When Hearing Referrals Are Sound: OIG Issues Favorable Opinion on Ear and Hearing Referral Services
On September 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published Advisory Opinion 26-18 (“AO 26-18”), a favorable advisory opinion considering a proposed paid referral service that would connect patients identified as having potential hearing loss with hearing providers (the “Arrangement”) operated by a company whose parent manufactures medical devices used in ear, nose and throat (“ENT”) care (“Requestor”). OIG concluded that although the Arrangement would implicate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”),
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U.S.-Africa Energy Investments: Key Trade Compliance Risks to Address Before Closing a Deal
As investment opportunities across Africa’s energy sector continue to grow, U.S. companies should be aware that sanctions, export controls, and trade compliance requirements can significantly affect project timelines, costs, financing, and operational feasibility. Whether pursuing oil and gas projects, liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) infrastructure, or renewable and advanced energy technologies, companies that identify compliance risks early are better positioned to avoid costly delays and disruptions.Discussions at Africa Energy Week 2026 highlighted the increasing interest in U.S.-Africa energy partnerships. But
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Before Closing a Deal
Filing an ERISA Appeal — the 180-Day Deadline and the Administrative Record
A denial of long-term disability benefits is not necessarily the end of an ERISA claim. Instead, it usually begins one of its most important stages: the administrative appeal.
Two issues deserve immediate attention. First, there is a deadline for appealing. Second, the appeal is an opportunity to develop the evidence supporting your disability claim. Simply telling the insurer that its decision was wrong is rarely enough.
For someone who has spent years or decades in a career and
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Book review: In superb book, journalist Tony Messenger condemns court fines and justice system fees
Schuldt If you’re reading this blog, you are very likely concerned about justice in Wisconsin, the country, and across the world. But you’re probably also pretty busy. How do you choose which books about the justice system to read during your limited free time?In a series of posts, Wisconsin Justice Initiative founder and former executive director Gretchen Schuldt helps you out. An avid reader, she returns to the blog with book reviews so you can decide what’s of interest
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Wisconsin Court of Appeals Applies “Violation of Law” Exclusion
On April 9, 2026, the Court of Appeals of Wisconsin issued a decision addressing the applicability of the “Violation of Law” exclusion to injuries caused by the accidental discharge of a firearm by a minor defendant, when that defendant was criminally adjudicated for possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. The Court of Appeals of Wisconsin held that the “Violation of Law” exclusion was unambiguous, and, applied to the undisputed facts, barred coverage for the plaintiff-appellants’
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When the Referee Gets the Rulebook Wrong: Concerns About Recent Illinois Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Audits
When the Referee Gets the Rulebook Wrong: Concerns About Recent Illinois Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Audits
For Illinois contractors performing public work, prevailing wage compliance requires careful attention to worker classifications, payroll practices, and fringe benefit calculations. Recently, however, many contractors have reported audit findings and assessments that appear disconnected from Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (IPWA) requirements, established industry practice, and, at times, the Illinois Department of Labor’s (IDOL) own published guidance.
The consequences can be significant. Prevailing
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New Illinois Digital Asset Tax: What Businesses and Taxpayers Need to Know
Illinois businesses participating in the digital asset marketplace will soon face a new layer of tax compliance and reporting. Effective July 1, 2027, a first-of-its-kind Digital Asset Tax (DAT) will impose a 0.2% tax on the value of certain digital assets, broadly defined to include cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and other digital tokens used to store, transfer, or exchange value.
The DAT, which has been subject to legal challenges that delayed its January 1, 2027 originally scheduled implementation, will create new
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Ukraine TPS Work Authorization Continues Pending Upcoming USCIS Announcement
USCIS has updated its Ukraine Temporary Protected Status (TPS) webpage to state that Ukrainian TPS beneficiaries retain protection, including work authorization, pending an upcoming announcement.
Employers should not suspend or terminate a qualifying Ukraine TPS employee solely because prior documentation referenced October 19, 2026. USCIS has not yet announced a new expiration date or issued revised Form I-9 instructions, however. The previous employer guidance on the official webpage still reflects an October 19, 2026 designation through date.
Employers would
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Weekly Hospital Real Estate Briefing: A Recap of the Colliers National Healthcare Conference
On October 8, Colliers hosted its annual National Healthcare Conference in Boston. It was well attended by a number of brokers, health system executives, developers and investors. Hall Render shareholder Andrew Dick attended the conference this year and presented on “Emerging Trends in Health Care Real Estate.” Andrew’s slides can be found here. In addition to Andrew’s content, there were two other presentations that caught our attention.
The first was a provider panel titled “Optimizing Healthcare Portfolios
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DHS Proposes New Rule Eliminating H-1B Grace Period
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) recently published a proposed rule on September 11, 2026, that, if finalized, would end the 60-day grace period available to H-1B and other eligible nonimmigrant workers following a loss of employment. According to DHS, the proposed rule would more closely align nonimmigrant status with the employment on which that status is based while reducing administrative burden. The rule would impact H-1B nonimmigrants, as well as individuals in E, L-1, O-1 and TN
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Reverse Waiver: Supreme Court Reviews Jurisdiction for 10-Year-Old in Murder Case
Oct. 14, 2026 — A case against a 10-year-old charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother has raised constitutional issues of national importance.A primary question is whether the attributes of youth, as described by the U.S. Supreme Court, apply in determining whether the defendant should be tried as an adult.A nationally known public interest lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, is representing the defendant in State v. Mann-Tate. Oral arguments were Sept. 8.Seven justices will decide whether
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Michigan Sues Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Alleging that It Conspired to Raise Insurance Prices and Lower Reimbursements to Health Care Providers
On October 8, 2026, the Michigan Attorney General, on behalf of the State and in its parens patriae authority on behalf of the people of Michigan, sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (“BCBSM”) alleging federal and state antitrust violations and state claims of nuisance and unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges that BCBSM conspired with other insurance companies that make up the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (the “Association”) to reduce competition and increase prices for insurance sold to
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What Counts as Marital Waste in Wisconsin?
What happens when a spouse gives away marital assets before divorce?
John and Alex have been married for 8 years, and have accumulated around $200,000 in marital assets. Now, they are going through a divorce and must gather their financial information to determine how the marital property will be divided.
While reviewing their financial records, Alex discovers some withdrawals from their joint marital account that were made several months ago. Alex doesn’t recall making these transactions herself and cannot
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3 Common Commercial Contract Mistakes Business Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)
3 Common Commercial Contract Mistakes Business Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)Commercial contracts can have a significant impact on a business’s profitability, operations, and risk exposure. Yet many business owners sign vendor agreements, service contracts, and sales agreements without fully understanding key provisions or appreciating how those terms may affect them down the road. What appears to be a routine business contract can create unexpected obligations, financial exposure, or costly disputes if important details are overlooked.Fortunately, many contract-related
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Avoid Them)
Buying a Business? You Might Not Be Buying What You Think You’re Buying
Imagine you find the perfect business to buy. The owner is approaching retirement after a long and successful career. The company has a strong reputation in the market. Revenue appears healthy. Employees seem happy and experienced. After some promising conversations, you and the seller strike a deal and work toward closing. At this point, most buyers are excited about why the deal makes sense. After all, the buyer has spent time and effort to reach a deal.
Then the
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