Thought Leadership - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Berkeley’s Natural Gas Ban in New Housing and Businesses Not Allowed, Says Ninth Circuit

Local or state regulations seeking to decarbonize new buildings by banning natural gas appliances or infrastructure are preempted under federal law according to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Climate Disclosure Mandates: California Lawmakers Press Forward Ahead of Forthcoming Federal Rule

Two proposed climate-related disclosure mandate laws moved closer to becoming law in California.

Top Five Employment Issues Upon a Sudden Bank Failure

The sudden closure of a bank can create a host of ripple effects.

Mandatory Climate Emissions Disclosures: California Lawmakers Press On While SEC May Be Backing Off

Mandatory disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions by business operators is coming, one way or another. California legislators continue to press for a change in law that would require disclosures for large businesses that do business in California.

Kraken Crypto Staking Program for U.S. Investors Shut Down in Aggressive Expansion of the Howey Test

Payward Ventures, Inc., d/b/a Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange, has entered into a $30 million settlement agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations the company failed to register its cryptocurrency staking program, in violation of U.S. securities laws.

NYS Governor Hochul Delivers 2023 State of the State Address

On January 10, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her second State of the State address, outlining her policy and fiscal agenda for the upcoming year.

Governor Newsom Proposes FY 2023–24 Budget

Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his fifth January budget proposal, which would authorize $223.6 billion in general fund spending, a 3.6% decrease from current-year spending.

California’s Independent Legislative Analyst’s Office Criticizes State’s New Climate Plan

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office criticized the California Air Resources Board’s recent and most sweeping revision of its Scoping Plan to achieve legislatively mandated greenhouse gas reductions.

Manatt Advances 19 Legal and Consulting Professionals Across Practices Nationwide

Manatt, Phelps @ Phillips, LLP, a multidisciplinary, integrated professional services firm, announced today the advancement of 19 professionals, effective January 1, 2023@nine attorneys to equity partnership, one consultant to senior managing director, four attorneys to partnership, four consultants to managing directors and one attorney to counsel. These elevations illustrate the power of...

California’s Climate Blueprint: ‘Hope,’ Mandates and Few Details

Calling for foundational reforms in every sector of California’s economy, now the fourth largest in the world, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on December 15, 2022, adopted the latest and most sweeping version of the “Scoping Plan.”