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Articles by Mark Goldstein
Mental health accommodations at work — what employers can ask, expect and change
October 26, 2026 - Recognizing requests, managing performance and revisiting approved arrangements as business needs evolve. An employee requests remote work as an accommodation for a mental health condition. Another relies on an approved schedule adjustment to manage symptoms, but the employer withdraws it when workplace requirements change. A third is offered a replacement for an existing accommodation and questions whether the alternative adequately meets their disability-related needs.
Mental health accommodations at work - what employers can ask, expect and change
(October 26, 2026) - Mark S. Goldstein of Reed Smith LLP offers guidance on handling mental health accommodation requests, including recognizing requests, addressing performance concerns and revisiting approved accommodations as business needs evolve. Recognizing requests, managing performance and revisiting approved arrangements as business needs evolve. An employee requests remote work as an accommodation for a mental health condition.
What’s new in: New York enacts sweeping employee personnel records access law
Over the past decade, several US states have enacted laws granting employees access to their personnel records. New York State, however, which is typically at the forefront of employee-friendly legislation, had surprisingly not yet enacted such a law. That changed on September 9, 2026, when Governor Hochul signed S3460 into law.
What’s new in potential pitfalls of AI use in New Jersey – your AI note-taker might be your next witness
A newly filed lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gloucester County, offers a cautionary tale for every employer using AI-powered meeting tools. In her Complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the employer’s AI note-taker took notes of her termination meeting and then emailed her the transcript of what her former supervisors said after she left the meeting.
What’s new in New York City employment law: Mayor Mamdani creates the first Office of Worker Power
14 September 2026 / 2 min read On Labor Day, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani signed an executive order creating the Mayor’s Office of Worker Power (MOWP), the first office of its kind in the country. The office will be overseen by the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice and is charged with helping workers across the city organize, understand their rights, and influence city policy.
What’s new in New York employment law: Key developments to watch through year-end 2026
New York State and New York City have historically been two of the most proactive, employee-friendly jurisdictions when it comes to workplace-related legislation. That trend has only continued this year. Indeed, state and city lawmakers have passed a host of workplace bills over the course of 2026, some of which have been signed into law, while others are still awaiting signature by Governor Hochul.
What’s new in New York City: Further expanded earned safe and sick time obligations for employers
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has adopted rules under the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) that took effect on July 23, 2026. The rules provide additional guidance on employer administration of the law’s expanded leave requirements and impose several new compliance obligations.
Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology Morewitz and Goldstein
Summary Over the past few decades, the role of forensic sociology and forensic psychology has expanded in the US court system. This is the first handbook that will analyze the principles, theories, and methods of both forensic sociology and psychology and their use in the justice system. The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology examines the roles of sociologists and psychologists as expert witnesses and consultants in different civil, criminal, and immigration cases.
Key Risks to Address in AI Governance Programs
Generative AI tools are now embedded in the daily workflows of many businesses. Employees use these tools to help draft emails, screen job applicants, generate marketing copy and analyze data. However, many business owners, executives and employees still have a limited understanding of the legal and privacy risks that can arise with every prompt. Developing a concise framework for identifying AI-related exposure can help organizations prevent violations before they occur.
A decade of transformation — How the U.S. workplace has changed and what employers must focus on next
Empty cubicles are seen in an office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 14, 2021.
What’s new in U.S. employment reporting requirements: EEOC proposes eliminating EEO-1 and other demographic reporting requirements
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on July 21, 2026, that it voted to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking that would eliminate the EEO-1 and other federal race- and sex-based workforce reporting requirements.
What’s new in New Jersey worker classification: District of New Jersey “dances around” conflicting worker classification standards under state and federal law
On May 29, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a significant opinion in Tomasello v.
Vegetarian diets and esophageal cancer risk
The pooled analysis by Dunneram and colleagues, totaling 1.8 million men and women in nine prospective studies, showed an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus among vegetarians compared to meat eaters, over a follow-up of 16 years [1]. Specifically, the hazard ratio (HR) for SCC carcinoma of the esophagus was 1.93 (CI 1.30–2.87) in the main analysis, 2.09 (CI 1.34–3.26) excluding the first 4 years of follow-up, and 2.93 (CI 1.82–4.73) among never smokers.
What's new in: New York’s proposed personnel records access law
On May 19, 2026, the New York Legislature passed Bill S.3460, which would require employers to provide employees with access to their personnel records (the “Bill”). If enacted, the Bill would ensure that employees have a fair opportunity to review their files and are notified when negative information is placed in their personnel records.
