In my recent post discussing Trump administration changes affecting the world of D&O, I noted recent developments suggesting that the SEC seems poised to either withdraw or non-enforce the agency’s Climate Change Disclosure Guidelines, which, as discussed here, were finalized in March 2024. However, as I also noted, even if the guidelines are withdrawn, many U.S. companies could still remain subject to ESG reporting requirements under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Now, apparently reflecting a desire among EU member states for their economies to be more competitive in the global business environment, the European Commission has proposed an “Omnibus package” of proposed revisions to streamline a number of EU laws, including the CSRD. As discussed below, the proposed revisions could significantly reduce the number of U.S. companies, and the number of companies overall, obliged to report under the CSRD.Continue Reading Proposed EU ESG Reporting Changes Could Spare Many U.S. Companies

The recent meteoric rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has not only upended many traditional business processes and set financial markets ablaze, but it has also captured the attention of the world’s political leadership. The leaders’ response includes not only excitement about AI’s impressive potential, but also concerns about the legitimate risks that AI presents. At the recent Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, held in Paris on February 10 and 11, 2025, many event participants advanced the view that for AI to realize its full potential, a regulatory “light touch” is required. While this restrained regulatory perspective has many advocates, the concerns associated with AI will still have to be addressed one way or another – which underscores the question about what the appropriate approach to AI regulation should be.Continue Reading AI-Related Risk and Regulation

On March 13, 2024, the European Parliament approved the adoption of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, legislation that the Wall Street Journal, in a front-page article, called the “World’s First Comprehensive AI Law.” The sweeping law, the effectiveness of which will be staged-in over the next several years, will affect all companies deploying or using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the EU. As discussed below, the passage of the Act, which has been several years in the making, could have significant implications for the adopting and deployment of AI worldwide, and could also have significant liability risk implications as well. A copy of the EU’s March 13, 2024, press release about the Act’s adoption can be found here. The Act’s text as adopted can be found here.Continue Reading EU Adopts Sweeping AI Law: What Does it Mean?