Insights
The Four Documents Employers and F-1 Employees Must Track Under the New F-1 Rule
For most employees already working in valid OPT or STEM OPT status, nothing changes automatically on September 15, 2026. The most immediate change will arise after international travel. An employee who reenters the United States may receive a fixed I-94 expiration...
Marks Gray Welcomes Jessica VanTroost as Chief Operating Officer
Marks Gray is pleased to announce that Jessica VanTroost has joined the firm as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in legal administration, operations, and strategic management. As Chief Operating Officer, VanTroost...
What Are the Boundaries of Brand Protection? Fender Is Currently Learning This
For decades, the double-cutaway silhouette of the Fender Stratocaster has been practically synonymous with the electric guitar itself. But a series of aggressive legal maneuvers from Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has sent shockwaves through the gear...
What the Copyright Lawsuit Over BTS’s “Swim” Teaches Us About Music Publishing Risk
When a chart-topping global hit shares a title and core sonic elements with an unreleased demo, the music industry tends to take notice. But when that global hit belongs to K-pop powerhouse BTS, the resulting legal battle becomes an instant case study in copyright...
Pizza Puff Dispute Highlights That the Nuances of Trademark Infringement Aren’t Just Fluff
The legal world frequently cautions business owners that the more a brand name “describes” its underlying product, the harder it becomes to legally protect. Yet many entrepreneurs assume that once they secure an official federal registration from the U.S. Patent and...
New F-1 Rule: What Employers Should Know About OPT and STEM OPT
Dear Clients and Friends, The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a significant change to the F-1 student visa framework. Beginning September 15, 2026, F-1 students will generally be admitted for a fixed period instead of “duration of status,” or D/S....
Ford Motor Forced to Pay $82 Million in Unjust Enrichment Claim
When a multi-million-dollar jury verdict gets slashed to single digits by a trial judge, it usually marks a devastating end to a company’s legal battle. But a landmark decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has completely turned the tables. In...
International Travel and Work Devices: What Employers Should Know About Border Searches
CBP electronic-device searches reached a record high in FY2025. The agency searched roughly 55,000 devices, about 17% more than in FY2024 and more than 30% above FY2023. The overall percentage remains very small, fewer than 0.01% of international travelers, but the...