Alternative assets are nothing new for retirement plans. Defined benefit plans have held private equity, real estate, and commodities for decades, and ERISA itself imposes no restriction on the types of assets a plan may hold. What is new is
Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. Thompson Hine has distinguished itself in all areas of Service Delivery Innovation in the BTI Brand Elite, where it has been recognized as one of the top 4 firms for “Value for the Dollar” and “Commitment to Help” and among the top 5 firms “making changes to improve the client experience.” The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTH® – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals.
On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an Order announcing resolution of all pending but stayed China Section 301 cases because of the June 15, 2026 U.S. Supreme Court decision denying the petition for a…
On June 29, 2026, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of anthracite coal. For the purposes…
On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a formal statement regarding the joint review of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). The USMCA entered into force on July…
All persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction holding property blocked pursuant to various Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions programs must file their Annual Report of Blocked Property (ARBP) by September 30, 2026. This required reporting…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has launched a Reconsideration Portal for the submission of requests by persons or entities seeking to be removed from an OFAC sanctions list. The portal provides an overview…
On June 24, 2026, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued two Interim Final Rules indefinitely suspending the $800 de minimis duty exemption for all modes of importation of goods into the United States and establish a new informal entry and…
On June 23, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) published Cargo Systems Messaging Service (“CSMS”) #69035485, confirming that Phase 2 of the process for refunding duties paid by importers of record under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act…
UPDATE: On July 7, 2026, this Iran-related General License X was revoked by OFAC and any activities under this general license must be wound down no later than July 17, 2026. See Thompson Hine Update of July 8, 2026 for…