Featured Stories
World IP Review Names Morgan Lewis Partner Anita Polott to 2026 Influential Women in IP List
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 10 -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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World IP Review Names Morgan Lewis Partner Anita Polott to 2026 Influential Women in IP List
WASHINGTON, DC, October 9, 2026: Morgan Lewis partner Anita Polott has been recognized by World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) on its 2026 Influential Women in IP list, which celebrates women whose expertise, leadership, and achievements are shaping the future of intellectual property around the globe.
In addition to serving as deputy practice leader of Morgan Lewis's broader IP practice, Anita
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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 10 -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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World IP Review Names Morgan Lewis Partner Anita Polott to 2026 Influential Women in IP List
WASHINGTON, DC, October 9, 2026: Morgan Lewis partner Anita Polott has been recognized by World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) on its 2026 Influential Women in IP list, which celebrates women whose expertise, leadership, and achievements are shaping the future of intellectual property around the globe.
In addition to serving as deputy practice leader of Morgan Lewis's broader IP practice, Anitaleads the firm's global trademark and copyright practice, overseeing a team of more than 70 lawyers and professionals across the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
She advises companies worldwide on the strategic management, protection, and commercialization of their brands, including counseling, transactions, and litigation/dispute matters. She is also co-managing partner of the firm's Washington, DC office and recently marked 30 years at Morgan Lewis.
In recognizing Anita, WIPR highlighted her role in the practices' growth, noting that she has "played a central role in the significant expansion and international growth of the practice over the past two years, frequently advising on global rebrands and on the IP aspects of complex corporate transactions, including substantial trademark licensing and brand-related agreements."
Read the full list (https://www.worldipreview.com/influential-women-in-ip-2026).
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Original text here: https://www.morganlewis.com/news/2026/10/world-ip-review-names-morgan-lewis-partner-anita-polott-to-2026-influential-women-in-ip-list
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Ropes and Gray: In Anti-Corruption Report, Emerson Siegle Examines Which Companies Are at Risk Under U.S. Trade Controls
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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In Anti-Corruption Report, Emerson Siegle Examines Which Companies Are at Risk Under U.S. Trade Controls
October 9, 2026
In "A Primer on Trade Controls for Compliance Professionals: Which Companies Are at Risk?", an article in the Anti-Corruption Report, litigation & enforcement partner Emerson Siegle discusses how broadly U.S. trade laws and regulations apply, including sanctions, export controls and customs requirements, and which companies need to pay attention to them.
Emerson stresses
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 10 (TNSrep) -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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In Anti-Corruption Report, Emerson Siegle Examines Which Companies Are at Risk Under U.S. Trade Controls
October 9, 2026
In "A Primer on Trade Controls for Compliance Professionals: Which Companies Are at Risk?", an article in the Anti-Corruption Report, litigation & enforcement partner Emerson Siegle discusses how broadly U.S. trade laws and regulations apply, including sanctions, export controls and customs requirements, and which companies need to pay attention to them.
Emerson stressesthat trade controls reach far beyond a narrow set of businesses: "manufacturers, universities conducting research, and shippers must all comply with trade controls, although the regulations that will be most relevant will depend on the given industry." He explains that non-U.S. companies are not outside their reach. A common way a non-U.S. entity can become subject to U.S. sanctions jurisdiction is by involving a "U.S. financial institution in a transaction," and entities subject to secondary sanctions can be cut off from the U.S. market, "which is a serious outcome that can be crippling for a business." The same is true for customs: "anyone, whether they are a U.S. company or not, who acts as the importer of record and imports into the United States, has to comply with U.S. Customs requirements (and pay duties in connection with the import)."
As Emerson notes, the compliance task is growing more complex for global businesses. He suggests that multinational companies increasingly should "assess compliance not only with a diverse array of U.S. trade laws and regulations, but also with overlapping - and, at times, conflicting - non-U.S. trade laws."
The article is the third installment in a four-part primer on trade controls for compliance professionals. Anti-Corruption Report also spoke to Emerson for part one of the series, which defined and differentiated common trade controls, including sanctions, export controls, customs and tariffs, and for part two, which explored the current trade enforcement landscape. The final installment will address how companies can strengthen their trade control compliance programs.
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View report here: https://www.anti-corruption.com/21516406/a-primer-on-trade-controls-for-compliance-professionals-which-companies-are-at-risk.thtml
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Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2026/10/in-anti-corruption-report-emerson-siegle-examines-companies-at-risk-under-us-trade-controls
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Pillsbury Advises TD SYNNEX on Agreement to Acquire BlueStar
NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Pillsbury Advises TD SYNNEX on Agreement to Acquire BlueStar
10.09.26
Pillsbury advised TD SYNNEX, a leading global distributor, solutions aggregator and original design and contract manufacturer, in entering into a definitive agreement to acquire BlueStar.
