Law/Legal
Here's a look at documents from law firms and legal groups
Featured Stories
Littler: President Signs Executive Order to Limit State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Dec. 13 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news on Dec. 12, 2025:
* * *
President Signs Executive Order to Limit State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
By Jim Paretti
On December 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order purporting to limit the ability of states to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The order's stated purpose is to ensure that American AI companies are "free to innovate without cumbersome regulation" and to "remove barriers to American AI leadership." The order cites the proliferation of AI legislative proposals
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Dec. 13 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news on Dec. 12, 2025:
* * *
President Signs Executive Order to Limit State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
By Jim Paretti
On December 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order purporting to limit the ability of states to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The order's stated purpose is to ensure that American AI companies are "free to innovate without cumbersome regulation" and to "remove barriers to American AI leadership." The order cites the proliferation of AI legislative proposalsin state legislatures as undermining that goal (although it bears note that few if any of these proposals have or are likely to become law).
The order specifically cites as problematic a recently enacted California state law, which it claims requires "complex and burdensome disclosure... based on the purely speculative suspicion that AI might 'pose significant catastrophic risk.'" It further references Colorado state law regarding algorithmic discrimination, claiming that that law "may even force AI models to embed DEI in their programming." The order goes on to state that the administration will act to adopt a "minimally burdensome national standard" rather than let state regulations proliferate.
As a matter of substance, the order first establishes within the Department of Justice an "AI Litigation Task Force" charged with challenging state AI laws on the grounds that they are unconstitutional regulations of commerce, preempted by federal regulations, or otherwise unlawful. It then directs the commerce secretary to publish an evaluation of state laws that are in conflict with the policies embodied in the order, including laws that should be referred to the DOJ Litigation Task Force. It specifically directs that review to identify laws that "require AI models to alter their truthful outputs" and laws that compel developers or users to disclose information in a manner that might violate the First Amendment (presumably an allusion to DEI concepts) or other provisions of the Constitution.
The order directs the Commerce Department to adopt a policy halting any remaining funding under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Act (which provides federal grants to states to connect all Americans to high-speed internet) to states that have laws in conflict with the order, and directs all federal agencies to examine discretionary grant programs to determine if they may condition such grants on states either not enacting AI laws in conflict with the order, or where such laws have already been enacted, entering into a binding agreement that such laws will not be enforced.
The order calls upon the Federal Communications Commission to determine whether the federal government should adopt a federal reporting and disclosure standard that preempts conflicting laws. Finally, it directs the Federal Trade Commission to adopt a policy statement explaining how state laws that require alterations to truthful outputs of AI models are preempted by federal law prohibiting deceptive acts or practices that affect commerce, and calls on the White House Office of Legislative Affairs to prepare a legislative recommendation for a uniform national framework to regulate AI and preempt state law in conflict with the order.
It remains unclear how quickly and completely the administration will move forward on the directives embodied in the order - we have previously seen the White House issue sweeping executive orders directing the government to do certain things, but executive agencies not moving forward with those directives in a timely manner. It is also highly likely that the order will be challenged by states that have adopted AI regulation as an unconstitutional encroachment of federal authority on states' rights. Littler's WPI will keep readers informed of developments; in the interim, employers--particularly those in states that have adopted laws regulating AI--should make every effort to stay current as to the status of those laws.
* * *
Authors
James A. Paretti, Shareholder, Washington, D.C.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/president-signs-executive-order-limit-state-regulation-artificial-intelligence
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Taft Helps ALLETE, Inc. Obtain Minnesota Regulatory Approval of $6 Billion Take-Private Transaction
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Taft, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Taft Helps ALLETE, Inc. Obtain Minnesota Regulatory Approval of $6 Billion Take-Private Transaction
*
On December 10, 2025, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") issued an order approving the $6.2 billion sale of ALLETE, Inc. d/b/a Minnesota Power to Global Infrastructure Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The Taft team, led by Elizabeth (Liz) Brama and Kodi Verhalen, with support from Andy Carlson, Ina Avalon, and Spencer Rojas, represented ALLETE
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Taft, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Taft Helps ALLETE, Inc. Obtain Minnesota Regulatory Approval of $6 Billion Take-Private Transaction
*
On December 10, 2025, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("Commission") issued an order approving the $6.2 billion sale of ALLETE, Inc. d/b/a Minnesota Power to Global Infrastructure Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. The Taft team, led by Elizabeth (Liz) Brama and Kodi Verhalen, with support from Andy Carlson, Ina Avalon, and Spencer Rojas, represented ALLETEthroughout the 15-month regulatory process.
This transaction, the largest Minnesota merger/acquisition announced in 2024 according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, also marks the first time a Minnesota publicly traded electric utility has been taken private. Commission approval enables ALLETE and its investor partners to provide approximately $200 million in financial benefits to Minnesota customers, in addition to historic additional customer, workforce, and community commitments and protections. As such, this transaction represents one of the largest and most unique utility regulatory matters in Minnesota in decades. Minnesota Power will remain an investor-owned public utility under Minnesota law and subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.
