Compliance Stuff

A public workshop hosted by the Federal Trade Commission earlier this week signaled that the agency is still pursuing an aggressive enforcement agenda when it comes to noncompete agreements. While the Trump FTC takes the position that it does not have the authority to ban noncompetes outright, Tuesday’s workshop made clear that it will take on “abusive” agreements on a case-by-case basis – on behalf of both workers and consumers . Read on for highlights from the workshop and steps employers can take to stay on the FTC’s good side. 3 Biggest Takeaways From FTC Workshop The message from the FTC under both the Biden and Trump administrations is the same: abusive noncompetes are a problem. The difference is in their approach.   Chairman Andrew Ferguson began the workshop by explaining how he views the FTC’s role in regulating noncompete agreements between employers and employees. He reiterated his position that  the attempted Biden-era FTC noncompete ban  was unlawful and tha...

2025 has been a landmark year for False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement, marked by record-breaking settlements, evolving legal theories, and a broadening scope of government priorities. The FCA remains one of the federal government’s most potent tools for combating fraud, with billions recovered annually and an ever-expanding reach into new sectors and compliance areas . This roundup synthesizes the year’s most significant developments—drawing on recent case law and shifting enforcement priorities—and provides actionable insights for businesses navigating the FCA landscape. Case Law Update: Constitutional Challenges and Qui Tam Relators In 2025, the constitutionality of the FCA’s qui tam provisions—which empower private litigants (relators) to prosecute fraud claims on the government’s behalf—continued to emerge as a focal point of judicial debate . Historically, federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, have rejected arguments ch...