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DOJ’s Emerging Whistleblower Program: How It Works and What It Means for Corporate Compliance
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has signaled and begun rolling out a whistleblower rewards framework aimed at incentivizing insiders and third parties to report corporate crime directly to prosecutors. While the program will continue to evolve through policy and rulemaking, its contours already create immediate implications for New York–based and U.S.-operating companies
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Nov 55 min read


Navigating HHS-OIG’s Self-Disclosure Protocol
The HHS-OIG Self-Disclosure Protocol is designed to encourage healthcare providers, suppliers, contractors, and grantees to self-report evidence of potential fraud or violations of federal healthcare program requirements. By voluntarily disclosing such conduct, entities may benefit from reduced penalties, a presumption against exclusion from federal programs, and a more collaborative resolution process, as opposed to facing government-initiated investigations or litigation.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Nov 46 min read


Digital Health and the FDA: When Software Becomes a Medical Device
The FDA defines Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) as software “intended to be used for one or more medical purposes that perform these purposes without being part of a hardware medical device.”
In plain English: if your app, algorithm, or platform is intended to diagnose, cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent disease, the FDA may consider it a medical device — even if it’s just running on a smartphone.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 274 min read


The Top 5 Compliance Blind Spots for Early-Stage Digital Health Companies
Here are the five compliance blind spots that catch early-stage digital health companies off guard — and how to avoid them before they become expensive lessons.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 274 min read


The Compliance Divide: How Startups Can Compete with Big Healthcare Without Breaking the Rules or the Bank
For founders in digital health, biotech, or life sciences, compliance isn’t optional — but it also can’t become a black hole for resources. The challenge is building a compliance infrastructure that protects the company and satisfies regulators without spending like an enterprise.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 274 min read


What Silicon Valley Initially Misunderstood About Healthcare Compliance
Most founders think of compliance as overhead — a checklist to satisfy investors or legal counsel. In reality, compliance is the operating system for trust. It dictates how your product interacts with patients, payers, and partners.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 276 min read


How Outside General Counsel Supports Corporate Governance
An OGC acts as a strategic advisor — helping boards navigate their responsibilities while reducing the risk of governance missteps. Here’s how:
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


How Outside General Counsel Services Improve Contract Management and Risk Mitigation
For growing businesses, contracts are the foundation of nearly every relationship — from clients and vendors to employees and investors. Yet, many small and mid-sized companies treat contract management as an afterthought until something goes wrong. That’s where Outside General Counsel (OGC) services come in.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


What Does an Outside General Counsel Do — and When Should You Hire One?
As your business grows, legal questions start to multiply. Contracts get more complex. Employment laws change. Regulatory requirements sneak up. Before long, what used to be a quick “ask my lawyer” moment becomes a full-time job.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


Assessing Legal and Compliance Risks: A Guide for Business Owners
Every business faces risk — but not all risks come from competitors, market shifts, or economic downturns. Some come from within: legal and compliance risks that can quietly grow until they trigger lawsuits, fines, or regulatory investigations.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 173 min read


Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
When shareholders believe that company leaders have harmed the business — not just them personally — they can file what’s called a shareholder derivative lawsuit . These cases can shake even well-established companies, creating tension among leadership, slowing operations, and drawing unwanted attention. For small and mid-sized businesses, especially those with multiple owners, understanding how derivative suits work is essential to avoiding internal disputes that spill into
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


Slip and Fall Liability
For many small and mid-sized businesses, a single accident on the premises can lead to serious financial and legal consequences. Among the most common — and costly — are slip and fall claims.
These cases might sound routine, but they can expose a business to thousands of dollars in damages, increased insurance premiums, and lasting reputational harm. Understanding your obligations and taking proactive steps can make all the difference.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


False Advertising and Deceptive Trade Practices (NY General Business Law § 349)
In New York, one of the most common ways plaintiffs bring fraud-related claims isn’t through common law fraud — it’s through General Business Law § 349 (GBL § 349). This statute is powerful because it’s broader, easier to prove, and applies to virtually any business operating in New York. It’s a favorite tool of plaintiffs’ lawyers — and a risk that many small and mid-sized businesses overlook.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 143 min read


How Insurance Can Help Your Business When Facing Litigation
Even the most careful business owners can find themselves in a lawsuit. A client claims your work caused a loss. An employee files a complaint. A customer slips and falls on your property. Suddenly, you’re spending time — and money — on something that has nothing to do with growing your business. That’s where insurance comes in.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 64 min read


Frivolous Lawsuits: What Business Owners Need to Know (and How to Protect Your Company)
If you’ve been in business long enough, you know that not every lawsuit is created equal. Some claims are legitimate — others are… well, not.
Welcome to the world of frivolous lawsuits: claims that have little or no legal basis but still cost businesses time, money, and peace of mind.
Here’s what you need to know about what makes a lawsuit “frivolous,” what you can do if your business gets hit with one, and how to protect yourself before it happens.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


Small Claims Court: A Practical Guide for Business Owners
When a customer doesn’t pay, a vendor breaches a contract, or a dispute over a few thousand dollars threatens your bottom line, hiring a full legal team might feel like overkill. That’s where small claims court comes in — a streamlined, lower-cost way to resolve smaller disputes.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


What Should I Do If I Receive a Subpoena? A Business Owner’s Guide
Getting served with a subpoena can be stressful — especially if you’ve never seen one before. Whether you’re an individual, a small business, or a company executive, a subpoena means one thing: someone wants information from you for a legal case.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 63 min read


Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Legal problems can be complicated, especially when both criminal and civil cases are involved. Business owners often ask two key questions: What is the difference for me if I am suing someone who is also facing criminal charges? What if I or my business am the one facing both a criminal and civil case This blog breaks down the differences and explains what’s at stake in each situation.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 23 min read


Insurance Recovery Challenges Every Business Owner Should Know
When disaster strikes—whether it’s property damage, a lawsuit, or a business interruption—many business owners turn to their insurance policies expecting protection. But recovering money from an insurance claim isn’t always simple. Legal issues can quickly arise that delay or even block recovery.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Oct 12 min read


What Is a Default Judgment?
When you file a lawsuit, you expect the other side to show up and defend themselves. But what happens if they don’t? That’s where a default judgment comes in. It’s a powerful legal tool that can decide the case in your favor if the other side ignores the lawsuit.
Dennis Sapien-Pangindian
Sep 302 min read
Asked and Answered: A Law Blog
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