Smith Currie, one of the nation’s most recognized construction and government contracts law firms, today announced it was named 2021 Construction Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners USA, and its deputy editors. The award is particularly significant because Chambers and Partners USA delivers insight and analysis on the global legal profession that is unrivalled in its reach and depth.

The USA deputy editors at Chambers and Partners USA noted that Smith Currie’s expertise in healthcare-related construction positioned the firm well to assist clients providing essential construction services across the U.S. in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm’s ability to help guide clients through the pandemic helped place Smith Currie as the choice for Construction Law Firm of the Year.

“In a challenging year for the sector, clients looked to the construction specialists at Smith Currie for guidance though the unprecedented turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Maddy Vincent, deputy editor USA, with Chambers and Partners USA. “Smith Currie’s COVID-19 task force played a key role advising developers, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on the latest pandemic-related developments, assisting them in remaining operational as lockdowns, delays, furloughs, and materials shortages rocked the sector.” The firm’s task force was led by Scott Walters.

Smith Currie was nominated for this award and chosen as the winner largely based upon client input received through the Chambers and Partners USA thorough ranking methodology.

Smith Currie was evaluated for recent work and compared against other law practices. The USA deputy editors conducted a series of interviews with Smith Currie clients and other construction attorneys and used information ascertained through the submission and interview process to evaluate Smith Currie’s technical legal ability; client service; depth of team; commercial vision and business understanding; diligence; economic value; and other factors.

“We are very honored to be recognized by Chambers and Partners USA,” said Eric Nelson, managing partner at Smith Currie. “This award is a true testament to Smith Currie’s pre-eminence across the country, and it reflects our firm’s outstanding work, impressive strategic growth, and excellence in client service.”

This is not the first time Smith Currie has been recognized by Chambers and Partners USA. Smith Currie was most recently moved from Band 3 to Band 2 in the 2020 Chambers and Partners USA law firm rankings. This transition was based upon progression in Smith Currie’s technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, and commitment. The highest a law firm can be categorized is Band 1. Eleven Smith Currie attorneys, across the firm’s eight nationwide offices, have been individually ranked and recognized in their respective states by Chambers and Partners USA, with Eric Nelson being nationally ranked in Band 1. Learn more: www.smithcurrie.com.

Onna Streamlines eDiscovery for Legal and IT Teams with Enhanced Microsoft Teams and Exchange Connectors

Improves access to Microsoft and other third-party application data from within a single, self-service solution

New York and Barcelona — 03 August, 2021: Onna, the world’s first Knowledge Integration Platform, today announced key enhancements to its Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Exchange connectors, strengthening customers’ ability to find, access, and protect their Microsoft and other third-party application data, all in one place.

Onna’s connectors enable granular, API-based integrations with the most popular collaboration and productivity tools, extracting, then processing and indexing all available data and metadata to give organizations a full and contextualized view of their corporate knowledge.

With these Microsoft connector enhancements, Onna customers can extend collections across the entire scope of Microsoft Teams instant messaging, including one-to-one chats, group chats and channel messages, along with any shared attachments, reactions and emojis. This also includes collecting messages from custodians even if they are inactive participants within a Teams chat or channel. The Microsoft Exchange connector has been enhanced to more rapidly collect a higher volume of email accounts, better enabling both case-specific collections and the ongoing syncing and archiving of email data.

“The use of Microsoft Teams skyrocketed in 2020, and, as remote and hybrid working have become permanent fixtures of our world today, its popularity isn’t slowing down,” said Salim Elkhou, founder and CEO at Onna. “Businesses must think about what this means for their information governance obligations, particularly for legal teams who must be able to easily discover and collect Microsoft data for litigation and investigations, and for the IT teams tasked with supporting these requests.”

Collaboration data, including from Microsoft Teams, is increasingly becoming a standard request for submission during the eDiscovery process. Some eDiscovery capabilities are built into E3 and E5 licenses for Office 365 and Microsoft 365 but they primarily only capture Microsoft data, which doesn’t support the nearly 80 percent of businesses who are supplementing their Microsoft solutions with additional best-of-breed apps like Zoom and Slack.

