As noted in our May 2016 client alert, President Obama signed the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), which establishes a federal cause of action for misappropriation of trade secrets into law.  As part of its protections, the DTSA provides an immunity defense for lawful disclosures (as defined by the law), including disclosures to an attorney for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected legal violation.  On December 6, 2016, a federal court in Massachusetts clarified the burden associated with asserting the immunity defense in a DTSA action. Unum Group v. Loftus, Case No. 16-cv-40154 (D. Mass.).