Law/Legal
Here's a look at documents from law firms and legal groups
Featured Stories
Steptoe Recognized for Exceptional Cross Border Litigation Work in China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year 2025
WASHINGTON, March 14 (TNSrep) -- Steptoe, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Steptoe Recognized for Exceptional Cross Border Litigation Work in China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year 2025
Steptoe LLP is pleased to announce that its representation of Hytera Communications in a multi year, multi jurisdictional dispute with Motorola Solutions has been highlighted as a 2025 Deal of the Year in China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year 2025 report. This annual feature reviews 275 of the most significant transactions and cases across China related markets, including
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 14 (TNSrep) -- Steptoe, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Steptoe Recognized for Exceptional Cross Border Litigation Work in China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year 2025
Steptoe LLP is pleased to announce that its representation of Hytera Communications in a multi year, multi jurisdictional dispute with Motorola Solutions has been highlighted as a 2025 Deal of the Year in China Business Law Journal's Deals of the Year 2025 report. This annual feature reviews 275 of the most significant transactions and cases across China related markets, includingmajor cross border disputes, restructurings, and matters with substantial industry impact. This is the third year in a row that Steptoe has achieved this honor, highlighting the firm's strength in handling complex trade secret litigation matters involving closely-held intellectual property.
Steptoe's work on behalf of Hytera spans multiple fronts over nearly a decade, involving sophisticated civil litigation, criminal proceedings, international judgment enforcement battles, and nuanced cross border legal strategy. Between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025, Steptoe achieved several critical outcomes.
This news comes on the heels of the criminal court in the Northern District of Illinois declining to order Hytera to pay any additional restitution to Motorola and limiting Hytera's fine to $50 million. The government had sought nearly $300 million in additional restitution and initially sought a fine in the range of nearly $1 billion dollars.
The Steptoe team included Boyd Cloern, Leah Quadrino, Rachel Cannon, Chris Niewoehner, Ivan Gordienko, Jim Brochin, Alex Green, Kelly Eberspecher, Scott Richey, Josh Taylor, Lawrence Kass, Bill Toth, Heather Hildreth, Grace Wang, Brendan Hammond, Kirsten Bickelman, and Elaine Hartman.
Read more in the China Business Law Journal (https://law.asia/china/china-deals-of-the-year-2025/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=cblj&utm_campaign=newsletter_articles).
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Original text here: https://www.steptoe.com/en/news-publications/steptoe-recognized-for-exceptional-crossborder-litigation-work-in-china-business-law-journals-deals-of-the-year-2025.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Ropes Gray Attorneys Discuss Q4 2025 Continuation Vehicle Trends in Secondary Link
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 14 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Ropes Gray Attorneys Discuss Q4 2025 Continuation Vehicle Trends in Secondary Link
Alternative asset opportunities partners Isabel Dische and Christian Vareika and asset management counsel Marc Migliazzo and Kevin White shared insights in a Secondary Link article examining the structuring trends and deal dynamics that shaped continuation vehicle activity in Q4 2025.
"Volume increased in Q4 from an already active Q3, capping another busy year for continuation vehicle deal
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 14 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Ropes and Gray, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Ropes Gray Attorneys Discuss Q4 2025 Continuation Vehicle Trends in Secondary Link
Alternative asset opportunities partners Isabel Dische and Christian Vareika and asset management counsel Marc Migliazzo and Kevin White shared insights in a Secondary Link article examining the structuring trends and deal dynamics that shaped continuation vehicle activity in Q4 2025.
"Volume increased in Q4 from an already active Q3, capping another busy year for continuation vehicle dealflow," Christian noted. Looking ahead, he highlighted that "creative deal structuring -- including the use of deferrals and earn-outs -- continues to gain traction as a tool for bridging valuation gaps and aligning incentives across stakeholders," and that overall deal volume and diversity of market participants will continue to expand.
On pricing, Marc observed that it "continues to be highly deal-specific, driven by the quality of the underlying asset and competitive dynamics among buyers," with "high-quality assets continu[ing] to command premium pricing, particularly in single-asset processes where buyer conviction and competitive tension tend to be strongest."