The 19-month process included two weeks of public hearings throughout Minnesota Power's service territory; one week of evidentiary hearing where nearly 20 witnesses were offered for cross-examination; responses from Minnesota Power and the Partners to 617 discovery requests comprised of nearly 1,400 individual requests for responses or documents; thousands of pages of pre-filed testimony and schedules; hundreds of pages of post-hearing briefing; and months of multi-party settlement negotiations that ultimately led to a coalition of support from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, labor groups, clean energy organizations, business groups, and low-income customer representatives. The matter was opposed by other parties and received extensive media attention.
In early October, the Commission approved the acquisition by unanimous vote. Shareholders previously approved the acquisition - with a 97% vote in favor - in 2024. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved the acquisition in late 2024 and early 2025, respectively. The acquisition is expected to close late this year.
More information is available from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and ALLETE, Inc.
***
Original text here: https://www.taftlaw.com/news-events/news/taft-helps-allete-obtain-minnesota-regulatory-approval-of-6-billion-take-private-transaction/
Rachel Cantor Named Among Chicago's Leading Women in Law
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Kirkland and Ellis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Rachel Cantor Named Among Chicago's Leading Women in Law
*
Law Bulletin Media and Chicago Lawyer named partner Rachel Cantor to its 2025 list of "Women in Law: Leaders Leaning In." The attorneys recognized on the list are "making incredible impact" on the profession of law, while serving as "shining examples of leadership."
Rachel's practice focuses on the tax aspects of complex business transactions including domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Kirkland and Ellis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Rachel Cantor Named Among Chicago's Leading Women in Law
*
Law Bulletin Media and Chicago Lawyer named partner Rachel Cantor to its 2025 list of "Women in Law: Leaders Leaning In." The attorneys recognized on the list are "making incredible impact" on the profession of law, while serving as "shining examples of leadership."
Rachel's practice focuses on the tax aspects of complex business transactions including domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, andleveraged buyouts, as well as joint ventures, recapitalizations, and debt and equity restructurings.
***
Original text here: https://www.kirkland.com/news/award/2025/12/chicago-leading-women-of-law
McDermott Will & Schulte advises Obra Capital as an equity sponsor for an insurance financing solution
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- McDermott Will and Emery, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
McDermott Will & Schulte advises Obra Capital as an equity sponsor for an insurance financing solution
*
International law firm McDermott Will & Schulte represented Obra Capital (Obra), a specialized alternative asset management firm that provides investment products and solutions across insurance and credit verticals, as the equity sponsor for an innovative insurance solution. The product leverages structured finance and credit derivatives to enable letters
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- McDermott Will and Emery, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
McDermott Will & Schulte advises Obra Capital as an equity sponsor for an insurance financing solution
*
International law firm McDermott Will & Schulte represented Obra Capital (Obra), a specialized alternative asset management firm that provides investment products and solutions across insurance and credit verticals, as the equity sponsor for an innovative insurance solution. The product leverages structured finance and credit derivatives to enable lettersof credit as collateral for operating companies' insurance deductibles.
Driven by companies' need to post collateral for deductibles under workers' compensation, auto, and general liability policies, this solution uses a unique financing and hedging structure to deliver a cost-efficient, off-balance-sheet method for funding such collateral.
The McDermott team was led by Jonathan Ching, Andrew Kummer, John Lutz, and Audrey Bischoff with key assistance from Adam deLisle, David Saunders, and Robert Unger.
McDermott advised Obra Capital in the financial backing of Arra Finance to acquire Crescent Auto Finance earlier this year.
***
Original text here: https://www.mwe.com/media/mcdermott-will-schulte-advises-obra-capital-as-an-equity-sponsor-for-an-insurance-financing-solution/
Kirkland's Energy & Infrastructure Practice Recognized at IJ Global's Americas Awards
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Kirkland and Ellis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Kirkland's Energy & Infrastructure Practice Recognized at IJ Global's Americas Awards
*
IJ Global honored Kirkland with four awards at the 2025 IJ Investor Americas Awards, which recognize the best fundraising and deployment, as well as M&A activity, in the energy and infrastructure sector.
Kirkland was named "Legal Adviser of the Year: North America," and was recognized for the Firm's role in the following "Transactions of the Year" for 2025:
1\. Digital Infrastructure
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Kirkland and Ellis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Kirkland's Energy & Infrastructure Practice Recognized at IJ Global's Americas Awards
*
IJ Global honored Kirkland with four awards at the 2025 IJ Investor Americas Awards, which recognize the best fundraising and deployment, as well as M&A activity, in the energy and infrastructure sector.
Kirkland was named "Legal Adviser of the Year: North America," and was recognized for the Firm's role in the following "Transactions of the Year" for 2025:
1\. Digital InfrastructureDeal of the Year : Kirkland advised GIC on a circa $15 billion joint venture with Equinix and CPP Investments to capitalize, acquire and develop a U.S.-centric digital infrastructure platform.
2\. Oil & Gas Deal of the Year : Kirkland advised ONEOK, Inc. on its definitive agreement with EnLink Midstream, LLC to acquire all outstanding publicly held common units of EnLink for $4.3 billion.
