Thompson Hine LLP

Catch up on international trade law updates on our SmarTrade blog, including: 🔷 President Trump Announces New Section 232 Tariffs on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Their Parts and on Buses Starting November 1, 2025 On October 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10984 announcing that, effective November 1, 2025, the United States will begin levying a 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and their parts, and a 10% tariff on buses, pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. 🔷 USTR Issues Section 301 Determination on Nicaragua’s Abuses of Labor Rights and Human Rights Practices On October 20, 2025, the United States Trade Representative determined that Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. In response, the United States is considering: (i) the suspension, withdrawal, or prevention of application of benefits of the CAFTA-DR to Nicaragua, and (ii) additional duties of up to 100% on some or all products of Nicaragua over a period of 12 months. Public comments on such possible actions will be accepted until November 19, 2025. Read more and subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gvycpDsG #autoindustry #tariffs #section232 #nicaragua #forcedlabor #humanrights

USPTO Director Squires Defends Expansive Patent Eligibility   In written testimony submitted to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, USPTO Director John Squires emphasized that a strong and predictable system during patent examination is important to U.S. competitiveness and national security. He warned that USPTO uncertainty in making patent eligibility determinations may risk undermining American leadership in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Rad more: https://bit.ly/3L5G8vy Author: William Allen #ThompsonHine #IntellectualProperty #IPLaw #PatentLitigation #USPTO

Check out our latest post on ERISA Litigation & Compliance blog, "Caesars Fiduciaries Hit Jackpot Due to Prudent Processes," by Katie Burgess Kohn & Dominic DeMatties. Prudent appointment and monitoring of Russell Investments Trust Company (“Russell”) as an ERISA section 3(38) investment manager by the 401(k) Plan Committee (“Committee”) for the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Savings & Retirement Plan (“Plan”) recently paid dividends for the Committee and the plan sponsor, Caesars Holdings, Inc. (“Caesars”)… Read full blog here: https://bit.ly/3JgV6yn #ThompsonHine #InvestmentManagment #ERISA #PrudentProcess

Draft to Survive: Contract and Policy Lessons from Car Racing  Race car circuits are not typically where HR professionals and corporate counsel look for contract and compliance lessons, yet the McLaren Indy v. Palou dispute offers a tutorial on drafting agreements with high-visibility talent, managing communications, and enforcing document preservation policies. It also reminds us that litigation is not always worth it—while it may win you a race, it can lose you the championship. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Jmr504 Author: Glianny Fagundo #ThompsonHine #LegalCompliance #HR #InHouseCounsel #Litigation #RiskManagement

New Proposed Regulations Would Limit Availability of Inter Partes Review On October 17 the USPTO proposed changes to the rules of practice for inter partes review before the PTAB. The proposed changes are designed to substantially reduce serial and parallel challenges to patentability, which the PTO concludes “have undermined the reliability of patent rights and deterred investment in new technologies.” If adopted, the new rules have the potential to substantially change defense strategies in patent litigation. Read more: https://bit.ly/47168kl Authors: Christopher Larus I William Manske I Jeffrey Metzcar I James Rollins #ThompsonHine #IntellectualProperty #IPLaw #InterPartes #PatentLitigation

