In a recent Baker McKenzie global survey, 87% of senior lawyers expressed concern about facing an internal investigation in 2023 – a 22% increase from last year. At the same time, data privacy concerns, new regulations – including the EU Whistleblowing Directive – and a rising focus on ESG considerations are further compounding the challenges for organizations in this space. Explore the drivers for whistleblowing and investigations activity, key regional trends and steps to overcome common compliance pitfalls.

AI has permeated much of the financial industry and significantly changed some aspects of how its businesses operate. Not as radical transformation of the industry, however, but as a steady trickle of new technologies and applications across the sector. Considerable risks also remain, as does uncertainty about regulatory approaches to AI. Baker McKenzie spoke with four experts to explore how AI use is likely to evolve in the financial industry in the years to come.

Through The Employer Report blog, our lawyers provide legal updates and practical insights to help clients understand, prepare for and respond to the latest domestic and cross-border Labor and Employment issues affecting US and multinational employers.

Employers have been keeping a close watch for rulemaking and action by the Federal Trade Commission restricting non-competes. The FTC answered the Executive Order’s call with enforcement activities and a proposed rule signaling a considerable effort to prioritize employer-employee non-compete covenants as an area for increased enforcement. In this video, our Labor & Employment, Antitrust & Competition and Trade Secrets lawyers discuss the FTC’s proposed rule and enforcement activity, what it means for employers, and what employers can do now to protect their trade secrets in light of what may be coming from the FTC.

On 5 January 2023, the Federal Trade Commission voted 3-1 to propose a new rule that would significantly restrict the use of non-compete clauses between employers and employees. The FTC’s proposed rule represents the FTC’s first foray into Section 5 competition rulemaking under Chair Lina Khan. The proposed rule follows a set of enforcement actions taken by the FTC against non-compete covenants in certain employer contracts.

Companies are turning to artificial intelligence to assist in recruiting and hiring the best talent in this tight labor market. However, there’s substantial corporate oversight in assessing AI threats, while agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the US are closely examining AI for potential bias and other harms. In this Quick Chat video Paul Evans and Brad Newman welcome Stephen Malone of Fox Corporation to discuss blind spots in using AI in recruitment and hiring, and share to practical tips to help employers alleviate these issues. Join us to continue the discussion in-person at Baker McKenzie’s event, A Conversation with Special Guest Speaker EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling, taking place 27 October in Palo Alto.

Through The Employer Report blog, our lawyers provide legal updates and practical insights to help clients understand, prepare for and respond to the latest domestic and cross-border Labor and Employment issues affecting US and multinational employers.

Across the world, trade secrets are becoming increasingly important. As companies align workforce transformation, manage supply chain operations and balance the needs of their digital transformation journey, new strategies are required for the identification, protection and enforcement of their most valuable, complex and market-differentiating trade secrets.
In this series of bite-sized videos, hear from Baker McKenzie’s global trade secrets team across disputes, intellectual property, data and technology and employment and compensation on best practices for a strategic, multidisciplinary approach to manage your trade secrets, disputes and risks.
Learn more about our Global Trade Secrets Group and uncover regional trends through the video below:
Best Practices for Maintaining Trade Secrets

Regulatory and enforcement agencies in the US are increasingly taking a closer look at AI and its potential for bias and other harms, but a new Baker McKenzie study has found many in the C-Suite are overconfident in assessing AI threats. Meanwhile, critical blind spots exist in HR and hiring tools oversight. Examine three key challenges and how to address them.

Cybersecurity threats and risks are increasing each day and companies are extremely cognizant of the critical issues involved – from making sure that company data complies with vigorous and ever-changing regulations, to dealing with cyber threats, breaches and ransomware attacks. In the Future of Disputes virtual program, former Manhattan District Attorney and Global Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Cybersecurity Practice, Cyrus Vance, Jr. led a discussion with Baker McKenzie practitioners in North America discussing the life cycle of a cyber-attack, including cyber insurance, privacy notification obligations, investigations, and post-event litigation.