Featured Stories
Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 20 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Thompson Hine, a law firm, posted the following news release:
* * *
Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
*
Among the 161 lawyers from Thompson Hine LLP named in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America(r) are seven who are recognized as "Lawyers of the Year," an award given annually to only one lawyer per practice area from each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
The Thompson Hine partners honored as 2027 "Lawyers of the Year"
... Show Full Article
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 20 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Thompson Hine, a law firm, posted the following news release:
* * *
Seven Thompson Hine Lawyers Receive Best Lawyers 2027 "Lawyer of the Year" Award
*
Among the 161 lawyers from Thompson Hine LLP named in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America(r) are seven who are recognized as "Lawyers of the Year," an award given annually to only one lawyer per practice area from each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
The Thompson Hine partners honored as 2027 "Lawyers of the Year"are:
Cincinnati
* Andrew L. Kolesar: Environmental Law
* Ted R. Remaklus: Copyright Law
* Carrie A. Shufflebarger: Trademark Law
* J. Shane Starkey: Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Cleveland
* Brian J. Lamb: Litigation - Banking and Finance; Litigation - Securities
* Deborah Z. Read: Nonprofit/Charities Law
Columbus
* Amie L. Vanover: Nonprofit/Charities Law
***
Original text here: https://www.thompsonhine.com/insights/seven-thompson-hine-lawyers-receive-best-lawyers-2027-lawyer-of-the-year-award/
Ropes and Gray: Emerson Siegle Comments in Anti-Corruption Report on Trade Enforcement
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Emerson Siegle Comments in Anti-Corruption Report on Trade Enforcement
Litigation & enforcement partner Emerson Siegle spoke to Anti-Corruption Report about the current landscape on trade enforcement, commenting on the increase in enforcement by the federal agencies tasked with enforcing economic sanctions, export controls and customs laws.
Emerson noted that "there has been an escalation of enforcement" for sanctions, export control, and customs cases, including because of broad new tariffs that
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 20 -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Emerson Siegle Comments in Anti-Corruption Report on Trade Enforcement
Litigation & enforcement partner Emerson Siegle spoke to Anti-Corruption Report about the current landscape on trade enforcement, commenting on the increase in enforcement by the federal agencies tasked with enforcing economic sanctions, export controls and customs laws.
Emerson noted that "there has been an escalation of enforcement" for sanctions, export control, and customs cases, including because of broad new tariffs thatgive rise to new duty evasion cases.
He also noted that the risk companies face is not merely monetary, explaining, "sanctions and export controls are national security regulations, so the reputational impact of violating them can be outsized."
The article is the second installment in a four-part primer on trade controls for compliance professionals.
Anti-Corruption Report also spoke to Emerson for the first article in the series, which focused on the fundamentals of trade controls.
* * *
Attorneys
Emerson Siegle
Partner
Washington, D.C.+1 202 508 4744
Emerson.Siegle@ropesgray.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2026/08/emerson-siegle-comments-in-anti-corruption-report-on-trade-enforcement
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Littler Announces Leadership Appointments in Long Island and San Jose to Drive Growth and Client Service
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 20 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Littler Announces Leadership Appointments in Long Island and San Jose to Drive Growth and Client Service
LONG ISLAND, N.Y./SAN JOSE, Calif. - Littler, the world's largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed William H. Ng and Marlene S. Muraco as office managing shareholders (OMS). Ng takes the reins from longtime OMS John T. Bauer in Long Island while Muraco succeeds Robert J. Wilger in San Jose, both of whom will continue to focus on their practices.
"We appreciate
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Aug. 20 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Littler Announces Leadership Appointments in Long Island and San Jose to Drive Growth and Client Service
LONG ISLAND, N.Y./SAN JOSE, Calif. - Littler, the world's largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed William H. Ng and Marlene S. Muraco as office managing shareholders (OMS). Ng takes the reins from longtime OMS John T. Bauer in Long Island while Muraco succeeds Robert J. Wilger in San Jose, both of whom will continue to focus on their practices.
