Womble Perspectives

Today's commute is defined by traffic - will tomorrow's be defined by flying cars or an eco-friendly air taxi?  The electric aviation industry is making leaps and bounds, reshaping our skies with electric aircrafts using Vertical Takeoff and Landing, also called eVTOL, and electric Conventional Takeoff and Landing, referred to as eCTOL. Companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Beta Technologies are at the forefront of this revolution, driven by advancements in AI and innovative designs.

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About the authors:
Shari B. Domow Bacsardi
Dillon A. Redding
Alexander R. Lowitt

Today, our episode is based on a post from our Law Meets Science blog, and we're taking a deep dive into telehealth, a topic that might seem new but has actually been evolving for centuries.

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About the author:
Melissa Ratliff, RN, BSN, Legal Nurse Consultant.

Recently, President Biden introduced new measures aimed at easing the immigration process for two key groups. While these reforms may have the potential to transform the lives of many undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and their families, what exactly do these changes entail, and how can they benefit those affected?

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About the authors:
Jennifer Cory
Jeffrey B. Widdison

As the summer Olympic Games approach, we can expect to see some athletes being banned due to doping. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which oversees American Olympic and Paralympic athletes, enforces stringent testing standards. Remember the female US track star banned from the Tokyo Games for testing positive for marijuana? Spoiler: she's back and faster than ever. Although marijuana remains banned in the Olympics, the NC double A Division 1 Council recently decided to remove cannabinoids from the banned drug class for NC double A championships and postseason football.

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About the author:
Kim Beane

In an era where energy reliability and sustainability are more critical than ever, the ADVANCE Act aims to propel the United States into a new age of nuclear innovation. 

The ADVANCE Act stands for Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy. Signed into law by President Biden, this pivotal piece of legislation seeks to expedite the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. With strong bipartisan support, the ADVANCE Act signifies a unified commitment to leveraging nuclear energy for a sustainable future.

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About the authors:
Lisa Rushton
Jeffrey S. Whittle
Belton T. Zeigler

The world of investment advising is rapidly evolving, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation.  With these advancements, however, come new regulations designed to ensure transparency and fairness. The SEC Marketing Rule, revamped in 2020, has significant implications for fintech companies, especially those leveraging AI.

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About the authors:
Louis Froelich
Joshua Wabnik

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of SEC v. Jarkesy that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission must litigate in federal district court when seeking civil monetary penalties for alleged violations of federal securities laws.

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About the authors:
Britt Whitesell Biles

James E. Connelly

Robert R. Ambler, Jr.

Matthew L. Hickman

In a monumental decision, the Supreme Court has altered the landscape of public corruption prosecutions. The ruling in Snyder v. United States a case involving 18 U.S.C. § 666, found that federal gratuities do not apply to state and local officials, resolving a long-standing circuit split.

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About the authors
Luke Cass
Joe D. Whitley
M. Rhett DeHart
Michael E. Clark
Ben R. Smith

Current market conditions may present unprecedented opportunities to purchase debt secured by distressed commercial real estate assets at potentially significant discounts. A record number of CRE secured loans are maturing at a time when owners are facing high interest rates, declining occupancy rates and correspondingly reduced cash flows and property valuations. CRE foreclosures are becoming more frequent.

For those looking for buying opportunities, it may seem reasonable to assume that purchasing a CRE secured loan at a discount is worthy of some consideration. However, buying CRE secured debt is very different than acquiring real estate itself. It presents unique risks and requirements and these differences can have an adverse impact on your investment returns.

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About the author:
Pamela V. Rothenberg

As we near another election cycle, the discussion on cannabis legalization will be a key debate at both state and federal levels. A November 2023 Gallup survey revealed record public support for marijuana legalization at 70%, across party lines. Looking back at 2023 advancements, how will this impact cannabis legalization as we head into the 2024 election season?

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About the author:
Morgan E. Persinger