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FTC’s Scrutiny of Non-Compete Agreements Provides Key Lessons for Businesses
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August 3, 2026
FTC’s Scrutiny of Non-Compete Agreements Provides Key Lessons for Businesses
By: Jordan Briggs
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced it finalized a consent order with pest control company Rollins, Inc. that requires Rollins to stop enforcing its existing non-compete agreements with over 18,000 employees.[1] This consent order signals that although the FTC stopped pursuing an outright ban on employee non-compete agreements,[2] the agency is still poised to limit the anticompetitive effects of these non-competes. The Rollins Complaint gives insight into certain common non-compete pitfalls to avoid. Non-compete agreements are a relatively common tool used by companies in specialized industries to minimize the harm to the company if an employee joins a competitor. These agreements allow the company to restrict an employee’s ability to work for or start a competing business after leaving…
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Ready, Set, Go: More States Adopt Privacy Laws
July 15, 2026
Ready, Set, Go: More States Adopt Privacy Laws
By: Nicole Kardell
Note the below chart was updated on July 15, 2026 to reflect recent developments. The number of U.S. states that have adopted privacy laws grows regularly. Fortunately, there seems to be quite a bit of crossover, at least when it comes to thresholds that companies must meet in order to trigger compliance requirements. We provide below a chart that summarizes these thresholds by state, including…
From Paper to Blockchain: How Tokenized Collateral Could Transform Finance
July 1, 2026
From Paper to Blockchain: How Tokenized Collateral Could Transform Finance
By: John Mikuta
Our financial system is on the verge of a groundbreaking transformation that could rival the shift from film to digital photography. Just as smartphones made it instantaneous to capture and share pictures, blockchain-based tokenization of traditional assets could make financial transactions just as seamless. Even though we are now over a quarter of the way through the 21st century, today’s financial infrastructure hasn’t caught up…
The Data Breach Legal Limbo on Consumers’ Ability to Sue Hacked Companies
January 16, 2018
The Data Breach Legal Limbo on Consumers’ Ability to Sue Hacked Companies
By: Nicole Kardell
The first of the year is a good time to make assessments, resolutions and predictions. We have some recommendations for companies that store and process consumer data: It is a good time to assess the strength of your data security measures and resolve to meet industry standards where you fall behind, because we predict continued pressure on companies to reduce the risk of data breaches…
Will Big Cyber Hacks Cause the SEC to Issue New Guidelines?
January 11, 2018
Will Big Cyber Hacks Cause the SEC to Issue New Guidelines?
By: Ifrah Law
Following a change of heart from a top Securities and Exchange Commission regulator, public companies will likely soon face new guidelines for how they report cybersecurity breaches to investors. SEC Corporate Finance Division Director Bill Hinman was quoted as saying that when Chairman Jay Clayton first asked him if the existing SEC guidance needed to be refreshed, he did not think so. Hinman changed his…
The Risks of Cryptocurrency and How the Government Will Protect Consumers
November 30, 2017
The Risks of Cryptocurrency and How the Government Will Protect Consumers
By: Steven Eichorn
Bitcoin and a host of cryptocurrencies have taken both Wall Street and Main Street by storm in 2017. The nearly continuous gains in the price of Bitcoin have spawned numerous imitators and led a number of companies to raise critical start-up funds by selling their own token/cryptocurrency in a process similar to an initial public offering (IPO): the initial coin offering (ICO). Raising funds via…
CFTC Regulated Markets May Give Bitcoin the Stability It Needs
November 28, 2017
CFTC Regulated Markets May Give Bitcoin the Stability It Needs
By: Ifrah Law
The unregulated nature of virtual currencies like Bitcoin plays a big role in their appeal. However, wild swings in prices in addition to the perception that these markets are subject to manipulation, make it difficult—if not impossible—for the average person to rely heavily on Bitcoin and other virtual currencies as a currency, much less as an investment vehicle. Ironically, some degree of rational regulation may…
SEC and FTC Warn Celebrities Must Disclose Financial Connection For ICO Endorsements
November 27, 2017
SEC and FTC Warn Celebrities Must Disclose Financial Connection For ICO Endorsements
By: Ifrah Law
Cryptocurrency is the latest trend to be embraced by celebrities, so much so that the federal government this month issued a warning about the possible risks involved. Both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have made clear that if a celebrity is being paid to promote a product on social media, the financial connection between the endorser and…
