Latest news with #Dentons
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dentons Achieves Landmark 0% Median Gender Pay Gap in Australian Legal Industry, ET LegalWorld
International 2 min read Dentons achieves 0% median gender pay gap Dentons, an Australian law firm, reports a 0% median gender pay gap. This makes them the first large law firm in Australia to achieve this. The firm credits its Gender 360 Strategy for the progress. In 2022, the gap was 15%. Policies supporting work-life balance also helped. These include paid family leave and flexible work.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump orders federal procurement overhaul
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. President Donald Trump last week ordered federal agencies to overhaul their procurement systems and regulations. It's the biggest effort to modernize how federal agencies buy products and services since Congress passed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act and the Federal Acquisition Reform Act into law in the '90s, according to Federal News Network. Trump's April 15 executive order said the FAR had evolved 'into an excessive and overcomplicated regulatory framework.' He called for it to include only those 'provisions required by statute or essential to sound procurement,' and said any provisions that do not advance these objectives should be removed. In a second order on April 16, Trump also directed agencies to purchase only commercially available products and services, rather than unique government systems or custom solutions, unless they are given a waiver from the agency's approval authority. The FAR was enacted in 1984 to establish uniform procedures for acquisitions across executive departments and agencies. Now the Office of Federal Procurement Policy within the White House's Office of Management and Budget will conduct the sweeping review and rewrite of the FAR within 180 days of Trump's April 15 order. 'Led by OFPP, the FAR Council will rewrite the FAR in plain English, eliminate non-statutory and duplicative regulations, remove DEI and wokeness and add buyer guides in place of burdensome and outdated requirements,' according to the order. The FAR incorporates regulations like Buy American, the Service Contract Act, the Competition and Contracting Act and the Davis-Bacon Act. It's not yet clear how they will be altered, but the administration has expressed strong support for domestic purchasing requirements, saying in an April 3 fact sheet that 'Buy American is the epitome of common-sense public policy.' That means civil builders need to be ready to adapt. Although Trump's order aims to simplify the procurement system, it also sets in motion a period of regulatory uncertainty that may prove challenging for federal contractors, according to an April 17 post by lawyers at global law firm Dentons. 'Contractors may be forced to navigate a fragmented environment where some agencies adopt new deviations and reforms more quickly than others, and contracts almost certainly will be subject to a patchwork of requirements depending on when they were awarded, creating inconsistency across the federal procurement landscape,' according to the Dentons lawyers. The transitional period may increase internal costs because contractors will need to update compliance systems, retrain staff and reassess risk management strategies, per Dentons. Trump set a 15-day deadline for agencies to designate a senior procurement official to work with the FAR Council and a 20-day deadline for the OMB director to provide guidance to agencies. The second Trump administration has been moving quickly to update the rules governing how projects get done. On April 15, Trump also ordered federal agencies to integrate technology into their permit reviews in an effort to speed up the processing time for infrastructure projects. Recommended Reading Trump orders permitting agencies to embrace tech
Globe and Mail
18-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ongoing United States-Canada Trade Tensions Could Impact IT Services: What To Be Aware Of
With U.S.-Canada trade relations shifting, Canadian businesses working with U.S.-based ServiceNow implementation firms may soon face unexpected cost increases. According to Dentons, new tariffs include a 25% duty on key Canadian exports, and Canada has responded with a surtax on select U.S. goods and services. While IT services have not yet been directly affected, experts warn that additional measures could be introduced, potentially leading to: Higher implementation costs if U.S. providers pass on compliance and tax-related fees. Project delays as U.S. firms prioritize domestic clients. Fluctuating exchange rates that make long-term contracts unpredictable. As businesses plan their digital transformation strategies, ensuring financial stability in IT investments has never been more critical. 'In today's volatile trade climate, working with a Canadian ServiceNow partner isn't just optional—it's a safeguard,' said Stewart Davenport, CEO of LeverageSN. Why Using a Canadian-Based ServiceNow Partner Reduces Risk To avoid potential financial and operational disruptions, many Canadian enterprises are reassessing their reliance on U.S.