Womble Perspectives
Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve.
Episodes
431 episodes
Midterm Politics and Future Corporate Scrutiny
Congressional oversight priorities often shift when control of the House or Senate changes hands, and companies can find themselves at the center of those changes. In this episode, we discuss how Democratic lawmakers are already laying the grou...
DOJ’s Emerging DEI Enforcement Framework
The U.S. Department of Justice is continuing to define how it will enforce diversity, equity, and inclusion-related requirements in the federal contracting space. A recent False Claims Act settlement involving Deloitte provides new insight into...
Consumer Finance Decoded: Is a Federal Privacy Law Finally Within Reach?
In the inaugural episode of Consumer Finance Decoded, host Aaron Kouhoupt is joined by privacy and cybersecurity attorney Tyler Bridegan to explore the growing momentum behind a comprehensive federal privacy law. Drawing on Tyler's recen...
Security, Supply Chains, and Power Inverters
The FCC has revised its approach to regulating certain foreign-produced power inverters, scaling back a broader restriction that was introduced over cybersecurity and national security concerns. In this episode, we examine why power inverters b...
Regulation B Litigation and the Future of Fair Lending
The CFPB’s 2026 amendments to Regulation B removed longstanding disparate impact language and adopted the position that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act does not impose disparate impact liability. That change immediately sparked litigation and ...
Anthropic Litigation Complicates Contractor Compliance
The federal government’s dispute with Anthropic has moved beyond questions about acceptable use and into a broader debate over whether a domestic technology company can be treated as a supply chain risk. For government contractors, the immediat...
Compliance Challenges for Gaming Industry Suppliers
Many companies assume gaming regulations apply only to casinos, sportsbooks, and gaming operators. In reality, regulatory oversight often extends deep into the gaming supply chain, affecting a wide range of vendors, from technology providers an...
How New SBA Rules Could Reshape Competition
The Small Business Administration has proposed one of the most significant revisions to its size standards in years, potentially expanding eligibility for small business programs across many industries. While some companies could gain access to...
North Carolina Requires DEQ Participation in FAST-41 Permitting for Critical Energy Infrastructure
North Carolina has enacted a new law requiring the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to participate in the federal FAST-41 permitting process for certain critical energy infrastructure projects. While the law does not change environment...
Leadership, Law, and Everything In Between
As Womble Bond Dickinson celebrates its 150th anniversary, Lori Patton sits down with Sarah Motley Stone, Charlotte Office Managing Partner, to reflect on more than two decades of growth, leadership, and service at the firm. Sarah s...
The Hidden Legal Risks of Using AI Tools in Sensitive Matters
Today we’re digging into a potentially groundbreaking legal ruling about AI. It’s the first time a federal court has weighed in on whether chats with an AI tool like Claude or ChatGPT can be considered privileged. Spoiler: the court said no. An...
WBD Recruiting Success Stories: Tomio Narita
Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Tomio Narita, a partner in our San Francisco office and co-leader of the firm’s Class Action Defense Team.
From Credentials to Credibility. What to Consider When Picking Expert Witnesses.
Today, we’re tackling part two of what it takes to find expert witnesses, and we’re following up with the next big question: once you’ve got a shortlist of candidates, how do you choose the best one? It turns out, it’s not just about degrees an...
Where to Look and What to Ask to Find the Right Witness for Your Case
In courtrooms across the country, cases often hinge on what’s known as the “battle of the experts.” The credibility, character, and clarity of an expert witness can make or break a case. But, what makes an expert witness truly credi...
Recruiting Success Stories: Ana Gutierrez
Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Ana Gutierrez, head of Womble's Environmental ...
A Battle Behind the Screens: Pokémon vs. Palworld
Today, we’re diving into an international legal battle that’s been making its way through the gaming world: a patent dispute between Nintendo and the creators of Palworld.Read the full article
What Happens When Federal Law Meets Pro Sports and Doesn’t Like What it Finds?
Today’s topic is a federal case that’s got some in the sports world playing defense: charges against former and current NBA players and coaches for illegal sports gambling, rigged poker games, and organized crime.Read the full article...
Commonplace or Controversial? Trademarking the F-Word
Today, we’re revisiting a story that’s as provocative as it is legally fascinating: the ongoing trademark battle over the F-word.Read the full article
REBROADCAST: Pregnancy, Policy, and Painkillers
Recently, the White House and the FDA issued statements suggesting a possible connection between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD. These announcements have prompted strong reactions from the scientific comm...
Wellness Claims Put Social Media Under the Microscope
Social media has become the new storefront for everything from dietary supplements and CBD oils to herbal tinctures and homeopathic remedies. These products are often promoted as “natural,” “safe,” or “alternative,” and that language resonates ...
Unreported Results and Legal Risks
A recent FDA reminder revealed that nearly 30% of certain clinical trials still lack publicly reported results—raising concerns about transparency and bias in scientific research. In this episode, we explore how missing or selectively reported ...
Building a City, Building a Legacy
In this special 150th anniversary episode of Womble Perspectives, Vice Chair Ken Van Winkle reflects on his tenure as Chair of Greater Phoenix Leadership and what it means to lead with purpose in a growing community. He shares how trus...
The FCC’s Compliance Overhaul: What Providers Need to Know
The FCC is proposing a sweeping overhaul of its robocall framework, signaling a shift toward stricter, more prescriptive compliance requirements. In this episode, we break down the key elements of the FNPRM—from the introduction of Know Your Up...
A Turning Point in Title VII
A major shift in federal employment law is underway. In this episode, we unpack the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel’s June 9, 2026 opinion declaring key aspects of disparate-impact liability under Title VII unconstitutional. We explore how this cha...
FDA Loosens the Reins on ‘No Artificial Colors’ Claims
Today we’re breaking down a recent regulatory update from the FDA that landed on February 5th, 2026, which deals with how food companies can use the phrase “no artificial colors” on their labels. And even though the laws haven’t changed, the pr...