North America: Corporate/Commercial Law

Corporate legal departments increasingly use third party platforms and managed billing services to review outside counsel invoices. In many cases, the client selects the system and directs its law firms to submit bills through it. Some of these services now use artificial intelligence, automated review, or a combination of technology and human reviewers to examine individual time entries and recommend billing reductions.

After a trial in 2026, Frank Stronach was found guilty of two sexual offence charges for incidents that had occurred some 40 years earlier. Following the conviction, but before sentencing, one of the complainants had a civil lawyer write to Mr. Stronach’s criminal lawyer to threaten a civil claim for damages of almost $1 million

A recent California lawsuit alleges that AI-based employee selection tools discriminated against workers on protected leave and those with disabilities during a reduction in force. The case highlights critical legal risks for employers deploying AI in high-stakes employment decisions, particularly around how AI systems handle productivity metrics for employees who are absent or working under accommodations.

Private corporations governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”) should ensure that their register of individuals with significant control (an “ISC Register”) is complete, accurate and up to date. Corporations Canada has begun issuing official inquiries to certain CBCA corporations in connection with their ISC Register filings, particularly where a corporation has reported that it has no individuals with significant control (“ISCs”).

The SEC has proposed sweeping updates to transfer agent rules for the first time since the 1980s, addressing modern technologies like blockchain recordkeeping and uncertificated securities. Meanwhile, four major rulemaking projects affecting public companies have moved to OIRA review, and new guidance clarifies when shareholder engagement preserves Schedule 13G eligibility.

The SEC has submitted three major rulemaking projects to OIRA for review that will significantly impact public companies and capital raising activities. These proposals address shareholder proposal regulations, proxy solicitation processes, and retail investor access to private markets. Once OIRA completes its review, the Commission will vote on these rulemakings before publishing the proposals.

Although Goudreau c. Le Roi is not a charity law case, its reasoning may be relevant to charities that use contractual safeguards to manage valuation risk and prevent unintended private benefits.

When the holiday season approaches and the calendar year nears its end, many Canadians look to support the causes they care about while also managing their tax position.

A “Friends Of” organization is a U.S. tax-exempt organization that generally advances charitable work associated with another U.S. organization or a foreign institution or cause. It may be closely identified with one overseas hospital, university, museum, or relief organization. The organizations may share a name, history, mission, supporters, and fundraising priorities. They may collaborate every day. For those Friends Of organizations that support foreign entities, the IRS has very specific requirements on how they can operate and send the funds abroad.

Former federal prosecutor Guy Singer joins host Eva Davis to discuss his transition to Winston Taylor, where he leads complex white-collar defense and internal investigations. The conversation explores how judgment, collaboration, and team-first leadership shape high-stakes legal work and client relationships in an era where technical excellence alone isn't enough.

Private corporations governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”) should ensure that their register of individuals with significant control (an “ISC Register”) is complete, accurate and up to date. Corporations Canada has begun issuing official inquiries to certain CBCA corporations in connection with their ISC Register filings, particularly where a corporation has reported that it has no individuals with significant control (“ISCs”).

New York State has enacted sweeping changes to employee personnel record requirements, mandating that employers provide free access to personnel files, notify employees of negative information within 10 days, and retain records for three years post-employment. These new obligations fundamentally reshape how New York employers must manage and maintain employee documentation.