3\. Securitization Deal of the Year : Kirkland advised Metronet on multiple securitization financings to refinance existing indebtedness in connection with its acquisition and restructuring by KKR and T-Mobile.
***
Original text here: https://www.kirkland.com/news/award/2025/12/ij-global-americas-awards
Greenberg Traurig's Fred E. Karlinsky Named to Insurance Business America's 'Hot 100 2026'
MIAMI, Florida, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Greenberg Traurig, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Greenberg Traurig's Fred E. Karlinsky Named to Insurance Business America's 'Hot 100 2026'
*
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Dec. 12, 2025 - Greenberg Traurig, P.A.'s Global Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice Chair Fred E. Karlinsky was recognized as one of the 100 top insurance leaders in the U.S. by Insurance Business America.
The 11th annual Hot 100 list honors insurance leaders who have made significant contributions to the industry, according to the publication.
... Show Full Article
MIAMI, Florida, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Greenberg Traurig, a law firm, issued the following news release:
* * *
Greenberg Traurig's Fred E. Karlinsky Named to Insurance Business America's 'Hot 100 2026'
*
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Dec. 12, 2025 - Greenberg Traurig, P.A.'s Global Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice Chair Fred E. Karlinsky was recognized as one of the 100 top insurance leaders in the U.S. by Insurance Business America.
The 11th annual Hot 100 list honors insurance leaders who have made significant contributions to the industry, according to the publication.Karlinsky was recognized for his work representing clients across the insurance sector and helping to stabilize and shape the future of Florida's property insurance market.
As a leading advocate for the insurance industry, Karlinsky played a key role in shaping the tort reforms adopted in Florida in 2022 and 2023. While he helped to change the regulatory landscape, he simultaneously worked to help grow the market, advising startups as well as other new entrants into the marketplace.
"This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work by our team as we help clients navigate the ever-evolving insurance landscape," Karlinsky says. "I am grateful for the trust our clients place in us and proud of our continued commitment to providing innovative, practical solutions to their most complex challenges."
A shareholder in the firm's Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C., offices, Karlinsky has over 30 years of experience representing insurance companies, reinsurers, and a wide array of related entities on regulatory, transactional, corporate, and governmental affairs matters. He is a recognized authority on insurance regulatory and compliance issues and regularly leads insurers' corporate and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Florida Trend 500, and is recognized as the only Band 1 Florida insurance lawyer by Chambers.
Beyond his legal practice, Karlinsky has served as an adjunct professor of law at Florida State University College of Law since 2008 and currently chairs the board of visitors. He also serves as president of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society and on the board of directors of Global Indemnity Group, a publicly traded specialty insurance holding company. Since 2014, he has served on and currently chairs the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, where five of the seven current sitting Justices of the Florida Supreme Court have been appointed during his tenure.
Click here for Insurance Business America's Hot 100 2026 List.
***
Original text here: https://www.gtlaw.com/en/news/2025/12/press-releases/greenberg-traurigs-fred-e-karlinsky-named-to-insurance-business-americas-hot-100-2026
Applied Therapeutics Announced Sales Agreement to Cycle Group
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Applied Therapeutics Announced Sales Agreement to Cycle Group
*
Ropes & Gray advised Applied Therapeutics (Nasdaq: APLT) in an agreement to be acquired by Cycle Group Holdings Limited. The transaction was announced on December 11 and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, Cycle will initiate a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Applied's common stock for 8.8 cents per share in cash at closing. Shareholders will also receive
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Dec. 12 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
* * *
Applied Therapeutics Announced Sales Agreement to Cycle Group
*
Ropes & Gray advised Applied Therapeutics (Nasdaq: APLT) in an agreement to be acquired by Cycle Group Holdings Limited. The transaction was announced on December 11 and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
Under the agreement, Cycle will initiate a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Applied's common stock for 8.8 cents per share in cash at closing. Shareholders will also receivea non-transferable contingent value right (CVR), which offers potential additional payments based on several milestones.
The CVR allows for potential payment of up to 10 cents if the FDA approves a new drug application for any galactosemia indication within eight years of the closing. Another 10 cents per CVR could be paid upon FDA approval for a CMTV-SORD indication within a similar timeframe. In addition, up to 20 cents may be paid if global net sales of any related product by Cycle reach $200 million over any four-quarter period within ten years after closing. CVR holders are also entitled to share in any excess cash of Applied at closing if it exceeds $500,000 capped at $1.5 million.
The Ropes & Gray team was led by mergers & acquisitions partner Sarah Young, mergers & acquisitions counsel Tyler Silvey, mergers & acquisitions associate Alexandra Charron and employment, executive compensation and benefits associate Akansha Mishra and included employment, executive compensation and benefits partner Renata Ferrari, IP transactions partner Megan Baca, life sciences regulatory & compliance partner Joshua Oyster, health care partner David Peloquin, tax partner David Saltzman, litigation & enforcement partner Ama Adams, IP transactions counsel Jimmy Chen, private equity counsel Daniel Lee and benefits consulting group principal Christine Joyce.
***
Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2025/12/applied-therapeutics-announced-sales-agreement-to-cycle-group
