Insights on

H-1B work visas are the most common work visas for foreign nationals in professional positions (which are jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific specialty). Most employers can only apply for a worker’s initial H-1B one time per year.

FDA Practice Leader and Agriculture & AgTech Industry Leader Karen Carr will present to the Plant Agriculture & Pesticide Regulations policy committee at the 2026 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Winter Policy Conference on February 3, 2026.

On January 27, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a Special Advisory Bulletin providing significant guidance for pharmaceutical manufacturers offering prescription drugs through direct-to-consumer (DTC) programs to patients enrolled in federal health care programs.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a workshop on January 27, entitled, “Moving Forward: Protecting Workers from Anticompetitive Noncompete Agreements.”

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that Aram Ordubegian has been named managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. He succeeds Aaron Jacoby, who will continue in his active practice and role as chair of ArentFox Schiff’s Automotive & Transportation industry group. Both attorneys also sit on the firm’s Executive Committee.

AFS Partner and ACTEC Fellow Susan Bart, presented on the estate, tax, and wealth planning implications of newly enacted Trump Accounts during ACTEC’s Trust and Estate Talk podcast.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used as intentionally added ingredients in some cosmetic formulations, primarily on account of their water- and oil-resistance and long-lasting properties, for conditioning and smoothing the skin and hair, or for modifying product consistency and texture.

AFS counsel James Fahy has been selected to serve as a juror for the 2026 Opus Prize in collaboration with DePaul University.

On behalf of a coalition of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to the care, health, education, well-being, and welfare of children and families, ArentFox Schiff, filed an amicus brief in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in support of the plaintiffs.

On January 22, in a 2-1 vote, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) rescinded its 2024 Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace, including portions addressing gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues.

On January 21, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft guidance clarifying the agency’s authority to access and copy records related to cosmetic products under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). Cosmetic companies should take care to ensure that their recordkeeping policies and procedures comply with these requirements.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce the additions of Partner Nichole D. Shustack, Counsel Michael Rudy, Senior Associate Isabelle R. Cunningham, and Director Helen C. Plunkett to its Food, Drug, Medical Device & Cosmetic Practice with a focus on the alcohol beverage industry. Nichole and Helen join in Washington, DC, with Michael and Isabelle joining in Boston and New York, respectively. Nichole and Isabelle are both recognized in Chambers USA 2025 and join ArentFox Schiff from a Chambers‑ranked team.

ArentFox Schiff Chairman Anthony Lupo and Counsel Gayland Hethcoat were quoted on the firm’s newly launched Longevity & Healthspan Industry Group.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce the launch of its Longevity & Healthspan Industry Group, a cross-sector initiative supporting the rapidly expanding ecosystem of companies advancing anti-aging innovation, wellness, and preventive health.

On January 20, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the World Economic Forum. Coming a week after his meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, his remarks made headlines globally.

In an update earlier last year, we highlighted the ongoing legal developments in connection with key cases surrounding the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) manipulation scandal with respect to a pending United Kingdom (UK) Supreme Court hearing.

Illinois’ data center market is booming because of strong state incentives, but that growth is tightening power supplies and raising reliability and cost concerns.

False Claims Act Investigations Partners Hillary Stemple (Health Care) and Nadia Patel (Litigation) will host a Continuing Education webinar on recent trends in health care fraud enforcement for the Health Care Compliance Association on January 27, 2026.

International Trade & Investment Partner and Customs & Import Compliance Practice Leader Angela Santos will present on recent developments in international trade at ABA International Law Section’s The Americas Conference on January 27, 2026.

ArentFox Schiff Chairman Anthony V. Lupo was quoted on the bankruptcy filing of the luxury retail conglomerate, Saks Global — owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus — on what brands can recover capital and product during a Chapter 11 filing.

In a January 20 interim final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) eased restrictions on the export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) of certain types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to lower risk destinations.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Welcome to the January 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) just issued a joint statement outlining 10 “Guiding Principles” for using artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development.