Insights

Government contracts law extends far beyond traditional procurement disputes, encompassing a wide range of regulatory, transactional, and operational issues that arise across industries and throughout the contracting lifecycle. It operates at the intersection of legal disciplines, business functions, and public funding structures, often surfacing in contexts not initially viewed through a government contracts lens.

Washington has seen a surge in CEMA class actions after the Washington Supreme Court’s 2025 Brown v. Old Navy decision held that any false or misleading factual statement in an email subject line can trigger liability. Plaintiffs have since targeted urgency‑based and promotional subject lines, with courts rejecting many preemption and constitutional defenses. A 2026 legislative amendment, HB 2274, reduces statutory damages and adds a knowledge requirement, but leaves ongoing compliance risks for email marketers.

Agentic AI introduces powerful automation capabilities, but also unprecedented security, governance, and contractual risks as systems begin acting autonomously. Organizations must tightly control permissions, monitor behavior, and build strong audit and shutdown capabilities before deployment.

New IRS guidance clarifies how energy developers can qualify for 100% bonus depreciation under the OBBBA. The interim rules offer immediate direction on acquisition timing and construction milestones—key factors for project planning ahead of the January 2025 effective date.

In 2025, Stoel Rives continued to deliver excellent legal work and trusted counsel on complex transactions, disputes, regulatory matters, and ongoing business needs, while strengthening the firm through strategic growth and new partnerships. We also deepened our commitment to pro bono service, community engagement, and firm culture, earning broad recognition for excellence and impact across our practices and markets.

Stoel Rives is pleased to announce that the firm earned 29 national rankings and an additional 120 metropolitan rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®.  The firm’s rankings grew by 17 additional practice areas since the 2025 edition.

CAISO has released its Draft Final Proposal for Interconnection Process Enhancements 5.0, introducing targeted reforms to streamline project interconnections ahead of Cluster 16. The proposal includes changes to scoring criteria, deliverability caps, and queue management, aiming to improve fairness, reduce congestion, and reflect evolving procurement needs. Stakeholder feedback is due by November 3, with final approval expected in March 2026.

Data is a powerful driver of innovation and a potential source of significant legal exposure. Proactive governance, thoughtful contracting, and attention to ethics and privacy can help businesses unlock the value of data while minimizing the risks.

Effective January 1, 2026, a new California law limits retention on private construction projects to 5%, bringing private project retention rules in line with long-standing public works requirements. The law applies to contracts entered into on or after January 1 and includes limited exceptions, while making the 5% cap non-waivable and enforceable with mandatory attorneys’ fees.

Congress has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introducing signficant changes to renewable energy tax incentives, including revised timelines for wind and solar credits, corrected domestic content thresholds, and new eligibility rules tied to foreign involvement. The Act narrows certain provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and adds compliance considerations for projects involving foreign-manufactured components or influence.