DOJ shifts stance on disparate impact - What employers need to know
Last week, the Department of Justice issued an opinion concluding that the EEOC’s longstanding guidelines on disparate impact liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act are unconstitutional. It is a significant statement of executive branch policy, but it is not, on its own, a change in the law. Employers need to understand both what has shifted and what has not.
What’s new in: The Supreme Court holds the FAA Section 1 exemption can reach drivers who never leave their state
On May 28, 2026, a unanimous Supreme Court held in Flowers Foods, Inc. v. Brock, 608 U.S. ___ (2026), that a worker who transports goods on a purely intrastate leg of an interstate journey can fall within Section 1 of the Federal Arbitration Act, even if the worker never crosses state lines and never interacts with a vehicle that does. Writing for the Court, Justice Gorsuch affirmed the Tenth Circuit and rejected the bright-line “cross-or-tag” rule urged by the employer.
‘Who’s the boss?’ Joint employer liability and the hidden risk in your portfolio
Within the context of the private equity (PE) landscape, employment law liability has often been viewed as a portfolio company problem. That assumption is becoming increasingly risky, however. As regulators and plaintiffs’ attorneys sharpen their focus on the relationship between PE sponsors and their portfolio companies, fund managers and investors need to understand how joint employer liability could extend beyond the portfolio company and attach directly to the fund itself.
What’s new in ABC test rules: New Jersey Department of Labor adopts regulations to “spell out” the ABC’s of worker classification
On May 5, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) announced its adoption of regulations designed to “clarify the statutory ABC test for determining whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee.” The regulations will take effect October 1, 2026, and in the simplest terms, reiterate that New Jersey remains one of the toughest states in which to properly classify workers as independent contractors.
SB 26-189: Colorado legislature kicks off CAIA rewrite race
On May 5, 2026, the Colorado Senate subcommittee on Business, Labor, and Technology began consideration of Colorado Senate Bill 26-189, which would repeal and reenact Part 17 of Article 1 of Title 6, replacing the consumer protections originally enacted under SB 24-205 (the “Colorado AI Act,” or “CAIA”) with a restructured regulatory framework governing automated decision-making technology (ADMT).
Navigating the next wave: What employment lawyers need to do now to prepare for tomorrow's workplace
Lawyers walk with their briefcases towards the federal court house in San Diego, California June 22, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab May 04, 2026 - Employment law has always evolved in response to changes in the workplace, but the pace of change today is unprecedented.
What’s new in the restrictive covenant space: Tennessee joins growing list of states adopting non-compete restrictions
The restrictive covenant landscape continues to shift — and the latest development comes from a state that may surprise you. Tennessee, a state not typically associated with employee-friendly regulation, has moved to establish new statutory parameters for non-compete agreements. With the bill now awaiting the Governor’s signature, Tennessee employers should take notice and begin preparing for significant changes effective July 1, 2026.
From rulemaking to enforcement: The FTC’s non-compete campaign enters a new phase
On April 15, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission ordered Rollins, Inc. — one of the largest pest-control companies in the United States and parent of household brands Orkin, HomeTeam, and Critter Control — to stop enforcing non-compete agreements against more than 18,000 employees nationwide.
Going to California: Delaware Court enforces out-of-state forum selection clause in key decision
Forum selection clauses just got sharper teeth: the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that even core fiduciary-duty claims can be forced out of Delaware when tied to a contract designating another forum. In dismissing Masimo Corp.’s challenge to former CEO Joe Kiani’s $450 million severance package, the court held that all claims “arise out of or relate to” the employment agreement and must proceed in California under its forum clause.
What’s new in joint employer regulations
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a proposed rule to clarify joint employer status under three major federal employment laws: the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA). The proposal aims to establish a single, clear nationwide standard for determining when two or more employers are jointly liable for wages, overtime, and other worker protections.
Viltrox AF 55mm F1.8 EVO Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 55mm F1.8 EVO is a fast standard prime lens for the Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless camera system. It can also be used on Sony APS-C sensor cameras where it provides an 82.5mm equivalent focal length. The optical construction is comprised of 13 elements in 9 groups including two high-refractive index elements, two extra-low dispersion elements and one aspherical element to help deliver high contrast and low aberration.
