Publications
On May 15, 2024, the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group composed of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), Todd Young (R-IN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), published “Driving U.S. Innovation in Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy in the United States Senate” (the “Report”).[1] The 31-page document contains a […]
This client alert discusses the most recent changes to Connecticut cannabis laws brought about by the passage of Public Act No. 24-76 (the “Act”), which was signed by Governor Lamont on May 11, 2024.[1] These changes include the following: (1) establishing a new category of THC product, an “infused beverage” for regulation; (2) providing for […]
On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) released its final amended regulations implementing Title IX. This client alert summarizes the substantially increased training requirements that all educational institutions will need to implement when the amended regulations take effect on August 1, 2024. We will continue to provide guidance as the deadline […]
Income tax reporting obligations do not cease at death. In fact, there may be multiple taxpayers required to file income tax returns after the death of an individual. For example, the decedent, the executor of the decedent’s estate and trustees of trusts created by the decedent each has income tax reporting requirements. The basics of […]
The following is an updated version of an advisory first issued on April 30. The original advisory addressed only the Department of Commerce Interim Final Rule. It has been updated to address the subsequent Department of State Proposed Rule. In accordance with the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), on April 19, 2024, […]
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed two per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals — commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Listing these two PFAS, specifically perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), impacts whether and to what extent […]
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) has announced its intention to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug, a move with quite significant potential consequences. This reclassification would profoundly alter the risk of use of cannabis, which, as a Schedule I drug, is currently deemed to be in the same category […]
On April 19, 2024, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) published an Interim Final Rule (the “IFR”) that dramatically reduced export license requirements for exports, reexports, and transfers of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) to and within Australia and the UK. The IFR, which is effective as […]
Greetings, Court Fans! In a week that saw some of the most significant arguments of the term (including Trump v. United States, on the former president’s potential immunity from criminal prosecution), we’re back to summarize three outstanding decisions from last week: Rudisill v. McDonough (No. 22-888), holding that veterans who qualify for benefits under two overlapping […]
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to issue a rule prohibiting noncompete agreements with very few exceptions.[1] The issuance of the rule, which was expected, follows the FTC’s prior release of a draft of the proposed rule back in January 2023. Nevertheless, the rule will have a far-reaching effect once, and […]
New York State Mandates Paid Prenatal Leave After the passage of its 2025 budget this past Monday, New York will become the first state to require employers to provide paid leave for pregnant employees to attend doctor’s appointments. The new law, which will amend Labor Law § 196-b, will allow pregnant employees to use up […]
Greetings, Court Fans! The Court’s been fairly busy over the last week-plus, issuing seven opinions and a number of notable orders. Unfortunately, we’ve also been fairly busy, and now must dig out of a seven-opinion hole. We’ll do that in two parts, making our way through four decisions today and the remainder next time. So, […]
A directed trust is a sophisticated planning technique that divides the traditional duties of a trustee among more than one person or institution. Unlike a standard trust with multiple co-trustees, all of whom would share the same duties, a directed trust makes each “trust director” responsible for a different type of task on behalf of […]
While historically high federal transfer tax exemptions remain in effect, the Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (“SLAT”) (also sometimes referred to as a Spousal Estate Reduction Trust, or “SERT”) remains one of the most effective planning techniques for married clients. What is a SLAT? A SLAT is an irrevocable trust in which the spouse is a […]
Congratulations, you just signed your Will and your Revocable Trust. You set out clear directions on how your assets should pass at your death. Your heirs will be grateful. But there is more you can do to ease the burden of estate administration – you can fund your Revocable Trust while you are alive. Set […]
On April 1, the Federal Trade Commission’s (“Commission”) new Trade Regulation Rule (“Rule”) to combat those that impersonate government entities went into effect. The Rule enables the Commission to directly pursue federal action against scammers who may face civil liability to return money stolen from consumers. This Rule is not simply advisory, but rather the […]
Wiggin and Dana’s Insurance Practice Group has published a recent Insurance Update. We are pleased to offer these periodic updates, with summaries of recent cases and legislation or regulations of interest, as well as the Group’s recent activity. To view our newsletter, please click the PDF link below.
Partner Paul Tuchmann authored the article titled, “How A Motion Before Justices May Help Trump Beyond Court” for Law360. Paul discusses Trump v. U.S., a case in which former President Donald Trump has argued that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office. Paul considers the […]
USCIS Announces New Fee Schedule On April 1, 2024, new fees went into effect for all U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms. All forms must be submitted with the correct fee, or the filing will be rejected. Key Changes for Employment-Based Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Cases USCIS introduced a new additional $600 fee for […]
What began in 2019 as two antitrust lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and four national brokerages has turned into a flood of class action litigation against residential brokers and realtor associations. Following a Kansas City jury’s $1.78 billion award in October 2023 to a class of Missouri home sellers in Sitzer v. […]
Wealthy individuals and families are increasingly incorporating charitable goals into their estate plan. For donors who want to manage their philanthropic activities through longer-term vehicles, two of the most common options are donor-advised funds and private foundations. Donor-Advised Funds A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a charitable savings account. A donor opens and funds an […]
New York has become the first state to enact an analogue to the federal Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”), having signed the New York Limited Liability Company Transparency Act (“NYLTA”) into law on December 22, 2023, and later amending it on March 1, 2024. The NYLTA, which will become effective on January 1, 2026, aims […]
Sometimes, a Trustee of an irrevocable trust needs guidance on properly administrating a trust or seeking formal approval for their actions. Historically, in Connecticut, the Probate Courts have served that function. Probate Courts provide a forum for a Trustee to raise questions or to seek formal approval of the Trustee’s actions. That could include seeking clarification […]
Greetings, Court Fans! We’re back to round up last week’s decisions. Lindke v. Freed (No. 22-611) and O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier (No. 22-324), in which the Court (kind of) addressed when a public official’s blocking of a member of the public from the official’s social-media pages violates the First Amendment; Wilkinson v. Garland (No. 22-666), in […]
On October 4, 2021, Associate Christine Connell co-authored the article titled, “FCPA For Turkish Companies.”
On October 28, 2020, Associate Christine Connell co-authored the article titled, “Blurred Lines: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Bribes and Facilitation Payments” for Corporate Counsel. To read the article, click here. Subscription required.
Greetings, Court Fans! The Nine returned to action late last week, issuing decisions in three (well, really just two) closely watched cases: In Lindke v. Freed (No. 22-611) and O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier (No. 22-324), a unanimous Court clarified when a public official’s blocking of a member of the public from the official’s social-media pages violates […]
As many know by now, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) was promulgated, creating a federal beneficial ownership registry applicable to corporations, limited liability companies and most partnerships which went into effect on January 1, 2024. The CTA requires these organizations to report their “beneficial owners” and […]
Partner Paul Tuchmann co-authored the article titled, “U.S. vs. EU Insider Trading Regulation: Risks and Challenges from a European Perspective” for the European Company and Financial Law Review. Paul and his co-author outline the contours of the U. S. insider trading regime as well as the current state of play for insider trading enforcement under […]
Greetings, Court Fans! Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued its first major decision of the term in Trump v. Anderson (No. 23-719). To the surprise of almost no one, the Court unanimously reversed the Colorado Supreme Court’s removal of candidate Trump from the ballot in Colorado’s upcoming presidential primary, clearing the way for Trump to appear […]