Elkhou continued, “With connectors for the most popular workplace applications, Onna is ideally placed to defensibly capture the totality of data that modern businesses generate, beyond Microsoft alone. Bringing these data sources together within a single, self-service platform that is powerful yet simple to use empowers legal specialists to take a more proactive approach to eDiscovery, while minimizing support requests for IT teams.”

In addition to collecting both Microsoft and third-party data, Onna offers several other benefits for customers who need additional capabilities over those built into Microsoft. These include enhanced risk mitigation by holding Microsoft data in a separate archive from customers’ primary data store to minimize data loss and corruption; fast, intuitive, high-performance search that can be queried instantly across all applications at once; and deep indexing and classification for more complete and defensible collections, processing and search.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Chandler Combest has rejoined the firm’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group. Most recently, Mr. Combest served as senior vice president and general counsel for the Frazer Lanier Company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chandler back to the firm, where his commitment to excellence will be a benefit to our team and to our clients,” said Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff.

Mr. Combest, a senior attorney in Bradley’s Birmingham office, focuses his practice on public finance, including serving as bond counsel and underwriter’s counsel on both tax-exempt and taxable financings throughout Alabama. He has worked with numerous public entities and represents governmental entities in economic development matters. Mr. Combest has additional experience representing borrowers and lenders in commercial lending transactions, tax credit transactions, and state and federal regulatory compliance matters across a broad range of industries.

Mr. Combest is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, and he earned his B.A. (summa cum laude) from Auburn University.

Holly Engelmann has joined Duane Morris LLP as partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group in its Dallas office. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Engelmann was a principal at McKool Smith.

“Texas continues to be a central element of our national growth strategy, and we are committed to adding partners and attorneys of the highest caliber to our offices in-state,” said Duane Morris Chairman and CEO Matthew A. Taylor. “We formed our Dallas office earlier this year with a premier litigation group and we are now excited to expand our client service offerings with a very talented, locally-based IP partner.”

“Holly brings a well-rounded patent litigation skillset to the IP litigation group,” said Woody Jameson, partner and chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. “We are confident that she will be a critical value add to our work with existing clients of the firm, and that the firm will be able to support her own clients in all aspects of IP litigation.”

“Holly is a terrific addition to our Dallas office, and we are generating exciting momentum in terms of what Duane Morris can offer our clients locally,” added Randy Gordon, managing partner of the Dallas office.

“What impressed me most about Duane Morris is the firm’s charismatic, energetic, and strong leadership,” said Engelmann. “They have created and instilled amongst its members a culture of excellence, collegiality, diversity, stability, and fairness. I am excited to join the firm’s outstanding IP Practice Group and help grow the Dallas office, which already has a great group of attorneys.

Engelmann is a results-oriented and client-focused litigation and trial attorney with nearly 20 years of experience handling complex litigation involving claims of patent infringement, bankruptcy, contract disputes and more. She also has client-side experience, having served on secondment at Ericsson, working with Ericsson’s patent assertion and litigation groups, managing the internal business and legal aspects of preparing for and participating in multi-front patent litigation in federal district courts and the ITC.

Engelmann is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law and Whittier College. During law school, she interned with Justice Craig T. Enoch of the Supreme Court of Texas and Justice David W. Chew of the Eighth Court of Appeals of Texas. Prior to law school, Engelmann taught high school mathematics and continues to work with students as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, College of Law, teaching practice foundations courses to first and second year law students. She is also a member of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Attorneys Serving the Community and the Dallas Bar Association.

Expanding its team of top construction attorneys, Zetlin & De Chiara LLP announced that Rachel John, a former Assistant General Counsel at the New York City Department of Design & Construction, has joined the firm in its New York office.
At the Department of Design & Construction, Ms. John’s work spanned the spectrum of construction related matters, including handling procurement, cooperative purchasing, funding source compliance, insurance and surety issues, utility agreements and conflicts of interest.
She was responsible for drafting and reviewing contracts for design, construction and construction related needs, including agreements for design-build, construction management (CM)/build, CM, architectural, engineering and other professional services, as well as agreements for property access, funding and utility coordination.
“With her deep knowledge of design and construction issues, and her years working as a senior staffer in city government, Rachel is a great addition to our firm and should be a significant asset for our clients. ” said Michael Vardaro, Managing Partner at Zetlin & De Chiara.
Among the notable projects Ms. John handled were overseeing, drafting and coordination of design-build programs for the Division of Public Buildings and Infrastructure and the Borough-Based Jails Design-Build Program.
“In the world of construction and design, Zetlin and De Chiara have an exceptional reputation. The firm’s fingerprints are on many of the most important and difficult projects in the city. I am happy to be able to join the team,” said Ms. John.
Ms. John received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and her B.A. from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Christopher A. Williams has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice in its Antitrust & Unfair Competition Litigation practice group as a partner in the Washington, D.C., office.

