Worldwide: Government, Public Sector

A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking California's enforcement of SB 343, the state's recyclability labeling law, just months before its scheduled October 2026 enforcement date. The court found that key provisions of the statute are likely unconstitutionally vague and that the law impermissibly restricts protected commercial speech under the First Amendment. This decision significantly impacts companies that have been preparing compliance strategies for the law's strict recyclability

A federal court has temporarily blocked California's SB 343, a law restricting recyclability claims on product packaging, finding it likely violates constitutional protections for commercial speech. The ruling raises questions about how states can regulate environmental marketing claims and whether disclosure-based approaches might be more constitutionally sound than outright prohibitions.

On July 13, 2026, a divided Ninth Circuit panel in Novedades y Servicios, Inc. v. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network affirmed a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing the March 2025 Southwest Border Geographic Targeting Order (Border GTO), issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)...

As the Federal Maritime Commission's adjudicatory workload has quadrupled since 2020, its Office of Administrative Law Judges operates with minimal permanent staff and no dedicated law clerks. With demurrage and detention litigation surging and new enforcement matters on the horizon, the question emerges whether current judicial resources can sustain fair and efficient resolution of increasingly complex shipping disputes.

A recently enacted provision, 10 U.S.C. Section 2808a, authorizes defense agencies to use other transaction agreements (OTAs) for military construction (MILCON) and repair projects...

President Trump's Executive Order 14415 mandates stricter controls on defense contractors acquiring critical materials from foreign adversaries, requiring comprehensive supply chain mapping and mitigation plans. The order curtails waiver authority and directs the Pentagon to develop new regulatory frameworks for tracking components from raw materials to finished products. How will these enhanced requirements reshape defense contracting and supply chain management for companies at all tiers?

President Trump's July 2026 proclamation introduces a groundbreaking incentive program that cuts Section 232 aluminum tariffs in half for companies committing to build, expand, or refurbish U.S. primary aluminum smelters. The program ties tariff relief to projected facility output and requires construction to begin by January 2029, while leaving open questions about foreign investment participation and benefit-sharing arrangements.

US M&A activity surged 49% in the first half of 2026, driven by megadeals and AI infrastructure buildout. How are artificial intelligence investments reshaping cross-border dealmaking between the United States, Canada, Japan, and other global markets? What sectors are leading this unprecedented wave of consolidation?

Europe's defense sector is experiencing a major transformation as nations commit to increasing defense spending to 5% of GDP, creating unprecedented investment opportunities across manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology. This analysis examines the key trends reshaping the market, from AI and autonomous systems to evolving regulatory frameworks and foreign investment screening. Understanding how competition law, export controls, and compliance requirements intersect will be critical for investors seek

A federal court has vacated FinCEN's Residential Real Estate Rule, suspending new reporting requirements for certain property transactions involving LLCs and trusts. While this decision provides immediate relief from compliance burdens, the government's appeal and ongoing regulatory focus on transparency mean the issue remains unresolved, requiring investors and business owners to stay prepared for potential future changes.

The Scoular Company's recent FCPA enforcement action reveals how agricultural shipments crossing the U.S.-Mexico border became entangled in a bribery scheme involving Mexican officials and cartel associates. The case demonstrates DOJ's heightened focus on corruption that facilitates transnational criminal organizations, even when companies lack direct knowledge of cartel connections. What compliance measures should businesses implement to mitigate FCPA risks when operating with customs brokers and intermedi

The US has renewed its economic pressure campaign against Iran with multiple rounds of sanctions targeting weapons procurement networks, oil shipping operations, and financial facilitators, while simultaneously resuming military strikes and reinstating a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. These actions follow the breakdown of a June memorandum of understanding and represent a parallel effort to compel Iranian concessions on nuclear and maritime issues, though the likelihood of success remains uncertain given