Environment

Real Estate

The US–Mexico Border Wall : A Unique Project with Unique Real Estate Issues

By Roy R. Brandys, Nicholas P. Laurent, and Blaire A. Knox

The potential construction of a US–Mexico border wall is a highly charged project, fraught with political obstacles and high emotional stakes, and brings with it significant legal issues and unknowns, such as how to appropriately compensate landowners who own property that is affected by the wall.

Biotechnology

A Burger by Any Other Name: Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities for Cell-cultured Meat

By Alan Sachs and Sarah Kettenmann

“Cell-cultured” meat—otherwise known as “synthetic” or “lab-grown” meat—is now under development by an expanding cadre of biotechnology companies around the globe seeking a new and sustainable source of meat that promises consumers the full taste, appearance, and texture of animal products while reducing reliance on, and in some cases replacing, modern animal agriculture and industrial production practices. Among the key controversies: Can a product be considered “meat” if it is grown in a laboratory instead of derived from a slaughtered animal? A federal court is now considering that very question, as U.S. government agencies are being challenged to apply their existing statutory authorities to ensure the safety of these novel food products.

Agriculture & Food

The Regulation of Food Packaging

By George G. Misko

While there is general familiarity with food laws in the legal community, the laws and regulations governing food packaging are often less understood, even though they may have a significant impact on a food company’s success in marketing new products. This article explains how food packaging is regulated in the United States and how the U.S. regulatory scheme compares to other jurisdictions throughout the world; in addition, the authors provide insight to how many of the current food packaging regulations came about, including some recent updates to food packaging laws and regulations.

Climate change and a changing profession: What future will we choose?

Jordan Yochim

The future of the profession is a hot topic at just about every bar-related meeting or conference. But there's one factor that's not often discussed, if ever: climate change and how it might change society. Guest writer Jordan Yochim shares some provocative ideas.