With more than a decade of experience in corporate transactional and international antitrust matters, Christopher focuses his practice on antitrust merger notification and clearance as well as other antitrust issues relating to commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic collaborations, licensing of intellectual property, and pricing, supply, and distribution arrangements.

“Chris is an experienced and highly regarded antitrust attorney who regularly advises clients on complex and high-profile commercial mergers and acquisitions,” said Shylah Alfonso, the firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Antitrust & Unfair Competition Litigation practice. “Chris has deep experience in antitrust compliance with the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, as well as with government agencies across Europe and Asia, which will further benefit the effective legal counsel we provide to our clients.”

In providing counsel on the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and antitrust merger clearance guidance, Christopher has represented a diverse range of clients from startups to large corporations across a variety of sectors, including technology, telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, media and entertainment, and electronics and computer hardware. His practice also includes extensive cross-border experience with advising clients on multinational transactions requiring regulatory approvals from competition authorities in China, Europe, Japan, and Korea, among others.

“Chris will be a valuable addition to our antitrust practice and firm and for our clients,” said Bruce V. Spiva, Perkins Coie’s Washington, D.C., office managing partner. “We are excited to welcome another experienced attorney to the firm, and we know that Chris’ entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit will fit well with our culture.”

Christopher received his J.D., cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law and his B.S., cum laude, from Duke University. He joins Perkins Coie from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he was a senior counsel in the Antitrust and Competition practice.

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, today announced that Bradley E. Strawn has rejoined the firm and will serve as Office Managing Shareholder in Atlanta. Strawn will succeed Whitney M. Ferrer who will be assuming a leadership role in a new service launching later this year. Ferrer will also continue to focus on her active practice at the firm. Strawn, who joins from insurance broker McGriff, spent 2005 to 2018 at Littler and is the fourth lateral shareholder in recent months to return to the firm.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brad back to Littler. His arrival, combined with the string of talented attorneys who have rejoined the firm recently, is a testament to our culture, unique approach to client service and unparalleled strength in labor and employment law,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “Brad’s time at McGriff provides him with an insider perspective on the business and operational issues facing employers that, coupled with nearly two decades in private practice, will be a significant asset to our clients. A special thanks to Whitney for her continuing leadership and contributions to the Atlanta office and firm.”

At McGriff, Strawn served as a regional operations officer and executive vice president, focusing on optimizing the corporate risk management and insurance solutions provided to clients. His responsibilities included such areas as recruiting and talent management, operational development and financial oversight. During his time at Littler, Strawn advised employers on a broad range of matters, including structuring and defending contingent workforce and independent contractor relationships; defending employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints; and restrictive covenants and trade secrets litigation. He has also represented employers in complex class and collective actions involving overtime and other wage-related claims and has extensive experience before federal and state agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Brad was an integral part of our team during his prior time with us, and we couldn’t be more pleased that he is returning to the Littler family,” said Ferrer. “His legal and business background positions him well to counsel and defend employers on an array of workplace challenges. He will bring great value to our team and clients in Atlanta and beyond, as well as trusted leadership.”

“Littler is truly a special place and I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in Atlanta and firmwide, including working alongside and building on Whitney’s tremendous efforts in leading the office,” Strawn said. “So much about the world has changed since my earlier tenure at Littler, but one constant is the firm’s family-like culture, its commitment to inclusion and its ability to disrupt the status quo with groundbreaking innovation.”

Strawn received his J.D. from the Georgia State University College of Law and his B.S. from James Madison University.

About Littler

With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow. For more information, visit www.littler.com.