Isabel pointed to broadening geographic and asset class activity: "Geographically, deal volume in Europe increased at a higher rate than in the U.S., and we observed a meaningful uptick in Asia as well. Beyond traditional private equity, continuation vehicle activity also expanded into adjacent asset classes, with continued growth in credit, infrastructure, and venture."
Kevin highlighted the evolving LP perspective, noting that "LPs continue to show greater sophistication in their approach to continuation transactions, becoming better equipped to evaluate and act on roll or sell decisions in a timely manner," reflecting broader institutional familiarity with CVs and improved internal processes.
The article features additional perspectives from financial advisors and legal counsel on the continued evolution of the GP-led secondaries market.
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Original text here: https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/news/2026/03/ropes-gray-attorneys-discuss-q4-2025-continuation-vehicle-trends-in-secondary-link
Michael DeBernardis Examines Rules of Evidence in MDB Sanctions Proceedings
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Michael DeBernardis Examines Rules of Evidence in MDB Sanctions Proceedings
Highlights
* Michael DeBernardis authored a chapter for the second edition of GIR's guide to MDB investigations, explaining how MDB sanctions proceedings differ from court proceedings.
* DeBernardis highlights why understanding MDB specific evidentiary rules is critical to effective defense strategies, revealing both the risks and strategic opportunities these proceedings present.
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Michael DeBernardis examines the rules
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Michael DeBernardis Examines Rules of Evidence in MDB Sanctions Proceedings
Highlights
* Michael DeBernardis authored a chapter for the second edition of GIR's guide to MDB investigations, explaining how MDB sanctions proceedings differ from court proceedings.
* DeBernardis highlights why understanding MDB specific evidentiary rules is critical to effective defense strategies, revealing both the risks and strategic opportunities these proceedings present.
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Michael DeBernardis examines the rulesof evidence in multilateral development bank (MDB) sanctions proceedings in the second edition of Global Investigation Review's Guide to Multilateral Development Bank Investigations.
The chapter explains the ways that MDB sanction proceedings differ from court proceedings, being administrative in nature, and with respondents that are not afforded the same procedural protections as defendants in criminal or civil proceedings.
DeBernardis and co-author Anne Gaustad explore these evidentiary rules and, where applicable, how they differ from those applied in typical judicial processes.
The article also emphasizes that effective defense strategies depend on understanding these MDB specific rules, which, despite being restrictive in some respects, can also create unique opportunities for respondents who navigate them strategically.
"It is important to remember that sanctions proceedings are not judicial proceedings and that the rules, standards and burdens that might apply in a legal setting are largely irrelevant," DeBernardis writes. "While respondents can be alarmed by this approach, the practices and processes adopted by the MDBs also offer their own unique opportunities to present a defence or mitigation that can be extremely beneficial to respondents."
Read the chapter (https://globalinvestigationsreview.com/guide/the-guide-multilateral-development-bank-investigations/second-edition/article/rules-of-evidence-in-multilateral-development-bank-sanctions-proceedings).
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Original text here: https://www.hugheshubbard.com/news/michael-debernardis-examines-rules-of-evidence-in-mdb-sanctions-proceedings
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Littler: Policy Week in Review - March 13, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 14 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Policy Week in Review - March 13, 2026
Congressional and Administrative News
At a Glance
The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler's Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI's updates on federal legislation, regulations, and congressional activity affecting the workplace.
By Shannon Meade, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald, and Maury Baskin
Industry Groups Petition NLRB for Rulemakings
Several industry groups submitted rulemaking petitions to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) this
... Show Full Article
SAN FRANCISCO, California, March 14 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Policy Week in Review - March 13, 2026
Congressional and Administrative News
At a Glance
The Policy Week in Review, prepared by Littler's Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), sets forth WPI's updates on federal legislation, regulations, and congressional activity affecting the workplace.
By Shannon Meade, Jim Paretti, Alex MacDonald, and Maury Baskin
Industry Groups Petition NLRB for Rulemakings
Several industry groups submitted rulemaking petitions to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) thisweek. A Petition filed on March 12 requests that the Board commence a rulemaking proceeding to protect secret ballot elections under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The petition urges the Board to promulgate a rule that would "eliminate current confusion and inconsistency and specify the circumstances under which the Board may, consistent with Gissel, exercise its remedial discretion to issue and seek enforcement of a bargaining order, reaffirming the Act's preference for secret-ballot-elections." Petitioners argue the rule would promote predictability, protect employee free speech, and confine bargaining orders to their proper remedial function.
