News + Resources

Two recent rulings by federal courts in Missouri and Louisiana have issued injunctions to allow legal challenges brought by several Republican-led states to make their way through federal courts, prohibiting CMS from enforcing the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

Members of McGlinchey's Consumer Financial Services Compliance and Litigation teams served as editors and co-authors of the 2022 edition of the leading desk reference in consumer financial services law, Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) Consumer Financial Services Answer Book.

The challenge to OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that was pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has been transferred. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a ruling on November 16, consolidating all challenges to the ETS to the Sixth Circuit in Ohio.

Member Kathy Conklin was quoted in a November 17 article in New Orleans CityBusiness regarding which businesses HIPAA does and does not apply to, and what it dictates in relation to those businesses.

Member Jason Bichsel offered insight to Auto Finance Excellence in a November 8 article on maintaining compliance in the shift toward digitization.

On Saturday, November 6, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit released an emergency motion to stay enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standard (“Mandate” or “ETS”) issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the day before.

Jessica VanTroost, Strategic Operations Administrator, will facilitate an Association of Legal Adminstrators (ALA) Roundtable on lessons learned about hybrid working during Covid on Friday, November 19.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce two national practice group rankings and 47 metropolitan practice area rankings in U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2022.

Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) was quoted in a Popular Science article on PFAS, the ever-present 'forever chemicals' that linger in the environment.

Years in the making, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's final rules amending the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act take effect on Nov. 30. Given President Joe Biden's increased enforcement and monetary penalties for unfair and deceptive acts and practices, are you prepared to ensure your business complies with the new FDCPA requirements?

On October 12, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its draft of the proposed enforcement standards to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for review (OMB), advancing President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers to an impending compliance reality.

New Orleans Member Camille Bryant was quoted in an October 12 article in the Baton Rouge Business Report regarding the evolving laws regarding COVID-19 related workplace requirements, mandates, and protocols.

On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Labor was preparing to mandate that all business with 100 or more workers require their employees to either get vaccinated against the coronavirus or face mandatory weekly testing.

HIPAA privacy rules do not prevent employers and businesses from asking employees and visitors about their COVID-19 vaccination status, the government recently reiterated.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to welcome former Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. “Jim” Sturdivant as a member (partner) in the firm’s Birmingham office. As part of the Government and Internal Investigations team, he aggressively represents clients in high-stakes white collar litigation and helps them prepare for and navigate state and federal investigations.

Robert Driscoll (Washington, DC), co-chair of McGlinchey Stafford’s Government & Internal Investigations Team on how much crypto’s financial crimes compare to its predecessors.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has been named to the 19th annual “Best Places to Work” list in the “large company” category for businesses with more than 50 employees, by New Orleans CityBusiness.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Alexander Zamenhof has joined its national commercial and consumer financial services litigation practice as an associate in its New York City office.

We are pleased to announce that Office Managing Attorney Magdalen Blessey Bickford has been honored with the 2021 “Women of the Year” Award from New Orleans CityBusiness, in recognition of her business success and dedication to the community.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce that Ross Benson has earned the widely recognized Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has received full FDA approval, and approval of all vaccines is expected by year-end. With FDA approval and an anticipated federal mandate for some companies, what are the next steps for employers?

McGlinchey is excited to announce that it has joined the Mansfield Rule 4.0 “Midsize Mansfield” cohort. This initiative is focused on accomplishing positive change in the legal industry by continuing to enhance and strengthen McGlinchey’s inclusive culture that fosters a sense of belonging for everyone.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Casey O’Flynn has joined its national corporate and M&A practice in its New Orleans office as an associate.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Michael B. (Mike) Schwegler has joined its national business corporate practice in its Nashville office as a Member (Partner).

New Orleans Member Camille Bryant was profiled in a Q&A in New Orleans CityBusiness on September 16, 2021 discussing the impacts President Biden's COVID vaccine mandate will have on employers, and how management can prepare themselves to comply with and implement this mandate in the workplace.

New Orleans Member Camille Bryant had an article published in Law.com's The Legal Intelligencer regarding the Delta variant's related surge in Coronavirus cases, vaccine and testing mandates, and what issues employers may face this fall.

On Thursday, September 23, 2021, Sandy Shatz, Chris Bottcher, and Shaun Ramey will join Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund's Financial Institution Advisory Group to present a brief overview of new mortgage servicing rules in federal law, Florida law, and Tennessee law.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the District Court’s judgment vacating the CDC's second eviction moratorium that had prevented the eviction of any tenants who live in counties that are experiencing substantial or high levels of COVID-19 transmission and who make certain declarations of financial need.

All of us here at McGlinchey hope that all communities affected by Hurricane Ida are safe today as emergency service officials continue to assess the damage from the storm.

