Womble Perspectives

Today, we’re revisiting a story that’s as provocative as it is legally fascinating: the ongoing trademark battle over the F-word.

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• F-Word as a Trademark? Federal Circuit Leaves the Door Open as it Vacates TTAB’s Decision

About the authors

• Jennifer A. Van Kirk
• Erica R. Halstead
• Lori B. Cohen

Construction projects can be incredibly exciting. But, with big investments come big responsibilities, and unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned. The truth is, most project owners aren’t construction experts. They’re stepping into a world dominated by contractors who have years of specialized experience. This creates an imbalance of knowledge, which can make identifying problems early both daunting and stressful.  

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Identifying The Warning Signs of A Troubled Construction Project

About the authors
Todd M. Conley
Jeremy L. Baker

When we think about the human body, we often consider systems we learned about in biology class, like the central nervous system, the endocrine system, or maybe even the sympathetic nervous system. But today we’re shining a light on a crucial—but relatively new discovery in human physiology called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short.  

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Unlocking the Secrets of the Endocannabinoid System: A New Frontier in Therapeutic Cannabis Research for Adolescents

About the author
Jennifer Housden, RN, BSN*

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Jeff Whittle, a partner in our Houston office and Head of our Global Energy and Natural Resources team. The two discuss Jeff’s journey with Womble, his initial leap of faith to join the firm, and his experience in building the Houston office. 

More about WBD's Energy and Natural Resources practice

Have you ever wandered through the grocery store, faced with what feels like endless aisles of options, and stopped at a product labeled 'healthy' because you trusted what that word means? Well, turns out, things are a bit more complicated than they seem. The FDA has been at the forefront of defining what 'healthy' means on food labels, and they just released an updated definition that’s set to go into effect in this year.

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New FDA Criteria for Labeling Food as "Healthy"

About the author
L. Christine Lawson

On June 5, 2025, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, or ICO, issued a £2.3 million fine—about $3.1 million U.S.—against California-based genetic testing company 23andMe. The reason? A serious data breach that exposed the sensitive personal data of 150,000 UK individuals.

Let’s unpack what happened—and why it matters far beyond the biotech sector.

Read the full article: The ICO’s Penalty Against 23andMe Brings New Emphasis on Cybersecurity Risks – Key Takeaways for U.S. Companies

About the authors

• Caroline Churchill
• Jenny Gibbs
• Tara N. Cho, CIPP/US, CIPP/E
• Drew Wilson, CIPP/US

Today, we’re looking at a provocative development in reproductive science: selecting embryos based on projected intelligence. Picture this: a couple undergoing IVF is presented with three embryos. They’re told each has a different predicted IQ. Embryo 1, 2, or 3—who’s likely to be the smartest?

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• The Intersection of Genetics and Law: Navigating New Frontiers

About the author

• Christina Upton Douglas

Today’s episode is based on a recap of DOJ developments between January 2025 and August 2025, and is part of our content series, “Beyond the Headlines: Navigating Change in the Federal Government.” For more information on how developments at the federal level could affect you and your business, check out the links below.

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• Recapping the DOJ’s Evolving Policies on Corporate Enforcement and Compliance

Federal Government Content Hub

• Beyond the Headlines: Navigating Change in the Federal Government

About the authors

• Joe D. Whitley
• Luke Cass

Welcome back to Womble Perspectives. Today, we’re diving into a case that’s raising questions about corporate compliance, whistleblower protections, and the future of deferred prosecution agreements.

A recent whistleblower lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court could have major implications for Freepoint Commodities, a Connecticut-based energy trading firm. The suit alleges insider trading violations and retaliation, and it comes just two years after Freepoint entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

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• Can a Whistleblower Derail a Deferred Prosecution Agreement?

About the authors

• Audrey N. Karman
• Luke Cass

Today, we’re diving into a fascinating story at the intersection of wireless technology, academic research, and federal regulation.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau recently granted a conditional waiver to the University of Utah—an important move that could pave the way for groundbreaking wireless research across the country.

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• FCC Grants University of Utah Waiver for Innovative Wireless Research Applications

About the authors

• Martin L. Stern
• Ryan L. Gillcrist