Category: Blog

Will the SEC’s New Climate Disclosure Rules Hold Up Under West Virginia v. EPA?

By: Alexandra Evarts In a growing push for private industry to address its climate impact, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has proposed new requirements for public companies to disclose environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) related information.  The new rules, which were initially proposed in March 2022, will mandate public companies to provide certain climate-related… Read More Will the SEC’s New Climate Disclosure Rules Hold Up Under West Virginia v. EPA?

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Birkins vs. MetaBirkins: Trademark Infringement in the Digital Sphere

By: Lily Keene Non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) are assets that have been tokenized through a blockchain and cannot be replicated.  The tokens are distinguished from each other by unique identification codes and metadata.  They represent digital or real-world items like artwork and real estate.  NFTs can be traded and exchanged for money, cryptocurrencies, or other NFTs.… Read More Birkins vs. MetaBirkins: Trademark Infringement in the Digital Sphere

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Is the SEC About to Hit Startups With Another Rule?

By: Aleksandra Conway Silina The proposed regulation from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is causing concern amongst venture capitalists.  The new rule would make it easier to hold investors accountable for negligence, increasing venture capitalists’ (“VCs’”) responsibility for the failures of the startups they fund.  Aimed at addressing issues such as “lack of transparency”… Read More Is the SEC About to Hit Startups With Another Rule?

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Chatbots as a Tool for Pro Se Litigants

By: Hayden McGuire It is hard to dispute that artificial intelligence (“AI”) will have an enormous impact on daily life, and people’s interactions with the legal system are no exception.  Currently, some organizations are pushing the notion of fully automated lawyers.  For instance, the company DoNotPay is soon to pilot their AI assistant, which will… Read More Chatbots as a Tool for Pro Se Litigants

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Fight or Flight: Proposed Amendments to the California Constitution May Threaten California’s Defining Industry

By: Jacob Hartzler On January 19, California Assemblymember Alex Lee, representing California’s 24th District, reintroduced a bill aimed at taxing California’s ultra-wealthy.  Assembly Bill 259 (“AB 259”) and an accompanying proposed constitutional amendment, ACA 3, were introduced as part of a “concerted effort” of wealth tax proposals in seven other states including Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada,… Read More Fight or Flight: Proposed Amendments to the California Constitution May Threaten California’s Defining Industry

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Making History: Artificial Intelligence Slated to be Defense Counsel for a Human in a US Courtroom

By: Andrew Ciulla In a historic first, an AI-powered robot lawyer will appear as defense counsel in a U.S. courtroom in February.  However, for those skeptical or maybe even nervous about the development, rest assured that the case is nothing close to a murder defense or some serious criminal charge.  Instead, the robot lawyer will… Read More Making History: Artificial Intelligence Slated to be Defense Counsel for a Human in a US Courtroom

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Deviant Art? Use of Copyrighted Material in AI Image Generation

By: Jack Gagner The “golden age” of artificial intelligence (“AI”) image generation, or at least the buzz surrounding it online, shows no sign of slowing down in 2023.  Although AI image generation has been around for years, widely accessible and free online programs have recently delivered it to the internet-savvy masses.  Today, “[t]he most common… Read More Deviant Art? Use of Copyrighted Material in AI Image Generation

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The Silent Killer: How Social Media is Harming Your Mental Health

By: Katie LePage Over the past few years, society has witnessed social media transform into a double-edged sword; on one hand, platforms provide users with an outlet to express themselves, on the other hand, they can be extremely harmful to users’ mental health.  For some social media users, their brains receive a release of dopamine when… Read More The Silent Killer: How Social Media is Harming Your Mental Health

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A Big Win for Big Tech in NY: A New Application of Section 230

By: Douglas DeBettencourt It is no surprise that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has made its way back into the headlines once again.  There have been many debates about what protections Section 230 provides to big tech companies and the extent of these protections.  But what about big online retailers that sell third-party… Read More A Big Win for Big Tech in NY: A New Application of Section 230

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Coinbase Reaches Settlement with NYDFS Over Inadequate Compliance Program

By: Casey Reilly The market value of digital assets, specifically cryptocurrencies, is valued in the trillions of dollars and steadily continues to grow.  In 2021, the market capitalization of digital assets jumped from $1.95 trillion to $2.14 trillion in a one-month span.  Digital assets are transforming the roles of financial markets and commerce around the… Read More Coinbase Reaches Settlement with NYDFS Over Inadequate Compliance Program

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Kim Kardashian: Working on Her Fitness, Not So Much Her Character

By: Catherine Nicholson On June 13, 2021, Kim Kardashian touted a cryptocurrency asset security on her Instagram account in exchange for $250,000.  The asset promoted in that Instagram post was a token offered by EthereumMax: “EMAX Tokens”.  EMAX Tokens are digital currency that purports to give owners of the Token special perks such as “special… Read More Kim Kardashian: Working on Her Fitness, Not So Much Her Character

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Legal and Technological Resolutions for Disaster Relief

By: Elliot Hangos The role technology can play in assisting disaster sites is astronomical, especially when considering the millions of lives impacted by the 2,018 natural disasters since 2010.  Thus, new technology efforts have been made in recent years to better address disaster relief efforts, such as: the use of robots and drones, the implementation… Read More Legal and Technological Resolutions for Disaster Relief

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Time for a Change: Why Law Firms Should Embrace Hybrid Work Setting Practices

By: Alex Crowley It is no secret that many law firms have historically stymied work-life balance for attorneys.  By imposing significant billable hour requirements, these firms instill constant pressure to work long office hours in an effort to bolster profits and determine which attorneys are dedicated to career development.  A 2018 legal trends study by… Read More Time for a Change: Why Law Firms Should Embrace Hybrid Work Setting Practices

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Are Social Media Algorithms Promoting Harmful Conduct?

https://www.methodsman.com/blog/how-social-media-hacks-your-brain

By: Katie LePage As you’re lying in bed scrolling through social media, do you ever wonder how the pair of shoes you googled last week appeared in your Instagram feed?  Well, that is because  platforms, such as Instagram, have embedded algorithms in their systems to identify user’s interests and provide them with similar suggestions that will… Read More Are Social Media Algorithms Promoting Harmful Conduct?

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Federal Incentives and Intellectual Property: Propelling Solar Adoption and Advancements

https://www.sistinesolar.com/post/solar-american-flag

By: Kiara D. Benac As the world gets closer to triggering the “tipping point” for global warming, the need for environmentally friendly green technology is undoubtedly apparent.  Although everyone at all levels can play a role in combatting climate change worldwide, from individual consumers to corporations to governments, federal policy must lead the way for… Read More Federal Incentives and Intellectual Property: Propelling Solar Adoption and Advancements

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