"We appreciatethe dedication and leadership that John and Rob have brought to their respective offices and look forward to their continued contributions to the firm," said Erin Webber, Littler's managing director and president. "Will and Marlene are accomplished leaders who exemplify Littler's values and unwavering commitment to client service. We are confident they will continue to strengthen our presence in Long Island and San Jose while fostering the success of our people and delivering exceptional results for our clients."
In Long Island, Ng represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment law matters. His practice focuses on defending companies in complex employment litigation, including wage and hour, class and collective actions, employee classification disputes, and discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims. Ng also counsels employers on workplace policies, compliance strategies and workforce management issues, bringing extensive experience serving clients across a wide range of industries. A respected leader, he is the former president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and has earned recognition in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community for his civic and community engagement. Ng earned his J.D. at St. John's University School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, at Binghamton University.
Muraco is a seasoned employment litigator with more than three decades of experience handling complex workplace disputes. The primary focus of her practice is on class, collective and representative actions, with particular emphasis on wage and hour claims arising under California law and the Fair Labor Standards Act. She is a member of Littler's Strategic Review Committee and in that capacity is responsible for providing input and strategic guidance on class and collective action matters being handled by other attorneys in the firm.
Additionally, Muraco advises employers on employment law compliance and workplace strategy, combining deep legal knowledge with practical business insight. Active in the legal and HR communities, she has held leadership positions in the Northern California Human Resources Association and Society for Human Resources Management. Muraco earned her J.D., cum laude, at the University of Minnesota Law School and her B.A. at the University of California, Berkeley.
* * *
About Littler
With more than 1,800 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what's happening today, and what's likely to happen tomorrow.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.littler.com/press/press-release/littler-announces-leadership-appointments-long-island-and-san-jose-drive-growth
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Fisher Phillips Issues Insight: Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier - What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following insight on Aug. 19, 2026:
* * *
Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier: What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
If your business ships products like hair spray, nail polish, or cleaning supplies - or if your crews rely on battery-powered tools and equipment in the field - federal regulators just made your life a little easier. Between August 4 and 7, the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published 17 Final Rules as part of a
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Fisher Phillips, a law firm, issued the following insight on Aug. 19, 2026:
* * *
Shipping Hazardous Materials Just Got Easier: What Employers Need to Know About PHMSA's Sweeping New Rules
If your business ships products like hair spray, nail polish, or cleaning supplies - or if your crews rely on battery-powered tools and equipment in the field - federal regulators just made your life a little easier. Between August 4 and 7, the US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published 17 Final Rules as part of abroader deregulatory push to modernize supply chains and reduce administrative burdens for domestic shippers and carriers. The changes range from smaller warning labels on consumer products to higher weight limits for lithium batteries carried in work vehicles to the option of ditching the bulky paper emergency response guidebook in favor of a digital version. Three of these rules stand out for their practical impact on everyday operations, and all three take effect September 3, giving you a narrow window to prepare. What do you need to know and what should you do?
HM-268B: Reducing Costs to Domestic Shippers and Carriers of Limited Quantities.
Perhaps the most significant change for shippers of Limited Quantity hazardous materials packages (which include common consumer commodity products like hair spray, personal fragrances, nail polish and household cleaning products) is PHMSA's Final Rule allowing a smaller limited quantity marking to be used when transporting such packages by highway, rail and vessel.
The current version of the rule allows shippers to utilize a Limited Quantity marking on a consumer commodity package which is no smaller than 50 mm on each side, with the width of the border forming the square-on-point being reduced to a minimum of 1 mm, as long as the size of the packaging will not accommodate a larger marking. The new provision will allow shippers to use an even smaller marking measuring a minimum of 25 mm on each side, with the width of the border forming the square-on-point being "readily visible," on shipping labels and regardless of the size of the packaging.
This change is notable for two reasons.
* First, it will allow shippers of small consumer commodity hazardous materials packages to incorporate the Limited Quantity marking onto the shipping label itself, a solution that should now be more feasible given the reduced size. Previously, shippers needed to use either larger shipping labels to incorporate the 50 mm by 50 mm marking, or they needed to label or emboss the marking onto the packaging itself.
