Bloomberg Law

The biggest thing worth remembering about the “deferred resignation” offers that went out to most federal employees on Tuesday is that subject line, “Fork in the Road,” was, word for word, the one that Elon Musk sent around to Twitter employees before wiping out most of its workforce. Read Bernie Kohn’s Elevated Take: https://lnkd.in/eQpYku5E

Check out the latest edition of Inside Big Law here:   A federal hiring freeze has prompted agencies to cancel job offers for recent law grads leaving them with few alternatives.   The Arizona Supreme Court wants more information before giving a green light to KPMG practicing law in the state.   Steptoe credits its growth in the firm’s trial and energy deals practice for reaching half a billion in revenue.

US law firm revenue grew nearly 13% last year, in one of the industry’s best performances since the Great Financial Crisis, a bank survey found. Net income, or the total pool of profits distributed to equity partners, rose 17%, according to Wells Fargo's legal banking unit. Read more from Roy Strom: https://lnkd.in/ecJvuJYH

Near the top of Congress’ to-do list this year is reauthorizing the 2018 Farm Bill, which expired at the end of September. The new version will almost certainly include an amended definition for hemp that excludes all forms of THC. This will close the loophole created by the bill that accidentally legalized the intoxicating cannabinoid when derived from hemp. States are trying to rein in the market for intoxicating THC products by banning the products outright, regulating them at the state level, or folding hemp-derived THC regulation into their legal cannabis programs. The result is patchwork regulation at the state level that is increasingly complex and inconsistently enforced. State-by-state regulation created a legal landscape for hemp-derived THC that is almost the inverse of cannabis: States with legal cannabis are more likely to ban the products than states where cannabis is illegal because lawmakers tend to avoid addressing the issue at all. For more on the 2025 outlook for hemp-derived THC, read Meghan Thompson's analysis, available for free as part of our annual lookahead report: https://lnkd.in/eDcrV-As

Ten years of the Trump era has solidified the downfall of Ohio Democrats. After another GOP romp, there’s just one statewide elected Democrat left: Justice Jennifer Brunner, who saw the other two members of the court from her party lose in November. But Brunner’s newfound isolation—and chances of being on the winning side in split decisions having dwindled—doesn’t alter her resolve to rule in ways she deems proper, she said. And she won’t tamp down her occasionally fiery dissents or her questioning during oral arguments. Brunner’s status as the seven-member court’s sole left-leaning voice comes at a time when the justices are expected to address cases involving municipalities’ ability to enact strict gun ordinances and the reach of the state’s new constitutional amendment protecting abortion. Learn more about Brunner from Eric Heisig: https://lnkd.in/eE_ZE_jn

Download your free copy of 'Focus on Pharma: Emerging Trends for Pharmaceutical Industry Lawyers' for the intel you need to advise companies and clients: https://lnkd.in/eXUEDhpZ

📣 Announcing Bloomberg Law's newest program designed to recognize law firm excellence: Leading Law Firms is a ranking of law firms based on information including revenue, headcount, growth, and innovation. Learn more and get started now: https://lnkd.in/epZED7Fw

Supply chain disruptions are now a regular feature of doing business. In 2024 labor strikes, bridge collapses, terrorist attacks, and geopolitical tensions—in addition to the now-routine cyber threats, natural disasters, and supply shortages caused disruptions. These events have led to a shift of supply chains from being driven largely by “just-in-time” inventory, pricing, and value, to a broader view that incorporates resiliency, ESG matters, and flexibility in response to unprecedented global changes. This year will bring even more uncertainty and complications. For insights into the 2025 outlook for supply chain disruptions, read Louann Troutman's analysis, available for free as part of our annual lookahead report: https://lnkd.in/eJGw_Nuh

President Donald Trump’s order directing the federal government to recognize only two sexes is set to draw legal challenges as it clashes with recent interpretations of a US Supreme Court ruling that cemented anti-bias protections for LGBTQ+ workers. The Day One executive order requires agencies, including the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to change any documents, regulations, or guidance to reflect that male and female are the only two immutable sexes. It directly challenges Biden administration policies like the EEOC’s recent workplace harassment guidance, which stem from the Bostock v. Clayton County decision expanding the scope of LGBTQ+ protections under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The order addressing so-called “gender ideology extremism” is part of Trump’s broader push to roll back Biden-era diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Learn more from Rebecca Klar and Khorri A. Atkinson: https://lnkd.in/e87p5Kxj

Doug Emhoff, the former US second gentleman, has joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP as a partner to resume his career as a trial lawyer. He plans to split his time between Los Angeles and New York, the firm said in a statement. Emhoff will advise on business, investigations, and litigation, according to Willkie. Emhoff’s three decades of experience in private practice include previous stints at Venable LLP and DLA Piper. Read more from Justin Henry: https://lnkd.in/eBUbnBSx