Notesand long reads from the bench.

Note · August 11, 2026

SEC and CFTC Rescind 'No-Deny' Settlement Provisions and Update Cooperation Guidance: What Clients Should Know

In a significant recalibration of federal enforcement policy, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have formally rescinded their…

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Quarterly · August 11, 2026

Google's $68M Google Assistant Settlement Signals Heightened Privacy Class Action Exposure

Google has agreed to a $68 million class action settlement to resolve allegations that its Google Assistant product recorded users' private communications without their consent.…

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Note · August 11, 2026

Treasury and IRS Preview Saver's Match Regulations in Notice 2026-48 Ahead of 2027 Launch

On August 7, 2026, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2026-48, announcing their intent to propose regulations governing the federal…

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Note · August 11, 2026

D.C. Circuit Affirms Injunction Halting White House Ballroom Project, Reaffirming Limits on Executive Authority

In a significant separation-of-powers decision issued in August 2026, a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction blocking…

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Quarterly · August 11, 2026

Simpson Thacher's Chicago Launch Signals Intensifying Competition for Middle-Market Private Equity Talent

On August 6, 2026, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett announced the opening of a Chicago office, marking the firm's 16th location globally. The launch is anchored by a five-partner…

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Note · August 11, 2026

Federal Circuit Ends Presumption of Irreparable Harm in Patent Preliminary Injunctions

On August 4, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a precedential opinion holding that there is no presumption of irreparable harm on preliminary…

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Quarterly · August 11, 2026

EU AI Act Transparency Rules Now in Force: What U.S. Companies Need to Know

As of August 2, 2026, Article 50 of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act imposes a new layer of transparency obligations on providers and deployers of certain AI systems. For U.S.…

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Policy · August 11, 2026

OMB Proposes Binding Uniform Grants Regulation to Replace 2 CFR Part 200, Targets October 1, 2026 Effective Date

Federal grant recipients should begin preparing now for a significant restructuring of the regulatory framework that governs federal financial assistance. On May 29, 2026, the…

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Long Read · August 11, 2026

FAR Council Signals Rollback of Executive Order 11246 Affirmative Action Requirements for Federal Contractors

Federal contractors should prepare for a significant shift in compliance obligations following recent action by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council. In July 2026, the…

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Policy · August 11, 2026

Executive Order 14417 Establishes President's Military Spouse Commission: What Employers and Military Families Should Know

On August 6, 2026, the President issued Executive Order 14417, formally establishing the President's Military Spouse Commission. The order appears in the Federal Register among a…

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Policy · August 11, 2026

FTC Abandons Disparate-Impact Theory in Discrimination Enforcement: What Businesses Need to Know

On August 7, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission issued a policy statement announcing that it will no longer pursue discrimination claims premised on disparate-impact or so-called…

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Long Read · August 11, 2026

DHS Ends 'Duration of Status' for F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders: What Universities, Employers, and Students Must Prepare for by September 15, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule that will end the long-standing duration of status framework for most F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa…

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