* Second, shippers will no longer need to resort to embossing the Limited Quantity marking onto their larger consumer hazardous materials packages. This will allow shippers of larger packages to either maintain a generic inventory of packages without the embossed marking, or simply eliminate the practice of embossing the marking onto the packaging altogether in favor of adding the marking to the shipping label when required by the package contents.
While the change is likely to result in cost savings, it will also promote regulatory compliance by allowing the marking to be incorporated into an automated shipping platform whenever certain criteria are met, reducing the likelihood of the marking being omitted from the packaging. Likewise, the change will reduce the chances of the marking inadvertently remaining visible on reused packaging when it is not otherwise authorized based on the package contents. Indeed, omitting the Limited Quantity marking where a package contains consumer commodity hazardous materials, as well as allowing a Limited Quantity marking to remain visible on a package that does not contain a consumer commodity hazardous material, can both result in significant fines and penalties regardless of the mode of travel.
Note, however, that this new smaller marking is not authorized for transportation of Limited Quantities by aircraft, is not authorized for shipments of radioactive materials, and may not be used on the outside of an overpack.
HM-268C: Reducing Burdens on Domestic Companies Using Battery-Powered Equipment in Trades
Another notable change is an update to an existing rule that will increase the amount of lithium batteries allowed under the Materials of Trade (MOTs) exception. This would help companies using battery-powered equipment, like construction, landscaping, mowing, tree service, food service, and entertainment companies to transport needed tools without subjecting those batteries to the full Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
PHMSA's MOT exception allows certain hazardous materials to be transported by motor vehicle in small quantities as part of the transporter's business or trade, as long as that trade itself is not the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce.
* The MOT exception currently limits the aggregate gross weight of materials of trade in a motor vehicle to 200 kg (440 pounds).
* This revision increases this allowance for lithium batteries by authorizing up to 30 kg (66 pounds) per battery, a 500 kg (1102 pounds) gross vehicle limit, and no limit for batteries installed in equipment. It also includes safety provisions to prevent short circuits, shifting damage, and accidental activation.
HM-268D: Hazardous Materials: Reducing Burdens to Domestic Carriers
Finally, in a significant departure from PHMSA's current and longstanding mandate that each vehicle transporting hazardous materials carry the agency's printed 392-page Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) on board, this Final Rule will now allow the required emergency response information to be displayed and maintained within the vehicle electronically.
In a small but meaningful addition to the current rule, the new regulation will allow emergency response information to be "printed legibly in English (either in hard copy printed on paper or in electronic format)."
In addition to cost savings, this change will enhance regulatory compliance for hazardous materials carriers by reducing the chances that a copy of the ERG is incidentally left off of a vehicle. It will also provide emergency responders and drivers alike with the most up-to-date emergency response information rather than relying on a potentially outdated version of the ERG on board in the event of an emergency.
What Should Businesses Transporting Hazardous Materials Do to Prepare?
These Final Rules take effect on September 3. Before that effective date, here's what your business should do to prepare.
* If you are a carrier of small consumer commodity hazardous materials packages, you should begin exploring ways to leverage the new smaller marking allowed by HM-268B into your automated shipping platforms.
* This is particularly important for Indirect Air Carriers who tender packages to aircraft and need to filter out highway Limited Quantity packages from being inadvertently tendered to an aircraft in violation of PHMSA and Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
* If you rely on PHMSA's Materials of Trade exception, you should pay careful attention to HM-268C's caveat that batteries be packaged or secured in a manner to prevent against short circuits, damage caused by shifting or placement within the package, and accidental activation of the equipment. You'll need to ensure that you don't exceed the rule's individual and aggregate battery weight limits.
* Finally, if you are a hazardous materials carrier and wish to leverage the new electronic emergency response information option in HM-268D, you should ensure that an electronic copy of the current ERG is fully downloaded to a device on board the vehicle so it can be accessed in the event of an emergency in an area where cellular data service may not be available.
Conclusion
Fisher Phillips will continue to monitor any new developments and agency guidance issued regarding these Final Rules and will update employers as needed, so make sure you are signed up for Fisher Phillips' Insight System to receive updates straight to your inbox. If you have questions about hazardous materials transportation compliance, contact your Fisher Phillips attorney, the author of this Insight, or any member of our Workplace Safety and Catastrophe Management Practice Group.
