Womble Perspectives

The commercial real estate landscape is evolving rapidly, with technology playing a key role in redefining how businesses operate. Among these technologies, revenue management software, or RMS, has gained significant traction, offering data-driven insights to optimize rental pricing. However, as promising as these tools may seem, they also introduce legal and financial risks that commercial real estate professionals cannot afford to overlook.

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Safeguarding CRE Companies: Navigating Risks in Revenue Management Software Agreements

About the authors
Pamela V. Rothenberg
Jason C. Hicks

Today, we’re breaking down a pivotal change in the regulatory landscape for Lab-Developed Tests—or LDTs. These tests are a vital part of modern healthcare, used every day for diagnosing and managing diseases, monitoring treatments, and more. Think COVID-19 tests, blood glucose testing, or even genetic screening like HIV or HPV testing. 

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FDA Broadens Oversight of Lab-Developed Tests

About the authors
Jennifer Housden, RN, BSN*
L. Christine Lawson

Today we’re unpacking a topic that has far-reaching implications for both public health and the food industry alike—lead levels in baby food.  

The FDA recently set action levels for lead in baby food, sparking conversations about safety, regulation, and even ongoing litigation. 

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FDA Sets Action Levels For Lead

About the authors
L. Christine Lawson
Jonathon A. Fligg

Today, we're zooming in on key cases decided this past year and unpacking their broader implications for the pharmaceutical industry. We’ll look at decisions that refined safe harbor provisions, imposed stricter scrutiny on certain patents, tackled Orange Book listings, and much more. 

And before we close, we’ll share some insights into what the industry may encounter in 2025, so stick around to the end to hear what to expect in the coming year. 

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2024 Hatch-Waxman Year in Review

About the authors
Ben Bourke
Alexander P. Wharton

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. 

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the insights, highlights, and key takeaways from our recent event titled "What to Expect from the 119th Congress." A bipartisan panel of top Congressional staffers, as well as esteemed professionals in government affairs and Congressional investigations gathered to share their expertise and insights.

Womble Bond Dickinson attorneys Lee Van Voorhis and Kristina Moore were on hand at the event and today, they're sharing their thoughts on this diverse and illuminating conversation.

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More about Kristina

When your company faces a Congressional probe, consider it a pivotal event. Crafting an apt response demands deep insights into the political and media landscape, stakeholders involved, and potential risks to your company—and your personal reputation.

More about our Congressional Investigations & Crisis Management Services

In today's episode, first in a two part series, we’re going to unpack the year in review for the Hatch-Waxman Act—a critical framework in the pharmaceutical industry that continues to shape the dynamics between brand-name drugmakers and generics.  

2024 has been a fascinating year, with significant trends and legal shifts that have implications for innovation, accessibility, and regulatory strategy. Whether you’re a legal professional, a business leader in pharma, or simply interested in the interplay between patents and healthcare, this episode will give you key insights into what shaped the legal landscape this year. 

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2024 Hatch-Waxman Year in Review

About the authors
Ben Bourke
Alexander P. Wharton

Claim construction—essentially, the interpretation of patent claims—plays a pivotal role in the outcome of patent disputes. However, traditionally, courts have avoided addressing these issues in the early stages of litigation, such as during motions to dismiss. Why? Because these disputes often require a detailed examination of evidence and expert input. Historically, forcing claim construction too early has been seen as jumping the gun. 

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Federal Circuit Clarifies Claim Construction at the Pleading Stage

About the author
James E. Dority

Permitting reform under a potential second Trump administration could shape the future of mining projects and their role in the energy transition. This administration could potentially prioritize oil, natural gas, and coal, while giving less attention to boosting renewable energy initiatives or supporting projects like electric vehicles (EVs). Despite the growing need for critical minerals in clean energy technologies, Trump’s approach is unlikely to incentivize EV development, with figures like Elon Musk backing the removal of EV credits, believing Tesla can compete without such subsidies.

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Permitting Reform in the Trump Administration

About the authors
Scot Anderson
Ana Maria Gutiérrez

When AI creates, is it actually being creative? And who owns the rights to its inventions?

Today, our episode focuses on the intersection of copyright, AI, and patent law, based on a white paper co authored by WBD's Chris Mammen, the script and recording for today's episode were produced by Google Notebook LM.

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Creativity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Requirement of Human Authors and Inventors in Copyright and Patent Law

About the co-author
Dr. Christian E. Mammen