National Law Review
Legal news and analysis for in-house counsel, business owners, and practicing attorneys.
Articles from National Law Review
EUIPO: Most Human Faces Fail Distinctiveness Test for Trademarks
The EUIPO clarifies that standard human faces rarely qualify for trademark protection, signaling a high bar for companies seeking to register facial images as marks in the EU.
Virginia Tightens Noncompete Laws With Sweeping 2026 Amendments
Virginia's new law, effective July 1, 2026, makes noncompete agreements unenforceable for employees fired without cause unless severance is paid, and bans post-termination noncompetes in franchises.
Ninth Circuit Weighs Kalshi Event Contracts, Supreme Court Review Looms
The Ninth Circuit's review of Kalshi’s case could clarify federal vs. state regulation for legal tech event markets, raising stakes for compliance teams and legal ops.
California Court Vacates $21M Arbitration Award Over Standing Doubts
A California appeals court vacated a $21 million arbitral award, ordering a new hearing on petitioners’ legal standing in NNN Capital Fund I, LLC v. Mikles—raising stakes for arbitration practice.
IBM Settles DOJ False Claims Act Suit Over DEI Practices for $17M
IBM will pay $17 million to settle DOJ allegations its DEI policies violated federal law—a first-of-its-kind False Claims Act case impacting contractors' DEI compliance.
Alabama Joins Privacy Law Surge as States Tighten Data Rules
Alabama enacts a broad consumer data privacy law; Kentucky, Virginia, and Nebraska update statutes, escalating compliance challenges for legal, in-house, and ops teams.
Federal Court Rulings Reshape Employment-Based Immigration Cases
Recent federal rulings on immigration judge firings and EB-1A denials alter legal strategies and increase uncertainty for in-house counsel handling immigration matters.
U.S. Department of Education Rescinds Title IX Gender Identity Protections
The Department of Education has withdrawn Title IX agreements covering gender identity discrimination, signaling a narrowed stance that legal teams must address.
Washington Mandates Disclosure of AI Chatbot Use in Customer Interactions
Washington State enacts the first law requiring businesses to disclose chatbot use in customer communications, setting a new regulatory standard for AI transparency.
Lafarge Executives Jailed in France for ISIS Payments, Prompting US Legal Warnings
French court sentences Lafarge executives for financing terrorism, spotlighting cartel and bribery risks for US corporate leaders and compliance advisors.
Ninth Circuit Slashes Fee in U.S. ex rel. Hartpence FCA Case to $1.5M
The Ninth Circuit cut attorneys’ fees in U.S. ex rel. Hartpence v. Kinetic Concepts from $8.5M to $1.5M, signaling closer scrutiny of False Claims Act fee requests by federal courts.
California Debt Collectors File Class Action Over Licensing Fees
A class action lawsuit alleges California's debt collector licensing fees are illegal taxes under Proposition 26, impacting compliance and operational costs for industry firms.
FinCEN Proposes Overhaul of AML/CFT Rules for Financial Institutions
FinCEN issues a proposed rule to revamp AML/CFT compliance, shifting focus to program effectiveness and risk mitigation. Financial institutions must adapt to evolving standards.
Virginia Adopts Sweeping Noncompete Ban Effective July 2026
Virginia's new law bans most noncompete agreements for all employees after July 2026, requiring employers to review practices or face penalties. Key compliance points for in-house counsel.
Federal Judge Lets CNN Privacy Lawsuit Over Adtech Tracking Move Forward
A federal judge has denied CNN's attempt to dismiss a privacy class action alleging undisclosed user data sharing with Microsoft and adtech partners, keeping the CIPA suit alive.
FDA Warns 2,200 Trial Sponsors Over Missing Clinical Results
The FDA has alerted over 2,200 clinical trial sponsors to unpublished results, signaling stricter compliance enforcement and the risk of hefty daily penalties for noncompliance.
Sixth Circuit: ERISA Preempts Tennessee Pharmacy Steering Laws
The Sixth Circuit ruled on April 7, 2026 that ERISA preempts Tennessee’s pharmacy anti-steering laws, clarifying federal limits on state-level PBM regulation for employers.
Virginia Bans Sale of Precise Geolocation Data Under VCDPA
Virginia amends its Consumer Data Protection Act to ban selling precise geolocation data, intensifying compliance obligations for data controllers and privacy professionals.
NYC Unveils 'Click to Cancel' Rule for Subscription Services
New York City proposes first-in-the-nation municipal 'Click to Cancel' rule for subscriptions, requiring easy online cancellation and setting new compliance standards for businesses.
Virginia Tightens Noncompete Rules With New Law Effective July 2026
Virginia enacts SB 170, adding stricter limitations on noncompete agreements and new enforcement penalties. Legal teams must update compliance by July 1, 2026.