In Waterkeeper Alliance v. EPA, the Ninth Circuit held that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to properly consider key factors when it declined to revise technology-based Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELGs) for seven industrial categories. The ruling suggests the
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Nationwide Impact: HIPAA Reproductive Health Care Privacy Rule Vacated
On June 18, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas invalidated provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule To Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy (2024 Rule) in the case of Purl v. United States Dep’t of Health…
AI Legislative Developments: Early Days or Tipping Point?
If tracking AI legislation is giving you whiplash, you’re not the only one.
In February, I wrote about the 24-Hour AI News Cycle: https://www.stoelprivacyblog.com/2025/02/articles/ai/the-24-hour-ai-news-cycle-keeping-up-with-legal-and-regulatory-developments/. February is ancient history, and the AI news cycle has become even further compressed since…
DOJ Antitrust Division’s Updated Guidance on Evaluating Corporate Compliance Programs Includes New Focus on AI and Electronic Communications
As AI tools and modern communication platforms become increasingly embedded in corporate operations, the DOJ Antitrust Division has released an updated Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs in Criminal Antitrust Investigations, marking a significant expansion in DOJ expectations around artificial intelligence,…
Construction Labor Shortages: A Primer for Owners and Contractors
By Bart Reed
Labor shortages in the construction industry are an increasingly pressing issue—particularly for large-scale infrastructure and technology projects where schedule and budget performance are critical. While recent attention has focused on material costs and supply chain disruptions, a tightening labor market…
Limitations of Liability in Construction Contracts: Ironclad Protection or Legal Illusion?
By Bart Reed
Limitation of liability (LOL) clauses are a standard fixture in contracts involving architects, engineers, and other design professionals—particularly because these parties often have limited assets and depend on such provisions to manage risk. However, Washington legal authority suggests these clauses…
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County: Agencies Granted Substantial Deference in Assessing Project Scope and Environmental Impacts
By Jacob Gerrish & Cody Doig
In a significant decision interpreting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado on May 29, 2025. For certain projects, NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare…
DOL Signals Business Friendly Independent Contractor Standard: What Employers Need to Know
By John Dudrey & Ryan Kunkel
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently stated that it will not enforce an employee-friendly independent contractor rule implemented by the Biden administration in 2024 (“Biden Rule”). The Biden Rule made it more difficult for businesses to classify workers as…
In Case You Missed It: Federal Agencies Pause Enforcement of the 2024 MHPAEA Final Rule; Prior Regulations and Comparative Analyses Requirement Remain in Effect
On May 15, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (“the Departments”) released a statement announcing a temporary non-enforcement period regarding their final rule issued on September 9, 2024, titled “Requirements Related to the Mental…
Lease of Mind: Why Developers Should Consider Lease Options in Real Estate Agreements
Before leasing land, it is important for developers to understand the benefits of using a lease-option structure instead of jumping straight into a leasehold. By deliberately separating and sequencing the grant of rights from a landowner to a developer, parties…