Civil Law

The Climate Hush – Unpacking the 2026 Midterms’ Environmental Messaging

Commercial real estate developers and business leaders routinely underwrite projects against ten, twenty, and thirty year horizons, knowing that capital expenditures must outlast political cycles. Yet every two years, Washington and the state capitals deliver a referendum on policy priorities that alters the regulatory risk calculus.

The 2026 midterm elections delivered an unmistakable verdict: for the average American voter, immediate economic stability and affordability decisively superseded aspirational climate agendas.

While environmental stewardship remains a societal value, a palpable “climate hush” … Read the rest

Civil Law

When Use of Artificial Intelligence Conflicts With Employees’ Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs (US)

“Call it the fault of civilization. God isn’t compatible with machinery …”

Or so Mustapha Mond warns John the Savage in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, but that tension is not confined to great works of literature. As businesses embrace generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, a new trend is emerging: conscientious objectors requesting exemption from AI tools to accommodate their sincerely held moral views.

One may ask how AI intersects with religious observance, but prominent religious leaders … Read the rest

Civil Law

Monday Practice Pointer: Want your settlement to stick? Waive fraud claims expressly.

In Udell v. Udell, 397 So. 3d 1050 (Fla. 4th DCA Nov. 27, 2024), a surviving spouse settled with the trustees of his late wife’s trust, accepting larger monthly payments and waiving the right to receive any other distributions from the trust. He later petitioned to reopen the estate, alleging that the personal representative withheld material information about his rights as the surviving spouse to the wrongful death settlement. The trial court held the settlement barred his claim. The Fourth … Read the rest

Civil Law

Top 10 in Law – October 30, 2026

Every week, lawyers add sharp, timely commentary to the Library at LexBlog, covering the issues shaping their practices and industries. Top 10 in Law highlights the pieces that stood out and drew readers in.

Honeywell Aerospace Hit with Securities Suit Following FCA Cybersecurity Settlement

The D&O Diary — By Sarah Abrams — October 29, 2026

The D&O Diary has spent months tracking DOJ’s widening use of the False Claims Act, and here is the consequence it kept flagging. Honeywell Aerospace

… Read the rest
Civil Law

U.S. Trademark Strategy: What Asian Companies Should Consider Before Entering the Market

On October 26th, Lauren Leipold, J.C. Heinbockel, and Raymond Wong presented “Trademark Strategy for Asian Companies Entering the U.S. Market: Trademark Protection and Monetization.” The program explored an increasingly important question for companies looking to grow in the United States: how can trademark strategy support not just brand protection, but broader business objectives?

For Asian companies entering the U.S., one of the most important distinctions is that U.S. trademark rights are based largely on use in commerce. Registration … Read the rest