In Episode 15 of "Are We All Clear? Facilitating Security Clearances," host Molly O'Casey and members of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group discuss the complexities of Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) and its implications for security clearances in government contracting. They explain how foreign entities can influence cleared companies, impacting classified contracts, and detail the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's (DCSA) role in overseeing FOCI assessments through the SF-328 form. Mitigation strategies such as proxy agreements and outside directors are highlighted to ensure compliance and safeguard national security.

The episode also revisits Section 847 from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandates FOCI assessments for non-classified U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contracts valued at $5 million or more and represents a significant expansion of FOCI regulations. This discussion reinforces the need for companies to effectively navigate these complexities while utilizing supplemental documents like Affiliated Operations Plans and Technology Control Plans to maintain compliance.

A Comprehensive Overview of FOCI Mitigation

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta reviews recent trends in state-level consumer protection enforcement. He highlights notable actions by state attorneys general (AGs) across the U.S., from Florida's investigations into Roblox and Google's advertising practices, to multistate efforts against illegal electronic cigarettes, multimillion-dollar settlements in Illinois and California, and New Hampshire's lawsuit against Meta for addictive design features that allegedly harm teens. The discussion underscores how states are actively policing deceptive marketing, false advertising and emerging digital issues, often filling gaps left by waning federal enforcement. With investigations intensifying and priorities varying by state, businesses are advised to maintain high compliance standards and pursue transparent, ethical marketing to avoid legal risks and foster consumer trust in an evolving regulatory landscape.

Tracking Trends in State-Level Consumer Protection Enforcement

En este episodio de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", el socio Edwin Cortés conversa con Juan Pablo Colom, abogado del área laboral, sobre el acoso laboral, tomando como referencia cultural la popular telenovela colombiana "Betty la Fea". Abordan cómo en la serie se reflejan conductas que hoy en día serían reconocidas como acoso laboral, a pesar de que en esa época no existían definiciones legales claras al respecto. Juan Pablo describe la evolución legislativa en Colombia sobre el tema, destacando normas como la Ley 10 de 2006 y la más reciente Ley 2365 de 2024, que amplían la definición de acoso laboral y sexual. También conversan sobre las responsabilidades empresariales, incluyendo el papel de los comités de convivencia laboral en la investigación y gestión de estas conductas, y señalan el aumento de denuncias por acoso sexual laboral en el país. El episodio ofrece una visión valiosa sobre los avances en la protección legal y las obligaciones de los empleadores para garantizar ambientes laborales seguros.

Betty, la fea y otras formas de acoso laboral

In this episode of his "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small talks about his experience prosecuting the Cammarata Organization while serving with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Organized Crime Strike Force. Mr. Small explains how traditional organized crime groups struggled with the transition into drug trafficking, a business they once saw as off-limits. He details how the Cammarata group's excessive ambition and reliance on violence undermined their criminal enterprises, including failed international deals and brutal tactics that ultimately led to their downfall. This episode explores the realities of investigating organized crime, the economic principles underlying illegal enterprises and how prosecutors use evidence of violence to portray criminal organizations in court.

Too Dirty for Dirty Crime

In the 100th episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small introduces his listeners to Sam Cammarata, a career criminal who tried to follow his dreams and become the "Godfather of Houston." After brief stints in the Boston and New Orleans mafia, Cammarata decided to start his own criminal empire in Houston, Texas. With a nightclub as a legal front and a second-in-command with a love of violence, the Cammarata organization quickly grew more prominent and more profitable as it engaged in illegal activities such as bookmaking, loansharking, prostitution and extortion. As a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice's Organized Crime Strike Force, Mr. Small was sent to Texas to help the Texas Rangers indict members of the criminal enterprise. 

The Godfather of Houston

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook," litigation attorney Dan Small explores the complicated dynamics of using informants in organized crime cases. Drawing from his prosecution of Sam Cammarata, Mr. Small explains how informants can both help and hinder investigations, especially when they manipulate their insider status for personal gain. He discusses the challenges prosecutors face in building persuasive arguments using informant testimony, tactics defense lawyers use to cast doubt on informant credibility and strategies that help reveal the truth in court. This episode offers insights into the delicate balance required to pursue justice when relying on those closest to criminal activity.

"I Was Just Playing a Role"

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta discusses strategies and techniques for defending an investigation by a federal or state consumer protection agency in the current political landscape.

He breaks the process into five phases:

1. understanding the landscape
2. discovery and information gathering
3. communication and relationship building
4. controlling the narrative
5. strategic resolution

Mr. DiResta emphasizes the importance of strategy, credibility and advocacy throughout the process, as well as securing counsel who will protect your interests while building rapport with government staff.

Consumer Protection Investigations: What You Should Do

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small reflects on the dangerous yet invaluable role of an undercover agent, exemplified by the Cammarata Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case. The Cammarata Organization, like many organized criminal groups, was highly secretive, and building evidence for trial would be challenging without insider testimony. Working alongside the Texas Rangers, Mr. Small befriended skilled undercover agents and learned their strategies for creating a false persona. The episode offers a glimpse into infiltrating a criminal organization, as well as amusing anecdotes from Mr. Small's first attempt at going undercover at a local honky-tonk.

Actors on a Stage

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta covers the emerging issues driving federal and state enforcement and private litigation. He highlights six themes shaping priorities: artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, advertising and marketing practices, privacy and data security, unfair and abusive practices, sector-specific scrutiny of financial services, health and environmental claims, and escalating coordination among enforcers. Mr. DiResta explains how agencies are intensifying oversight of AI transparency and bias, influencer and native advertising disclosures, data collection and breach response, "dark patterns," hidden fees and products targeting vulnerable consumers. He then describes practical steps to help mitigate unwanted attention from the government, from AI audits and human oversight to substantiation, social media policies, incident response plans and consumer-centric design. He concludes by highlighting how important it is to build trust through first instance compliance to reduce risk and position your business to thrive in a dynamic enforcement landscape.

A Roadmap for Emerging Consumer Protection Issues

In this episode of "The Trial Lawyer's Handbook" podcast series, litigation attorney Dan Small explains the exclusionary rule, which states that evidence obtained by illegal methods must be excluded at trial. In the Cammarata drugs-and-murder Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case, a voluntary eight-page confession was initially suppressed under the exclusionary rule because the Texas Rangers did not include the arrested individual's last name on the warrant. Mr. Small appealed the decision, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in his favor, making the confession admissible at trial. The ruling helped establish the "good-faith exception" to the exclusionary rule, which was soon officially adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bad Facts Make Bad Law

En este episodio de "A Lo Legal En Par Minutos", Edwin Cortés, socio, y Mariángela Cáceres, abogada de asuntos laborales, analizan la Ley María y la iniciativa en Colombia de ofrecer a los padres la oportunidad de participar más en la crianza de sus hijos. Como explican los abogados, en 2002 la Ley María estableció una licencia de paternidad de solo ocho días. En 2021 llegó la Ley 2141, que aumentó la licencia a dos semanas. Ese mismo año se crearon las licencias parentales, mediante las cuales los tiempos de las licencias de maternidad o paternidad pueden distribuirse de común acuerdo entre los padres, con el fin de fomentar una crianza más presente por parte de ambos. Este episodio también aborda cómo se compara este sistema con otros países en Latinoamérica y Europa.

A Comprehensive Overview of FOCI Mitigation

Holland & Knight Legal Podcast

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