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What's New in Practical Guidance - April 2025

May 09, 2025 (4 min read)

The April 2025 update in Practical Guidance has introduced an extensive array of new resources, refined trackers, and innovative templates across multiple legal practice areas. Designed to address contemporary challenges and shifting market trends, this update equips legal professionals with actionable insights and the latest tools necessary to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape.

Cross-Practice Area Resources

A new Practical Guidance Journal has been introduced to address cutting-edge topics in legal practice. Coverage now includes discussions on emerging issues such as "Deepfakes and Intellectual Property Issues," "Regulating AI in the Workplace," "Using AI in Mergers & Acquisitions," and the "Artificial Intelligence Technology Risks Checklist." These initiatives have been developed to provide timely analysis and practical guidance on managing the legal ramifications of technological advancements.

Bankruptcy

Significant enhancements have been made in the bankruptcy section. A number of updated trackers streamline the process of staying informed about case law and filing developments. Notable additions include the "Bankruptcy Legal Developments Tracker," which summarizes recent case law affecting the practice area; the "Mega Chapter 11 Filings Tracker" that details new large filings; and the frequently updated "Third-Party Release Tracker." New tools such as the Bankruptcy Sale Pleadings Chart, along with resource kits and revised templates for motions and requirements, have been integrated to support practitioners in managing complex bankruptcy cases.

Business Entities

Recent updates in the Business Entities segment focus on compliance under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The content reflects the impact of court challenges that delayed mandatory Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. With injunctions lifted on February 18, 2025, and FINCEN’s issuance of an interim final rule on March 26, 2025—stating that "an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons [domestic reporting companies] to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act"—this section has been realigned to guide practitioners through evolving filing deadlines and reporting requirements.

Corporate and M&A

Innovations in Corporate and M&A are driven by the integration of deal data and graphics from the SRS Acquiom M&A Deal Terms Study. With top-viewed M&A drafting notes and templates now incorporating insights from over 2,100 private-target acquisitions spanning 2018 to 2023, market trends are being delivered with unprecedented depth. The forthcoming 2025 study is expected to further reinforce these insights, providing practitioners with comprehensive data for informed decision making. Stay tuned for more details!

Intellectual Property & Technology

The Intellectual Property & Technology section has been fortified with new playbooks and practice notes. Guidance on topics such as "Deepfakes and Intellectual Property Legal Issues," "Determining Royalty Damages in Patent Litigation," and diverse claim drafting approaches has been expanded. These materials have been prepared to ensure that legal professionals are better equipped to address the multifaceted challenges presented by rapid technological innovations.

Labor & Employment

New content includes an Independent Contractor Agreement Playbook, specifically tailored for service recipients. In addition, resources such as the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy Drafting and Workplace Audit Checklist" and the "Weapons in the Workplace Policy (With Acknowledgment)" have been introduced, offering employers practical tools for policy development and workplace safety audits.

Real Estate

The Real Estate section now stands as an independent segment, enriched with innovative tools that address current market trends and compliance needs. Newly introduced resources include "Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Real Estate Legal Practice" and specialized clauses such as the "Energy Use Reporting and Disclosure Clause (Commercial Purchase and Sale Agreement) (CA)" and the "Energy Use Disclosure Clause (Commercial and Select Residential Leases) (CA)." Additionally, legal practitioners are provided with timely updates like "New York City’s First Local Law 97 Compliance Reports Are Due in Less Than 60 Days."

Trusts & Estates

The Trusts & Estates section has been distinctly separated to concentrate on estate planning and administration. New checklists, including the "Advance Health Care Directive Checklist (PA)" and the "Estate Administration Checklist (PA)," have been developed to guide practitioners through rigorous estate management processes. An array of templates—such as the "Affidavit of Death of Trustee (CA)," "Charitable Lead Unitrust (CLUT)," and various "Revocable Transfer on Death Deed" forms—has been introduced to streamline documentation. Alongside these, the "Ethical Issues in Estate Planning (NJ)" practice note and non-jurisdictional tools like the "Digital Assets Clause for Financial Power of Attorney" have been added to enhance clarity and efficiency in estate planning.

The Comprehensive Update for April 2025 in Practical Guidance exhibits a commitment to providing legal professionals with robust, up-to-date resources across an extensive spectrum of practice areas. By delivering dedicated guidance through targeted sections in Bankruptcy, Business Entities, Corporate and M&A, Intellectual Property & Technology, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, and Trusts & Estates, this update ensures that the dynamic needs of the legal profession are met with innovation and comprehensive support.

To view the full update, click here. Stay tuned for what’s coming in May!