U.S. Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick delivered a detailed preview of what to expect from the Trump Administration on key issues around technology, trade, and intellectual property. At his nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday, January 29, Lutnick faced questions from senators about the future of the
FEC Raises Contribution Limits for 2025-2026
The Federal Election Commission has announced contribution limits for 2025-2026. The new “per election” limits are effective for the 2025-2026 election cycle (November 6, 2024 – November 3, 2026), and the calendar year limits are effective January 1, 2025.The FEC increased the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate to $3,500 per election, up from
IRS Issues Proposed Regulations to Expand Limitation on Compensation Deduction for Publicly Held Corporations
On January 16, 2025, the IRS published proposed regulations to implement and provide guidance regarding amendments made to section 162(m) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). These proposed regulations expand the compensation deduction limitation for publicly held corporations under I.R.C. section 162(m), beginning in 2027.
Section 162(m) generally disallows a
Supreme Court to Decide If Presence of Uninjured Class Members Defeats Class Certification
On January 24, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings v. Davis to address a long-unsettled issue central to class-action litigation: “Whether a federal court may certify a class action pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3) when some members of the proposed class lack any Article III injury.”
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Consumer Class Action Challenging Nutrition Shakes and Drinks As Misleading
In Bates v. Abbott Laboratories, the Second Circuit affirmed dismissal of a consumer class action challenging the labeling of Ensure shakes and drinks as materially misleading. 2025 WL 65668, at *1–2 (2d Cir. Jan. 10, 2025).
EDPB highlights the importance of cooperation between data protection and competition authorities
On 16 January 2025, the European Data Protection Board (“EDPB”) published a position paper, as it had announced last year, on the “interplay between data protection and competition law” (“Position Paper”).
In this blogpost, we outline the EDPB’s position on cooperation between EU data protection authorities (“DPAs”) and competition authorities (“CAs”) in the context
Toward EU Outbound Investment Regulation
On 15 January 2025, the European Commission recommended that EU Member States review outbound investment in three critical technologies—semiconductors, AI, and quantum—with the aim of potentially creating an EU-wide regime to regulate such investment. EU Member States should report to the Commission on their findings and risk assessment within 18 months. These findings would inform
What Does the New European Commission Mean for EU Tech Policy?
The new European Commission, which took office in December 2024, will likely rebalance its policy priorities, putting greater emphasis on competitiveness and innovation and less on risk-prevention and regulation. Over the past five years, the EU adopted several sweeping tech regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the
Don’t Get Stuck in the Revolving Door: A Primer on Federal Post-Government Employment Restrictions
With the end of the Biden Administration, the start of the Trump 2.0 Administration, and a change of power in the U.S. House, the steady churn of high-skill professionals moving in and out of government positions has reached an all-time high. Indeed, beyond the typical cadre of newly unemployed political appointees, the incoming Trump Administration
Brazil Under Lula: The Second Year
Executive Summary
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva concluded his second year with contradicting economic results: high GDP growth and low unemployment combined with rising inflation, high interest rates, and a record devaluation of the Brazilian currency.
- The Lula administration’s strategy put the country’s fiscal framework in peril and left economic policy agenda items unfinished,