Boston Partners Kenneth B. Walton and Patricia B. Gary recently obtained appellate victories from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for their doctor clients in two separate appeals, George Mackie v. Katrin Rouse-Weir and George Mackie v. Robert Joss, which implicate the public interest. The cases both arose under the Massachusetts “sexual dangerous person” (SDP) statute, G.L. c. 123A, et seq., which allowed the Commonwealth to petition to civilly commit the plaintiff after his release. One of the doctors was the probable cause expert whose opinions were required to begin the SDP process, and the other doctor was a qualified examiner whose opinions allowed the case to proceed to trial. 

In keeping with previous years, 2024 brought many changes in labor and employment law in the Empire State, with a series of new laws, agency actions, and judicial decisions. Here, we detail the most significant developments. 

Lewis Brisbois is pleased to welcome Larina Alton to its Minneapolis office as a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. With almost two decades of experience, Ms. Alton focuses her practice on intellectual property and business litigation, assisting clients across multiple industries and areas of law. 

Last year saw a flurry of activity on the labor and employment front in New Jersey's legislature, administrative agencies, and courts. Here, we recap the most significant developments.

Los Angeles Partner Craig Holden and Fort Lauderdale Partner Ken Joyce, Co-Chairs of the firm’s National Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice, Fort Lauderdale Partner Stacy M. Schwartz, Los Angeles Partners Matt Taggart and Bryan Leifer of the Class Action Group, and Fort Lauderdale Associate Nicholas Esser obtained a defense verdict in a federal court jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald of the Central District of California. Tampa Associate Elizabeth Brusa supported the trial team through her trial preparation efforts.

There have been several major developments in Minnesota employment law resulting from yet another eventful legislative session in 2024.

On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) published a final rule (the “Final Rule”) that will prohibit the import and sale of certain connected vehicle technologies with a sufficient nexus to the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation, on the grounds that they pose a risk to national security by potentially enabling data extraction or remote manipulation of vehicles.

Philadelphia Partner Gregory Hurchalla was recently nominated and selected to serve on the Executive Board of the Delaware County Bar Association.

The year 2024 proved to be a quiet year for Indiana when it came to developments in labor and employment law. The Hoosier state saw one significant piece of legislation, while the remainder of developments brought about only minor changes.

On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced an enforcement action against Córdoba Music Group LLC (Córdoba), a manufacturer of musical instruments based in California, to settle its potential civil liability for apparent violations of sanctions on Iran. Córdoba shipped instruments that it knew were destined for Iran in an apparent violation of sanctions on Iran. OFAC assessed a fine against Córdoba of $41,591.

Atlanta Partner Christine Tenley will speak on building rental housing at an upcoming EverResi webinar, titled “Office Hours with David Howard: A Must-Join Conversation for the SFR | BTR Industry,” on January 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET. 

On January 16, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued its final rule amending the Children’s Online Privacy Protection (“COPPA”) Rule by a unanimous vote. The amendment to the COPPA Rule addresses changes that will enhance protections for children under the age of 13 in areas such as the advancement in technology, online practices, and the evolving digital landscape to ensure children’s online privacy remains a top priority.

On December 11, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the Securities Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) approval of Nasdaq’s board diversity rules, finding the SEC lacked statutory authority to approve the rules.

The California Court of Appeal recently reversed a judgment entered in favor of real estate brokers who were sued for breaching their fiduciary duties in connection with the sale of residential real estate in Malibu. The Court of Appeal found the trial court erred when it rendered judgment in favor of the brokers on the basis that the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue claims that had been assigned to her. The trial court reasoned that claims for breach of fiduciary duty against real estate brokers are highly personalized tort causes of action, which cannot be assigned. The Court of Appeal disagreed. In a case of first impression, it held that a cause of action for breach of a real estate broker’s fiduciary duties, which seeks damages related to property rights and pecuniary interests, is assignable.