Between the Lines Blog
What Can a Court Do When Someone Violates the Secrecy of Trade Secrets?
March 26, 2024
by Devin R. Bates
When someone violates the secrecy of a company’s trade secrets, what can the company do about it? Writing a sternly worded cease and desist letter is often a good first step that we recommend to clients, however it must be done in a way that properly sets the table for court intervention, while not…
Emerging Theories of Liability in the Internet of Things Era
March 25, 2024
by Devin R. Bates
The Internet of Things (“IoT”) has ushered in a new era of connectivity and convenience, but with it comes a host of legal issues and emerging theories of liability. As IoT devices become increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, from smart homes to industrial control systems, the potential for…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Spring 2024 Meeting Summary
Download the meeting summary here. The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of lawyers recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Spring 2024 National Meeting which was held in Phoenix, Arizona. We have prepared a summary of the open sessions conducted over…
Tech Company Trade Secret Showdown: Lessons from a Significant AI Related Trade Secret Case
March 19, 2024
by Devin R. Bates
In the fast-paced world of tech litigation, one case stands out for its implications on trade secrets and intellectual property rights: Neural Magic, Inc. v. Meta Platforms, Inc. and Aleksandar Zlateski. This federal court case involved allegations of misappropriation and unfair competition between…
Five Things to Know Before Starting a Business
Starting a new business can be a very stressful endeavor, often involving significant financial risk, a possible career change, and sleepless nights ensuring your business plan is ironclad. Adding to this stress, many new entrepreneurs are often working with an attorney for the first time to assist…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Waters of the United States/Clean Water Act: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memorandum Providing Post-Sackett Guidance
The Office of Assistant Secretary Civil Works of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) issued a March 22nd Memorandum titled: Civil Works Actions to Sustain and Advance the Nation’s Waters and Wetlands After the Sackett Decision. The Memorandum directs the Corps in carrying out its Civil…
Applications for Special Permits Submitted in the Public Interest/Hazardous Materials: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Issues Guidance
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) published a Notice on March 12th intended to provide guidance on how it evaluates and determines whether a Special Permit can be considered consistent within the public interest. See PHMSA-2022-0127-0001. The Notice outlines…
Air Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Ozark Rock Crushing Facility Enter into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment - Division of Environmental Quality ("DEQ") and Stapp Quarries, LLC ("Stapp") entered into a February 28th Consent Administrative Order ("CAO") addressing an alleged violation of an air permit. See Lis No. 24-027. The CAO provides that Stapp owns and…
Solid Waste Management Facility/Limited Ban: New York Appellate Court Addresses Judicial Challenge to Town's Local Law
The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division (“Court”) addressed in a March 22nd Memorandum and Order (“Order”) a judicial challenge to a Local Law enacted by the town of Carroll (“Town”). See Carol L. Jones, et al. v. Town of Carroll, et al., 2024 WL 1227620. The Local Law addressed solid waste…
Arkansas Water Resources Conference: July 16-18 (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
The annual Arkansas Water Resources Conference (“Conference”) has been scheduled for July 16-18, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Conference will be held in the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences. The organizing committee includes: Arkansas Forest and Drinking Water Collaborative…