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Utilities React to Confusing Buy America Restrictions

Client Alert | 1 min read | 07.17.13

As a result of recent changes in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and how those changes are being implemented by federal and state agencies, utilities are now facing expanded application of two longstanding, but different, Buy America provisions of the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration on the use of foreign iron, steel, and manufactured goods on relocation agreements with state agencies. Utility industry representatives have objected and requested that DOT clarify the requirements, establish consistent, DOT-wide Buy America provisions, and implement a transition period during which the restrictions would not apply, and CALTRANS, a California state agency, has sought a waiver for a significant project, prompting a spectrum of thoughtful comments.


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Client Alert | 5 min read | 06.01.26

California Court Upholds Insurer’s Duty to Defend After Covered Claim Is Dismissed

On April 30, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a significant ruling in an insurance coverage dispute between a commercial general liability insurer and its policyholder. The decision addresses several critical issues in insurance law, including the scope and continuity of the duty to defend and the standard for insurer reimbursement of defense costs in mixed-claim actions. The court ruled largely in favor of the insured, SVO Building One, LLC ("SVO"), and the matter now heads toward settlement or trial on SVO's remaining counterclaims....