Steptoe LLP

On June 20-23, 200 Steptoe associates, counsel, and summer associates gathered at the Chesapeake Hyatt in Cambridge, MD for our worldwide Associates and Counsel Retreat. A great opportunity for creating and reinforcing connections across Steptoe and for learning new skills. These included diverse team working, maximizing pro bono efforts, how to improve well-being and performance, generative AI, enhancing business development, and more. Thank you to all of our speakers, our Events team, and everyone who helped organize and facilitate a fantastic retreat.

Current discussions on artificial intelligence center around the lack of laws and regulations, and the need for policymakers to catch up to rapidly evolving industry developments. Despite this narrative, AI is already subject to a significant amount of national security-related laws, with several new legal regimes to be implemented. These national security-related regimes can apply to obvious cases such as the use of AI in weapons systems, however, can also apply to AI with no direct connection to national security. We’re pleased to share that Steptoe attorneys have authored a white paper that provides a comprehensive overview of the various US national security laws that apply to AI today or will apply in the future. Visit our website to read “Artificial Intelligence and National Security Law,” a full copy of the white paper is available for download here: https://lnkd.in/gSYrVh4X Brian Fleming Evan Abrams Tyler Evans Tod Cohen Anne-Gabrielle HAIE Chris Forsgren

We’re delighted to share that Steptoe IP and Technology partner Christopher A. Suarez co-edited “Artificial Intelligence: Legal Issues, Policy, and Practical Strategies,” published by the American Bar Association Science & Technology Law Section. The book was created through a collaboration between the Presidential ABA Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence and the ABA Science & Technology Law Section. It covers a wide range of important topics concerning AI and the law, and serves as a valuable resource for navigating AI's complex technology. Christopher also contributed two chapters to the book, including a co-authored chapter on Intellectual Property titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Intellectual Property Explosion,” and a solo authored chapter titled “Legal Issues at the Convergence of AI and the Internet of Things.” Visit the ABA website for more information and to purchase a copy of “Artificial Intelligence: Legal Issues, Policy, and Practical Strategies.” https://lnkd.in/eTaT8-df

A recent interim staff report by the House Judiciary Committee suggests that the World Federation of Advertisers' Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) initiative may violate US antitrust law. The report alleges that GARM facilitated group boycotts of Twitter, a podcast, and certain news outlets, potentially restricting consumer choice and suppressing certain viewpoints. The report alleges that GARM's efforts to promote "brand safety" could be seen as a group boycott. Companies should be cautious when working with competitors or trade groups on politically sensitive topics and ensure policies are in place to comply with US antitrust law. For more information, read our recent blog post, “Advertising Boycott: An Antitrust Violation?” authored by John Kavanagh and Travis West, on our website: https://lnkd.in/gGpFzmAC

As the US general election nears, the role of AI is becoming increasingly relevant. With no current federal regulation of AI-generated political advertisements, states are taking matters into their own hands, passing legislation to regulate deceptive political ads. Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced three AI-related bills aimed at increasing transparency. Federal agencies like the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Election Commission are contemplating their roles in AI oversight. States like Alabama, Hawaii, and Texas have banned AI-generated content in political ads or imposed penalties for noncompliance, while others require disclosures on AI-generated content, with varying penalties for violations. Visit our website to read our recent blog post, “Deepfakes, Disclosures, and Democracy: The Role of AI in Elections,” authored by Jason Abel, Adie Olson, Elizabeth Goodwin, Amanda Powell, and Jennifer Jackson: https://lnkd.in/g_4NxjJs

Visit our website to download the EU AI Act Decoded - Issue 4, about the Classification of AI Systems and General-purpose AI (GPAI) Models: https://lnkd.in/eTvMWzMn This series unpacks definitions, identifies who the EU AI Act applies to, outlines when it takes effect, highlights potential enforcement risks, and more!

Global Investigations Review (GIR) quoted Alex Melia in an article titled, “UK Court of Appeal Ruling Leaves Businesses on the Hook for Money Laundering.” The article discusses how companies have long relied on an exemption in the UK’s money laundering law to shield them from liability for handling potentially illicit goods or funds and how a recent appeal court ruling brought that legal defense tumbling down. Speaking to GIR about the ruling Melia said: that "the ruling means that even if a person or company can rely on the adequate consideration exemption when receiving suspected criminal property, they could still be liable for a money laundering offence when transferring the property to another party."   Read the full article in Global Investigations Review: https://lnkd.in/eixPtBXr

We’re pleased to share that Steptoe secured summary judgment defeating a $28.5 million counterclaim against our client Valaris. Valaris, one of the world’s largest offshore drilling contractors, retained Steptoe to prosecute a $9 million contract claim against oil and gas operator Cantium, after which Cantium struck back with its counterclaim. A Motion for Summary Judgment was filed on behalf of Valaris to dismiss the counterclaim. The Court agreed with Steptoe and granted the Motion the day that it was submitted.   The Steptoe team includes partners David Isaak and Jacquelyn Rex Tobin, attorney Mia Pipkin, and paralegal Antrice Thomas. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/e6w-z6GQ

Steptoe commercial litigation partner Eugene Zilberman co-authored an article that appeared in The Texas Lawbook, “Texas Law: New Business Courts Should Reject Prior Pending Cases.” The article discusses the restrictions for the newly established Texas business court, which explicitly disallows the transfer of cases pending in state courts prior to September 1, 2024. Despite confusion due to certain sections of House Bill 19 not appearing in the Texas Government Code Chapter 25A, the legislative text clearly negates such removals. This is to prevent an overwhelming influx of cases and disruption of cases filed under existing law. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gyHaGhRg

We're proud to share that Steptoe received the China Business Law Award in three categories: corporate compliance, international trade, and IP (patent). It is the 11th consecutive year that we’ve won in the international trade category, and the sixth consecutive year in the corporate compliance and IP (patent) categories.   The awards, presented by the China Business Law Journal, use counsel nominations, client feedback, and legal achievements to determine winners. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/ediyHzz6