* * *
Related People
Jamie J. Spataro
Partner
412.822.6642
jspataro@fisherphillips.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/insights/insights/what-employers-need-to-know-about-phmsas-sweeping-new-rules
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Dentons Health Care Practice Welcomes FDA Partner Michael Hinckle
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Dentons Health Care practice welcomes FDA partner Michael Hinckle
Dentons US is pleased to announce that Michael Hinckle has joined the Firm as a partner in its Health Care practice. His arrival strengthens the Firm's capabilities in Food and Drug Administration regulatory counseling, market access and compliance matters for health care and life sciences clients.
Hinckle advises pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other life science industry clients on a broad range of regulatory, compliance and transactional
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Dentons, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Dentons Health Care practice welcomes FDA partner Michael Hinckle
Dentons US is pleased to announce that Michael Hinckle has joined the Firm as a partner in its Health Care practice. His arrival strengthens the Firm's capabilities in Food and Drug Administration regulatory counseling, market access and compliance matters for health care and life sciences clients.
Hinckle advises pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other life science industry clients on a broad range of regulatory, compliance and transactionalmatters. He counsels clients on FDA regulation and compliance, product development, market access strategies, health care transactions and interactions with federal agencies, including the FDA, Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Trade Commission. He also has experience advising clients on issues related to Medicare Part D, the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act and other complex health care regulatory frameworks.
"Michael's deep experience at the intersection of health care regulation, compliance and business strategy makes him an outstanding addition to our team," said Holley Thames Lutz, co-leader of Dentons' Health Care practice. "In addition to his extensive private practice experience, Michael brings valuable in-house perspective that will help our clients navigate an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory environment.
His arrival further enhances our ability to serve health care and life sciences clients across the full spectrum of regulatory, compliance and business challenges."
Prior to joining Dentons, Hinckle practiced at another international law firm, where he advised health care and life sciences companies on FDA regulatory, compliance, pricing and market access matters. He also served as vice president and general counsel of an international pharmaceutical company, leading legal, regulatory affairs, compliance and litigation functions. Earlier in his career, he worked as a molecular biologist, providing him with a unique understanding of the scientific, regulatory and business issues facing health care and life sciences companies.
* * *
About Dentons
Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com
* * *
Original text here: https://www.dentons.com/en/about-dentons/news-events-and-awards/news/2026/august/dentons-health-care-practice-welcomes-fda-partner-michael-hinckle
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Crain's Chicago Business Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke Partners as 2026 Notable Leaders in Law
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Troutman Pepper, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Crain's Chicago Business Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke Partners as 2026 Notable Leaders in Law
CHICAGO - Troutman Pepper Locke partners Andrea Verney Kerstein, Misha Tseytlin, and Steven Whitmer have been named to Crain's Chicago Business' 2026 Notable Leaders in Law. The recognition, awarded through a peer nomination and editorial review process, highlights individuals whose work shapes business, civic life, and the courts.
Kerstein, managing partner of Troutman Pepper Locke's Chicago office, is recognized
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 20 -- Troutman Pepper, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Crain's Chicago Business Recognizes Troutman Pepper Locke Partners as 2026 Notable Leaders in Law
CHICAGO - Troutman Pepper Locke partners Andrea Verney Kerstein, Misha Tseytlin, and Steven Whitmer have been named to Crain's Chicago Business' 2026 Notable Leaders in Law. The recognition, awarded through a peer nomination and editorial review process, highlights individuals whose work shapes business, civic life, and the courts.
Kerstein, managing partner of Troutman Pepper Locke's Chicago office, is recognizedfor her leadership and impact in complex insurance litigation. In addition to leading the firm's Chicago office of more than 100 attorneys, she represents national health insurers and life reinsurance companies in high-stakes disputes, regulatory matters, and strategic defense. Notably, Kerstein led a team in a complex arbitration on behalf of a leading international reinsurer, developing a strategy with counterclaims that resulted in a ruling allowing the client to recapture business and barring certain denials.