Connecticut SB 435: AI in employment decisions - key provisions and implications
As the 2026 legislative session progresses, Connecticut is positioned to enact one of the nation's most comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
Washington State bans virtually all current and future non-compete agreements
As the saying goes, another one bites the dust. As of June 30, 2027, Washington will become the latest state to ban workplace non-compete agreements. The new ban represents a significant shift in Washington's approach to post-employment restrictive covenants, moving the state from a framework that permitted non-competes subject to certain conditions to one that prohibits them outright.
Reed Smith advises Advanced Cooling Technologies on sale of majority stake to Blackstone Energy Transition Partners
ACT designs and manufactures thermal management and energy efficiency systems for data centers, space, defense, energy, electronics, HVAC, and enclosure cooling applications, including two-phase liquid cooling, heat pipes, cold plates, and environmental control units. The transaction positions ACT for expanded manufacturing capacity as thermal management requirements grow with increasing power density in data centers and high-performance computing.
A sweeping tide of unpredictability as to the enforceability of restrictive covenant agreements in Delaware
March 11, 2026 - Aside from being "The First State," one of the things for which Delaware is primarily known is its longstanding status as being a "go-to" state for businesses to incorporate or organize. This is largely because Delaware has long offered distinct commercial advantages compared to other states, including preferential tax treatment, legal protections for directors and officers against shareholder lawsuits, and the predictability of its judiciary.
DOL proposes new rule on independent contractor classification: What employers need to know
On Friday, February 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor published a proposal to rescind its 2024 test for determining employee vs. independent contractor status, announced under the Biden administration, and replace it with a modified version of the test promulgated during President Trump's first administration. Here is what employers need to know.
New York amends the "Trapped at Work Act" to clarify employers’ obligations
After initially going into effect on December 19, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a chapter amendment to the Trapped at Work Act (the Act) on February 13, 2026. As amended, beyond pushing its effective date to December 19, 2026, the Act now has a specified application, an expanded scope, and new circumstances exempt from the Act’s requirements. The amended law narrows the Act’s application from a “worker” to an “employee” and “employer” as defined within the New York Labor Law.
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS Review
Introduction The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS is a new macro prime lens for Sony Alpha full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. It will also work with APS-C sensor cameras with an effective increase in focal length to 150mm due to the 1.5x crop factor. The optical construction features 17 elements in 13 groups, including two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements and two XA (extreme aspherical) elements that reduce aberration and deliver ultimate resolution.
Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 PRO Z Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 PRO Z is a very fast standard prime lens for Nikon Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It can also be used on APS-C sensor Nikon mirrorless cameras, where it provides a 75mm equivalent focal length. The optical construction is comprised of 15 elements in 11 groups, including one ultra-precision aspherical (UA) element, three extra-low diespersion elements (ED) to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing and eight high-refractive (HR) elements.
Nikon Coolpix P1100 Review
Introduction The Coolpix P1100 is a high-end, enthusiast-level bridge camera from Nikon. Its headline feature is its 125x optical zoom lens, which provides a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 24-3000mm, making it unsurpassed in the market. It follows on from the Nikon P1000, which made its debut back in 2018. The two models are almost identical, so if you already own the P1000 there's very little reason to upgrade to the newer version.
Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 L Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 16mm F1.8 L is a fast ultra-wide-angle prime lens for the Panasonic, Sigma and Leica "L-mount" full-frame mirrorless camera system. The optical construction is comprised of 15 elements in 12 groups including four extra-low dispersion elements and three aspherical elements to help deliver high contrast and low aberration. It offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.27m / 10.63in.
Nikon Z 28‑400mm f/4‑8 VR Review
Introduction The Nikon Z 28‑400mm f/4‑8 VR is a very versatile 14.2x travel-zoom lens for Nikon Z-series full-frame mirrorless cameras. It can also be used on APS-C cropped sensor cameras where it offers an effective focal range of 42-600mm. It features an optical structure comprised of 21 elements in 15 groups, including 4 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements.
Nikon Z 24‑105mm f/4‑7.1 Review
Introduction The Nikon Z 24‑105mm f/4‑7.1 is a versatile 4.38x travel-zoom lens for Nikon Z-series full-frame mirrorless cameras. It can also be used on APS-C cropped sensor cameras, where it offers an effective focal range of 36-157.5mm. It features an optical structure comprised of 12 elements in 10 groups, including 1 ED element and 2 aspherical elements.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema Review
Announced in January 2026, the Instax Mini Evo Cinema is the first ever 3-in-1 hybrid instant camera from Fujifilm, capable of recording short-form 15-second video clips, shooting stills and making Instax prints. It has a classic, vintage retro design that recalls old-fashioned 8mm cine cameras from yesteryear, specifically the FUJICA Single-8 camera from 1965, complete with an Eras effect dial that cycles back through 10 decades from 2020 to 1930.
