Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the nation, designed to deter impaired driving and reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes. Despite these efforts, the state continues to see rising fatalities linked to impaired driving. December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, an initiative aimed at raising awareness during one of the deadliest times … [More]
Drug Developments: What Arizona Employers Need to Know about Recent Legal Changes
Magic mushrooms may be on the same acceptance path as marijuana
Psilocybin use could become legal in Arizona much sooner than employers realize, and there is already a blueprint for compliance. Marijuana legalization in the United States has advanced piecemeal, state by state and city by city, but with steadily increasing momentum. California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana use in 1996, and Arizona did so in 2010. … [More]
Preserving a Business’s Competitive Edge: A Practical Guide to IP Protection for Phoenix Entrepreneurs
A Practical Guide to IP Protection for Phoenix Entrepreneurs
Business owners often treat protecting their intellectual property in the way many treat a check-engine light appearing on the car dashboard: “That seems important, but it can wait.” But that strategy can be costly. Understanding when and how to effectively protect IP is essential for safeguarding proprietary technology, preserving consumer goodwill, achieving long-term … [More]
Employees: Exempt or Non-Exempt? Avoiding Costly Classification Errors
On the surface, it seems like a simple paperwork issue: Classify workers as exempt or non-exempt, cut the checks and move on. But when it comes to employee pay, one wrong label can cost an employer millions and trigger cascading liabilities, including unpaid wage claims, overtime disputes, government penalties and even class-action lawsuits. Understanding the difference … [More]
Carvana Joins Consortium Safeguarding R&D from from Patent Trolls
Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, announced that it has joined LOT Network, a global consortium of companies committed to protecting innovation by deterring frivolous litigation from patent assertion entities. Carvana develops most of its technology in-house, from its online purchase platform to systems powering merchandising and … [More]
$6B at Stake as Court Weighs How to Unwind Google’s Ad Stack
While the Google antitrust case around search made a lot of headlines, the less watched case, focused on advertising technology, marches on. This past Spring Judge Brinkema found Google to be an illegal monopolist in this sector, with evidence they used their dominance in the publisher tools market (ad serving) to capture big swaths of the overall display advertising market. In … [More]
Layoff Logic: How to Avoid a Short Circuit with a Lawful Workforce Contraction Strategy
As technology, demand and regulations rapidly evolve, the tech sector generally and semiconductor companies specifically must learn and master how to legally expand and contract their workforces to meet both business needs and budgetary constraints. Fluctuating demand due to the cyclical nature of the industry and the growing talent shortage with nuanced and evolving laws … [More]
Are Climate-Related Disclosure Laws on the Horizon?
Arizona businesses with a California presence should pay attention to California climate-related disclosure laws
Over the last few years, California enacted climate-related disclosure laws that may impact Arizona companies doing business in our neighboring state. Compliance with these laws is required to start in 2026, and Arizona businesses should be aware. Specifically, there are two broad categories of mandated climate-related disclosures under California law. First, companies may … [More]
Understanding Shareholders’ Agreements in Closely Held Corporations
It’s good business to be prepared for when shareholders who were once best friends don’t agree with each other anymore
It all starts with a great idea, people getting together over a handshake and starting a business together. Then, one day, times become tough, issues arise, and shareholders who were once best friends don’t agree with each other anymore. Next, one shareholder wants to leave the business, but there is no legal document providing the rules of the road to resolve those … [More]
The Changing Workplace: The Outcomes and Challenges of Return-to-Office Mandates in 2025
In the years following the globally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, employers have explored variations of work arrangements to balance the demands of their businesses with the needs of their employees’ personal lives. Among the lessons learned through the pandemic was, many jobs have the potential to be performed remotely. While the arrangement allowed new flexibility for many … [More]
Law Firms Combine to Redefine Employment Law in the West
In a bold move that strengthens its leadership in labor and employment law services, Fennemore, a leading full-service business law firm, is combining with BurnsBarton, a premier Phoenix-based employment law and litigation boutique firm, effective June 2, 2025. The strategic union nearly doubles the number of Phoenix-based attorneys in Fennemore’s Employment and Labor Law … [More]
Estate Planning for Business Succession
What small business owners need to know
John Mercer never imagined his sudden heart attack at age 58 would leave his business vulnerable. With no formal succession plan in place, his family struggled to maintain operations while managing their grief. Key clients, concerned about service continuity, began exploring relationships with competitors. Meanwhile, valuable employees, uncertain about the company's future, … [More]
Mining and Regulatory Affairs Attorney Joins Dorsey in Phoenix
Dorsey & Whitney LLP continues to expand its Phoenix office with the arrival of Regulatory Affairs and mining attorney Marc Marra, the international law firm announced. Marc has substantial experience helping clients with exploration and mine project development, land tenure, and related natural resource issues. His practice is complemented by both private and public … [More]
The Landscape of Businesses’ Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Commitments
Companies largely maintain inclusion, equity and diversity commitments amid Trump anti-IE&D policies, though concerns about legal risks grow, Littler survey finds
As the Trump administration takes aim at inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) initiatives, new research shows that most businesses are not yet making significant changes to their programs and commitments. Nearly half (49%) of C-suite leaders are not considering new or further rollbacks of their IE&D programs as a result of Trump executive orders targeting IE&D and … [More]
Senator Sinema Lands Post at Government Relations and Public Affairs Practice in DC
Global law firm Hogan Lovells announced that former Senator Kyrsten Sinema has joined the firm’s Global Regulatory & IP practice group in the Washington, D.C. office. Senator Sinema’s Chief of Staff Daniel Winkler will also be joining the firm as a policy advisor. “I am thrilled to welcome Senator Sinema to the firm,” said Hogan Lovells CEO Miguel Zaldivar. “Hogan Lovells … [More]
Nikola Announces Intent to Voluntarily Delist from Nasdaq and Deregister with the SEC
Nikola Corporation announced its intention to file a Form 25 Notification of Delisting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on or about April 3, 2025, which will remove its securities from listing and registration on Nasdaq. Nasdaq previously suspended the trading of Nikola's common stock at the opening of business on February 26, 2025 and notified Nikola … [More]
March Madness Office Pools: Fun, Fair, and Legal in Arizona
March Madness brings excitement to workplaces across Arizona as employees fill out their brackets and join office pools. These friendly competitions can boost morale, but it’s important to make sure your pool stays within Arizona’s gambling laws. Most brackets are due before tip-off of the first men’s game on March 20 and March 21 for the first women’s game, so now is the time … [More]
Law Firm Launches Phoenix Office Anchored by Environmental Law Partners
Holland & Hart LLP announced the opening of its Phoenix, Arizona office and the addition of environmental partners Christopher D. Thomas and Andrea Driggs, who join from Perkins Coie. Several additional environmental lawyers are expected to join in the coming weeks. Holland & Hart expects other existing partners to join the Phoenix office as well. “Phoenix has been a … [More]
