The Sidley Podcast

What happens when you buy somebody else’s problems? A new policy from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is encouraging companies to disclose the misconduct of the companies they buy. The DOJ says it won’t prosecute businesses that voluntarily report wrongdoing found during the mergers and acquisitions process. The government especially wants to detect misconduct that threate

The SEC had planned to usher in a new era of corporate disclosure but now it may be on hold. Its new rules would require public companies to report extensive climate-related information. They are intended to improve the consistency, comparability, and reliability of climate-related data and to provide detailed, decision-useful information for investors seeking company information b

A whopping one in five workers in the U.S. has signed a non-compete agreement. Companies use these contracts to protect trade secrets, reduce employee turnover, and improve their business leverage. Detractors say non-competes decrease wages and are burdensome to workers. Private litigation is on the rise against non-competes and some states are now passing limits on their use. At t

When an M&A deal closes, is it done? Not always. More and more disputes are arising after closing, which results in lost time and expense for both buyers and sellers as they realize they don’t actually have a done deal. Not all disputes after closing can be avoided, but their effects can be minimized with the right due diligence, transparency in the process, and knowing the m

The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that university admissions policies must be “color blind” under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, breaking with decades of legal precedent and resulting in challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at universities and elsewhere. Many employers worry their own DEI policies and programs may be at risk, with busin

The Supreme Court of the United States is in session. After its seismic decisions last term, SCOTUS has set its sights on another slate of high-stakes cases that could again transform elections, policy, and public life. On the docket are the First Amendment, gun rights, racial gerrymandering, and the power of the executive branch over regulation. Companies are bracing for decisions

Companies are facing more attacks on their information systems. And, as their cyber risk skyrockets, the SEC has stepped in with new regulations, telling businesses what to disclose about these incidents — and requiring detailed disclosures on cyber risk management more broadly. With the deadline for compliance fast approaching, businesses are scrambling to mitigate their legal r

Airlines have hit their share of turbulence, from supply chain issues and staffing shortages to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and elevated fuel prices. As interest rates rise and some airlines file for bankruptcy, the industry’s carbon emissions efforts are getting off the ground. Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s t

Bank failures have roiled the financial sector, leading consumers and businesses to brace for economic fallout. How did we get here, and how will policymakers respond? What are the tools businesses can use to mitigate risk, and could a crisis like 2008 be repeated?Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on t

After a contentious State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden faces off against a divided United States Congress over the debt ceiling. The business world is paying very close attention. Will Speaker Kevin McCarthy be able to corral his slim House majority? Are any compromises possible, and can any legislation actually pass? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sa