Forge

J&J Partners with Legal Experts to Forge Landmark $8 Billion Talc Settlement

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Johnson & Johnson has reached a landmark agreement to settle a massive legal battle tied to its talcum powder products, promising nearly $8 billion to resolve claims that the powder causes cancer. This move follows years of litigation and public scrutiny surrounding the company’s handling of talc. Based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson’s decision is aimed at addressing thousands of lawsuits filed by consumers who allege that the company’s talc-based products contributed to their diagnoses of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Despite the company maintaining the safety of its talc products, the settlement … Read more

Navigating the AI Wild West: States Forge Their Own Rules Amidst Federal Deregulation

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Sacramento, California — As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to unfold, the regulatory landscape in the U.S. is evolving rapidly but remains fragmented. Unlike the European Union, which has established a comprehensive AI regulatory framework through the EU AI Act, the U.S. lacks a unified national law. Instead, various states are crafting their own laws related to AI, reminiscent of the piecemeal privacy regulations, achieving varying degrees of coverage and compliance challenges for businesses. State-level regulations are emerging as more jurisdictions take action to regulate AI and automated decision-making systems. This trend creates a … Read more

"Regulatory Confusion Ahead: SEC Abandons Climate Disclosure Rule as States and EU Forge Ahead with Competing Standards"

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Washington, D.C. – A significant shift in the regulatory landscape concerning climate disclosure is emerging as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) withdraws its support for a controversial rule established in March 2024. This departure has left companies grappling with an inconsistent array of state and international mandates, creating uncertainty in compliance efforts due to the absence of coherent national standards. Initially, the SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule required publicly traded companies to report greenhouse gas emissions and disclose material risks related to climate change. However, the rule faced immediate legal challenges, notably from Liberty Energy, … Read more

Amid Federal Stalemates, States Forge Ahead with Their Own Voting Rights Acts

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Washington, D.C. — As Republicans prepare to assume control of both Congress and the White House next year, advocates for voting rights are pivoting their focus. They’re championing protections against racial discrimination in elections, increasingly looking beyond federal oversight toward state-led initiatives. Amidst national legislative gridlocks, states such as Michigan are moving forward with bills that aim to fortify voter protections at a local level. In recent years, a small but growing number of states have initiated their own voting rights acts. These laws, which are primarily in Democratic-led states, aim to provide protections that … Read more