BlueStar is a specialty distributor with expertise in Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC), operational technology, mobility, RFID, point-of-sale, digital signage, networking, robotics and security technologies.
Subject to customary regulatory
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NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Pillsbury Advises TD SYNNEX on Agreement to Acquire BlueStar
10.09.26
Pillsbury advised TD SYNNEX, a leading global distributor, solutions aggregator and original design and contract manufacturer, in entering into a definitive agreement to acquire BlueStar.
BlueStar is a specialty distributor with expertise in Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC), operational technology, mobility, RFID, point-of-sale, digital signage, networking, robotics and security technologies.
Subject to customary regulatoryapprovals and other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to give customers and vendors access to broader technology offerings, expanded resources and specialized capabilities.
Click here (https://news.tdsynnex.com/news/td-synnex-announces-entering-into-a-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-bluestar/) to learn more.
The Pillsbury deal team was led by Corporate partners Allison Leopold Tilley and Drew Simon-Rooke. Additional team members included Corporate counsel Brandon Eckford and associates Jon Schreiber and Thomas Ly; Executive Compensation & Benefits partner Mark Jones and senior associate Ryan Kenny; Intellectual Property partner David Jakopin; Tax partner Nora Burke; and Antitrust & Competition attorney Evan Storm.
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URL: TD SYNNEX
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Original text here: https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/pillsbury-td-synnex-agreement-acquire-bluestar.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Pillsbury Advises Hertha Metals on $133.65 Million Series A Financing
NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Pillsbury Advises Hertha Metals on $133.65 Million Series A Financing
10.09.26
Pillsbury's Margarita Kelrikh led the team advising Hertha Metals on its $133.65 million Series A funding round. Hertha Metals is developing the world's first single-step process for producing steel and high-purity iron to support lower-cost domestic production.
The round included a $65 million equity investment from the U.S. Government through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, in partnership with the Economic
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NEW YORK, Oct. 10 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Pillsbury Advises Hertha Metals on $133.65 Million Series A Financing
10.09.26
Pillsbury's Margarita Kelrikh led the team advising Hertha Metals on its $133.65 million Series A funding round. Hertha Metals is developing the world's first single-step process for producing steel and high-purity iron to support lower-cost domestic production.
The round included a $65 million equity investment from the U.S. Government through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, in partnership with the EconomicDefense Unit. Khosla Ventures and Doerr Capital co-led the round, with participation from CEV, Pear Ventures, Gates Frontier, Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund, Toyota Ventures and Siemens Financial Services.
The funding will support the construction of Hertha Chalyx, a facility designed to produce 10,000 tons of steel-grade and magnet-grade high-purity iron. Together with Hertha's Pi100 pilot plant, the facility will produce steel and high-purity iron at a single site to serve U.S. magnet and defense manufacturers.
Hertha currently operates a 360-ton-per-year demonstration facility in Conroe, Texas. Construction of Hertha Chalyx is expected to begin this year.
Click here to learn more.
In addition to Kelrikh, the Pillsbury team included Corporate partner Glenn Luinenburg and associates Nathan Lewko and Thomas Burnham; Government Law & Strategies partner Craig Saperstein; Energy partner William Fork; and International Trade senior counsel Sahar Hafeez and counsel Zachary Rozen.
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URL: Hertha Metals
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Original text here: https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/pillsbury-hertha-metals-133m-series-a-financing.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Morgan Lewis Advises Consortium of Accura and BCB on the Acquisition of Becker Group From Klockner & Co
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 10 -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Morgan Lewis Advises Consortium of Accura and BCB on the Acquisition of Becker Group from Klockner & Co
MUNICH / FRANKFURT, October 9, 2026 - Morgan Lewis advised a consortium consisting of Accura Investment Partners GmbH ("Accura") and Becker Consult + Beteiligungs-GmbH ("BCB") on the acquisition of the Becker Group, one of Europe's leading producer-independent multi-metal platforms for steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, from Klockner & Co SE ("Klockner & Co").
The acquiring consortium
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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Oct. 10 -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Morgan Lewis Advises Consortium of Accura and BCB on the Acquisition of Becker Group from Klockner & Co
MUNICH / FRANKFURT, October 9, 2026 - Morgan Lewis advised a consortium consisting of Accura Investment Partners GmbH ("Accura") and Becker Consult + Beteiligungs-GmbH ("BCB") on the acquisition of the Becker Group, one of Europe's leading producer-independent multi-metal platforms for steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, from Klockner & Co SE ("Klockner & Co").
