Worldwide: Corporate/Commercial Law

The EEOC has shifted its enforcement priorities to focus on what it terms "DEI-related discrimination" cases, fundamentally changing how employers must approach diversity initiatives.

In this episode of Coffee Chats with WIN, hosts Jessica Stewart and Lauren Russell sit down with Lesley Adamo, Vice Chair of the Tax Group and New York Office Managing Partner at Lowenstein Sandler. Lesley shares her journey into tax law, the pivotal advice that shaped her path to partnership while balancing family life, and why bringing your authentic self to work matters.

Colorado regulates marijuana businesses through the state Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), while local jurisdictions retain separate licensing and regulatory authority over marijuana businesses within their boundaries. The current Colorado Marijuana Rules are codified at 1 CCR 212-3 (version effective January 5, 2026). Because state rules, forms, fee schedules, and local ordinances can change, applicants should confirm relevant requirements before filing or closing a transaction.

Many organizations have access to large volumes of spend data, but fragmented systems, inconsistent information, limited market intelligence, and a lack of systematic processes often make it difficult to translate visibility into measurable savings.

The FDIC Board's September 17 meeting introduced two significant proposed rules that would reshape bank merger review timelines and extend interstate parity protections to state banks operating without physical branches in host states. The proposals establish new processing categories for merger applications with defined decision timeframes, while addressing how state banks can achieve regulatory parity with national banks when serving customers across state lines without maintaining branch locations.

On September 17, the FDIC Board of Directors approved a proposed rule that would substantially revise the agency’s framework for reviewing merger transactions under the Bank Merger Act.

Maryland has amended its franchise registration and disclosure law with changes taking effect October 1, 2026. The amendments extend enforcement authority, expand franchisee claims periods, clarify jurisdictional scope, establish franchisee association rights, and codify a fast-track renewal program for franchise disclosure documents.

International restaurant expansion often generates legal problems before anyone believes there is much legal work to do. A team finds a location and negotiates the lease before confirming that the hours, the liquor service, and the patio are permitted at that address. An executive chef flies in to train the kitchen on a visitor stamp.

On July 9, 2026, the United States District Court for the Central District of California issued its decision in So Cal Storage, LLC et al. v. UNITS Franchising Group, Inc., 2026 WL 2045621 (C.D. Cal. July 9, 2026), granting a franchisor's motion to dismiss the franchisees’ claims arising from alleged misrepresentations, software failures, vendor restrictions, and misuse of advertising fund contributions.

Shareholder and LLC member lawsuits present complex legal challenges for business owners, involving critical distinctions between derivative and individual claims. Understanding procedural requirements, defense strategies, and the significant differences between Delaware and California law can help executives protect their companies from costly litigation and minimize exposure to member claims.

The Federal Trade Commission's recent consent decree with firearms manufacturers Beretta and Ruger marks a significant development in antitrust enforcement, specifically targeting interlocking directorates under Section 8 of the Clayton Act. This action reflects intensified regulatory scrutiny of board composition arrangements that could create anticompetitive relationships between competing corporations. The case provides critical insights into how federal agencies are revitalizing enforcement of a century

Organizations are increasingly turning to AI tools to streamline the preparation of corporate meeting minutes, but this technological shift brings both promising efficiencies and significant legal risks. From privilege concerns to data security vulnerabilities, the gap between AI-generated transcripts and carefully curated official records raises critical questions about governance, liability, and best practices.