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Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that the firm was named to the list of “Frequently Recommended Law Firms” in the 2021 BTI Consulting Group report, “The BTI Most Recommended Law Firms 2021: The Firms Top Legal Decision Makers Recommended Above All Others.”

“It is an honor to be recognized in this prestigious list among such a high-caliber group of law firms,” said Bradley Chairman of the Board and Managing Partner Jonathan M. Skeeters. “We are proud to be recommended for our level of service, commitment and quality.”

The report is compiled by BTI Consulting Group, an independent market research and intelligence firm. The research entails more than 350 in-depth interviews with key legal decision-makers at companies across more than 15 industries between April 2020 and June 2021. All responses regarding recommended law firms are unprompted and, according to BTI, superior client service is the leading driver of recommendations. Bradley is among 26 law firms in the “Frequently Recommended Law Firm” list, a category designated for firms exceeding client expectations.

Barnes & Thornburg is pleased to announce the addition of IP trial lawyer Steven Adkins as a partner in its Washington, D.C., office. Adkins joins the Intellectual Property Department with a focus on IP and trade litigation known as Section 337 investigations at the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

Adkins has years of experience handling patent infringement, trademark and trade dress infringement, and trade secrets disputes not only for clients based in the United States, but also for many clients based in Asia, Europe and South America. He and his team have worked across multiple industries including automotive, computer software, telecommunications, mechanical, and semiconductors and they’ve handled more than 100 investigations for clients around the world before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. An active member of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association, Adkins has deep experience in Section 337 and trade litigation related to foreign imports into the United States.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve as the latest addition to our IP group,” said Julia Gard, chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. “He’ll be a tremendous asset who will continue to build on the growth of the practice, bringing along vast global experience to better service our clients.”

Through the course of his career, Adkins has appeared before state and federal appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to represent clients in complex commercial litigation and IP matters. A prolific speaker, he often presents to groups in Europe, China, Japan and Korea on litigation topics such as blocking infringing products at the ITC and Customs.

“Steve’s strong relationships in Washington, D.C., will greatly assist the firm as we continue providing top-tier intellectual property counsel to our clients in one of the hottest markets in the U.S.,” said Roscoe Howard, Jr., managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office. “He’s a highly regarded counselor who will be a great addition to our team.”

The addition of Adkins to the IP group comes on the heels of multiple recent new hires in the practice, including the opening of the firm’s Boston office with four IP partners, further indicating Barnes & Thornburg’s dedication to their intellectual property capabilities nationally.

Adkins received and his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law and his B.A. with honors from Georgia College.

Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that Darwin Conner has joined the firm as US Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, resident in the New York office. Mr. Conner will oversee the continuation, further development and implementation of initiatives and programs that champion Eversheds Sutherland’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and equity at every level and in every function, both within the firm – including recruiting, professional development, public service and client and practice development – and beyond. In this role, Mr. Conner will work in tandem with Tax and US DEI Partner Vanessa A. Scott on internal and external programs that build on and leverage Eversheds Sutherland’s already robust DEI platform.

Mr. Conner brings a unique perspective to his new role having practiced corporate finance law for more than 20 years, most recently as a partner at Sullivan & Worcester, LLP, and at Winston & Strawn, LLP, before that. In addition to his practice, Mr. Conner played an integral role in developing antiracist frameworks at his respective law firms and subsequently decided to return to school to obtain a Masters in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership from Tufts University.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Darwin join Eversheds Sutherland. Not only is our DEI program important to our firm internally, it is also integral to our core value of helping our communities to thrive,” said Mark D. Wasserman, Co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland. “Our clients will benefit from Darwin’s background as a practicing lawyer who understands how to integrate DEI programs into top flight client service. We have long had a commitment to improving diversity, inclusion and equity at our firm and in the legal sector, but if the last year and a half has shown us anything, it is that there is still a tremendous amount of work to do. Under Darwin’s leadership, I am confident Eversheds Sutherland will be an industry leader in effecting profound, lasting change in equity and inclusivity.”

“I am very proud of some of our recent DEI milestones, including being a founding firm of the Move the Needle Fund and receiving Mansfield certification multiple years in a row,” said Ms. Scott. “I am excited to welcome Darwin to our team and to work alongside him as he builds on the work we have done and elevates our DEI strategy moving forward.”