Another Petition filed on March 12 requests that the Board initiate a rulemaking to reconsider the lawfulness of the standard previously adopted by the Board, which held that employer-required meetings ("captive audience meetings"), during which the employer discusses unionization with their employees, violates the NLRA and the First Amendment.
These Petitions follow the Rulemaking Petition filed by industry groups on February 11 urging the Board to adopt a proposed rule for determining independent contractor status under the NLRA. That petition argued that such a rule would restore the certainty and clarity provided by application of the common-law test as set forth in the Board's decision in SuperShuttle and that it would better align with judicial precedent and the current administration's views.
NLRB Declines to Overrule Ex-Cell-O
In a closely watched development, the National Labor Relations Board has declined to overrule Ex Cell O Corp., 185 NLRB 107 (1970), preserving a 56 year old framework that limits remedies when an employer refuses to bargain to test a union's certification and an appeals court ultimately upholds the certification. The decision came in the Board's ruling in Longmont United Hospital on February 26, 2026. For Littler's analysis on what employers should know, read here.
Senate Republicans Raise Challenges with Previous Administration's Proposed Heat Safety Rule
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and 15 Republican Senators sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer urging the Department to consider, as the rulemaking continues, a variety of concerns raised by constituents with the previous administration's "one-size-fits-all" proposed rule.
Chair Cassidy (R-LA) Requests Information on College Athletics
Following the March 10 Senate HELP Committee roundtable addressing the "The New Era of College Sports: Finding a Stable Path Forward," Chair Cassidy (R-LA) issued an RFI on college athletics requesting information from stakeholders on employment considerations, among other items.
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Authors
Shannon Meade
Executive Director, Workplace Policy Institute
Washington, D.C.
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James A. Paretti
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Alexander T. MacDonald
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Maury Baskin
Shareholder
Washington, D.C.
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/policy-week-review-march-13-2026
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Lebau and Neuworth: I Was Fired After Taking FMLA Leave in Maryland - Do I Have a Case?
TOWSON, Maryland, March 14 -- Lebau and Neuworth, a law firm, issued the following news:
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I Was Fired After Taking FMLA Leave in Maryland - Do I Have a Case?
If you were fired after taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you are probably asking one question, "Was my termination legal?"
Many Maryland employees are terminated shortly after requesting medical leave, returning from leave, or submitting medical paperwork. Employers often claim it was a performance issue, restructuring decision, or "business necessity." But when termination closely follows protected leave,
... Show Full Article
TOWSON, Maryland, March 14 -- Lebau and Neuworth, a law firm, issued the following news:
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I Was Fired After Taking FMLA Leave in Maryland - Do I Have a Case?
If you were fired after taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you are probably asking one question, "Was my termination legal?"
Many Maryland employees are terminated shortly after requesting medical leave, returning from leave, or submitting medical paperwork. Employers often claim it was a performance issue, restructuring decision, or "business necessity." But when termination closely follows protected leave,that timing can raise serious legal concerns.
In many situations, firing someone for taking FMLA leave is unlawful retaliation. Experienced Maryland employment attorneys at Lebau & Neuworth can review your termination, investigate the timeline, and determine if you have a strong claim for retaliation or interference. Schedule your free consultation now to protect your rights and explore your options.
How FMLA Leave Works in Maryland
FMLA is a federal law that allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period. It applies to serious health conditions, pregnancy and childbirth, caring for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition, and certain military-related family needs.
If you qualify, your employer must maintain your group health insurance during your absence and restore you to the same or an equivalent position when you return. You should not lose your job simply because you needed medical or family leave.
Can an Employer Fire You After FMLA Leave?
An employer is not required to keep someone employed forever simply because they took FMLA leave. If a company can prove that they would have terminated the employee regardless of the leave, the termination may be lawful. The real issue is the motive behind your termination.
