Alerts

A Will County circuit court ordered the county board to issue permits for six solar energy projects in one of the first decisions applying last month’s landmark Equity Solar appellate ruling.

Imagine you are about to enter a sprawling, complex product liability multidistrict litigation (MDL) — on either side of the “v.” Hundreds of parties, a mountain of discovery, and years of litigation loom ahead. What if you could shape the case’s trajectory from day one?

On April 14, Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), made headlines when he announced that the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy did not supersede the SDNY Corporate Enforcement Policy.

Health care enforcement targeting diagnostic and laboratory services accelerated in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2026.

Welcome to the April 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

In a recent ruling out of the District of Minnesota, a federal magistrate judge directed UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to turn over an expansive set of documents in the class action Estate of Lokken v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc., alleging that the health insurer used an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to improperly withhold post-acute care coverage from Medicare Advantage enrollees.

In the latest episode of “Tax Stuff You Should Know,” hosts Bob Pluth and Gene Magidenko unpack the complexities of federal self-employment tax through the lens of the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Sirius Solutions. 

The US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) advance notice of proposed rulemaking is seeking industry input on delivery-fee transparency practices, which signals potential interest in broader federal regulation, underscoring the importance for online food and grocery delivery platforms and restaurant brands to assess current practices and consider participating in the comment process.

Classes of children are often named as plaintiffs in climate litigation, with complaints stressing the need for judicial intervention to overcome gridlock in the political branches.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

In a significant win for the energy industry, the Maryland Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of three municipal lawsuits alleging that energy companies engaged in deceptive practices related to the promotion of fossil fuels.

On April 10, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) agreed to pay more than $17 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements as set forth in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Washington has joined the growing list of states that ban almost all employee noncompete agreements.

In a significant decision, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the dismissal of Payscale, Inc.’s breach of contract claims arising from Erin Norman’s alleged violations of the noncompete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions contained in the incentive equity agreement that she signed as an employee.

Last month, the US District Court for the District of Columbia struck down a 2013 policy issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) regarding the Section 340B Drug Pricing Program “GPO prohibition” and hospital replenishment (virtual inventory) practices.

Importers now have a path to reclaim tariffs they never should have paid.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

In recent months, states across the country have shifted their approach to data center regulation. More than 300 data center-related bills have been introduced in 30 states’ legislatures in the first six weeks of 2026 alone, marking a decisive pivot from incentive-focused policies toward regulatory oversight as the energy demands of hyperscale facilities become clearer.

On March 4, 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Estate of Kalikow v. Comm’r., 135 AFTR 2d 2025-831 (2d Cir. 2025), upheld the US Tax Court’s prior ruling in Estate of Kalikow v. Comm’r., T.C. Memo. 2023-21, and affirmed that a settlement resolving an undistributed income claim against a Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP) trust in favor of the decedent’s estate did not reduce the value of the assets included in the estate.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now escalated its Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) findings at Pure Indulgence Aesthetics from a Form FDA 483 (given to the company at the close of a December 2025 inspection) to a formal Warning Letter, issued on April 1.

While Section 232 tariffs have so far been largely a metals-and-autos story, pharma has now officially joined the narrative.

A recent federal court decision is a helpful reminder for any company whose products carry a “Made in the USA” label — or anything close to it.

Last week, a unanimous Seventh Circuit panel concluded that the Illinois General Assembly’s recent change to the calculation of statutory damages under Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) applies retroactively to cases that were filed before the legislature’s amendment took effect. The decision significantly reduces exposure for companies facing BIPA cases.

On March 26, President Trump signed a new executive order (EO) imposing mandatory anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) clauses in all federal contracts and subcontracts, with key compliance deadlines beginning as early as April 25.

On March 31, the American College of Investment Counsel (ACIC) released comprehensive updates to all four Model Form Note Purchase Agreements used in domestic and cross-border private placement transactions.