The origination of Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) traces back to the October 1957 launch of Sputnik I by the Soviet Union and the subsequent Space Race. Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”) to quickly design and build new space technology. Following the creation of NASA, Congress granted the agency broad authority to
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP Blogs
Latest from Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
NLRB Expands Scope of What Is Considered Protected Concerted Activity in Workplaces
On August 31, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) adopted a broader test for what is considered “protected concerted activity” under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or the “Act”). Section 7 of the NLRA protects employees’ right to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of mutual aid or protection, otherwise
Pregnant Employees More Protected Than Ever as the PWFA Goes into Effect and the EEOC Releases Resources, Guidance, and Proposed Regulations
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which was signed into law on December 29, 2022, went into effect on June 27, 2023. The EEOC has started to accept PWFA charges and has issued guidance and resources to help employers comply with the expanded requirements. On August 11, 2023, the EEOC also published a Proposed Rule
CFPB Sues Auto-Loan Servicer for Allegedly Harming Consumers
On August 2, the CFPB filed a lawsuit in Georgia federal court against an auto-loan servicer alleging that the company engaged in various illegal practices that harmed consumers with auto loans. The auto-loan servicer offered both Guaranteed Asset Protection (“GAP”) and collateral-protection insurance, which are products that consumers can buy when they buy or lease
Los Angeles Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance: A Push Towards Sustainable Housing
The City of Los Angeles’s Planning Department is proposing an expansion to the City’s innovative adaptive reuse policies. Specifically, the City is proposing to amend Sections 12.03, 12.22 A.26, 12.24 X and 16.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Areas Specific Plan (Ordinance No. 175,038) in an attempt to reshape
DHS Releases New Form I-9 and Video Verification Procedure: Guidance and Checklists for Busy Employers
On August 1, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) released a new Form I-9. The previous one was issued in 2019 and expires on October 31, 2023.
In addition, DHS recently announced enhanced remote verification flexibility using video for E-Verify employers, both for clean-up of I-9s created during the pandemic and going forward.
While
DHS Announces New Form I-9 and Remote Verification for E-Verify Employers
The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced on July 21, 2023 they will publish a revised version of Form I-9 on August 1, 2023. DHS also announced an enhanced remote verification flexibility using video for E-Verify employers, both for clean-up of I-9s created during the pandemic and going forward.
Key Changes to the I-9 Form to
California Court of Appeal Clarifies Employer’s Obligation to Reimburse Expenses Depends on Whether They Were a Direct Consequence of Job Duties, Not Proximately Caused by Employer
On July 11, 2023, the California Court of Appeal in Thai v. IBM held that whether an employer is obligated to reimburse expenses incurred by an employee working from home turns on whether the expenses were a direct consequence of the discharge of the employee’s job duties, not on whether the expenses were directly caused
Supreme Court Rules “That Dog Don’t Hunt”: Bad Spaniels Toy’s Use of JACK DANIELS Marks is a Poor Parody and Dilution Act Applies
On June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision held that a trademark claim concerning “a squeaky, chewable dog toy designed to look like a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey” which, as a play on words, turns the words “Jack Daniels” into “Bad Spaniels” and the descriptive phrase “Old No. 7 Brand Tennessee
The Art of the Dealership: A Legal Road Map for Buying and Selling Automotive Dealerships
The past few years have seen dramatic shifts for mergers and acquisitions involving automotive dealerships. It has been estimated that approximately 3% of dealerships undergo a change of ownership in an average year. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, deal flow in this sector nearly came to a complete halt due to the nationwide