News Type: Articles

In his most recent publication for the Daily Journal, Mehdi Sinaki explores a critical challenge facing Los Angeles: accelerating housing construction without sacrificing safety and accountability. Mehdi examines the city’s potential move toward allowing architects and engineers to self-certify building plans to streamline approvals—a response to delays exacerbated by this year’s wildfires and a severe housing shortage. In his article, Mehdi discusses how such a policy could significantly transform LA’s real estate landscape, highlighting the benefits for developers, investors, architects, and engineers, as well as addressing legitimate concerns about oversight and community impact.

Mindy Lewis’ new article in Law360 offers a thorough look at Pepperdine University’s recently filed trademark lawsuit against Netflix and Warner Bros., highlighting how the branding of collegiate athletics can collide with First Amendment rights in ways that extend well beyond Pepperdine’s Malibu campus. As Mindy explains, the court’s denial of Pepperdine’s TRO request lets Netflix’s Running Point—about a reformed party girl thrust into managing her family’s pro basketball team, the Waves—proceed for now. Still, the larger fight over the show’s team name, color scheme, and numerical references, which Pepperdine alleges intrude on its brand identity, remains front and center.

In a new article published by HR.com, Devon Mills takes a deep dive into the recent Mobley v. Workday ruling—revealing how AI-driven hiring tools can legally function as an employer’s agent, opening the door to unprecedented discrimination claims. With regulators tightening the reins and courts increasingly scrutinizing algorithmic bias, it’s critical for HR leaders to safeguard against liabilities by conducting bias audits, reinforcing vendor agreements, and incorporating human oversight into every AI-based decision.

California and New York are raising the stakes for global fashion brands, and Warren Koshofer’s new article in The Fashion Law breaks down why every related company should pay close attention. From California’s proposed Fashion Environmental Accountability Act to New York’s Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, lawmakers are forcing transparency around everything from carbon footprints to labor practices, putting renewed emphasis on ESG compliance and corporate responsibility. In the piece, Warren maps out how these bills could fundamentally reshape the industry while spotlighting the potential pitfalls for businesses that fail to adapt.

Marc Jacobs delves into the transformative role of AI in the insurance industry in his latest article for Insurance Journal, “AI Revolution in Insurance: Opportunities and Legal Pitfalls.” From boosting efficiency to grappling with challenges like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and regulatory compliance, Marc examines how insurers can harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks. A must-read for anyone navigating the intersection of technology and insurance.

Mark Robinson shares important guidance for agents and brokers in his latest article for Insurance Journal on navigating the complex landscape of permissible insurance fees. With regulatory requirements varying from state to state, understanding fee structures is essential for producers to stay compliant and avoid costly missteps. From fee limits and policy type distinctions to broker versus agent regulations, Mark’s analysis provides a roadmap to help insurance professionals chart a course through today’s regulatory maze.

Adam Bingham shares essential insights into the legal and ethical challenges of using AI in contract management in his recent article for Risk Management Magazine. With AI’s growing role in drafting, negotiating, and executing contracts, understanding the risks—and the governance policies to mitigate them—is more important than ever. Adam’s analysis details how businesses can harness AI’s potential in contract management while maintaining legal compliance and ethical oversight.

Lara Shortz offers her employment law compliance insights for small businesses in an article she wrote for the Daily Journal. In a piece that covers wage and hour compliance to worker classification and NDAs, Lara breaks down essential strategies that allow growing businesses to protect themselves legally without breaking the bank.