SmarTrade Fundamentals 2025 Webinar Series - Session 2: Tariff Evasion Risks and Enforcement in the US and EU Please join us for the second session in the series. This session will provide an in-depth analysis of tariff evasion risks and the evolving enforcement landscape in both the United States and the European Union. As global trade regulations become increasingly complex, companies face heightened scrutiny from customs authorities and greater exposure to penalties for non-compliance. Our panel of international trade experts will explore the most common methods of tariff evasion, recent enforcement trends, and the legal frameworks governing customs compliance on both sides of the Atlantic. Presenters: Pablo Muñiz, Partner, Van Bael & Bellis Kerem Bilge, Counsel, Thompson Hine LLP Click link to learn more and register for any session in the series. ➡️ https://bit.ly/3JjuAEt Our complimentary webinar series focusing on the basics of import regulation and customs compliance. In past years, our SmarTrade Fundamentals series explored a range of international compliance areas, including import, export, and sanctions. 2025 has seen an enormous shift in the tariff landscape and a related need for companies to dive deeply into import compliance. So, this year’s SmarTrade Fundamentals 2025 focuses on tariffs, import compliance, and trade remedies. Our sessions will lay the groundwork with overviews of the administration’s trade actions in the first 200 days and evolving tariff evasion enforcement in the U.S. and EU. Additional sessions will focus on key areas of risk and opportunity to reduce duty exposure in this shifting landscape while maintaining compliance. Through these focused sessions, participants will gain the tools to anticipate regulatory change, manage risk, and unlock value in their trade operations. #ThompsonHine #SmarTrade #InternationalTrade #ImportCompliance #Tarriffs

Check out the latest post on our ERISA Litigation & Compliance blog, “PRT Litigation Interim Scorecard: Defendants Are Up, But Standing Remains In Flux.” As of the date of this writing, 13 putative class action cases (with three of those cases later consolidated) have been filed against plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and, in some cases, independent fiduciaries, challenging pension risk transfers (PRTs), either in the context of a lift-out of a portion of the plan’s liabilities, or a full plan termination. In these cases, plaintiffs generally bring fiduciary breach and prohibited transaction claims. In all but two of those cases, defendants filed motions to dismiss, and motions are expected in the other two cases. Read full blog here: https://bit.ly/47aOVDX Authors: Katie Burgess Kohn I Michelle Webster #ThompsonHine #PlanSponsors #Fiduciaries #EmploymentLaw

Thompson Hine partner Rachael L. Rodman Rodman served as a moderator at The 35th All Ohio Annual Institute on Intellectual Property on October 15.   Rachael led the panel discussion, “Late Night Advice: The Top Ten Dos and Don’ts for Outside Counsel (from the In-House Perspective).”   #ThompsonHine #IntellectualProperty #AOAIOIP @Cincinnati Bar Association

The Future of EPA’s CERCLA PFAS Hazardous Substance Designation The EPA recently announced that it intends to maintain and defend the final 2024 rule designating two PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under CERCLA following months of stays in pending litigation challenging the rule and growing uncertainty surrounding whether the Trump administration would maintain the substances’ CERCLA designation. Read more: https://bit.ly/4hfw5jt Author: Joel Eagle #ThompsonHine #EnvironmentalLaw #EPA #CERCLA #PFAS

Join us for Session Eight: Registered Investment Advisor Dealmaking: Strategy, Risk and Readiness RIA M&A activity remains robust, driven by advisor demographics, recurring revenue models, and operational scale. This session will unpack valuation, deal structures, and regulatory considerations—plus practical steps to protect value and minimize risk on both sides of the table. Our speakers will address: 🔹 Market drivers: RIA M&A and the current buyer landscape (including PE) 🔹 Valuation drivers: AUM, revenue quality, EBITDA multiples, client demographics, growth, team/succession, tech/ops, compliance, brand/niche 🔹 Deal structures: equity vs. asset purchases—tax, liability, and transition trade-offs 🔹 Regulatory and compliance: key filings/disclosures, common diligence red flags, recent SEC exam trends 🔹 Diligence priorities: compliance, client contracts/consents, personnel, and succession planning 🔹 Client and talent retention: communication within regulatory constraints; employment agreements and restrictive covenants 🔹 Post-closing integration: aligning compliance programs, tech/ops, client transitions, and billing/financials 🔹 Near-term prep: steps sellers should take 2–3 years out; buyer integration readiness Moderator: Andy Davalla, Partner, Thompson Hine LLP Panelists: 🔷 Shelbie Harvey, Senior Managing Associate, Thompson Hine LLP 🔷 Salvatore Faia, Esq, CPA, CFE, Vigilant Register today ➡️ https://bit.ly/3JabKPZ #ThompsonHine #InvestmentManagement #MergerandAquisition