Backlog Be Gone: NLRB to Boost Efficiency with New Unfair Labor Practice Charge Intake Procedures
On December 23, 2025, the National Labor Relation Board's (NLRB) then-acting general counsel announced new, agency-wide procedures that may fundamentally alter how NLRB unfair labor practice charges are processed and, critically, when and how employers must respond.
What Independent Schools Need to Know About OFAC Sanctions Laws
We provide this alert in light of the recent $1.72 million penalty imposed against IMG Academy by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for violations of U.S. sanctions laws. This alert provides an overview of OFAC regulations, their applicability to U.S. independent schools, especially boarding schools, and recommended steps schools should take to ensure compliance.
Chalk Talk: FTC Signals a Renewed Interest in Safeguarding Student Athletes Under SPARTA
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an inquiry into sports agent compliance with the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA), a federal law aimed at protecting student athletes from deceptive agency practices. As part of that inquiry, the FTC is seeking information from 20 unnamed universities related to whether sports agents who work with their student athletes are currently complying with certain SPARTA requirements.
Attorney Spotlight
Brian Clark: While there has been much change in discrimination law on the federal level in the past year, it basically all boils down to you can't discriminate for or against anyone based on what they are—be it their race, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. The underlying philosophy of these changes is best summed up by Chief Justice Roberts, saying: "The best way to end discrimination is to end discrimination." So, employers must carefully review their policies and practices to make sure they are not advantaging or disadvantaging one group over another. Similarly, in making hiring, promotion, and termination decisions, make sure they are grounded firmly on an individual's experience and qualifications to avoid claims of discrimination or reverse discrimination.
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About the Labor and Employment Group
The national, 40-person Labor and Employment team at Venable provides guidance and support across the full spectrum of workplace dynamics – helping employers control costs, avoid disputes, and defend themselves when litigation arises. Allison Gotfried, editor of this newsletter, invites you to share the content with your colleagues and reach out with any questions.