Industrial Trends | Winter 2026 (Video)

Legal departments are struggling with AI implementation, with failure rates as high as 95%. However, some organizations are achieving remarkable results by following five disciplined practices...

Contract lifecycle management has become the most widely adopted legal technology tool in corporate legal departments, addressing fundamental challenges around contract visibility, workflow automation, and risk management. Legal operations expert Jeff Reisner breaks down the CLM landscape, implementation considerations, and why this technology has emerged as the foundational piece most legal teams tackle first when modernizing their operations.

This collection of insights from Ankura explores critical challenges facing multiple industries in 2026, from cybersecurity threats targeting AI assistants to the evolving landscape of freight capacity, cryptocurrency enforcement, and healthcare compliance. The articles examine how organizations navigate regulatory complexity, operational constraints, and emerging risks across financial services, logistics, healthcare, and technology sectors.

The subprime mortgage market consists of loans to borrowers with high credit risk, and the mechanisms that have evolved to originate, service, and finance those loans. While this market has existed since the early 1980s, it was not until the mid-1990s that the growth of the subprime industry gained significant momentum.

As easy as it is to record a conversation today, doing so is not always legal. Michigan laws are less restrictive than laws in states like Florida...

Ankura's latest insights explore how organizations can transform data and analytics investments into actionable business value through decision intelligence, while addressing critical challenges in AI workforce readiness, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory compliance across multiple industries. The collection examines emerging opportunities in stablecoin regulation, healthcare data optimization, and procurement efficiency.

California Senate Bill 574 proposes a groundbreaking statutory framework that would prohibit attorneys from delegating legal practice to generative artificial intelligence, while imposing disclosure requirements and verification standards across litigation, arbitration, and court filings. The legislation raises fundamental questions about how traditional definitions of "the practice of law" apply to AI-augmented legal work, from document review to contract analysis. If signed by Governor Newsom, California

The 2026 midterms could fundamentally alter congressional oversight of telecommunications, media, and technology companies. With Democrats signaling aggressive investigations into affordability, corporate pricing, and regulatory favoritism, and Republicans continuing probes into government influence over content moderation, TMT sector stakeholders face heightened scrutiny regardless of which party controls Congress. This analysis examines the key oversight risks companies should anticipate and the strategic

Explore insights and analysis from Sheppard Mullin's legal professionals through their comprehensive collection of blog posts and podcasts covering current legal developments, industry trends, and practical guidance across multiple practice areas.

Winston Taylor lawyers and leaders share insights on law firm leadership, private equity expansion, AI adoption, workplace flexibility, and high-profile litigation across multiple legal publications. The firm's professionals discuss strategic growth initiatives, technology integration, and landmark case victories that are shaping the legal and business landscape.

Does a member of a limited liability company owe a fiduciary duty to the company and the other members? Section 17704.09(a) of the California Corporations Code states that a member owes a duty of loyalty and a duty of care.

Yesterday, the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation announced that it had issued a desist and refrain order against Coinbase, Inc.

The Bureau of Land Management has authorized the Pearl Geothermal Development Project using a controversial 14-day expedited environmental review process, marking the first new geothermal power plant approved under emergency permitting procedures implemented in response to President Trump's national energy emergency declaration. While the project underwent multiple phases of review over several years before final approval, questions remain about whether future projects conceived after these Alternative Arra

Mechanic's liens pose significant challenges for property owners and developers in California construction projects, even when they have fulfilled their payment obligations. Understanding the strict procedural requirements, timing deadlines, and available remedies can help owners protect their projects from improper claims and efficiently resolve legitimate liens when they arise.

California lawmakers advance legislation to narrow CEQA exemptions for advanced manufacturing while cities across the state grapple with housing mandates and development regulations. From Coachella's permanent data center ban to Costa Mesa's housing element revisions, local governments are navigating the complex intersection of environmental review, state housing requirements, and community development pressures.

California's Starter Home Revitalization Act receives significant enhancements through Senate Bill 1116, expanding site eligibility criteria, limiting local zoning restrictions, and invalidating certain private deed covenants to accelerate small-lot residential subdivisions. The legislation introduces streamlined 60-day ministerial approvals while establishing new rules for lot size averaging, height restrictions, and concurrent permit processing that fundamentally reshape the pathway for starter home devel

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors has approved sweeping housing reforms that dramatically reduce inclusionary affordable housing requirements and development impact fees. The legislation eliminates BMR obligations for projects under 25 units, slashes on-site requirements to 5% citywide, and cuts development impact fees by 67%, while a companion ballot measure seeks to expand the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to $125 million annually by 2036.

California's Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued comprehensive new guidance that dramatically expands protection requirements for four candidate bumble bee species under the California Endangered Species Act. The 2026 guidance introduces strict survey timelines, seasonal construction restrictions, and mandatory onsite biological monitoring that will significantly impact project planning and budgets across the state. Project developers now face narrow construction windows, 60-day advance survey submis

Explore the latest developments and regulatory changes shaping the renewable energy sector. This update examines key policy shifts, market trends, and legal considerations affecting clean energy projects and investments. Stay informed about the evolving landscape of sustainable power generation and its implications for industry stakeholders.

California's Assembly Bill 1156 introduces a streamlined process for developing solar projects on agricultural lands restricted by Williamson Act contracts in critically overdrafted groundwater basins. The legislation offers contract nullification and fee waivers for qualifying photovoltaic projects that meet specific requirements, including Environmental Leadership certification and community benefits agreements. Will this new pathway successfully balance the state's clean energy goals with agricultural la