Use of the Blockchain to Contract Digitally
February 01, 2018
Smart contracts are self-executing agreements written in code on the blockchain. Parties contract digitally using distributed ledger technology. This article offers a layperson's, non-technical summary of the underlying technology and consideration of certain legal implications for smart-contracting and contract management.
Law Firm Security Q&A
February 01, 2018
With the Appleby data breach still top of mind of many law firm and legal department professionals, cybersecurity has become a major area of concern. To learn more about how law firms can protect themselves against cyber attacks and data breaches, we sat down with Laurie Fischer, managing director at HBR Consulting.
Online Marketing Practices Continue to Pose Regulatory Threats for the Financial Services Industry
February 01, 2018
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a staff report on Cross-Device Tracking, which added to the FTC's efforts to regulate emerging issues in the ever-evolving area of online behavioral advertising. The advertising in question involves the collection of data from a particular computer or device regarding a user's Internet-viewing behavior over time and across non-affiliate websites. Ostensibly, this technology obtains user preferences or interests. Cross-device tracking is the logical next step for this technology.
Tax on Excess Tax-Exempt Org. Executive Compensation
February 01, 2018
Under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, should certain employees of a tax-exempt organization receive compensation greater than $1,000,000 during the tax year from any combination of a tax-exempt organization and/or its related organizations, the organizations would be subject to an excise tax on that employee's compensation in proportion to their payments to the employee.
How Will Generation X Lead Big Law?
February 01, 2018
<b><i>Stop Obsessing About the Millennials (for Now)</b></i><p>For decades, members of Generation X have been stuck between two behemoth, attention-draining generations, wondering if they would forever be relegated to back-bench leadership — mere seat-warmers for ambitious millennials waiting for baby boomers to retire. Now, as boomers slowly face their own mortality and aging bodies after a lifetime of devotion to work, there is no longer a need to question whether Gen X will have an opportunity to lead.
The Recent Court and Regulatory Battles Behind the Net Neutrality Controversy
February 01, 2018
Though it has been a news focus recently, the legal issue of “net neutrality,” or an open Internet, has been a point of contention between Internet access providers and network users since the mid-1990s. Both sides have zealously but unsuccessfully lobbied Congress with multiple efforts to have desired legislation passed. This has left us instead with shifting regulatory actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) attempting to address the issue.
