Steptoe LLP

We are delighted to announce our upcoming Brussels Symposium and Cocktail Reception, taking place on Tuesday, November 12, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Steptoe's presence in Brussels. This is a must-attend event, given the significant changes in political leadership and growing regulatory shifts globally, and in particular in the EU and the US. Among our speakers, we are honored to welcome Rufino Hurtado, Senior Trade Representative, US Mission to the European Union, who will deliver an address and then engage in a fireside conversation with Steptoe partner Meredith Rathbone. Mr. Hurtado will also join our panel discussion on the “Impact of Current Geopolitical Developments on Trade Policy,” featuring Olga Bielkova, Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting; Steptoe partners Darryl Nirenberg and Wendy Wysong; and Steptoe of counsel Byron Maniatis (panel chair). For a full list of speakers and further information about the Symposium and Cocktail Reception, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eRCGc6KN.

On October 22, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule implementing the requirements of sections 1033(a) and (b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Financial Protection Act. The Rule is intended to strengthen data security and improve competition in the open-banking ecosystem by making it easier for consumers to switch providers of financial products and services.   For more information, read our recent client alert, “CFPB Finalizes Open Banking Rule: What Financial Institutions and FinTechs Need to Know,” authored by partners Andrew Owens and Benjamin Saul, associate Tarrian L. Ellis, Esq., and law clerk Nathaniel Sans: https://lnkd.in/eb4f5ewD

Join partner Amba Datta on Thursday, November 7, for the American Bar Association's 2024 PCL Fall Forum in Reston, Virginia. Amba will moderate the panel “There is No "I" in Team: Practical Strategies for Drafting and Negotiating Teaming Agreements and Subcontracts.” This panel will discuss practical strategies for identifying and mitigating key risk areas and crafting effective teaming agreements and subcontracts. For more information and to register, click the following link: https://lnkd.in/e8-gRdvg

The final Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (HSR) rule has been issued by the FTC. Steptoe has developed a summary of the final HSR rule’s provisions, comparing it to the existing rule, and a series of recommendations for steps that companies can take to reduce the burden and risk when making an HSR filing under the new rules. Visit our website to read our recent blog post, “Final HSR Rule Announced: New Requirements and Elevated Compliance Standards for Merger Filings,” authored by partners Lee Berger and John Kavanagh and law clerk Jiyoung Lim: https://lnkd.in/dPiXU79h

We're pleased to welcome Jim Brogan as a partner based in our San Francisco office. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/eYrB5iHA

As global efforts intensify to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, Texas emerges as a crucial player in hydrogen development. The recent designation of the Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub by the Department of Energy (DOE) highlights Texas’s substantial role. Our White Paper, "Navigating the Regulatory Landscape for Hydrogen Transportation in Texas" prepared by Michelle Castaline, Thomas Donadio, Lorrie Marcil, and Daniel Mullen from Steptoe LLP, in partnership with the Center for Houston's Future, examines the regulatory frameworks governing hydrogen pipeline transportation at both federal and state levels. Understanding these regulatory frameworks is crucial for strategic planning. Our White Paper summarizes the existing federal and state regulatory regimes governing hydrogen transportation by pipeline. It explores potential changes to these regimes, including possible paths to regulation under existing statutory authority, and identifies potential hurdles from both governmental and private actor perspectives. Visit our website to read “Navigating the Regulatory Landscape for Hydrogen Transportation in Texas.” A full copy of the white paper is available for download here: https://lnkd.in/emd7WkkH

Yesterday, team Steptoe participated in the inaugural DC Walk for Justice 5K, which took place at Nationals Park. This event aims to raise awareness and funds for pro bono legal services organizations in Washington, DC.   Well done and many thanks to all who participated in the walk and supported this worthy cause!   Visit the following link if you would like to donate to the DC Walk for Justice: https://lnkd.in/eAudGjaQ

Join partners Chris Fredrich and Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov on Tuesday, October 29, for a webinar on The Future of Privacy Litigation and Government Enforcement. The webinar will cover the following specific topics: • Biometric data privacy claims under statutes including the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, Washington’s My Health My Data Act, and Texas Capture Or Use Of Biometric Identifier Act • The Federal Trade Commission’s recent guidance on biometric information. • Video Privacy Protection Act claims • Claims under wiretap statutes including California’s Invasion of Privacy Act, Florida’s Security of Communications Act and Pennsylvania’s Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act Please click the following link for more information and to register: https://lnkd.in/eZyiJAdF

Partner Sandra Hanna, who leads Steptoe’s SEC Enforcement practice, will join senior officials at the SEC, including the Acting Director and Deputy Director of Enforcement, to present a full day of in-depth presentations on current enforcement priorities, including how to successfully navigate through an SEC investigation. Please use the code STEPTOE432V for complimentary registration: https://lnkd.in/guaVBx9W. CLE credit is available in many jurisdictions.  

Please join Steptoe Intellectual Property partner Christopher A. Suarez and Government Affairs and Public Policy partner Tod Cohen on November 14 for a half-day program hosted by Practising Law Institute (PLI) on “The Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property in California and Beyond 2024.” In addition to chairing the event, Chris will present on “Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets: Oh My! Surveying the Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Landscape in California and Beyond” at 9:15 a.m. PST and “Developing AI Policy and Governance for IP” at 11:30 a.m. PST. Tod will present on “Big Data, AI, and Looking at the Future California and Global Landscape: What IP Attorneys Should Know” at 12:30 p.m. PST. The half-day seminar will be held in person in San Francisco and remotely via Zoom. To register, click here: https://lnkd.in/eeE6jDyr