Akin media, entertainment & sports practice head Chris Spicer has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers 2026 list, which recognizes Hollywood’s 100 most powerful lawyers.
“Spicer is the guy who makes sure the money shows up.”
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4cbMlzX
#Media
Akin media, entertainment & sports practice head Chris Spicer, partners Alissa Miller and Vanessa Roman, corporate partner Jonathan Pavlich and senior counsel Randall Boe have been selected for Variety’s annual Legal Impact Report.
To read more: https://bit.ly/4mk5xA4
#Media
As boards navigate an increasingly complex landscape, Akin’s 2026 Director’s Agenda brings together key insights on the risks and opportunities shaping corporate governance today.
Swipe through for key themes and explore the full series: https://bit.ly/3NTJC6p
#CorporateGovernance
FDA has published a notice requesting comment on the use of digital health technologies (DHTs) in clinical investigations for drugs and biological products.
Read more in the blog post: https://bit.ly/3Qsfi3m
Subscribe to the Akin Eye on FDA Blog: https://bit.ly/4eMb8eX
#FDA
In November 2024, the Akin Middle East Disputes team drafted major amendments to the Law on the Application of Civil and Commercial Laws in the DIFC, clarifying the role of common law and confirming that DIFC statutes.
Read the full analysis here: https://bit.ly/4t7vXbc
#DIFC
Akin investment funds litigation partner Jacqueline Yecies Levy and white collar defense & government investigations senior counsel Jack Murphy have co-authored an article for The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4tBWcWV
#CFTC
On March 30, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-5-26, directing California state agencies to create new artificial intelligence (AI) vendor certification standards.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4bZCdf0
#AICertification
📢 REMINDER! - Applications for Akin’s Middle East English Law Training Programme close this Friday, April 10.
Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4aWFJpD
#MiddleEast
Akin Supreme Court & appellate partner Julius Chen and practice head Pratik Shah have earned a Litigator of the Week “shout-out” from The American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/41kKfcg
#Appellate
Oil & gas companies are adapting swiftly to the administration’s energy dominance agenda, replacing net zero commitments with strategic opportunities across three emerging revenue streams.
Full chapter here: https://bit.ly/4dvfcSh
Full report, visit: https://bit.ly/4rNUZeN
#EnergyEconomy
On March 27, 2026, the SEC issued a notice of intent to issue an order that would adjust for inflation the dollar amount thresholds to be a “qualified client” in Rule 205-3 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
View our full alert here: https://bit.ly/4miL274
#InvestmentManagement
On March 31, 2026, OFAC issued a Sanctions Advisory highlighting risks from sham transactions used to evade sanctions.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/3OcT2tz
#OFAC
📢 Applications are now open for Akin’s Saudi Training Programme.
Open to Saudi nationals, this exciting new two-year programme offers the opportunity to join our Riyadh office in September 2026.
Applications close on Thursday 7 May.
Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3PMteVR
#MiddleEast
Partner and head of Akin’s international competition group, Davina Garrod, will be moderating a National Competition Authorities’ roundtable discussion at Informa Connect CompLaw: Advanced EU, on Tuesday, 21 April, 2026.
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4ch7Noq
#InternationalCompetition
During Q1 2026, the UK’s merger control and investment screening landscape continued to evolve, with proposed reforms to the UK competition regime.
Read more in our recent alert: https://bit.ly/48hhaCa
#InternationalCompetition
Cybersecurity and operational resilience remain key priorities for corporate boards.
Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4meTHHH
#Cybersecurityn
Akin international trade partner Maka Hutson has been named among the members of Law360’s 2026 editorial board for Immigration.
Read more on the announcement here: https://bit.ly/4mevTU7
#Immigration
Akin international trade partner Devin S. Sikes will be speaking at the Liberation Day: One Year Later, a CLE program hosted by The Texas Lawbook & the SMU Cox Bridwell Institute.
To register, email: brooks.igo@texaslawbook.net
More about Devin: https://bit.ly/4dwSAkq
#InternationalTrade
Akin is proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of Infocast Events Tax Credits & Transferability 2026, taking place on May 5-6 in Houston, Texas.
To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4mfUzvC
#TaxCredits
A major shift in Texas business law is changing the landscape for LLCs and investors. In the latest episode of our Business Court Benches podcast.
🔗 Click the link to check out the full discussion and catch up on previous episodes: https://bit.ly/4tdFWMd
#TexasLaw
Bloomberg Law has published an article titled, “CFTC Wants to Answer the Tough Questions on Prediction Markets” authored by Akin white collar defense & government investigations senior counsel Jack Murphy and associate Billy Fowkes.
For more of their insights: https://bit.ly/4e3eHim
#CFTC
On April 3, 2026, the White House released a top-level look at its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Presidential Budget Request (PBR).
Read more: https://bit.ly/4mbgTXn
#FederalBudget
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has announced a new procedure allowing patent owners to submit a limited, early response to requests for ex parte reexamination—before the Office decides whether to institute review.
Read the full alert here: lnkd.in/eNrCBv4g
#IntellectualProperty
In a recent speech, the newly appointed Director of the CFTC's Division of Enforcement signaled that while the "era of regulation by enforcement is over," the agency is ramping up enforcement activity with a "laser focus" on serious violations.
Read more: lnkd.in/gchHz44b
#CFTC
Akin media, entertainment & sports practice head Chris Spicer and partners Alissa Miller and Vanessa Roman are featured in the Los Angeles Times as Banking and Finance Visionaries.
For more: lnkd.in/em7AZCpn
#Media
On April 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (Proposed Rule) that would establish procedures governing whistleblower submissions, award eligibility and determinations.
Read: lnkd.in/ge53G7DA
#FinCEN
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, challenging an executive order that seeks to narrow birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause.
Read more: lnkd.in/dV7C6bF9
#SupremeCourt
Akin health care & life sciences practice head John Jacob has been named the 2026 Laura N. Rinaldi Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the D.C. Bar.
To read more: https://bit.ly/4tujIFs
#ProBono
Akin advised Pharmakon Advisors, LP. and the BioPharma Credit Investment funds in connection with a $250 million senior secured term loan to Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4mfl2tm
#Tax
Akin complex commercial and labor & employment litigation partner Laura Smolowe has been named to Daily Journal’s ‘Leading Commercial Litigators’ list 2026.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4djXml4
#LaborAndEmployment