The acquiring consortiumwill support the Becker Group in further expanding its position as a manufacturer-independent supplier of steel, stainless steel, and aluminum in Europe.
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected before the end of 2026.
Accura is an independent investment company with a focus on established companies in traditional industries and particular expertise in succession planning for medium-sized businesses, as well as in the spin-off of non-strategic business units from international corporations (corporate carve-outs).
BCB is a consulting and investment firm focused on medium-sized industrial companies; under the leadership of Ulrich Becker, a former member of the Klockner & Co. Executive Board, BCB brings extensive sector expertise to the consortium.
The Morgan Lewis team was led by partner Dr. Florian Harder and included partner Dr. Michael Masling, as well as associates Sven Oppermann, Xiaoqiao (Joice) Zhang, Jasmeen Bahous and transaction lawyer Paulina Gerling.
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URL: Accura Investment Partners
URL: Becker Consult + Beteiligungs
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Original text here: https://www.morganlewis.com/news/2026/10/morgan-lewis-advises-consortium-of-accura-and-bcb-on-the-acquisition-of-becker-group-from-klockner-co
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Clark Hill: Advanced Air Mobility is a Land Use Question for OEMs, Planners, and Community Members
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Oct. 10 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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Advanced Air Mobility is a Land Use Question for OEMs, Planners, and Community Members
October 9, 2026
Author
Heidi K. Short
There is a familiar story about early boxed cake mixes. Sales improved only after manufacturers required bakers to add a fresh egg. The recipe barely changed, but people were more willing to embrace a product they helped create.
That lesson may have relevance as Advanced Air Mobility ("AAM"), or next-generation aircraft transport like air taxis and delivery drones, moves
... Show Full Article
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Oct. 10 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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Advanced Air Mobility is a Land Use Question for OEMs, Planners, and Community Members
October 9, 2026
Author
Heidi K. Short
There is a familiar story about early boxed cake mixes. Sales improved only after manufacturers required bakers to add a fresh egg. The recipe barely changed, but people were more willing to embrace a product they helped create.
That lesson may have relevance as Advanced Air Mobility ("AAM"), or next-generation aircraft transport like air taxis and delivery drones, movesfrom concept toward deployment. As aircraft approach certification, operators plan networks, and utilities evaluate future charging demands, states, municipalities, airports, and private developers are beginning to consider how they can help shape this emerging technology to fit into existing transportation and development frameworks.
Yet many of AAM's most significant implementation challenges are not really about the aircraft.
Eventually, every AAM operation must answer a series of familiar questions. Where will it be located? Is electrical infrastructure available? How will passengers and cargo access the facility? How will the use fit within surrounding development? Those are not aviation questions: They are land use questions.
Defining and Distinguishing "Vertiports"
Arizona recently addressed AAM by statute, defining both Advanced Air Mobility systems and vertiports. A.R.S. Sec. 28-8601. Under that framework, a vertiport is ultimately a place--whether land, water, or a structure--used for the takeoff and landing of powered-lift aircraft. Like any significant land use, it must fit within a community's infrastructure, transportation network, and long-term planning objectives.
That creates a challenge for local governments. Most zoning ordinances were drafted long before policymakers contemplated electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Few jurisdictions have a zoning district or use category called "vertiport." Instead, local governments are likely to rely initially on existing tools such as conditional use permits, special permits, airport approvals, or similar discretionary review processes.
Those mechanisms may work well during the early stages of deployment. Over time, however, communities may need more durable standards that distinguish among different types of AAM facilities. Not every vertiport will have the same operational characteristics. A simple landing location may present different planning considerations than a passenger hub, cargo facility, training center, or airport-based operation. As deployment expands, jurisdictions will inevitably begin developing regulations tailored to different levels of intensity and activity.
The Importance of Public Airports for AAM Activity
Public airports provide a logical place to begin. Many already possess transportation access, utility infrastructure, available space, and planning processes capable of accommodating new aviation uses. Airport sponsors also have well-established tools--including master plans, Airport Layout Plans, leases, and operating agreements--that can help evaluate future AAM activity. In Arizona, the City of Phoenix has already identified potential opportunities for AAM-related operations at several airport facilities.
Even so, AAM planning is unlikely to remain solely an airport issue. Passenger access, traffic circulation, utility demand, noise considerations, and compatibility with neighboring uses inevitably extend beyond airport boundaries. As a result, local governments will increasingly encounter land use questions that traditional aviation planning alone may not answer.
