Womble Perspectives

WBD-US and WBD-UK are committed to immersing themselves in the additional capability that the combination provides, and they have been working through the opportunities that this proposition brings. The US‐UK Office Exchange program seeks to provide a training opportunity to enhance the firm’s focus in growth practice areas, build the skillsets of current attorneys, create cross‐ border peer groups, increase the firm’s ability to support global clients, and promote employee retention. 

Data breaches are a modern business nightmare. Not only do they compromise sensitive customer information, but they also open the floodgates for legal consequences, especially in the form of data breach class actions. Over the past year alone, data breach class action filings have tripled, with businesses across numerous industries, especially healthcare, finance, and credit rating agencies, finding themselves in the legal hot seat.

Read the article
Defending Data Breach Class Actions

About the author
Mark P. Henriques

Today, we’re unraveling the complexities of the discretionary denials from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board - known as PTAB. If you're a patent attorney, litigator, or simply someone navigating the world of patent law, you've probably heard a lot about the Fintiv decision and how it has shaped PTAB rulings in recent years. Add to that the introduction and recent rescission of the Interim Guidelines, and it’s clear we’re dealing with a dynamic, evolving landscape.  

Read the full article
USPTO’s Rescission of its Discretionary Denial Memorandum – Much Ado About Nothing?

About the author
Kyle W. Kellar

New Mexico has taken a significant step forward in exploring psychedelic medicine, particularly in the therapeutic use of psilocybin. On March 12, 2025, the state Senate approved Senate Bill 219, known as the Medical Psilocybin Act, with a strong bipartisan vote of 33-4. If this bill passes the state’s House of Representatives, New Mexico will join Oregon and Colorado as one of the few states to legalize the supervised use of psilocybin for medical purposes.

Read the full article
Alert: New Mexico Is a Step Closer to Legalizing the Supervised Use of Psilocybin

About the authors
Al Windham
Madeline Campbell, Ph.D.

On February 10, 2025, Amazon was hit with a class-action lawsuit under Washington’s groundbreaking MY Health MY Data Act. This is the very first case filed under the Act, marking a pivotal moment in data privacy litigation. Today, we’ll break down what this case is about, how Amazon’s use of Software Development Kits, commonly abbreviated as SDKs, plays into it, and what this could mean for businesses, consumers, and the future of SDK-related claims.

Read the full article
First Class Action Filed Under Washington’s MY Health MY Data Act Draws Parallels to Previous SDK Litigation

About the author
Ryan D. Ellard, CIPP/US

Today, we’re exploring key elements of the Trump administration's recent executive orders on deregulation, their legal implications, and how they could reshape the competitive landscape for organizations across the U.S. If your business is in industries like technology, energy, or infrastructure, this is a must-listen for you.

Read the full article
Deregulation: Uncertainty and Opportunity

About the authors
Jason C. Hicks
Kirk C. Jenkins
Kristina M. Moore

Today, we're diving into international trade in goods and technology. Specifically, we're exploring the evolving regulatory landscape businesses must operate in. We'll examine key regulatory tools like tariffs, export controls, sanctions, and investment restrictions, and how they affect global supply chains and business goals.  

Read the full article
International Trade in Goods and Technology: An Ever-Changing Regulatory Landscape

About the authors
Dan Joyner
Scott A. Jones*

With billions in funding funneled through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, questions are now being raised about how these funds are being spent and managed.

 From expanded loan and grant programs to targeted environmental justice initiatives, there's a lot to unpack. We’ll also talk about the consequences of this increased oversight for grant and loan recipients and the steps companies can take to prepare for heightened evaluation. 

Read the full article
Congress Puts DOE & EPA Grants/Loans Under the Microscope

About the authors
Kristina M. Moore
Veronica Renzi
Stephen J. Snyder

Data privacy has evolved from being an IT afterthought to a business-critical priority. With consumers demanding greater control over their personal information, U.S. states continue to step up with new legislation—making 2025 a landmark year. Eight new state privacy laws are going into effect, joining existing frameworks like California’s CPRA. For businesses, 2025 brings both legal challenges and an opportunity to enhance trust and transparency.

Read the full article
…But Wait, There’s More!

About the authors
Kyle G. Kessler, CIPP/E
Christine Xiao, CIPP/US
Tyler Connor, CIPP/US

Starting January 18, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented significant changes to its trademark fee schedule. These updates are part of the USPTO's ongoing efforts to make the application process more efficient while encouraging applicants to submit complete and streamlined filings.

For trademark attorneys, this is a pivotal moment to familiarize themselves with the new pricing structure and anticipate how these changes will affect their clients.

Read the full article
New Year, New Fee Schedule for Trademarks at the USPTO – Big Changes to Application Fees

About the authors
Sara M. Bauer
Lori B. Cohen