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...

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...

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...

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...

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes The article in brief: European private markets stabilized during the second quarter of 2026, although investors have become more selective regarding sectors and credit profiles. Public credit spreads tightened from first-quarter levels, while financing conditions remained competitive for high-quality borrowers. Direct lending markets remain characterized by abundant dry powder and limited new issuance. Financing terms have remained favorable for stronger credits, while AI-exposed, cyclical, and lower-quality borrowers continue to face higher risk premiums and greater scrutiny. M&A...