If the decision to terminate was influenced by your leave request, your medical condition, or the inconvenience your absence caused, it may violate federal law. Courts often look closely at timing. When an employee is fired during leave or shortly after returning, it can suggest retaliation.
You may have a strong case if you were terminated while on approved leave, let go immediately after returning, or suddenly disciplined for issues that were never raised before your leave. At Lebau & Neuworth, our FMLA lawyers know the warning signs that come with wrongful termination and can use this information to better protect your rights.
What Is FMLA Retaliation?
FMLA retaliation happens when an employer takes negative action against an employee because they requested or used protected leave.
Retaliation does not always look obvious. It can include termination, demotion, pay cuts, removal of responsibilities, or sudden negative evaluations after you return from leave.
What Is FMLA Interference?
Separate from retaliation, the law also prohibits interference. This happens when an employer prevents you from exercising your FMLA rights.
Examples may include denying qualifying leave, failing to inform you of your rights, refusing reinstatement, or placing obstacles in the way of approved leave.
In some cases, employees are told their position was eliminated during leave, only to learn later that someone else filled the role. Situations like this deserve careful legal review by the employment lawyers at Lebau & Neuworth.
Were You Eligible for FMLA?
Not every employee qualifies for FMLA automatically. In most cases, you are required to have worked for your employer for at least 12 months, logged at least 1,250 hours in the previous year, and worked at a location where the employer has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
Employers sometimes misapply these requirements. Even if your employer claims you were not eligible, a closer review of your work history and their policies may reveal you have stronger claims than they initially thought.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
If your FMLA rights were violated, you may be entitled to recover lost wages and benefits. In some cases, courts can award front pay or order reinstatement. The law also allows for liquidated damages in certain situations, which can increase the total recovery.
The value of a claim depends on your salary, benefits, how long you were out of work, and whether the employer acted in good faith.
Medical Leave Terminations May Involve Other Claims
Many FMLA cases overlap with other employment laws. A termination after medical leave may also involve disability discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, or failure to provide reasonable accommodation under Maryland law. When multiple laws apply, it can strengthen your legal position and expand the remedies available.
What Should You Do If You Were Fired After Taking Leave?
If this happens to you, there are several steps you can take right away.
* Save emails and text messages.
* Keep copies of medical certifications and leave approvals.
* Write down a timeline of events while details are fresh.
* Be cautious about signing a severance agreement before having it reviewed.
Small details often matter in these cases. Many severance agreements require you to waive potential legal claims. The timing of conversations, written comments from supervisors, and changes in treatment after leave can all become important.
Talk to Lebau & Neuworth About Your FMLA Termination
If you were fired after taking FMLA leave in Maryland, you may have a retaliation or wrongful termination claim.
The employment attorneys at Lebau & Neuworth represent employees who lose their jobs after exercising protected rights. We evaluate the full timeline, the employer's stated reasons, and the surrounding circumstances to determine whether the termination was lawful.
Contact the experienced team at Lebau & Neuworth to discuss your situation and find out whether you have a case.
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Original text here: https://lebauneuworth.com/blog/i-was-fired-after-taking-fmla-leave-in-maryland-do-i-have-a-case/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Jeremy Paner Discusses Proposed FinCEN Rule That Could 'Guide Financial Crimes Investigations for Years'
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Jeremy Paner Discusses Proposed FinCEN Rule That Could 'Guide Financial Crimes Investigations for Years'
What are the ramifications of FinCEN's latest proposed rule for global financial institutions?
Highlights
* Jeremy Paner discussed FinCEN's proposed rule against MBaer Merchant Bank AG that signals a rare use of U.S. Treasury authority against a European financial institution in WorldECR.
* The action could serve as a warning to banks in major European financial centers to reassess higher-risk client
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Hughes Hubbard and Reed, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Jeremy Paner Discusses Proposed FinCEN Rule That Could 'Guide Financial Crimes Investigations for Years'
What are the ramifications of FinCEN's latest proposed rule for global financial institutions?
Highlights
* Jeremy Paner discussed FinCEN's proposed rule against MBaer Merchant Bank AG that signals a rare use of U.S. Treasury authority against a European financial institution in WorldECR.
* The action could serve as a warning to banks in major European financial centers to reassess higher-risk clientrelationships and compliance controls.