Leica Q3 Monochrom Review
Introduction The Leica Q3 Monochrom is a premium fixed lens compact camera which pairs a 60 megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with an image-stabilized Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 prime lens. Optically the lens is comprised of 11 lenses in 9 groups (including 3 aspherical lens elements) and it has a Macro setting that enables it to focus as close as 17cms / 6.7".
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 Review
Introduction The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.4 is a fast standard prime lens for Nikon's range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. It will also work with APS-C sensor cameras or if you use it in the DX crop mode, with an effective increase in focal length to 75mm due to the 1.5x crop factor. The optical construction features 10 elements in 7 groups, including one aspherical element that helps to reduce aberrations and distortion.
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S Review
Introduction Announced in February 2025, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S is the latest premium optic available for Nikon’s Z series of mirrorless cameras, and the third f/1.2 lens for the range. This is a very fast moderate wide-angle prime lens that can also be used on APS-C sensor cameras where it provides an effective focal length of 52.5mm.
Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 Lab Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 Lab is a very fast moderate wide-angle prime lens for Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless cameras. It can also be used on APS-C sensor cameras where it provides an effective focal length of 52.5mm. The optical construction is comprised of 15 elements in 10 groups including including five extra-low dispersion elements, three high refractive index elements, and two ultra precision aspherical elements to help deliver high contrast and low aberration.
Viltrox AF 56mm F1.2 Pro Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 56mm F1.2 Pro is a short telephoto prime lens for Nikon Z APS-C sensor mirrorless cameras where it provides an 85mm equivalent focal length. It can also be used on full-frame sensor cameras using the DX crop mode. The optical construction is comprised of 13 elements in 10 groups including one extra-low dispersion elements to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing, one ultra precision asperical elements and three high refractive index elements.
Sony A7 V Review
The Sony A7 V is a mid-range 35mm full-frame mirrorless camera that replaces the 4-year-old Alpha A7 IV model. It has a brand new 33 megapixel EXMOR RS partially-stacked full-frame sensor and the latest flagship-class BIONZ XR2 processor, offering a dynamic range of 16+ stops at low sensitivity settings and an ISO range of 50-204,800. It provides up to 4K/120p video in super 35mm crop mode and 7K oversampled 4K/60p full-frame recording with no pixel binning.
Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 PRO Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 PRO is a very fast standard prime lens for Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless cameras. It can also be used on APS-C sensor Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, where it provides a 75mm equivalent focal length.
Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO Review
Introduction The Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 EVO is a short telephoto prime lens for the Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless camera system. It can also be used on Sony APS-C sensor cameras where it provides a 127.5mm equivalent focal length. It features 10 elements in 8 groups including two extra-low dispersion elements to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing and two high refractive index elements.
Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Review
Introduction The Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens for the Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless camera system. It can also be used on Sony APS-C sensor cameras where it provides a 24mm equivalent focal length. It features 15 elements in 12 groups including two AA (advanced aspherical) elements to help minimise field curvature and one Super ED element and three extra-low dispersion elements to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
President Trump is right on tariffs | Opinion
The Supreme Court is currently involved with deciding if President Trump has the authority to unilaterally initiate tariffs on any countries without congressional approval — never mind that he did it in his prior term to very little argument. In fact, the tariffs worked so well that the Biden administration left many of them in place. This money will pay down the debt, something most Democrats and Republicans wanted.
Managing workplace accommodations in the post-pandemic era
November 11, 2025 - Workplace flexibility — once a pandemic necessity — has become a defining feature of modern employment. Remote work, mental health support, and flexible schedules are now seen by many employees as baseline expectations rather than special accommodations, and companies increasingly promote these benefits as part of their culture and recruiting strategy.
Leica M EV1 Review
Introduction The Leica M EV1 is a digital M-system camera with a 60 megapixel, 35mm full-frame sensor and, for the first time ever on a Leica M series model, an integrated electronic viewfinder instead of a traditional optical rangefinder. It has the same BSI (BackSide Illuminated) CMOS sensor with a specially developed dual-layer UV/IR cut-off filter found in the M11.
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