-based IT service providers. A Canadian-based ServiceNow partner offers cost certainty, contract stability, and seamless compliance with Canadian regulations. No Tariff Risk – Avoid potential cross-border tax hikes or unexpected fees. Regulatory Compliance – Ensure full alignment with Canadian data sovereignty laws (PIPEDA) and industry-specific regulations. Financial Predictability – Eliminate foreign exchange fluctuations that could affect multi-year contracts. Faster, Localized Support – Work within the same time zones for quicker response times and real-time troubleshooting. Strengthening Canada's Digital Economy Through Local Expertise Beyond mitigating trade risks, investing in Canadian IT services fosters innovation, job creation, and digital transformation. By choosing a Canadian-based ServiceNow partner, businesses: Support Local Talent – Strengthen Canada's growing tech sector by working with Canadian IT professionals. Ensure Long-Term Stability – Build IT service partnerships unaffected by global trade disputes. Enhance Data Protection – Keep sensitive business and customer data within Canada's privacy law framework. Industry-Specific Benefits: Who Gains the Most? For some industries, a Canadian-based ServiceNow implementation firm is more than just a financial advantage—it's a necessity. Examples include: Healthcare & Life Sciences – Compliance with Canadian healthcare privacy laws ensures patient data is secure. Financial Services & Insurance – Avoid regulatory conflicts with strict Canadian data handling requirements. Government & Public Services – Ensure adherence to Canadian procurement policies and cloud security mandates. Telecom & Utilities – Reduce implementation risks for large-scale, high-availability service infrastructures. Looking Ahead With trade tensions evolving, businesses must take a proactive approach to IT service procurement. Whether or not additional tariffs impact IT implementations, working with a Canadian-based ServiceNow partner ensures cost stability, compliance, and long-term scalability. Contact us to learn how businesses are mitigating risk and ensuring IT service stability in an evolving trade environment. For more information visit About LeverageSN LeverageSN is a Canadian-based ServiceNow implementation and consulting firm dedicated to helping enterprises streamline digital operations, automate workflows, and accelerate transformation initiatives. With deep expertise in ServiceNow solutions and a strong understanding of Canadian compliance requirements, LeverageSN empowers organizations across industries to achieve scalable, secure, and future-ready IT service management. Whether you're in healthcare, finance, telecom, or the public sector, LeverageSN delivers local expertise with global impact.
Los Angeles Times
26-02-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Consumer Product Safety Partner Judith Shophet Sidkoff Joins Sidley's Century City Office
Sidley has announced that Judith Shophet Sidkoff has joined as a partner in the firm's Litigation practice in Century City as a member of its product liability and mass torts practice. Sidkoff joins Sidley from Dentons, where she was a partner in both the Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Consumer Products Representation and Services practice groups. She joins Sarah Carlson, who recently joined Sidley's Litigation practice. Sidkoff counsels manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of consumer products in connection with regulatory matters before and involving the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). She has extensive experience shepherding clients through regulatory investigations, defending against and navigating product recalls, developing comprehensive safety and compliance programs, and managing product risk at all stages. Sidkoff is also a seasoned litigator, leveraging her regulatory expertise in representing clients across many industries in complex disputes involving consumer product safety, unfair competition laws (UCL), consumer protection laws and related false advertising claims. She is well-versed in defending against class actions at all levels, performing pre-litigation risk assessments and advising on crisis management. Sidkoff has also arbitrated complex matters before the American Arbitration Association and Judicial Arbitration Mediation Services. 'We are excited to continue to attract teams with national practices, such as Judith and Sarah. In addition to Judith's class action and arbitration experience, she has focused on counseling clients on regulatory reporting and product recall matters across industries relating to the CPSC,' said Yvette Ostolaza, chair of Sidley's Management Committee. 'Judith and Sarah are a powerful team. Our clients will benefit from Sidley's investment in our consumer protection practice.' 'Judith has successfully litigated disputes in both state and federal court all over the country,' said Angela Zambrano, global co-leader of the Litigation practice group and a member of the Executive Committee. 'She has particular experience in California-specific consumer litigation, making Judith a strong addition to the Century City office.' Sidkoff and Carlson join Sidley as it continues to grow in Southern California with other recent hires and the opening of its San Diego office. In the last 12 months, Sidley has also welcomed partners Peter Burke, Nima Mohebbi and Natalie Karam in Century City; Jon Dean in Los Angeles; and Jon Olsen in San Diego.