* Allegations tied to Russian money laundering may foreshadow further enforcement activity, including potential OFAC penalties.
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Jeremy Paner discussed a proposed Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) rule that could have wide ramifications and "guide financial crimes investigations for years" with WorldECR, a journal on export controls and sanctions from Dow Jones.
On Feb. 26, FinCEN proposed a rule that would sever access to the U.S. financial system for MBaer Merchant Bank AG, due to its alleged financial support of "illicit actors linked to Russia and Iran" by the U.S. Treasury.
FinCEN claims that the bank has profited from customers engaging in money laundering and maintained "a higher-risk customer base," without implementing mitigating controls that would prohibit such customers from engaging in illicit activities, and that MBaer, in some cases, deliberately acted to facilitate those activities.
In the article, Paner says that the proposed action should serve as a "warning shot" to financial institutions in European financial centers, and that organizations should review their relationships with MBaer.
"FinCEN has issued similar actions against three European Banks (two banks in Latvia and an Andorran bank), but [it] has never issued a proposed rule against a European financial institution in a fully developed financial centre," Paner said. "My past warnings to European banks about this particular US Treasury authority, colloquially referred to as a 'death sentence,' were generally met with disbelief over the years.
"I can attest that the prior lax regulatory environments in Latvia and Andorra gave many banks a sense of ease that US Treasury would not perceive their banks in same light as a Latvian or Andorran bank," he continued.
Paner also noted that the proposed rule is based in part on allegations related to Russian money laundering, and that this could indicate that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) may follow suit with additional Russia-related sanctions.
"I understand that OFAC has Russia-related monetary penalties teed up, but I have otherwise seen no indication that it plans on imposing additional sanctions on Russia," Paner said.
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Original text here: https://www.hugheshubbard.com/news/jeremy-paner-discusses-proposed-fincen-rule-that-could-guide-financial-crimes-investigations-for-years
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
25 Years at the Sharp End: Reflections on Litigating in the CAT
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news on March 13, 2026:
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25 years at the Sharp End: Reflections on Litigating in the CAT
The inaugural Dorothy Livingston Memorial Lecture, titled "25 years at the Sharp End: Reflections on Litigating in the CAT", was delivered by Ronit Kreisberger KC of Monckton Chambers on 12 March 2026.
The lecture series has been set up in honour of former Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer partner Dorothy Livingston (1948-2024), and held in partnership with Dorothy's alma mater St Hugh's College, University of Oxford.
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, March 14 -- Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, a law firm, issued the following news on March 13, 2026:
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25 years at the Sharp End: Reflections on Litigating in the CAT
The inaugural Dorothy Livingston Memorial Lecture, titled "25 years at the Sharp End: Reflections on Litigating in the CAT", was delivered by Ronit Kreisberger KC of Monckton Chambers on 12 March 2026.
The lecture series has been set up in honour of former Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer partner Dorothy Livingston (1948-2024), and held in partnership with Dorothy's alma mater St Hugh's College, University of Oxford.Taking place in Haberdasher's Hall in the City of London, the lecture was delivered to a full house of attendees from across the competition law and broader legal communities.
In her lecture, Ms Kreisberger reflected on her early career at then Herbert Smith working alongside Dorothy, who she described as a "true titan of competition law". The lecture went on to chart the development and expansion of competition law through the lens of the defining cases of the past few decades, including Evans v Barclays Bank, Le Patourel v BT and Cabo v MGA, touching on the rise of collective claims, the challenges posed by expert evidence, and the impact of Brexit.
The event also featured addresses from Professor Joshua Getzler, Professor of Law and Legal History at St Hugh's College, as well as Michele Acton, Principal of St Hugh's.
Commenting on the event, UK Head of Competition, Regulation and Trade Veronica Roberts said: "Many thanks to Ronit for delivering such a reflective and insightful lecture to inaugurate this series, and one which was so befitting of Dorothy's memory and legacy. In partnership with St Hugh's, we hope the series develops to be a cornerstone of the competition and broader legal calendar in the years to come."
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Original text here: https://www.hsfkramer.com/news/2026-03/25-years-at-the-sharp-end-reflections-on-litigating-in-the-cat
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
