosure after their borrowers receive a bankruptcy discharge, say Erin Edwards and Justin Balser at Troutman Pepper.

• 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.

• Takeaways From Washington's Sweeping Health Privacy Bill

  

  Washington’s recently enacted My Health My Data Act establishes a comprehensive privacy framework for companies that handle consumer health data in the state, presenting a daunting challenge for these entities, given the act’s broad reach, imposition of substantial obligations and ambiguous language, say attorneys at Goodwin.