Tseytlin, leader of the firm's Appellate and Supreme Court Practice, is recognized for his landmark appellate work and standing as a nationally recognized authority in administrative and political law. He has built a record of consequential victories at the nation's highest court. In March 2026, Tseytlin secured a rare emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court blocking an unconstitutional order to redraw New York's 11th Congressional District. He also argued and won Rudisill v. McDonough before the Supreme Court, expanding Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits, a victory that, following subsequent litigation against the Department of Veterans Affairs, ultimately extended benefits to over one million additional veterans in 2026. This marks Tseytlin's second appearance on Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Leaders in Law, having first been recognized in 2024.
Whitmer, chair of Troutman Pepper Locke's Insurance and Intellectual Property Department and member of the firm's Executive Committee, is recognized for a career defined by high-stakes litigation and a commanding presence in the courtroom. His practice centers on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, including class actions, breach of contract, and fraud. Whitmer has served as lead hearing counsel for health insurance companies in multibillion-dollar transactions, prevailed in a Ninth Circuit appeal against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and obtained injunctions against both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Treasury on behalf of a national insurance company.
* * *
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.troutman.com/insights/crains-chicago-business-recognizes-troutman-pepper-locke-partners-as-2026-notable-leaders-in-law/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Akerman Expands National Real Estate Practice With Addition of Partner Lisa S. Lim in New York
MIAMI, Florida, Aug. 20 -- Akerman, a law firm, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
* * *
Akerman Expands National Real Estate Practice with Addition of Partner Lisa S. Lim in New York
Akerman today announced that Lisa S. Lim, a veteran deal maker, has returned to the firm's Real Estate Practice Group as a partner in New York City, where she will serve as Chair of Affordable Housing Transactions. She joins one of the largest and most active real estate legal teams in the U.S., deepening the firm's transactional and predevelopment real estate capabilities in New York.
"Lisa's
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Aug. 20 -- Akerman, a law firm, issued the following news release on Aug. 19, 2026:
* * *
Akerman Expands National Real Estate Practice with Addition of Partner Lisa S. Lim in New York
Akerman today announced that Lisa S. Lim, a veteran deal maker, has returned to the firm's Real Estate Practice Group as a partner in New York City, where she will serve as Chair of Affordable Housing Transactions. She joins one of the largest and most active real estate legal teams in the U.S., deepening the firm's transactional and predevelopment real estate capabilities in New York.
"Lisa'scommand of the transactional and regulatory frameworks behind large-scale New York City development makes her return especially valuable for our clients," said Eric Rapkin, chair of Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group. "Her rare combination of private practice depth and government experience gives her an exceptional ability to guide clients through complex transactions from the earliest predevelopment stages through closing and post-closing."
Lisa focuses her practice on real estate finance and development, economic development, and affordable housing. A significant focus of her practice is advising clients on public-private partnerships, tax-exempt bond financing, low-income housing tax credits, and the regulatory frameworks governing large-scale development projects. She has previously served as general counsel of the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust, and earlier in her career held positions at Empire State Development, the New York State Housing Finance Agency, the New York State Office of the Attorney General, and the New York City Housing Authority.
"Having worked on the government side of many of these transactions, I know how much it matters to have counsel who understands what the agencies need and why, and who can guide a project from the earliest predevelopment stages through closing," said Lisa. "Akerman's breadth of experience in affordable housing and public-private development makes this the ideal platform to continue serving clients and communities shaping the future of our city."
Lisa is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law, where she serves on the board of the Urban Law Center. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, named a "Women of Influence" honoree by the GlobeSt Real Estate Forum and featured in Women in Commercial Real Estate by the New York Real Estate Journal.
* * *
About Akerman
Founded in 1920, Akerman is an Am Law 100 firm recognized by Vault among the nation's most prestigious law firms. The firm has more than 700 lawyers and business professionals throughout the United States.
Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group offers comprehensive and fully integrated project counsel services to clients across the United States and Latin America. Ranked Tier One in Real Estate Law by Best Lawyers and recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and Law360 as a national leader, the group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, and corporate end users in complex real estate transactions and financings, development and redevelopment projects, and public-private initiatives.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.akerman.com/en/firm/newsroom/akerman-expands-national-real-estate-practice-with-addition-of-partner-lisa-s-lim-in-new-york.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