New Orleans Member Christine Tenley appeared on New Orleans WWL-TV’s broadcast coverage on August 24 regarding the likelihood that employers may require COVID-19 vaccination following the Pfizer vaccine’s FDA approval. “I think we are at a critical juncture of workplace safety. At the bedrock of your legal obligations, is to keep your workplace safe,” saidMore

On the morning of August 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s two-dose vaccine for people ages 16 and up.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce the firm’s Intellectual Property team has been recognized in the latest edition of Managing Intellectual Property magazine’s 2021 IP Stars ranking. The firm maintains its ranking as “Highly Recommended in Louisiana,” which it has held since 2013.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that 57 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

New Orleans Member Christine Tenley was profiled in a Q&A in New Orleans CityBusiness on August 18, 2021, regarding employers' responsibilities following Mayor LaToya Cantrell's announcement that proof of vaccination will be required to enter the city's restaurants and entertainment venues.

New Orleans Member Christine Tenley was quoted in Nation's Restaurant News on August 17, 2021 in an article relating to New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's announcement that patrons must show proof of vaccination to enter the city's restaurants and entertainment venues.

Kathy Conklin, Labor and Employment Member in our New Orleans office, appeared in a segment from NTD-TV regarding employers' options to impose penalties on unvaccinated employees on August 11, 2021.

Late yesterday, New Orleans became one of the first cities nationwide to implement a proof of COVID-19 vaccine mandate effective August 16, 2021.

New Orleans Labor and Employment Member Christine Tenley appeared on WWL-TV's broadcast coverage regarding the City of New Orleans' announcement August 12, 2021 that proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result will be required to enter restaurants, entertainment and event venues, and other locations beginning Monday, August 16.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on businesses nationwide. As we ride the Delta wave, we welcome you to join us, the McGlinchey Labor and Employment attorneys, for answers to your challenging employment questions.

Tarush Anand (Houston) was mentioned in a Law360 Pulse article about his recent arrival at McGlinchey.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Tarush R. Anand has joined its national litigation practice in its Houston office as a Member (Partner). With 15 years of experience, Tarush represents a broad range of domestic and international businesses in high-stakes civil and commercial litigation.

Irvine Member Dhruv Sharma was quoted in this article in Digital Privacy News on August 6, 2021. The article discusses data privacy and cybersecurity concerns related to the use of facial scans and other tactics being employed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the interest of national security.

We are pleased to announce that Baton Rouge attorney Amanda Stout was named Chair of the Capital Area United Way’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting on July 22, 2021.

We are pleased to announce that Member (partner) Camille Bryant has been honored with the Brandes S.G. Ash/Toya Carmichael Leadership Award from the National Bar Association in recognition of her excellent leadership as 2020-2021 president of the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Legal Society.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Michelle Trost has joined its national Consumer Financial Services regulatory compliance practice in its Jacksonville office as a member (partner).

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has updated the structure of its governing committees, and announces the new composition of its executive Policy Committee.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC has launched a revamped women’s initiative, saying it will be an expansion of previous efforts to help its women attorneys become more involved in leadership and increase their visibility when pursuing business relationships.

Member Robert Savoie (Cleveland) was quoted in a July 7 article in Auto Finance News detailing the risks auto lenders may encounter now that the CFPB plans to resume Military Lending Act (MLA) related examinations, which have been suspended since 2018.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on FoxBusiness Tonight on July 7 to discuss the forecast for the former President's lawsuits again social media companies who banned or blocked him.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the launch of Uplift, the firm’s newly reimagined women’s initiative. Uplift’s mission is to be a home for McGlinchey’s women attorneys to convene, engage, empower, and advocate for each other in their work, in leadership, in their communities, across the legal profession, and in industries the firm serves.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on NewsNation Now on July 1 discussing the allegations of tax fraud against the Trump Organization and its leadership.

Member and Financial Services Compliance attorney Jason Bichsel was quoted in a Law360 article regarding the recent New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission vote to eliminate a provision exempting electric vehicles from 2018 regulations that capped the number of new for-hire vehicle licenses issued to drivers of app-based ride-hailing providers. The vote underscores challenges cities have in balancing the myriad concerns of the legacy taxicab industry with app-based urban mobility companies.

Member Jason Bichsel of the Consumer Financial Services Compliance team presented a webinar through Auto Finance News that was published June 29, 2021. In this conversation, Jason discussed compliance considerations for short-term leasing programs, subscription services, implications of Regulation M in digital marketing, and other topics.

McGlinchey is pleased to welcome five summer associates to work alongside our attorneys firmwide.

