In this episode of Regulatory Oversight, Mike Yaghi welcomes back Brooke Hopkins and Rob Sayegh of Alvarez & Marsal for the second part of their series on ESG compliance. This time, they dive into how companies can gear up for the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requirements in Europe, which will take effect in 2026.Continue Reading Navigating ESG: Preparing for Future Regulations (Part Two)
Michael Yaghi
Michael is a partner in the firm’s State Attorneys General and Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement (RISE) Practice Groups, nationwide teams that advise clients on consumer protection enforcement matters and other regulatory issues. Based in the firm’s Orange County office, Michael represents high-profile clients in regulatory enforcement investigations involving all facets of their business, including but not limited to, advertising and sales practices, monthly membership programs, auto renewal programs, telemarketing and telephone solicitations, door-to-door sales practices, and endorsements. Having begun his career as a commercial litigator, he also supports clients throughout litigation, should an investigation move in that direction.
Navigating ESG: The Growing Importance and Compliance Challenges (Part One)
In the first of a two-part series focused on the complexities of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, Troutman Pepper Partner Mike Yaghi is joined by Brooke Hopkins and Rob Sayegh from Alvarez & Marsal. They dive into the growing importance of ESG, particularly in Europe, where stringent regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are being implemented. The discussion contrasts this with the ongoing political debate in the U.S., highlighting the need for companies to prepare for upcoming ESG requirements by 2026.Continue Reading Navigating ESG: The Growing Importance and Compliance Challenges (Part One)
New State Junk Fee Laws Set Corporate Advertising Bar—For Now
As U.S. elections heat up, Republicans have put Democrats on the defense about the economy and the public’s perception of it. One talking point for Democrats in response, including in President Joe Biden’s last two State of the Union addresses, has been federal efforts to combat so-called junk fees.
Still, the strongest regulations are coming from states, and companies will need to keep an eye on all of these laws to comply.Continue Reading New State Junk Fee Laws Set Corporate Advertising Bar—For Now
Regulators Promote “All-of-Government” Solar Energy Market Initiative
On August 7, the U.S. Department of Treasury hosted a virtual briefing to discuss the steps that the Biden-Harris administration is taking to address perceived unfair and deceptive practices in the consumer solar energy industry. Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo, along with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra, announced a new interagency consumer solar industry initiative directed at both sales and financing of residential systems. Each made statements about the unique effort to root out anti-competitive and sometimes-fraudulent activity by a handful of “bad actors” who are taking advantage of the burgeoning industry. The presenters also noted that they will be coordinating with state attorneys general (AG) and state financial regulators.Continue Reading Regulators Promote “All-of-Government” Solar Energy Market Initiative
A Look at State AGs Supermarket Antitrust Enforcement Push
Published in Law360 on July 16, 2024. © Copyright 2024, Portfolio Media, Inc., publisher of Law360. Reprinted here with permission.
Gone are the days when state attorneys general leave antitrust enforcement to their federal counterparts at the Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division.
State attorneys general have become considerably more active in the antitrust space over the past several years, and there seems to be no sign of slowing down.Continue Reading A Look at State AGs Supermarket Antitrust Enforcement Push
Money and Power at Odds: PE Meets Increased Oversight From State AGs
BACKGROUND
The number of private equity (PE) funds and the amount of capital deployed through private equity investing have grown dramatically over the last several decades. Some PE firms are buyout firms — they purchase controlling equity positions in (usually privately held) operating companies — while other PE firms make minority investments, either alongside other PE firms or on their own. In both cases, PE firms are typically granted significant controls and protections by the companies in which they invest.Continue Reading Money and Power at Odds: PE Meets Increased Oversight From State AGs
DOJ Addresses Pricing Technologies
In a recent interview, Jonathan Kanter, the U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, shared his thoughts on the use of technology in setting and advertising prices.Continue Reading DOJ Addresses Pricing Technologies
Capital Markets, Professional Perspective – Proposed NY Digital Asset Framework Imposes Consumer Protection-Focused Measures
On May 5, 2023, New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James introduced legislation to regulate businesses engaged in digital asset-related activities “from or within the State of New York.” Titled the “Crypto Regulation, Protection, Transparency, and Oversight Act” (the CRPTO Act or the Act), AG James has called the proposal “the strongest and most comprehensive set of regulations on cryptocurrency in the nation.”Continue Reading Capital Markets, Professional Perspective – Proposed NY Digital Asset Framework Imposes Consumer Protection-Focused Measures
Addressing Competition Concerns in the Developing Generative AI Industry: Key Insights From FTC Analysis
The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) raises important competition concerns, prompting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to analyze potential risks and propose solutions. In its recent June 29 blog post, the FTC highlighted the need for proactive measures to address competition issues in the evolving generative AI industry. This article analyzes the FTC’s blog post, summarizing its key points and offering insights into the potential implications for stakeholders.Continue Reading Addressing Competition Concerns in the Developing Generative AI Industry: Key Insights From FTC Analysis
A Conversation With Judge Lawrence VanDyke of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
In this episode of the Regulatory Oversight Podcast, Judge VanDyke joins Troutman Pepper RISE attorneys Ketan Bhirud, Mike Yaghi, and Stephen Piepgrass for an informative discussion on his background and path to becoming a judge, including his time working in several state attorneys general offices.Continue Reading A Conversation With Judge Lawrence VanDyke of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit