News & Insights

Industry, Environmental Groups, And Political Parties Disagree About Feasibility And Reach Of Epa’s Proposed New Vehicle Emissions For 2027-2032

On April 12, 2023, the EPA and Biden Administration proposed new rules governing emissions from new vehicles manufactured in the United States between 2027 and 2032. The EPA bases its authority to enact the regulations on section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. The Biden administration previously laid the groundwork for more stringent vehicle emissions…
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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Refuses To Adopt Interpretation Of Section 385 Of Restatement (Second) Of Torts That Limits Liability Of Contractors To Third Parties To Latent Defects

In Brown v. City of Oil City, 2023 WL 3471043 (Pa. May 16, 2023), the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that an out-of-possession contractor that has created a dangerous condition through work performed for a possessor of land who has accepted the contractor’s work may be liable to all persons suffering injuries caused by the…
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Supreme Court Narrows Scope Of The Clean Water Act

On May 25, 2023, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, 143 S. Ct. 1322 (2023) to narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act’s (“CWA”) regulations governing wetlands. The Court held that for wetlands to be regulated under the CWA, the wetlands must be connected to traditional navigable waters…
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Building Material Warranties Not Held At Gunpoint In Alabama

The construction of a structure encompasses many different areas that often are not realized until a party is subject to litigation arising from the construction. Litigation can often bring to light certain warranties that attach to building materials or products that make up a newly constructed structure. Common warranties potentially impacting parties to litigation arising…
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Employment Protections Expand Under The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

On June 27, 2023, the EEOC began accepting charges under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”). The PWFA requires “covered employers” to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations arising from pregnancy, childbirth or other related conditions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer. With more than 30 states and…
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Finra Proposes New Liquidity Risk Management Requirements

On June 12, 2023, FINRA published Regulatory Notice 23-11,[*1] soliciting comments on proposed Rule 4610 concerning liquidity risk management requirements. Rule 4610 would require covered members—those with the “largest customer and counterparty exposures”—to “have and maintain sufficient liquidity on a current basis” at all times. The purpose of Rule 4610 is to “ensure that members…
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Appellate Court Affirms Summary Judgment In Favor Of Insured For Coverage Of Losses From Ransomware Attack

A New Jersey appeals court affirmed summary judgment for insured pharmaceutical company Merck in a cyber coverage dispute regarding a “Hostile/Warlike Action” exclusion included in a $1.75 billion “all risks” property insurance program. Merck & Co., Inc. v. Ace American Ins. Co., No. A-1879-21, A-1882-21, 2023 WL 3160845 (N.J. Sup. Ct. App. Div. 2023).   …
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Sec Updates Standards Of Conduct For Broker-Dealers And Investment Advisors

On April 20, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (”SEC) released a staff bulletin regarding the standards of conduct for broker-dealers and investment advisors. The bulletin is focused primarily on the Care Obligation of Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”) for broker-dealers and the duty of care enforced under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the…
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Florida Passes New Construction Defect Statute

On April 13, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law SB 360 (Chapter 2023-22, Laws of Florida). The new Florida law affects claims against design professionals in many ways. First, Fla. Stat. §95.11(3)(c) establishes a new statute of repose for design defect claims. SB 360 leaves intact the four-year statute of limitations, but shortens the…
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President Biden’s Recent Executive Order Furthers Environmental Justice Policies

On April 28, 2023, President Biden signed an executive order entitled “Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All” (“the Order”). The purpose of the Order is to renew a pledge made in Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994 (“the 1994 Order”) and more effectively implement the tenets in the…
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