As mentioned, Mr. Conner was most recently a corporate finance partner at Sullivan & Worcester, LLP, and at Winston & Strawn, LLP. He has extensive experience shaping and managing DEI initiatives across the legal industry. Most recently, he served on the Executive Council of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and as chair of the DEI Committee and member of the Hiring Committee at Sullivan & Worcester, where he guided the firm’s strategic DEI efforts. Mr. Conner will complete his M.A. in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership from Tufts University later this year; he also holds a J.D. from Fordham University and a B.A. from Carleton College.

DALLAS – Insurance litigator Marisa O’Sullivan has joined Carrington, Coleman, Sloman & Blumenthal, LLP as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office.

“Marisa has distinguished herself at the forefront of the exceedingly important practice of insurance coverage law. We are excited to add an attorney with her industry and professional leadership experience to the firm,” said Carrington Coleman Managing Partner Monica Latin.

Over the course of her career, Ms. O’Sullivan has served as coverage counsel to commercial clients in a variety of industries including technology, hospitality, real estate, manufacturing, transportation, aviation, security, and retail. In addition to coverage litigation, Ms. O’Sullivan advocates for her clients facing claim handling disputes, claim resolution problems, and policy procurement or renewal issues. She has published several articles and led seminars for both in-house counsel and bar organizations on a range of insurance and litigation topics, including business risk insurance, cyber insurance, and e-discovery.

“Marisa has earned a reputation for creative problem solving in her advocacy for clients,” said Lyndon Bittle, head of the firm’s Insurance Group. “She will be a tremendous asset in meeting the complex needs of our clients and continuing to grow our insurance group.”

Named the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers’ Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2019, her work has earned recognition from Thomson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars. She has also been listed by D Magazine as one of the Best Lawyers in the field of insurance law and the Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas.

A Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Foundation and Dallas Bar Association Foundation Fellow, she currently serves on the boards of the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas Women Lawyers Association. She is slated to serve as President of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association in 2022.

Ms. O’Sullivan earned her law degree, cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Missouri.

DALLAS – The latest legal maneuver designed to help Bayer AG (OTCMKTS: BAYRY) circumvent its legal responsibility to cancer victims exposed to the weed killer Roundup has drawn a swift rebuke from the trial lawyers of the Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm, who represent thousands of individuals who have developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after exposure to Roundup.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, tasked with overseeing the entire Roundup multidistrict litigation (MDL), rejected a proposed class-action settlement in May that would have limited the ability of cancer victims exposed to Roundup to pursue lawsuits.

Despite Judge Chhabria’s ruling, Bayer AG again sought to limit its potential liabilities by entering into another purported class-action settlement, this time in federal district court in Delaware.

This week, in order to protect the victims of Roundup, Fears Nachawati filed a brief in support of the transfer of the Delaware class-action litigation into the MDL and asked for all future class-certification and settlement decisions to be made by the MDL judge.

“Judge Chhabria has consistently provided thoughtful leadership and direction throughout the course of this litigation. His rulings, including his recent denial of Bayer’s settlement proposal, have exposed the flaws and shortcomings of the company’s legal strategy,” Fears Nachawati co-founder Majed Nachawati said.

“There are more than 50,000 cases nationwide that remain unresolved and would remain so if this company had its way,” Mr. Nachawati continued. “This latest move is a transparently obvious attempt for Monsanto to subvert Judge Chhabria’s denial of the future class.”

“I speak with Stacey Breen, Managing Director at Major Lindsay & Africa, about the twists and turns of her career that led her to her role at MLA, and the motivation behind their recent Return to Office Survey. We discuss the most surprising results of the survey, including generational differences.” reports Kathryn Rubino in Above The Law.

“Additionally, we talk about some of the challenges women faced during COVID and what the industry can do to fix them as we return to the office. The Jabot podcast is an offshoot of the Above the Law brand focused on the challenges women, people of color, and other diverse populations face in the legal industry.”

Read the article.

“Daily Harvest A direct to consumer food delivery service, has hired Adam Wegner as its first ever general counsel. Wegner spent the past six years as the top lawyer for Optoro, which helps retailers manage and sell returned merchandise and excess inventory. Before that he spent a decade,” reports Brian Baxter in Bloomberg Law.