On the eve of the June 30, 2021, the expiration date for all federal pandemic moratoriums, the Federal Government extended its foreclosure and eviction moratoriums, and encouraged delinquent borrowers to seek forbearance and other relief.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the inclusion of three attorneys in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office in the 2021 edition of the Florida "Rising Stars" List by Super Lawyers Magazine.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to welcome two new associates, Kathryn Davis and Habib M. Nadri, who joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Consumer Financial Services Litigation practice groups in its Houston and Washington, D.C. offices.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC has added as an Ohio-based member a former BMW in-house attorney who spent the last five years with the auto manufacturer's financial services unit, the firm announced.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to welcome Jason Bichsel to the firm’s national Consumer Financial Services Compliance practice group as a member (partner) associated with the firm’s Cleveland office. Jason has extensive in-house legal experience, having most recently worked for five years as Corporate Counsel at BMW Financial Services.

On June 10, 2021, Louisiana’s Speaker of the House enrolled and signed House Bill 7 to be sent to the governor for executive approval. House Bill 7 eliminated what has come to be known as the “Pink Tax.” Currently, groceries and prescriptions in Louisiana are not taxed, while diapers (child and adult) and feminine hygiene products are, creating an imbalance in taxes on necessities for women. In 2019, it was estimated that the state receives about $10 million dollars from the current tax of diapers and feminine hygiene products.

Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll (Washington) appeared on “FOX Business” on June 16 discussing the presumed leak of high-net worth, high-profile taxpayers' confidential information.

McGlinchey's Labor and Employment Law team is excited to be back in person for a BYOP breakfast! Bring your handbook or specific policies and our attorneys will help determine whether your policies are up-to-date, identify issues, and discuss your most pressing employment law concerns.

Member Douglas Charnas (Washington) appeared on "NewsNation Now" on June 9 regarding the recent leak of high profile, high net worth individuals' private tax documents, which informed a recent ProPublica report. The report alleges that these individuals avoid paying their fair share of income tax and should be held to their "true tax rate."

McGlinchey is pleased to announce the inclusion of attorney Dhruv M. Sharma, a Member in the firm’s Irvine, California office, in the 2021 edition of Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list.

Member Bob Driscoll (Washington) was quoted in a recent Washington Post article about property and tax disputes involving So Others Might Eat, which provides homeless services in the DC area. In a statement, Robert Neil Driscoll, an attorney who represents the affiliates that filed the suit, said the organization sued to preserve its right toMore

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC added a labor and employment attorney with over two decades of experience in business litigation as a New Orleans-based member, the firm announced.

McGlinchey’s Wellness Works program was profiled in Best Lawyers‘ “All Rise” newsletter on Monday, May 31, 2021. “Wellness Works was really born out of the work we were doing prior to and at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Christine Lipsey, firm general counsel and chair of the Wellness Works committee. “Wellness Works is ourMore

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that the firm is an inaugural member of the American Fintech Council (AFC)’s Legal Advisory Committee, which serves to advance legal and regulatory initiatives, assist with critical policy issues, and work to promote business development and growth in Fintech.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce that 17 attorneys and eight practice areas have been recognized in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to welcome skilled litigator Christine Tenley as a Member (Partner) in the firm's Labor and Employment group. She will be working from the firm’s New Orleans office with practices also in Alabama and Georgia.

Member Jack Siegal (Boston) was featured on the Emerging Litigation podcast discussing the False Claims Act with Tom Hagy, editor of the Journal of Emerging Issues in Litigation. An article by Jack discussing this topic will appear in the Journal later this year. During the episode, Jack discusses the False Claims Act's purpose, and why we may see an increase of FCA claims in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic recovery.

Member Dhruv Sharma (Irvine) was quoted in an article in Bloomberg Law relating to the Biden Administration's executive order that aims to reduce cybercrime by requiring breach reporting for government contractors and encourages voluntary breach disclosures, in light of the recent ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.

Washington Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations practice group Bob Driscoll was quoted in an article on Law360 discussing the structure of civil rights charges against the officers responsible for George Floyd's death.

McGlinchey is pleased to announce its new healthy living and employee wellness initiative, Wellness Works. It will support the health and well-being of all McGlinchey team members through a variety of wellness programs that promote health through connectivity, education, and camaraderie.

Joe Apatov (Fort Lauderdale) will join a panel of key thought leaders and distinguished professionals for a LIVE Webcast with The Knowledge Group, an in-depth analysis of the current and emerging trends and developments in consumer class action.

Member Steve Beiser (New Orleans) was quoted in a Forbes article on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's first virtual hearing on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the civil rights of workers.

Well-regarded for his secured lending experience, Marshall represents both Louisiana and out-of-state lenders and borrowers in large commercial finance transactions, locally, regionally, and nationally.

