Government Regulation and Public Sector Law

Congressional leaders are pressing federal agencies to demonstrate how they balance advancing U.S. biotechnology research with protecting against emerging biosecurity threats. The inquiry focuses on whether agencies have implemented key recommendations from a national security commission and what additional resources they need to maintain American leadership in this rapidly evolving field.

Expands Defense Production Act (DPA; P.L. 81-774) authorities over energy by giving the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy independent authority, alongside the Secretary of Commerce...

On July 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (covered separately here) in which the Commission advances its ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.

As rapid data center construction sparks community backlash, technology companies face mounting pressure to address environmental and human rights concerns through sustainable corporate practices. Grassroots resistance is emerging from fears that communities will bear the burden of higher energy costs, water scarcity, air pollution, and noise while tech companies reap the benefits.

Commercial litigation partner Jacques Semmelman joins Dateline NBC's True Crime Weekly podcast to demystify the complex world of international extradition law. Drawing on his experience as a former Assistant US Attorney, Semmelman explains the legal standards, treaty requirements, and diplomatic considerations that govern how individuals are transferred between countries to face criminal charges or serve sentences.

Federal ADA Title III lawsuit filings have reached 5,006 cases at mid-year 2026, marking the highest level since 2021 and suggesting a potential record-breaking year ahead. California continues to dominate with 2,426 cases, while new plaintiffs' firms enter the market and filing patterns shift across states. Will 2026 surpass the all-time high of 11,452 lawsuits set in 2021?

Five foundational ISDS decisions reveal how investment tribunals balance Indigenous consultation rights under ILO Convention 169 with treaty protections for foreign mining investors. This analysis examines the evolving legal framework governing State obligations, social license requirements, and the circumstances under which community opposition triggers treaty liability.

A federal court in New York struck down a U.S. Department of Education policy requiring American Indian students born in Canada to obtain immigration documents before receiving federal student aid. The decision affirms that Jay Treaty students cannot be subjected to additional documentation requirements not authorized by Congress, marking a significant victory for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Indigenous students nationwide.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit delivered a landmark ruling on Kalshi's challenge to Nevada gaming regulations, addressing whether federal commodity exchange law preempts state authority over sports-related prediction markets. The decision carries significant implications for Tribal gaming sovereignty and the traditional regulatory framework governing sports wagering across state and Tribal jurisdictions. As prediction market platforms continue to test legal boundaries, this case establishes

The Department of Justice announced a $25 million settlement with Accenture Federal Services over allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying compliance with anti-discrimination requirements while allegedly using race or sex in hiring, promotion, and access to professional development programs. This marks the third major DEI-related FCA enforcement action in 2026, following similar settlements with IBM and Deloitte.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has issued Executive Order 658, establishing comprehensive permitting and regulatory standards for data centers exceeding 25 MW of peak electricity demand. The Order mandates community benefits agreements, clean energy procurement protocols, and coordination across multiple state agencies to ensure responsible development that protects ratepayers, communities, and the environment. This action positions Massachusetts alongside other states implementing stricter oversight o

September 2026 marks the first anniversary of the corporate criminal offence of failure to prevent fraud coming into force under section 199 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). The Home Office guidance recommends that organisations review their fraud prevention measures at least every 12 months.