“Daily Harvest, founded in 2015 by current CEO Rachel Drori, has touted its farm freezing method for delivering organic produce for soups and smoothies. Daily Harvest’s backers include the private equity firm VMG Partners, as well as celebrities like Bobby Flay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Shaun White, and Serena Williams.”

Read the article.

“Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s lawsuit last week against state Attorney General Josh Shapiro was not the only roadblock toward reaching an agreement on the proposed $21 billion settlement with opioid distributors. While Krasner waited until Thursday to denounce,” reports J.D. Prose in Go Erie.

“The agreement and file the suit, Washington state’s attorney general rejected the settlement on Wednesday, the same day it was announced, saying that the deal was deficient in numerous ways for his state. Krasner felt the same, describing the deal as unacceptable for his addiction ravaged city and claiming Shapiro lacks the authority.”

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“Zoom Video Communications Inc ZM.O agreed to pay $85 million and bolster its security practices to settle a lawsuit claiming it violated users’ privacy rights by sharing personal data with Facebook, Google and LinkedIn, and letting hackers disrupt Zoom meetings in a practice called Zoombombing,” reports Jonathan Stempel in Reuters.

“A preliminary settlement filed on Saturday afternoon requires approval by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California. Subscribers in the proposed class action would be eligible for 15% refunds on their core subscriptions or $25, whichever is larger, while others could receive up to $15. Zoom agreed to security measures.”

Read the article.

“Energy is a good place to look for yield. Six of the top 11 stocks with the highest dividends within the SP 500 index are in the energy group, according to data from SP Dow Jones Indices. The yields on those half dozen companies range from 5.4 to 7. The entire sector yields about 4 based on the Energy Select Sector SPDR ticker XLE exchange-traded fund, which holds the energy stocks in the SP 500,” reports Andrew Bary in their Barrons.

“The half dozen energy high-yielders are led by pipeline operators Oneok OKE, Williams Cos. WMB, and Kinder Morgan KMI. All three are structured as corporations, meaning investors get 1099 tax forms and not the widely disliked K-1 forms issued by pipeline operators structured as limited partnerships. With the strength in energy prices, dividends look secure at Exxon Mobil and Chevron and the pipeline companies.”

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“The General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services awarded blanket purchase agreements BPAs to four tech companies to streamline governmentwide procurement of agile development and IT support services. Together the BPAs comprise the TTS Organization’s Transformation Agile Lifecycle Total and allow TTS to issue task orders on behalf of other agencies,” reports Dave Nyczepir in their Fed Scoop.

“Total is part of a federal push to accelerate digital transformation through shared services at the same time the Technology Modernization Fund prioritizes investments in cybersecurity and IT modernization. Outside GSA, TTS will be able to rapidly implement contracts for Agile Delivery at the speed of need, said Greg Godbout, director of digital services and business development at Fearless, which won one of the BPAs on July 15.”

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“The Lightning added their organizational depth with six signings Wednesday afternoon. Tampa Bay is bringing back a familiar face in ex defenseman Andrej Sustr, in addition to forwards Gabriel Dumont, Charles Hudon and Remi Elie defenseman Darren Raddysh the brother of forward Taylor Raddysh and goaltender Maxime Lagace. All will be on one year, two way contracts,” reports Mari Faiello in their Tampa Bay Times.

“Sustr, 30, played for the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star this past year, with five assists in 41 games. He played the first six years of his NHL career which began in 2012-13 with the Lightning, accumulating 10 goals and 53 assists. He signed with Anaheim as a free agent in 2018. Raddysh skated in 24 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack as the team’s captain this past season, recording two goals and 15 points.”

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“Contracts for difference, or CFDs, have hastened the demise of an Irish bank, triggered alleged Ponzi schemes in Chile, featured in a $100 million U.S. insider-trading racket and seen echoes of their use in the implosion of Archegos Capital Management. They’ve also spooked regulators,” reports Donal Griffin in their bloomberg Quint.

“because of the risks they pose to retail investors, sparking tighter rules in the U.K. and European Union. But new regulations didn’t stop amateur traders flocking to CFDs in 2020 as a result of volatility during the pandemic, and again in 2021 as part of a surge in retail interest in global markets.”

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