On December 29, 2025, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) released an exposure draft proposing substantial revisions to its Code of Professional Conduct governing alternative practice structures (APS), which govern investments in accounting firms by private and public investors. The proposals represent the most significant regulatory development for private equity-backed accounting firms since PEEC first adopted APS guidance in 2000. This exposure draft follows a March 2025 discussion memorandum that resulted in the submission of 36 comment letters and extensive stakeholder engagement from accounting firm executives, state boards of accountancy, insurance liability carriers, accounting firms, academia, professional associations, and legal counsel for private equity sponsors.

On January 8, 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed U.S. company Seagate Technology LLC and its foreign entities—Seagate Thailand and Seagate Singapore—to move forward with their claims against Japanese company NHK Spring Co., Ltd. under United States antitrust (i.e., competition) laws.