New Updates For 07-Mar-2023

Today, the European Union imposed a ban on the provision of specialized financial messaging services, including SWIFT interbank messaging network services, to seven Russian banks.

Today, the European Union announced that it would close EU airspace to all Russian-owned, Russian registered, or Russian-controlled aircraft, including private aircraft owned by the Russian elite.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a broad and unprecedented range of sanctions were imposed on Russia by various countries and international bodies to target the Russian...

President Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, introducing sweeping new tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian energy and up to 500% on Russian-origin goods. The legislation also codifies existing executive order sanctions into statute, requiring congressional action to lift restrictions and creating mandatory secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions transacting with designated Russian banks. Companies face immediate compliance challenge

The UK has introduced sweeping changes to its sanctions framework through new Russia-related designations and comprehensive legislative amendments affecting multiple regimes. These developments include expanded end-use controls, revised licensing grounds, and updated reporting thresholds that fundamentally alter compliance obligations for businesses operating in sanctioned sectors.

Last year, we published an update on BIS's foray into prohibiting EAR99 items for export to Russia and Belarus. We noted (somewhat in jest) that kitchen sinks may one day be added.

As Russia's war against Ukraine enters its fourth year, the Council of the European Union (the "Council") unanimously adopted its 16th sanctions package on 24 February 2025.

On February 26, OFAC issued General License 131C, which extends the authorization of certain transactions for the negotiations/contingent contracts for the sale...

As the EU negotiates a 17thsanctions package on Russia, it is considering ways to insulate some €260 billion of immobilized Russian sovereign assets under its control as a form of leverage in negotiations.

On March 3, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS"), the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ"), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control...

On July 22, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (covered separately here) in which the Commission advances its ongoing efforts to secure the U.S.

California's Legislature has unanimously passed SB 690, a landmark reform that could eliminate thousands of pending class action lawsuits based on website tracking technologies under the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The bill removes the private right of action for pen register claims arising from routine web analytics tools, potentially reshaping the data privacy litigation landscape while companion bills simultaneously expand substantive privacy obligations.

The SEC's Division of Examinations has identified six critical areas where investment advisers commonly fall short in their annual compliance reviews, from timing failures to inadequate documentation and unimplemented corrective actions. Understanding these deficiencies is essential for advisers seeking to strengthen their compliance infrastructure and avoid examination risks.

The Trump administration has issued an executive order requiring enhanced interagency coordination and stricter oversight of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. Federal agencies must now review employers' workforce practices, including past and planned layoffs of U.S. workers, while strengthening enforcement mechanisms to prevent program abuse.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 (PCSA), introduced in the Senate on June 2, 2026, by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and joined by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Chris Coons (D-DE), represents a comprehensive federal legislative effort to reshape the governance and economics of intercollegiate athletics...

Last week, the Trump administration and federal agencies announced several initiatives related to artificial intelligence (AI).

Unlocking Part 15 Spectrum for D2D: The FCC adopted an NPRM exploring rule changes to allow devices operating under Part 15 unlicensed rules (such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) to communicate directly with authorized satellites.

On August 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ or the Department) announced a $21.5 million settlement with Deloitte LLP and four affiliated entities (collectively, Deloitte), marking the second False Claims Act (FCA) settlement under the Department’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative launched in May 2025.

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the Tax Court holding that a partner must lack managerial control over a partnership before it can qualify for the “limited partner exception” from self-employment taxes.

Directs federal agencies to revise recreational fisheries management policies, modernize recreational fishing data collection, streamline permitting and marine access regulations, establish artificial reef programs and prioritize recreational fishing interests in federal ocean and coastal resource management decisions.