Sanford Shatz (Irvine) will participate in a panel discussion for the Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys (ACFA) on Thursday, April 29, 2021. The panel will explore the contours of recent lender liability law and cases and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the legal risks faced by lenders.

In support of McGlinchey Stafford’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, the firm has joined the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Leaders at the Front program.

Incorporating the lessons learned throughout 2020’s year of change, and building on its strong history of evolving for the future, McGlinchey Stafford is excited to announce the launch of #McGlincheyForward, an initiative focused on effecting positive change by continuing the firm’s growth strategy, strengthening the firm’s inclusive culture, empowering the firm’s employees, and surpassing clients’ expectations with exceptional service.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to welcome two attorneys to the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Financial Services Litigation practice groups in the New York City office. Experienced litigator Margaret Cascino has been hired Of Counsel and Matthew Gordon has been hired as Associate.

On April 19, 2021, the CFPB announced that it issued an interim final rule in support of the CDC’s residential eviction moratorium, effective May 3, 2021, which requires debt collectors to provide written notice to tenants of their rights under the CDC Order and prohibits debt collectors from misrepresenting tenants’ eligibility for protection from eviction under the moratorium.

The IRS has announced a safe harbor in Revenue Procedure 2021-20 that will permit certain taxpayers an election to deduct in 2021 expenses paid with proceeds of a forgiven PPP that were not claimed as a deduction on their tax return or information return filed in 2020.

McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that the Louisiana Bar Foundation will honor Mary Terrell Joseph, Of Counsel to the firm’s Baton Rouge office, as a 2019 Distinguished Honoree at its annual gala on April 23.

Marshall Grodner (Baton Rouge) will join two distinguished panelists who have been extraordinarily involved with RON to discuss the ethics of remote online notary practice during the 33rd Annual RPTE Virtual National CLE Conference on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Marshall Grodner (Baton Rouge) will moderate a panel exploring the intersection of the coronavirus pandemic and the real estate market during the 33rd Annual RPTE Virtual National CLE Conference on Thursday, April 22, 2021. The presentation will cover both short and long-term effects on real estate values and implications for real estate practitioners.

McGlinchey’s Baton Rouge office was profiled in the Baton Rouge Business Report’s 2021 Annual Report, released in mid-April. The full text of the article is below: McGlinchey Stafford may have offices around the country, but its commitment to Baton Rouge is strong. Along with local service, McGlinchey’s Baton Rouge clients also gain access to theMore

Bob Driscoll (Washington, DC) is featured in "Spy Affair," a podcast detailing the 2018-2019 investigation into alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, whom Bob represented. The episodes were released in April, 2021. Bob co-chairs McGlinchey's Government and Internal Investigations practice group.

Member Kelly Lipinski (Cleveland) was quoted in an article in American Banker on the CFPB's decision last month to rescind Trump-era guidance outlining what constitutes an "abusive" practice.

In the next few days, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will open the application process for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million.

Member Dhruv Sharma (Irvine) was quoted in an April 7 article in Digital Privacy News regarding the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling allowing U.S. Border Patrol agents to search travelers’ cellphones and laptops without a warrant.

Attorneys Joe Apatov (Ft. Lauderdale) and Aaron Kouhoupt (Cleveland) were quoted in an April 7 article in Auto Finance News detailing the specifics of the Supreme Court's decision in the Facebook v. Duguid case.

Whether you love March Madness and watch every single game, or ignore it completely, we can all agree that snacks are TASTY. The question is: which snack food is the most revered? During the McGlinchey Snacket tournament, all employees were asked to vote to determine which snack advanced, and which snack tasted defeat. The snack food left standingMore

Member Kelly Lipinski (Cleveland) was quoted in an Auto Finance News article on consumer confusion around loan modification programs and repossession moratoria.

Washington Member and Co-Chair of the Government and Internal Investigations team Bob Driscoll was quoted in a Washington Post article describing various Inspector General investigations in recent years.

Labor and Employment attorney Chase Stoecker (Fort Lauderdale) published an article in Law.com's Mid-Market Report on March 19 regarding the evolving interpretation of the ADA's "reasonable accommodations" standard regarding remote work following the Coronavirus pandemic.

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce Camille Bryant has been selected to be a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)’s 2021 class of Fellows, participating in a landmark program to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession. Camille is one of 418 attorneys nationwide selected for this year’s Fellows class.

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC is pleased to announce Robert Im has been selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)’s Pathfinders program, which aims to train high-performing, early-career attorneys in critical career development strategies including leadership and the building of professional networks.

Zelma Murray Frederick (Baton Rouge) was featured by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber in their March Young Professional Spotlight.