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Adoption and Foster Care Remain National Hot-Button Issues
Emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in January not to hear a case about the constitutionality of Florida's ban on adoptions by homosexuals, activists in several states are pushing bills to restrict the ability of homosexuals and/or same-sex couples to be adoptive or foster parents. Bills have been introduced in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia in the last few months (see below for a description of legislation in each state).
However, LGBT advocates point out that the legislative proposals are meeting significant opposition, and they suggest that the bills might be little more than a “last gasp” by opponents. “We have seen more media attention to the issue recently, but these types of bills have been introduced regularly for a number of years,” said Courtney Joslin, senior staff attorney, National Center for Lesbian Rights. “The important thing to remember is that none of the recent bills have passed. The reason they haven't passed is because people realize they aren't good for kids.”
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later
The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.
Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations
This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.
The DOJ's New Parameters for Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs
The parameters set forth in the DOJ's memorandum have implications not only for the government's evaluation of compliance programs in the context of criminal charging decisions, but also for how defense counsel structure their conference-room advocacy seeking declinations or lesser sanctions in both criminal and civil investigations.
How AI Has Affected PR
When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.
CLE Shouldn't Be the Only Mandatory Training for Attorneys
Each stage of an attorney's career offers opportunities for a curriculum that addresses both the individual's and the firm's need to drive success.