The biggest legal issues in professional sports happen off the field, and few are as unique as Major League Baseball's exemption from federal antitrust law.

In this episode of Sports in the Courts, Counsel Drew Smith and Associate Attorney Charles Bonani explore why America's pastime is one of the only industries permitted to operate with a special exemption from federal antitrust laws. They discuss how this decades-old legal decision came to be and what it means for the MLB and the business of baseball.

A new era for restrictive covenants is taking shape in Virginia, as recent legislation and court decisions continue to reshape how non-compete and non-solicitation agreements can be used. With new limitations set to take effect on July 1, 2026, employers face growing uncertainty around enforceability and compliance.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Partner Declan Leonard and Counsel Elizabeth Payne-Maddalena discuss the future of non-competes and non-solicits in Virginia, the latest developments impacting employers, and the key steps businesses should take now to protect themselves and prepare for what’s ahead.

A major shift in Virginia employment law is on the horizon, as significant amendments to the Virginia Wage Payment Act take effect on July 1, 2026. These changes expand what qualifies as “wages” under the law and increase potential penalties and enforcement mechanisms for employers.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Associate Charles Bonani break down what these updates mean for Virginia employers, the new risks surrounding wage payment and what businesses can do to prepare and stay compliant.

Employee retention and long-term incentive planning continue to be top priorities for growing businesses looking to attract and retain top talent.

In this episode of Real World Business Law, Partner Connie Phelps and Associate Attorney Shelby Julien discuss how businesses can use phantom equity as a strategic compensation tool to reward key employees without transferring actual ownership. They break down what phantom equity is and how it works, the benefits and potential challenges, and key considerations businesses should keep in mind when structuring these arrangements to align employee incentives with company growth and success.

To PIP, or not to PIP – that is the question.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Managing Partner Declan Leonard and Partner Kristin Zech take the stage to break down Performance Improvement Plans and discuss when they may be the right act for a business to take.

They cover what a PIP is (and isn’t), how to approach it thoughtfully, and how it can be used as a tool for improvement when performance becomes lackluster.

Tune in for a practical overview on navigating PIPs the right way to set up your team – and your company – for success.

Celsius has grown into one of the most popular energy drinks on the market, but its rapid rise has come with a series of legal battles.

Small business government contractors have new major considerations when evaluating potential M&A transactions following the recent implementation of an SBA rule on size and status recertification. In this episode of Real World GovCon Law, Partners Stephanie Wilson and Connie Phelps break down how SBA's new size and status recertification rule impacts an entity's eligibility for small business set-aside multiple award contracts and orders following an M&A transaction that occurred on or after January 17, 2026, and discuss how buyers and sellers should consider these changes in their due diligence processes.

On January 16, 2026, the Department of Defense issued a video statement and memorandum directing a sweeping review of 8(a) and small business set-aside and sole source contracts over $20 million. Shortly after, on January 22, 2026, the Small Business Administration issued new 8(a) Program guidance and suspended more than 1,000 8(a) contractors for failing to submit their required audit documentation by the January 19th reporting deadline.

Together, these developments signal a major escalation in enforcement and compliance risks for small-business contractors. In this podcast, Declan Leonard and Stephanie Wilson tackle this breaking news, why it matters, and what contractors should be doing now to protect themselves.

A major ruling impacting Virginia businesses was recently issued by the Supreme Court of Virginia, which held that the Virginia Wage Payment Act does not treat commissions as wages. Following this decision, employees may no longer file wage theft claims against their employers for unpaid commissions under the Act.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Associate Charles Bonani break down what the Virginia Wage Payment Act is, how the court's recent decision impacts it, and what developments businesses may see next as a new legislative session begins in Virginia.