On January 14, 2026, the French Senate approved a bill[1] extending the scope of legal privilege to consultations of in-house lawyers for the first time (the “Bill”).
Continue Reading France Formally Adopts Legal Privilege for Consultations by In-House LawyersWhistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for Companies (Part Three: Looking Ahead)
By Abena Mainoo & Rahul Mukhi on
Posted in United States, Whistle Blower
Introduction[1]
In this three-part series, we first discuss the outlook for whistleblower programs in the United States under the new administration. Second, we review initiatives relating to whistleblower reports in other jurisdictions over the past year. Third, we address emerging issues and considerations for companies regarding whistleblower reports.
Continue Reading Whistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for Companies (Part Three: Looking Ahead)Whistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for Companies (Part Two)
Introduction[1]
In this three-part series, we discuss the outlook for whistleblower programs in the United States under the new administration. Second, we review initiatives relating to whistleblower reports in other jurisdictions over the past year. Third, we address emerging issues and considerations for companies in relation to whistleblower reports.
Continue Reading Whistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for Companies (Part Two)Whistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for Companies
Introduction[1]
Many jurisdictions have passed laws promoting and protecting whistleblower reporting, particularly with respect to potential violations of law by companies and their executives, while certain law enforcement authorities have introduced monetary awards programs to provide incentives to report potential violations of law.[2] These previous efforts to encourage whistleblower reporting generally continued in the past year. In this three-part series, we first discuss the outlook for whistleblower programs in the United States under the new administration. Second, we review initiatives relating to whistleblower reports in other jurisdictions over the past year. Third, we address emerging issues and considerations for companies in relation to whistleblower reports.
Continue Reading Whistleblowing in Focus: Recent Developments, Emerging Issues, and Considerations for CompaniesSEC Exam Priorities 2026 Priorities Largely Consistent: Will Approach to Deficiencies and Enforcement Referrals Change?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Division of Examinations (the “Division”) released its 2026 examination priorities on November 17, 2025 (the “2026 Priorities”). As expected from the new leadership, the 2026 Priorities signal less (but still present) focus on private fund advisers and more focus on retail advisers and emerging technologies such as AI and algorithmic advice. Overall, the extremely high overlap in priorities from prior years is notable, leading our main takeaway from the 2026 Priorities to be whether and how the Division Staff will emphasize public messages such as Risk Alerts and Exam Observations compared to private actions like detailed deficiencies and numerous referrals to the Enforcement Division.
Continue Reading SEC Exam Priorities 2026 Priorities Largely Consistent: Will Approach to Deficiencies and Enforcement Referrals Change?Enforcement Countdown: Is DOJ Ready for the Bulk Data Rule “Grace Period” to End?
As of July 8, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) is scheduled to begin full enforcement of its Data Security Program (“DSP”) and the recently issued Bulk Data Rule after its 90-day limited enforcement policy expires, ushering in “full compliance” requirements for U.S. companies and individuals.[1]
Continue Reading Enforcement Countdown: Is DOJ Ready for the Bulk Data Rule “Grace Period” to End?DOJ National Security Division Issues First Declination Under Merger-Related Safe Harbor Provisions
On June 16, 2025, the Department of Justice’s National Security Division (“NSD”) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced a landmark declination to prosecute private equity firm White Deer Management LLC following its voluntary self-disclosure of sanctions violations committed by an acquired company.[1] This marks the first application of the safe harbor provisions for voluntary self-disclosure in connection with mergers and acquisitions—a policy put in place during the previous administration—and demonstrates the benefits of NSD’s enforcement policies while highlighting continued enforcement priorities across administrations.
Continue Reading DOJ National Security Division Issues First Declination Under Merger-Related Safe Harbor ProvisionsDOJ Criminal Division Announces White Collar Enforcement Plan and Revisions to Three Key Policies
On May 12, 2025, the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced several policy changes related to its approach to white collar criminal enforcement. Matthew R. Galeotti, the current head of the Criminal Division, noted that DOJ would be “turning a new page on white-collar and corporate enforcement” and emphasizing the principles of “focus, fairness and efficiency” in its investigations and prosecutions. As part of this policy roll-out, DOJ issued a new White Collar Enforcement Plan (the “Enforcement Plan”) and key revisions to the Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (“CEP”), Monitor Selection Policy, and Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program.[1]
Continue Reading DOJ Criminal Division Announces White Collar Enforcement Plan and Revisions to Three Key PoliciesDOJ Issues Additional Guidance as Data Security Program Enters into Effect; Limits Enforcement for First 90 Days
On April 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division (“DOJ”) issued a compliance guide (“Compliance Guide”), a set of frequently asked questions (“FAQs”), and a 90-day limited enforcement policy (“Enforcement Policy”) relating to implementation of the Data Security Program, codified at 28 C.F.R. Part 202 (“DSP”). The DSP is a regulatory program designed to prevent certain countries of concern—China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela—and covered persons from having access to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and U.S. government-related data. The DSP largely went into effect on April 8, 2025.
Continue Reading DOJ Issues Additional Guidance as Data Security Program Enters into Effect; Limits Enforcement for First 90 DaysU.S. Government Signals Intent to Increase Enforcement of U.S. Export Controls
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) held its annual Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy (the Conference). During the Conference, key government officials signaled an intent to ramp up enforcement of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) going forward. For example, in opening remarks to Conference attendees, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said there would be a “dramatic” increase in enforcement by BIS under the Trump administration, including increased fines and penalties for parties that violate the EAR.
Continue Reading U.S. Government Signals Intent to Increase Enforcement of U.S. Export Controls