Constangy

Maryland employers must begin preparing now for one of the most significant changes to the state’s workplace law in recent years. Maryland, joining a host of other states, will provide a paid leave program to its eligible employees. Beginning in 2027, both employers and employees will be required to make contributions to Maryland’s new Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, known as “FAMLI.” The statute is here, the regulations are here, and “Frequently Asked Questions” are here.

Constangy attorney Leo Tyree authored a Bloomberg Law article examining the growing importance of labor market competition in merger and acquisition due diligence. In the article, Leo explains that recent merger enforcement activity involving union grocery workers, home-health nurses, and temporary healthcare workers demonstrates how transactions may face scrutiny not only for their effects on product or service markets, but also for their potential impact on competition for workers.

California employers will begin 2027 with a set of new employment-law obligations. Unlike recent legislative cycles, 2026 did not produce a major wave of new wage-hour or PAGA legislation. Instead, lawmakers focused on emerging workplace issues, including artificial intelligence, employee surveillance, immigration-related retaliation, employment contracts, leave, and workplace safety. Several of the most significant laws take effect January 1, 2027, while others have later effective dates.

Constangy Cyber Team vice chair Rich Goldberg recently joined the Chattinn Cyber podcast to discuss the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, including ransomware and data extortion, artificial intelligence, cyber insurance, incident response planning, and emerging legal risks. During the episode, Rich explained how ransomware tactics have evolved as organizations have strengthened their backup and recovery capabilities.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Keith Sonderling as our new Secretary of Labor. Mr. Sonderling had been Acting Secretary since the resignation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer in April. The Senate vote to confirm Mr. Sonderling was 47-41, along party lines. Twelve Senators (a mix of Republicans and Democrats) did not vote, including Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

A school in Pennsylvania will be going to trial on a former employee’s religious accommodation and constructive discharge claims after it essentially failed to engage in the interactive process with an employee who needed an accommodation. Our plaintiff (we’ll call her “Monique”) was a business manager for the school. As you might assume from that job title, she worked in an office.

Constangy is pleased to announce that partners Mary Dohner Smith and Kim Seten have been named to the 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers guide, which recognizes attorneys who represent companies in labor and employment matters. Lawdragon identifies honorees through research and vetting conducted with editorial advisors specializing in labor and employment law on both the corporate and plaintiff sides.

Webinar October 22, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET As employers adopt AI tools across the employment lifecycle, counsel must address overlapping discrimination, privacy, and governance obligations. Constangy Cyber Team Partner, John Keir, along with Mari DeGrazia of IDX will review the federal legal framework and selected state and local requirements for automated employment decisions, along with emerging litigation involving AI screening vendors.

Webinar October 29, 2026 | 10AM PT / 12PM CT / 1PM ET The OFCCP has dramatically reshaped contractors’ obligations when it comes to affirmative action towards individuals with a disability. The new Section 503 rule eliminates Form CC-305, mandatory disability self-identification, applicant and hire data calculations, and the 7 percent utilization goal. But Section 503 affirmative action is not gone, and many important obligations remain.

Speaking Engagement September 25, 2026 Constangy senior counsel Amanda Novak will speak at the OpenSSL Conference, taking place October 13-15, 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic. Amanda will present “During a Breach: How Encryption is Evaluated by Regulators, Insurers, and Counsel” on October 13 from 16:05-16:45 CEST. The OpenSSL Conference is a global meeting place for professionals who build, deploy, govern, and rely on secure digital infrastructure.