Last summer, Governor Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill No. 6, An Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring (the “Act”) [1] which went in effect July 1, 2023. Applicability The Act applies to individuals or entities that conduct business or produce products or services that are targeted to residents of Connecticut and, during the preceding calendar year, the individual or entity either: controlled or processed the personal data of not less than 100,000 consumers (excluding pers ...
News & Events
The United States Supreme Court’s Decision in Creative LLC et al. v. Elenis et al.
On June 30, 2023, the United States Supreme Court addressed whether a public accommodation law which compelled an artist to create custom designs that were contrary to their personal and/or religious beliefs violated the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.[1] In a 6-3 decision delivered by Justice Gorsuch, the Court held that the First Amendment prohibited Colorado from requiring that a website designer create expressive designs which advocated content for which the designer disagreed.[2] ...
SEC Issues New Rules Regarding Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure
On July 26, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted rules requiring public companies to disclose material cybersecurity incidents within a certain timeframe and to disclose material information regarding their cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance on an annual basis in their annual reports on Form 10-K. As a result, many companies will likely increase focus on enhancing cybersecurity capabilities as they plan to address and comply with these new disclos ...
The United States Supreme Court’s Decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College
On June 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court addressed the following issue: (1) whether the race-based admissions programs at Harvard College (“Harvard”) and the University of North Carolina (“UNC” and together with Harvard, the “Respondents”) violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment (“Equal Protection Clause”) and/or Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964[1] (“Title VI”).[2] In a 6-3 decision delivered by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court determined that the Respond ...
Matthew Warden, Olivia Benson, and Emily McCarthy appointed to Executive Committee of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Connecticut Bar Association
Matthew Warden, Olivia Benson, and Emily McCarthy appointed to Executive Committee of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Connecticut Bar Association Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. is pleased to announce that two of its associates were recently appointed as chairs, and one of its associates was recently appointed as a director, of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Connecticut Bar Association. Matthew Warden was appointed Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Attorne ...
UKS Visits Covenant Preparatory School in Hartford
On June 30, 2023, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy Associate Attorney Matthew Warden and summer associates Theyjasvi Ashok, Michael Francomano, Renee Varga and Gillian Wilson, visited Covenant Preparatory School. Covenant Preparatory School, located in Hartford, provides middle school students from underserved communities with the necessary foundation to successfully pursue higher education. As part of Covenant Preparatory School’s summer session, the students are exposed to experiential learning op ...
UKS Welcomes Summer Associate Class of 2023
Michael Francomano is a rising 3L at Boston College Law School where he is the head chairperson of the Law School Association’s Sports Committee. Prior to law school he earned his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Connecticut while finishing in the top 15% of his class. Michael previously worked in Boston at a toxic torts litigation firm and is excited to join UKS to return to Connecticut and expand on his knowledge and exposure of all areas of the law. Renee Varga is a rising 3L ...
Read to Grow honors UKS with annual Literacy Champion Award
On May 17th, Read to Grow, an early literacy organization whose mission is to promote language and reading skills for children beginning at birth, honored UKS with its annual Literacy Champion Award. UKS was recognized for its more than 20 years supporting the nonprofit in its efforts to bring books to all children in Connecticut and support families taking an active role in their children’s reading development. (UKS attorneys pictured – Christopher Brigham, Valerie Ferdon, Jennifer Groves, Kay ...
Connecticut Foodshare’s 2023 Walk Against Hunger
On Saturday May 20, 2023, UKS participated in Connecticut Foodshare’s 2023 Walk Against Hunger by walking in Hartford to raise awareness and money to fight hunger in our communities. UKS’ contributions were made directly to the Friendship Service Center in New Britain. The Walk Against Hunger raised a grand total of $278,631! (Pictured - Patty Keefe, Roxanne O’Sullivan, Alison Sjoberg, Rick Dighello, Stefan Sjoberg, Andy O’Sullivan and Donna McKiernan) ...
Stefan Sjoberg addressed Graduate Commencement Ceremony of Western New England University
On May 21, 2023, Attorney Stefan Sjoberg , an associate at Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. addressed the audience at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony of Western New England University. Members of the school’s administration invited Attorney Sjoberg to speak and welcome the graduates into the Alumni Association. Attorney Sjoberg is an adjunct faculty professor at WNEU and serves as Immediate Past-President of the Board of Directors of the Law Alumni Association. Attorney Sjoberg practices i ...