Real World Legal Updates

A new era for restrictive covenants is taking shape in Virginia, as recent legislation and court decisions continue to reshape how non-compete and non-solicitation agreements can be used. With new limitations set to take effect on July 1, 2026, employers face growing uncertainty around enforceability and compliance.   In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Partner Declan Leonard and Counsel...

A major shift in Virginia employment law is on the horizon, as significant amendments to the Virginia Wage Payment Act take effect on July 1, 2026. These changes expand what qualifies as “wages” under the law and increase potential penalties and enforcement mechanisms for employers.   In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Associate Charles Bonani break do...

Employee retention and long-term incentive planning continue to be top priorities for growing businesses looking to attract and retain top talent. In this episode of Real World Business Law, Partner Connie Phelps and Associate Attorney Shelby Julien discuss how businesses can use phantom equity as a strategic compensation tool to reward key employees without transferring actual ownership. They bre...

To PIP, or not to PIP – that is the question. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Managing Partner Declan Leonard and Partner Kristin Zech take the stage to break down Performance Improvement Plans and discuss when they may be the right act for a business to take. They cover what a PIP is (and isn’t), how to approach it thoughtfully, and how it can be used as a tool for improvement when...

Celsius has grown into one of the most popular energy drinks on the market, but its rapid rise has come with a series of legal battles.   In this episode of Real World Business Law, attorneys and real-life Celsius fans Shelby Julien and Cala Dossey break down the lawsuits behind the headlines and explore the bigger lesson for business leaders: strategic partnerships can be powerful growth tools, b...

Small business government contractors have new major considerations when evaluating potential M&A transactions following the recent implementation of an SBA rule on size and status recertification. In this episode of Real World GovCon Law, Partners Stephanie Wilson and Connie Phelps break down how SBA's new size and status recertification rule impacts an entity's eligibility for small business...

No business ever plans on facing a discrimination lawsuit, but many do.   In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Managing Partner Declan Leonard and Counsel Drew Smith tackle an issue every employer hopes to avoid, and the immediate steps they can take to respond.   They offer a practical, high-level overview of the steps employers should take early on, how to navigate the legal process, an...

On January 16, 2026, the Department of Defense issued a video statement and memorandum directing a sweeping review of 8(a) and small business set-aside and sole source contracts over $20 million. Shortly after, on January 22, 2026, the Small Business Administration issued new 8(a) Program guidance and suspended more than 1,000 8(a) contractors for failing to submit their required audit documentati...

A major ruling impacting Virginia businesses was recently issued by the Supreme Court of Virginia, which held that the Virginia Wage Payment Act does not treat commissions as wages. Following this decision, employees may no longer file wage theft claims against their employers for unpaid commissions under the Act. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Ass...

Massive NIL deals are changing the game for college athletes, and more developments are on the way as multiple acts have been introduced to Congress to create a federal standard for NIL legislation.   In this episode of Sports in the Courts, Associate Attorney Charles Bonani and Counsel Drew Smith examine how the unique legal history and meaning of the term "student athlete" continue to shape NIL...

With the 2025 seasons of high-contact sports like hockey and football underway, the debate is heating up once again: when does tough gameplay cross the line from physical to criminal?   In this episode of Sports in the Courts, Associate Attorney Charles Bonani and Counsel Drew Smith break down recent and historic examples where players took “full contact” too far — and ended up facing criminal cha...

As federal funding remains uncertain, many nonprofits are exploring new strategies to carry on their missions. Catch up on the education webinar hosted by The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, and The Baldwin Group for a practical breakdown on how mergers and acquisitions can help nonprofits build stability, expand resources, and continue serving their communities through...

In this week's BL Business Branding podcast, we continue our coverage of the ongoing lawsuit between boutique athleisure brand Lululemon and the big-box warehouse Costco Wholesale. Join hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Weirtather as they share their insights and discuss how this legal dispute could impact businesses and consumers beyond the fashion headlines.

At every stage of business, one common denominator keeps companies moving forward and sets them apart from the competition: their people. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Seth Berenzweig is joined by Rachel Platt, founder of PLATTinum Consulting and an experienced HR strategist with over 20 years of experience, to explore how business leaders can transform their approach to human reso...

This week’s episode of BL Business Branding hits it out of the park! Join Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth as they dive into the legal battle between the Chicago Cubs and a nearby rooftop bar selling fans a unique view of live games and discuss who really owns the fan experience. Tune in as they explore this fascinating intersection of sports, branding, and intellectual property.

We are back with another edition of Sports in the Courts! Associate Attorney Charles Bonani joins veteran sports radio host Tod Castleberry to cover the evolving landscape of college athletics in the era of NIL. Together, they break down a recent ruling granting final approval on the House settlement that ushers in a new wave of earning potential for Division I athletes starting July 1, 2025. Tune...

Buckle up for this week’s edition of the BL Business Branding podcast! Join hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth as they unpack the legal drama surrounding Eleanor, the iconic car from the Gone in 60 Seconds franchise, and explore when a famous vehicle can be protected under copyright law as a character.

As new legal updates continue rolling out in 2025, GovCon business leaders must continuously adapt to the "new normal" while balancing the needs and expectations of their workforces. Industry leaders from BOOST LLC, The Baldwin Group, and Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, joined forces to provide tools and practical insights to help companies thrive while managing their employee relationships. Topics inclu...

The rapidly changing global marketplace is booming with new opportunities, and the U.S. remains the world’s largest customer. But for foreign companies looking to enter the U.S. for the first time, knowing where to start and who to partner with can be the biggest barriers to entry. In this podcast, we join our colleagues at Pivot Security to explore the boom in new opportunities for businesses in...

For many people, artificial intelligence has become a part of their daily lives, including at work. With over 75% of employees reportedly using AI in the workplace, businesses must quickly decide how and where they will incorporate AI tools into their workflows or risk losing control of their business's sensitive information. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Partner Nick Johnson is jo...

This BL Business Branding podcast episode dives into a high-profile legal clash between fashion heavyweights Adidas and Steve Madden. Join hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth as they explore Adidas' aggressive trademark enforcement of its iconic three-stripe mark—and Steve Madden's pushback, arguing that Adidas is overreaching and threatening creative freedom in the fashion world.

As DOGE made its way through different federal agencies, the impact of funding cuts and stop-work orders has created significant uncertainty for government contractors, leading to an increase in workforce reductions. These mass layoffs can trigger employee notice requirements under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and the clock is ticking. In this episode of the Real W...

This week's BL Business Branding podcast dives into the 10-year legal saga surrounding Jack Daniels and a whiskey-themed parody dog toy the company is trying to keep off the shelves. Watch or listen now as hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth discuss the ongoing lawsuit and explore the difference between parody and trademark infringement in branding.

This week on the BL Business Branding podcast, hosts Nick Martinez and Isabel Wadsworth dive into a recent copyright scuffle surrounding unreleased music from Eminem tracks. Together they break down criminal charges brought against a former employee accused of leaking over two dozen unreleased tracks and discuss the importance of protecting your intellectual property in the digital age.

Associate Attorney Charles Bonani joins veteran sports radio host Tod Castleberry to break down the latest developments from the pending name, image and likeness (NIL) settlement process in college sports. If the proposed settlement moves forward, hundreds of thousands of college student athletes could be compensated directly by their universities, reshaping the NCAA athletics landscape forever.