Real World Legal Updates

A major shift in Virginia employment law is on the horizon, as significant amendments to the Virginia Wage Payment Act take effect on July 1, 2026. These changes expand what qualifies as “wages” under the law and increase potential penalties and enforcement mechanisms for employers.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Associate Charles Bonani break down what these updates me...

Employee retention and long-term incentive planning continue to be top priorities for growing businesses looking to attract and retain top talent.

In this episode of Real World Business Law, Partner Connie Phelps and Associate Attorney Shelby Julien discuss how businesses can use phantom equity as a strategic compensation tool to reward key employees without transferring actual ownership. They break down what phantom equity is and ...

To PIP, or not to PIP – that is the question.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Managing Partner Declan Leonard and Partner Kristin Zech take the stage to break down Performance Improvement Plans and discuss when they may be the right act for a business to take.

They cover what a PIP is (and isn’t), how to approach it thoughtfully, and how it can be used as a tool for improvement when performance becomes lac...

Celsius has grown into one of the most popular energy drinks on the market, but its rapid rise has come with a series of legal battles.

Small business government contractors have new major considerations when evaluating potential M&A transactions following the recent implementation of an SBA rule on size and status recertification. In this episode of Real World GovCon Law, Partners Stephanie Wilson and Connie Phelps break down how SBA's new size and status recertification rule impacts an entity's eligibility for small business set-aside multiple award contracts...

On January 16, 2026, the Department of Defense issued a video statement and memorandum directing a sweeping review of 8(a) and small business set-aside and sole source contracts over $20 million. Shortly after, on January 22, 2026, the Small Business Administration issued new 8(a) Program guidance and suspended more than 1,000 8(a) contractors for failing to submit their required audit documentation by the January 19th reporting de...

A major ruling impacting Virginia businesses was recently issued by the Supreme Court of Virginia, which held that the Virginia Wage Payment Act does not treat commissions as wages. Following this decision, employees may no longer file wage theft claims against their employers for unpaid commissions under the Act.

In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Senior Associate Samy Abdallah and Associate Charles Bonani break down wh...

Massive NIL deals are changing the game for college athletes, and more developments are on the way as multiple acts have been introduced to Congress to create a federal standard for NIL legislation.

In this episode of Sports in the Courts, Associate Attorney Charles Bonani and Counsel Drew Smith examine how the unique legal history and meaning of the term "student athlete" continue to shape NIL policy, influence college sports gov...

As federal funding remains uncertain, many nonprofits are exploring new strategies to carry on their missions. Catch up on the education webinar hosted by The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, and The Baldwin Group for a practical breakdown on how mergers and acquisitions can help nonprofits build stability, expand resources, and continue serving their communities through strategic partnerships.

• The state...

At every stage of business, one common denominator keeps companies moving forward and sets them apart from the competition: their people. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Seth Berenzweig is joined by Rachel Platt, founder of PLATTinum Consulting and an experienced HR strategist with over 20 years of experience, to explore how business leaders can transform their approach to human resources to guide their companies thro...

We are back with another edition of Sports in the Courts!

Associate Attorney Charles Bonani joins veteran sports radio host Tod Castleberry to cover the evolving landscape of college athletics in the era of NIL. Together, they break down a recent ruling granting final approval on the House settlement that ushers in a new wave of earning potential for Division I athletes starting July 1, 2025.

Tune in as they explore what this decis...

As new legal updates continue rolling out in 2025, GovCon business leaders must continuously adapt to the "new normal" while balancing the needs and expectations of their workforces. Industry leaders from BOOST LLC, The Baldwin Group, and Berenzweig Leonard, LLP, joined forces to provide tools and practical insights to help companies thrive while managing their employee relationships. Topics include: - How to respond to ADA remote...

The rapidly changing global marketplace is booming with new opportunities, and the U.S. remains the world’s largest customer. But for foreign companies looking to enter the U.S. for the first time, knowing where to start and who to partner with can be the biggest barriers to entry. In this podcast, we join our colleagues at Pivot Security to explore the boom in new opportunities for businesses in the Middle East looking to co...

For many people, artificial intelligence has become a part of their daily lives, including at work. With over 75% of employees reportedly using AI in the workplace, businesses must quickly decide how and where they will incorporate AI tools into their workflows or risk losing control of their business's sensitive information. In this episode of Real World Employment Law, Partner Nick Johnson is joined by Kaamil Khan, President of ⁨...