Civil Law

The EU Takes a Major Step Toward Harmonised Insolvency Rules

The Council of the European Union has just given the green light to a new EU Law that aims to bring consistency to key aspects of insolvency rules across Member States.

For years, businesses and investors have had to navigate a patchwork of national regimes—each with its own procedures, timelines, and quirks. The new Directive marks a significant shift toward a more predictable and efficient regime.

By introducing common standards, the rules aim to maximise creditor recoveries and streamline insolvency … Read the rest

Civil Law

Shameless Plug – Early Bird Registration Ends Soon for the 2026 DRI Drug and Medical Device Seminar!

If you do the kind of law that we on the Blog do, you don’t want to miss this. Registration for the 2026 DRI Drug and Medical Device Seminar is officially open, and Early Bird pricing disappears on April 6. Waiting means paying more, up to $ 700 more, for the exact same experience. If this seminar is on your radar, now is the moment to lock in your spot.

A High‑Impact Program You’ll Feel in Your Practice

From … Read the rest

Civil Law

FTC Seeks Comment on Potential Updates to Negative Option Rule

On March 11, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on whether it should amend its Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans (the Negative Option Rule), which governs certain offers in which a seller interprets a consumer’s silence or failure to take affirmative action as acceptance or continuing acceptance of the offer.

“Negative option subscriptions can offer procompetitive features to consumers and the marketplace more broadly by lowering transaction … Read the rest

Civil Law

SILENCE SHATTERS TRUST: SALMONELLA SAINTPAUL OUTBREAK TIED TO MANGOES ENDS WITHOUT INDUSTRY COMMENTARY 

Well said!

The recent investigation into the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, which sickened 56 people across the United States, has officially been closed by the FDA and CDC. 

While public health officials confirmed that mangoes were the definitive source of the illnesses, the investigation concluded only after the affected fruit was past its shelf life and no longer available for sale. 

This timing has allowed the National Mango Board (NMB) to maintain a conspicuous silence on the matter, a move that … Read the rest

Civil Law

EEOC Chair Andrea R. Lucas Reminds Fortune 500 Companies About DEI Programing (US)

Andrea R. Lucas, the Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), issued a letter on February 26, 2026, to the CEOs, general counsels and boards of directors of the 500 largest U.S. companies to remind them of legal obligations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While framed as a reminder, the letter is another example of the EEOC’s continuing efforts to address employers’ diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives. In her letter, Chair Lucas … Read the rest

Civil Law

Law and Order – February 2026

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) posts the disciplinary actions it took to an online database. It also publishes a monthly summary of these actions, which is a worthwhile read for those in the industry—if only for insight into FINRA’s current priorities.  Below, I offer a thought on FINRA’s February 2026 edition.

Supervisory Procedures and Systems Continue to be Important

By my count, 23 of the cases reported cited alleged failures in supervisory systems or procedures. The issues included trade reporting—which is … Read the rest

Civil Law

Trump 2.0 tariff tracker

According to President Trump, “Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary.” Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump promised to use tariffs as a central part of his foreign policy strategy. His America First Trade Policy memorandum also directs the administration to review various tariff- and tariff-adjacent levers the United States could use to further its new trade policy.

Reed Smith’s International Trade and National Security team tracks the latest threatened and implemented U.S. tariffs, as well as counter-tariffs from … Read the rest