Real World Legal Updates

For many people, artificial intelligence has become a part of their daily lives, including at work. With over 75% of employees reportedly using AI in the workplace, businesses must quickly decide how and where they will incorporate AI tools into their workflows or risk losing control of their business's sensitive information. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Partner Nick Johnson is joined by Kaamil Khan, President of ⁨Makpar, to discuss how business leaders can best create and execute an AI policy to help boost employee productivity while minimizing exposure to legal risks.

This BL Business Branding podcast episode dives into a high-profile legal clash between fashion heavyweights Adidas and Steve Madden. Join hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth as they explore Adidas' aggressive trademark enforcement of its iconic three-stripe mark—and Steve Madden's pushback, arguing that Adidas is overreaching and threatening creative freedom in the fashion world.

As DOGE made its way through different federal agencies, the impact of funding cuts and stop-work orders has created significant uncertainty for government contractors, leading to an increase in workforce reductions. These mass layoffs can trigger employee notice requirements under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and the clock is ticking. In this episode of the Real World Employment Law, Berenzweig Leonard Attorneys Elizabeth Payne-Maddalena and Samy Abdallah break down what employers need to know about the WARN Act and provide guidance on navigating mass layoffs while remaining compliant.

This week's BL Business Branding podcast dives into the 10-year legal saga surrounding Jack Daniels and a whiskey-themed parody dog toy the company is trying to keep off the shelves. Watch or listen now as hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth discuss the ongoing lawsuit and explore the difference between parody and trademark infringement in branding.

This week on the BL Business Branding podcast, hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth dive into a recent copyright scuffle surrounding unreleased music from Eminem tracks. Together they break down criminal charges brought against a former employee accused of leaking over two dozen unreleased tracks and discuss the importance of protecting your intellectual property in the digital age.

Associate Attorney Charles Bonani joins veteran sports radio host Tod Castleberry to break down the latest developments from the pending name, image and likeness (NIL) settlement process in college sports. If the proposed settlement moves forward, hundreds of thousands of college student athletes could be compensated directly by their universities, reshaping the NCAA athletics landscape forever.

As the new administration rolls out key executive orders and initiatives, nonprofit leaders face complex challenges as they strive to continue serving their communities. Catch up on the informative webinar hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, and The Baldwin Group, which discussed practical tips to help nonprofits navigate this constantly changing regulatory landscape.

Topics covered included:

• An overview of key Executive Orders and how they impact nonprofits;
• Recent cuts at federal agencies and what is coming down the DOGE pipeline next;
• Managing the impact of reduced funding and grants, including delayed payments;
• State law considerations and opportunities; and
• Navigating workforce challenges.

Reach out to our team with any questions: https://www.berenzweiglaw.com/contact/

As part of our weekly series breaking down trademark and intellectual property insights, we are excited to introduce the newest addition to BL Business Branding - a podcast hosted by Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth.

Together, they'll tackle IP stories straight from the headlines and break down what business owners can learn from these real-world examples to help protect their brands and revenues.

Check out their first episode, where Nick and Isabel dive into the history of the Ford Bronco and the recent lawsuit Ford filed alleging that a Georgia company reselling vintage-moded versions of the cars infringed on their iconic trademarks.

Government Contractors are navigating a complex set of challenges as they adapt to the flurry of policy changes from the new Trump Administration. Watch now to see industry leaders from BOOST LLC, The Baldwin Group, and Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, break down the real-world impact of recent administration actions and provide tools to help leaders navigate these changes and turn challenges into opportunities. Topics covered include:

• Potential furloughs & layoffs due to the risks of a federal funding freeze and potential government shutdown;
• Responding to the Return to Office mandate, including who is affected and how it could impact employee benefits;
• The current state of DEI requirements and how companies can communicate changes to their employees while staying compliant;
• State-specific employee benefits and paid family leave requirements;
• The elimination of Executive Order 14055, The Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts; and
• An overview of additional Executive Orders poised to have a major impact in the near future.

HR leaders are facing a whirlwind of change as the Trump Administration rapidly reshapes the federal workforce and employment landscape. The stakes are high, with significant implications for businesses and their employees. Watch to join Managing Partner Declan Leonard and Partner Nick Johnson for a candid discussion on the top five things HR professionals need to know to help position their companies for success in this period of rapid transformation. Together they discuss:

• Changes to the DEI landscape;
• The federal funding review and hiring freeze;
• New RTO requirements and initiatives;
• The emphasis on AI and efficiency; and
• The impact of increased immigration enforcement on businesses.