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2023 was an active year in both the cannabis and psychedelics spaces, with significant developments across policy, research, litigation, and beyond. While states have largely led on the policy front, we expect increased federal attention in both areas this year, in addition to continuation of state...

On February 6, 2024, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced a settlement with Montefiore Medical Center (“MMC”) for alleged HIPAA Security Rule violations and MMC agreed to pay $4.75 million and enter into a two-year corrective action plan (“CAP”) with OCR. MMC admitted no wrongdoing...

Maryland’s intermediate court created new and binding precedent for cases related to misappropriation of trade secrets under the Maryland Uniform Trade Secrets Act (“MUTSA”). In the reported opinion of Ingram, et al. v. Cantwell-Cleary Co., Inc. , the Appellate Court of Maryland held that customer...

In a recent announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed pivotal final rule aimed at fortifying the integrity of the H-1B registration process and minimizing the potential for fraud. This comprehensive update includes beneficiary-centric selection, flexible petition start...

This month’s Friday Five explores decisions regarding the transfer of an ERISA action that was filed in a state where an insurer did not maintain sufficient minimum contacts, an award of attorneys’ fees, costs, and prejudgment interest, deference to an insurer’s interpretation of a plan’s provisions...

​Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee voted to advance the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) to the House floor. As drafted, H.R. 7024 would be funded entirely by limitations on the employee retention credit (ERC). Under the bill, no new ERC claims would...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has put forth a Proposed Rule in January 2023 (“Proposed Rule”), suggesting fee increases and other modifications. Under this proposal, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) increase filing costs for many immigration benefit petitioners and...

In Whole Foods Market, Inc. , Case 01-CA-26183, JD(SF)-39-23 (Dec. 20, 2023) , National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Administrative Law Judge Ariel Sotolongo held that Whole Foods did not violate federal law by enforcing its dress code which resulted in banning employees from wearing certain apparel...

On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) unveiled the long-awaited Final Rule explaining when and how employers can qualify workers as independent contractors under federal law. The new Rule, which takes effect on March 11, 2024, restores and clarifies a multifactor test known as...

On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) announced its proposal to amend the Ground Water Quality Standards (“GWQS”) under N.J.A.C. 7:9C to change the ground water quality criteria for 65 constituents of Class II-A ground water. NJDEP is also...

This month’s Friday Five covers cases relating to the enforceability of contractual statute of limitations provisions described as a “labyrinth,” ERISA claims when the carrier allegedly misrepresents benefits, federal courts retaining ERISA jurisdiction following a related state court case, a court...

As we previously have discussed, the IRS has for months been working to combat dubious Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims, many of which were made at the urging of aggressive promoters. The IRS is offering a limited-time Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) to encourage taxpayers to come forward...

On November 30, 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of Acuity v. M/I Homes of Chicago, LLC, et al., 2023 IL 129087 with significant implications for insurance coverage of construction defects under commercial general liability (CGL) policies.

In December 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced a $480,000 settlement with a Louisiana medical group following a phishing incident. In 2021, the medical group filed a breach report with HHS stating that a hacker – through a...

Welcome to Saul Ewing’s Public Companies Quarterly Update series. Our intent is to, on a quarterly basis, highlight important legal developments of which we think public companies should be aware. This edition is related to developments during the fourth quarter of 2023. If you would like to discuss...

A recent Maryland appellate decision arising from an insurance company’s exercise of subrogation rights against negligent subcontractors in connection with tornado damage to a warehouse illustrates the pitfalls of waiver of subrogation clauses in construction contracts. In XL Insurance America, Inc...

Minnesota Enacts Paid Family and Medical Leave Legislation The 2023 Minnesota legislative session was a busy one. From the elimination of non-competes, to changes to the Minnesota Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace Act, to statewide paid sick and safe leave, there has been no shortage of change that...

For all “reporting companies” created or registered on or after January 1, 2024, information concerning the “beneficial owners” of the reporting company must be reported to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) along with information concerning “company applicants.” As a result, both...