Melanie Cohen

I feel sad I can no longer be on these lists (not that I ever have been), as 2.5 weeks ago!

Federal Contractors Need New DEI Diligence Before Cutting Deals Opinion: Mintz attorneys warn executive orders have raised the risk for federal contractors who don't include robust DEI assessments in their due diligence before buying a new company.

Opinion: Mintz attorneys warn executive orders have raised the risk for federal contractors who don't include robust DEI assessments in their due diligence before buying a new company.

'White Lotus,' Duke Trademark Clash Reveals Big Branding Stakes Opinion: Omnus Law's Judy Yen says Duke University's ire over a T-shirt worn in

💮Duke University's protest over a T-shirt worn in "The White Lotus" underscores trademark owners' challenges when their brand is associated with controversial content, says Omnus Law’s Judy Yen. 💮 news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

DOGE Getting IRS Data Like Giving Custodians Vault Keys: Werfel Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel explains why remaining IRS officials must closely question why DOGE staffers want access to IRS taxpayer data.

"The government often does things that, at first blush, confuses and even angers the public. But if you take a moment to ask why, your confusion can dissipate."

Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel explains why IRS officials must closely question why DOGE staffers want access to IRS taxpayer data.

The US shouldn't give up on enforcement of anti-corruption and corporate criminal law, even if US Attorney General Pam Bondi makes it less of a priority at the Department of Justice. In memos signed hours after she took office, Bondi directed the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act unit to focus on cases with a nexus to cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and she disbanded anti-kleptocracy teams and the National Security Division’s corporate enforcement unit. The news alarmed some observers and practitioners, but others said they believed corporate enforcement would remain active and companies should remain mindful of complying with the law. “This likely will impact the number of white collar-related cases that we see. It’s not going to make them go away, but it’s going to [have an] impact,” Alec Koch, a co-leader of the securities enforcement and regulation practice at the law firm King & Spalding, said in an interview with MLex. “Companies should still devote resources toward compliance, because you can’t assume there will be no enforcement, plus responsible companies want to operate in a lawful manner.” There are multiple corruption cases pending before US federal courts and still others in the pipeline, but defense lawyers may look to the policy changes as an opportunity to resolve or seek a declination in those investigations, he said. The FCPA, passed under President Jimmy Carter, was enacted in part because of the discovery in the mid-1970s of foreign bribes paid by US multinational corporations. The law has been a model for countering corruption around the world, but the memo’s narrowed focus for enforcement risks allowing corrupt markets around the world to flourish — to the detriment of US business and national security interests, Transparency International US Executive Director Gary Kalman said in a statement.

The US shouldn't give up on enforcement of anti-corruption and corporate criminal law, even if Attorney General Pam Bondi makes it less of a priority at the Justice Department.

www.mlex.com/mlex/financi...

Musk's Treasury Incursion Puts Entire Financial System at Risk Former Treasury Department officials Graham Steele and Emily DiVito say Elon Musk’s role at Treasury poses an existential threat to the banking system, and that Silicon Valley’s “move fast and break t...

"Elon Musk’s unprecedented access to the US Treasury’s payment system deserves the public outcry that it has received," say former Treasury Department officials Graham Steele and Emily DiVito, who "fear the situation is even more dire than it might appear."

"The accounting firms are not alone. Hybrid work arrangements remain prevalent in the US’s finance and professional services sectors, according to the monthly Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes data released in December."

The #airport closure at Ronald Reagan Washington National #Airport (#DCA) has been extended by 6 hours to 11:00 AM. #AirportStatusBot

LOVELY RUNNER.

You should watch "Romance Is a Bonus Book" :-D

District court judge temporarily blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order A federal district court hearing Thursday in Seattle was the first action in what promises to be a protracted and wide-ranging battle over the new administration's agenda.

JUST IN: A federal district court judge temporarily blocks President Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting birthright citizenship — the first action in what promises to be a protracted legal battle over the new administration’s agenda.

Happy workversary! INDG is so lucky to have you!

Virginia state flag hung in Gwangju as mayor labels President Yoon Suk Yeol a ‘tyrant’ The city of Gwangju on Friday hung the flag of the US state of Virginia outside City Hall, in apparent defiance to President Yoon Suk Yeol and in support for his arrest on insurrection and power abuse...

"The flag, which was apparently sent by the governor of Virginia, bears the Latin phrase 'Sic semper tyrannis,' which means 'thus always to tyrants,' which is the state's motto."

Vance-Led Effort to Ban DEI in Corporate America Gains Traction A bill aiming to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at businesses that hold federal contracts has gained new life just as Republicans are set to take control of both chambers of Congres...

DEI opponents say such initiatives are "reverse discrimination because they tip the scales in favor of historically marginalized racial, ethnic, and gender minorities."

A bill aiming to curb DEI has gained life as Republicans are set to control Congress and the White House, David Hood writes.

Hashtag #thanksgiving

I thought you said you didn't want to talk about work.

winnie the pooh wearing a scarf and a christmas tree is dancing in the snow ALT: winnie the pooh wearing a scarf and a christmas tree is dancing in the snow

It's snowing and people in the office are FREAKING OUT in a good way.

While You Do 5-Day RTO I'll Watch Your Best Workers Quit Amazon, the Washington Post and — if Elon Musk gets his way — the government, are demanding employees return to the office full-time. It will backfire.

Five-day RTO policies are "a terrible way to manage talent," says @sarahgc.bsky.social. Though such policies might sound appealing to employers looking to cut costs, they may end up sacrificing top-tier talent.

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Bloomberg Industry Group is hiring editors and reporters in NYC the D.C. area. Please share these terrific #journalismjobs! bloomberg.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Bloombergind...