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On May 23, 2024, the Securities Enforcement Forum West debuted its first-ever panel on the impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on securities enforcement, regulation, compliance, and practice, signaling an increased focus on the fast-evolving technology.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)  and Department of Justice (“DOJ”)  have been working increasingly collaboratively to combat unlawful trading practices and hold wrongdoers accountable, demonstrating effective interagency cooperation to protect investors and ensure the integrity of the financial markets.

The Department of Justice is stepping up its focus on artificial intelligence (“AI”), with officials warning that harsher penalties could be in store for those who deliberately misuse the technology to commit white collar offenses, such as price fixing and market manipulation.

On February 28, 2024, President Joe Biden issued a landmark Executive Order titled “Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern” (the “Order”).

On January 10, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) introduced the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program (“Pilot Program”), aimed at encouraging individuals to disclose information about specific criminal offenses, particularly urging them to do so early and voluntarily. In return for their cooperation, SDNY will enter into a non-prosecution agreement (“NPA”) if certain conditions are met.

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has revised the thresholds that govern pre-merger notification requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”), and Section 8 of the Clayton Act governing “interlocking directorates.”

On December 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice (the “Agencies”) jointly released new Merger Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), setting forth the analytical framework the Agencies will use to review proposed mergers and acquisitions.

It is one of the hardest questions a company can face: after discovering criminal conduct inside your company, do you self-report to the government or not?

Earlier this month, a federal judge vacated two convictions related to the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) investigation into corruption in international soccer, widely known as the “FIFA Case.”

The State of California has officially launched a new Division of Petroleum Market Oversight within the California Energy Commission, and appointed a seasoned antitrust prosecutor to lead it.

On June 27, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), with the concurrence of the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (together with the FTC, the “Agencies”), announced that it is proposing extensive changes to the premerger notification form, instructions, and implementing regulations under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) Act.