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Government Enjoined from Implementing Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces

Client Alert | 1 min read | 10.25.16

On October 24, a U.S. district court issued a preliminary injunction enjoining implementation of the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces final rule, which had been scheduled to take effect today, October 25 (discussed here and here). The court held that the executive order, implementing regulations, and DOL guidance violated the First Amendment, contractors’ due process rights, and the Federal Arbitration Act and enjoined the government from (a) implementing any portion of the FAR rule or the DOL Guidance relating to the new reporting and disclosure requirements and (b) enforcing the new restriction on arbitration agreements, while permitting “paycheck transparency” requirements to proceed.

Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 07.02.25

USPTO's Upcoming Changes to the Accelerated Examination Program

On June 10, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a final rule that will discontinue the Accelerated Examination program for utility applications, beginning July 10, 2025. The final rule also modifies the rules of practice to clarify the grounds for which a petition to make special may be granted and when a fee is required for such a petition. Currently, Applicants have several ways to expedite examination of their patent applications. For example, an Applicant can expedite examination of utility patent applications by either petitioning to make their application special through the Accelerated Examination program or by applying through the Prioritized Patent Examination Program (“Track One” program)....