Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Employment Law StrategistLJN NewslettersNewsSections

Whistleblower Rights Expand with Supreme Court Ruling

By Jared L. Kopel

Sometimes, the U.S. Supreme Court surprises us with a decision that cuts across ideological lines and propels the Court out of the intellectual grotto in which it appeared to be dwelling. Such is Lawson v. FMR LLC, No. 12-3 (March 4, 2014), which could have significant consequences for law and accounting firms, as well as all businesses working with public companies.

In Lawson , the Court held by a six-to-three split that the anti-retaliation protections afforded whistleblowers under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) enacted in the aftermath of the Enron and WorldCom financial scandals apply to employees of contractors and subcontractors of publicly traded companies. Although SOX was enacted to provide greater regulatory oversight of public companies, the Lawson decision means that private companies could be subjected to whistleblower lawsuits. Law firms with public company clients could also face SOX lawsuits that could concern matters unrelated to the public companies.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Beach Boys Songs Written Decades Ago Triggered Current Quarrel With Lawyers Image

There's current litigation in the ongoing Beach Boys litigation saga. A lawsuit filed in 2019 against Nevada residents Mike Love and his wife Jacquelyne in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that alleges inaccurate payment by the Loves under the retainer agreement and seeks $84.5 million in damages.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Transfer Tax Implications on Real Property Leases Image

The real property transfer tax does not apply to all leases, and understanding the tax rules of the applicable jurisdiction can allow parties to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary tax liability.