How AAM Stands Out from Other Technologies
This is where AAM differs from many other emerging technologies. Aviation professionals, manufacturers, and operators possess expertise regarding aircraft performance, charging requirements, flight operations, and system capabilities. Planners and local governments bring expertise in infrastructure planning, community development, public engagement, and regulatory implementation. Community members contribute a perspective that is equally important in land use decision-making: how new facilities interact with existing neighborhoods and daily life.
For most land uses, local governments can rely on decades of experience when drafting regulations. AAM offers fewer precedents. Jurisdictions evaluating future vertiport standards may benefit from early engagement with manufacturers, operators, airport sponsors, utilities, planners, and community stakeholders. Standards developed without meaningful participation from those groups may not fully account for either operational realities or local concerns.
How Arizona is Handling AAM Preparation
In addition to A.R.S. Sec. 28-8601 defining "vertiports," Arizona recently enacted legislation directing the Arizona Department of Transportation to prepare a statewide AAM plan and identify resources for local jurisdictions. A.R.S. Sec. 28-8602. The legislation does not displace local land use authority. Instead, it highlights a broader reality likely to face communities across the country: decisions regarding where and how AAM operates will often be made at the local level.
The aerospace industry has devoted enormous effort to developing the aircraft. The next challenge may be ensuring that the people responsible for planning, regulating, operating, and living alongside these facilities have a meaningful role in shaping the framework that governs them. Like the baker who added the egg, communities are often more willing to embrace a future they helped create.
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Author's Note: The boxed cake mix analogy was inspired by Kaydon A. Stanzione, "Did Betty Crocker Inspire UAM?," Vertiflite (Vertical Flight Society), July/August 2026, which draws a similar parallel between the decision to have bakers add a fresh egg and the challenge of building community ownership in Urban Air Mobility.
This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.
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Original text here: https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/advanced-air-mobility-vertiports-local-land-use-planning/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
A&O Shearman Advises Fairfax on USD8.9 Billion Boots Acquisition by Wittington and Fairfax
LONDON, England, Oct. 10 -- A&O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman advises Fairfax on USD8.9 billion Boots acquisition by Wittington and Fairfax
Oct 9, 2026
A&O Shearman is advising Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) on its acquisition of Boots and its associated businesses, alongside Wittington Investments Limited (Wittington) the holding company of Canada's Weston family.
The total purchase price is USD8.9 billion, including assumed debt. Boots is currently majority owned by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners, in partnership with
... Show Full Article
LONDON, England, Oct. 10 -- A&O Shearman, a law firm, issued the following news:
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A&O Shearman advises Fairfax on USD8.9 billion Boots acquisition by Wittington and Fairfax
Oct 9, 2026
A&O Shearman is advising Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) on its acquisition of Boots and its associated businesses, alongside Wittington Investments Limited (Wittington) the holding company of Canada's Weston family.
The total purchase price is USD8.9 billion, including assumed debt. Boots is currently majority owned by New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners, in partnership withStefano Pessina and his family.
Under the agreement, Fairfax and Wittington will acquire the Boots retail operations in the UK and Ireland, the Boots Opticians business, the No7 Beauty company, and Boots' Thailand and franchised businesses.
As part of the deal, Fairfax has committed to provide up to approximately USD2.3bn toward the purchase price. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including certain required antitrust approvals and clearances.
Once the deal closes, Fairfax and Wittington will each own 50% of Boots. Wittington will have operational control, and Galen Weston, chair of Wittington, will serve as chair of Boots.
The A&O Shearman team advising Fairfax is led by M&A partners Sean Skiffington in Toronto and Nick Withers in London, and associate Jake Shaughnessy in New York.
The deal team also includes partners Tim Harrop (Tax--London), Dominic Long (Antitrust--London), Larry Crouch (Tax--Menlo Park), Matthew Brown (Tax--Washington, DC) and Jon Cheng (Antitrust--New York), counsels Christopher Best (Antitrust--London), Jessica Bowring (Antitrust--London) and Hugh Brooks (Tax--London), senior associate Anthony Bowen (M&A--London), and associates Brandon Fawbush (Tax--Washington, DC) and Azka Anees (M&A--Toronto).
Fairfax, through its subsidiaries, operates mainly in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and associated investment management. Its consumer retail investments include Sleep Country, Canada's largest mattress retailer and owner of Simba Sleep in the UK, and The Sporting Life Group, a Canadian specialty retail platform focused on premium sports.
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URL: Fairfax
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Original text here: https://www.aoshearman.com/en/news/ao-shearman-advises-fairfax-on-usd8-9-billion-boots-acquisition-by-wittington-and-fairfax
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
