Wait, am I an Independent Contractor?

Posted on Categories Employment

Work looks very different for everybody, with remote work, gig economy jobs, such as rideshare drivers or freelance writers, and independent contractors. It can be hard to answer the simple question of “What do you do for work?” Misclassification of your employment status, such as being classified as an independent contractor when you are really an employee, can be detrimental for people, as it can prevent access to benefits and protections. These protections include the right to overtime pay, anti-discrimination policies, and worker’s compensation. In 2020 it was found that 10-30% of employers misclassified their workers. The most misclassified jobs range from construction workers, housekeeping cleaners, and security guards. Typically workers with less formal education are at risk for misclassification. A key solution to the issue of misclassification of workers is education on both the part of the employer and the worker.
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Work Related: AI Governance and Regulation in the Employment Law Context

Posted on Categories Artificial Intelligence, Employment, Litigation, Uncategorized

Today, an explosion in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development is taking the U.S. and global economic systems by storm. Companies like Nvidia (the first company to reach an approximately 5 trillion valuation), Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Open AI (formerly a non-profit which still cites the common good as a core tenant of its charter) have kicked off what is widely understood to be an AI “Arms Race.” Investors- from venture capitalists to private equity behemoths- continue to pour billions of dollars into AI technology companies and associated ventures. As AI companies move from beta testing to widespread adoption and integration, debates on AI transparency, accountability, and regulation have risen to the forefront. As a result of this monumental shift and ongoing uncertainty, the necessity of properly understanding (and regulating) AI and automation technology is now more pressing than ever before. Further, the need for strong regulatory oversight, a broad regulatory consensus and clear guidance, a baseline code of ethics (at minimum), as well as strong federal and state regulation- has become one of the most important issues of our time.
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Is Texas the Most Business Friendly State in America?

Posted on Categories Regulation, SEC

With its low tax burden on businesses, no state income tax, a large and diverse economy, and a strong work force, Texas has hosted an exceptionally business friendly environment for decades. The state is home to over 50 Fortune 500 companies (the most in the United States), has the 8th largest economy in the world and the second largest in the United States, and has one of the fastest growing populations. In recent years, Texas has been making its case as the most business friendly environment in the United States.

Beyond Weight Loss: How Ozempic Exposed Cracks in U.S. Drug Compliance

Posted on Categories FDA

A viral weight-loss craze that promised to trim waistlines has become one of the most urgent compliance battles for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In early 2025, the FDA uncovered counterfeit Ozempic circulating through unauthorized distributors and compounding pharmacies, some containing unknown ingredients that put patients at serious risk. The discovery exposed the continued fragility of the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain, even after years of reform under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). As demand for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy skyrockets, regulatory gaps in manufacturing, compounding, and distribution have created new avenues for fraud, forcing the FDA to tighten enforcement and redefine the rules of pharmaceutical oversight.

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The EPA Reconsiders the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

Posted on Categories EPA

Amid a plethora of changes in the past eleven months, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to virtually end the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), one of their most significant tools for tracking industrial emissions. The GHGRP, 40 C.F.R. Part 98, requires industrial facilities and other major emission sources to track and report their greenhouse emissions to the EPA annually. However, under the new proposal, the reporting requirement would be halted for 46 of the 47 categories, allowing large sources across numerous industries to operate without any federal emissions reporting oversight. The potential end of the GHGRP presents numerous issues.
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Regulatory Challenges in the Remote Workplace

Posted on Categories Employment

The expansion of remote and hybrid work has fundamentally transformed the compliance landscape for organizations. Traditional compliance programs, which were designed for centralized offices and direct supervision, are insufficient in environments where employees and compliance officers are distributed across multiple locations. Remote work creates new risks, including data‑security vulnerabilities, misconduct via digital channels, and gaps in reporting and auditing. Illinois law, including the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act and the Biometric Information Privacy Act, as well as emerging statutory guidance on remote‑work notifications, presents unique requirements and limitations that employers must navigate to maintain effective compliance.

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On the Clock: Exploring the TikTok Sale

Posted on Categories National Security, Regulation

The world of social media has rapidly evolved from a way to connect with friends to an integral component of global communication, commerce, and culture. Since 2010, social media platforms have consistently shaped daily life with individuals spending countless hours on their favorite platforms. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have amassed billions of users. With such influence comes heightened regulatory scrutiny over data privacy, national security, and corporate accountability. TikTok has drawn intense regulatory oversight due to its ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance, which has prompted fears of foreign influence and national security risks among U.S. regulators. The culmination of these concerns resulted in the passing of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA). Under the PAFACA, ByteDance is required to sell off TikTok’s U.S. operations. This compelled sale has sparked a debate over the balance between corporate autonomy, data governance, and national security. It has also raised broader questions about future industry-wide regulations, indicating that social media platforms may soon face heightened scrutiny and standardized requirements for data handling and corporate transparency.

Chasing the Points: How Credit Card Rewards Can Distract from Consumer Costs

Posted on Categories Finance & Banking

Credit card companies have turned rewards and bonuses into flashy marketing showpieces, from generous signup points to promises of skipping airport lines. Yet behind the glossy offers lies a harsher reality in which many cardholders end up paying far more in interest, fees, and forfeited value than they ever receive in rewards. This imbalance raises serious questions about transparency, compliance, and consumer harm.
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Regulatory Challenges in Small Modular Reactor Deployment

Posted on Categories Energy

As the nuclear energy industry pivots toward small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet the growing demand for a clean, efficient, and reliable energy source, developers face a multilayered regulatory landscape. Navigating the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) licensing process, evolving legislation, and supply chain challenges present both legal and operational risks as the United States attempts to achieve energy independence.
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It’s Time to End Quarterly Reporting: SEC’s Switch to Semiannual Reporting

Posted on Categories SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to propose a major shift in how public companies disclose financial results. Under a new rule expected in 2026, issuers could move from the traditional quarterly Form 10-Q filings to a semiannual reporting schedule. SEC Chair Paul Atkins (Atkins) stated that this proposal will allow companies to choose between the two kinds of reporting. The initiative echoes recent calls from the Trump administration, which argues that quarterly disclosure pressures companies to prioritize short-term earnings at the expense of long-term value creation. If adopted, the rule would represent one of the most significant changes to U.S. securities disclosure requirements in over 50 years and could fundamentally reshape how businesses plan, raise capital, and communicate with investors.