Egypt Independent
05-02-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Ukraine's mineral riches have long been eyed by its allies. Now they may be Trump's price for military aid
CNN — US President Donald Trump has said he wants access to Ukraine's mineral deposits in exchange for future military aid that Kyiv needs as it continues to defend itself against Russia's aggression. While the comment highlighted Trump's transactional approach to the war in Ukraine, it was not entirely unexpected. The US and other Western countries have eyed Ukraine's mineral riches for a long time. 'We're putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earths. And I want security of the rare earth, and they're willing to do (that),' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, without specifying what, if anything, Ukraine had agreed to do. He has previously suggested that any future assistance should be provided as a loan and would be conditioned on Ukraine negotiating with Russia. Under former US President Joe Biden, the US had provided Ukraine with $65.9 billion in military assistance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Biden argued the aid was necessary because Ukraine's victory was key to America's own security. Trump, however, has made it clear he doesn't believe the US should continue providing assistance without getting something in return. While Trump did not give any details on what he wants from Kyiv, a deal outlining a deeper cooperation between the US and Ukraine on minerals had been in the works for months before he took office in January. A memorandum of understanding prepared under the Biden administration last year said the US would promote investment opportunities in Ukraine's mining projects to American companies in exchange for Kyiv creating economic incentives and implementing good business and environmental practices. Ukraine already has a similar agreement with the European Union, signed in 2021. Adam Mycyk, a partner in the Kyiv office of the global law firm Dentons, said that while the objective of the deal – securing critical mineral supplies from Ukraine – remains unchanged, Trump's approach seems to be more transactional. 'It remains to be seen what form such an agreement could take, but it would be in Ukraine's best interests for its post-war recovery and long-term economic prospects to maximize as much as possible the processing and value creation of any extracted minerals in Ukraine by Ukrainian companies,' Mycyk told CNN. Kyiv has not yet responded to Trump's comments, but the Ukrainian government has in the past made the argument that its mineral deposits are one of the reasons the West should support Ukraine – to prevent these strategically important resources from falling into Russian hands. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has specifically mentioned the possibility of future investments in the country's natural resources by its Western allies as a key part of his 'Victory plan.' 'The deposits of critical resources in Ukraine, along with Ukraine's globally important energy and food production potential, are among the key predatory objectives of the Russian Federation in this war. And this is our opportunity for growth,' Zelensky said in a statement outlining the plan in October. Nataliya Katser-Buchkovska, the co-founder of the Ukrainian Sustainable Investment Fund, said a deal that would bring US investment into Ukraine's mining sector would be beneficial for both sides. The US largely depends on imports for the minerals it needs, many of which come from China. Of the 50 minerals classed as critical, the US was entirely dependent on imports of 12 and more than 50% dependent on imports of a further 16, according to the United States Geological Survey, a government agency. Ukraine, meanwhile, has deposits of 22 of these 50 critical materials, according to the Ukrainian government. 'It is not only a crucial step for Ukraine's post-war economic recovery, but it's also a chance for the US to address global supply chain issues,' said Katser-Buchkovska, who served as a member of the Ukrainian Parliament from 2014 to 2019 and was the head of a parliamentary committee on energy security and transition. China's global dominance Although Trump used the term 'rare earths,' it is unclear whether he intended to refer specifically to rare earth minerals – a group of 17 elements that exist in the earth's core and have magnetic and conductive properties that make them crucial to the production of electronics, clean energy technologies and some weapon systems. Ukraine doesn't have globally significant reserves of rare earth minerals, but it does have some of the world's largest deposits of graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium and uranium, all of which are classed by the US as critical minerals. Some of these reserves are in areas that are currently under Russian occupation. China has long dominated the global production of rare earth minerals and other strategically important materials. It is responsible for nearly 90% of global processing of rare earth minerals, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). On top of that, China is also the world's largest producer of graphite and titanium, and a major processor of lithium. The latest trade spat between Washington and Beijing makes it even more important for the US to look for alternative suppliers. The economic measures China announced on Tuesday in retaliation for Trump's new tariffs include new export controls on more than two dozen metal products and related technologies. While they do not cover the most critical materials the US needs, the move indicates that China is prepared to use its mineral riches as leverage in trade disputes. Mycyk said that the demand for these critical materials is expected to surge because of the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. 'Ukraine's deposits are thus globally significant, offering diversification away from dominant producers like China. Keeping these resources under Ukrainian control is crucial for maintaining its economic sovereignty,' he added.
