The Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) has published a temporary final rule to restrict the export of black mass and tungsten waste and scrap without a license. The agency defines black mass as shredded lithium-ion battery scrap that contains cathode material, anode material or other “residual battery cell materials.” The BIS will restrict export of these critical minerals to address an “inadequate supply” of those items, which threatens national defense and security. Beginning on August 27, 2026, U.S. persons engaged in...

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New York, NY — August 13, 2026 — Grassi, a leading employee-owned advisory, tax and accounting firm, announced today that Hoffman Mulligan has joined the firm, strengthening its high-net-worth and tax practice capabilities and expanding its presence in New York City. Effective August 1, the Hoffman Mulligan team, including partners Don Hoffman and Janet Mulligan, along with 20 professionals, has relocated to Grassi’s New York City headquarters at 360 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY. This integration enhances Grassi’s ability to serve high-net-worth individuals...

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It has been three years since the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) entered into force. This instrument, designed to tackle distortive foreign subsidies and “level the playing field”, has attracted both praise and criticism. Whilst the European Commission (Commission) declared the instrument fit for purpose in its first statutory review of the FSR in July 2026, it also noted that modifications may be necessary. In our yearly FSR review, we analyse what these changes may be by looking at the FSR enforcement highlights of...

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Key dates, fewer surprises. A guide to business deadlines and holiday closures in the second half of 2026. For international companies operating in the U.S., the second half of 2026 includes several dates that can affect tax filings, payroll, banking, employee records, and year-end reporting. Here are the main dates to keep on your calendar for the rest of 2026. Key Compliance Dates If you own a U.S. company or manage one from overseas, your operations likely depend on several third parties, including...

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Artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted workforce analytics and simpler changes to how reports are generated and reviewed can both help employers continuously monitor that data and correct issues earlier, reducing wage-and-hour exposure in California and beyond. This article opens a new series, “Beyond the Data,” on turning existing workforce data into a preventive compliance program. It also introduces a simple, five-stage framework that the rest of the series will build on. Quick Hits Most employers already possess the workforce data and systems needed...

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Domestic private-label commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) issuance reached $76.2 billion through July 2026, measured by loan balance when each deal was sold, according to Trepp data as of July 31. Single-asset, single-borrower (SASB) deals, each backed by one property or one owner, made up $58.0 billion. Conduit deals, which pool many smaller loans from different owners, made up $16.1 billion. A small remainder came from large-loan deals. Office was the single largest property type at 22.7% of issuance, or $17.3...

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Why middle market manufacturers and energy companies face rising volatility Key takeaways Supply chain risk stems from geographic concentration across mining, processing and refining. That concentration risk is colliding with accelerating demand across multiple sectors. Disciplined working capital strategies can help organizations balance resilience with liquidity. Critical minerals—including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, copper and platinum group metals—are essential inputs for manufacturing and energy companies. They underpin everything from industrial components and advanced manufacturing to power generation, grid infrastructure, electric vehicles and defense applications. Supply...

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Key Takeaways: Recent rule developments from major international institutions provide sophisticated frameworks for managing disputes as they arise. The American Arbitration Association’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR) is developing dispute board rules specifically tailored to the life sciences industry, signaling growing institutional focus on the sector’s unique dispute resolution needs. Rule developments from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) similarly reflect the...

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