Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Biden filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio interview, arguing the release would be improper. The action has sparked political commentary, including remarks from former President Trump.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
FCC Expands Router Ban to Portable Hotspots, Grants Conditional Exemptions to Netgear and Adtran
The Federal Communications Commission announced that its foreign‑made consumer router ban now includes portable hotspot devices, while smartphones with hotspot capability remain exempt. The agency also issued conditional approvals for Netgear and Adtran routers, leaving most other brands in limbo.
Ninth Circuit Revives $162 Million Umbrella Policy Fight Over Aggregate Limits
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a district court on April 23, 2026, holding that the annual aggregate limit in three legacy umbrella policies does not apply to property‑damage claims. The decision could expose the insurer to as...
Goodwin and Cooley Earn Spot on Cybersecurity Docket’s Incident Response Elite 2026
Goodwin and Cooley secured placements on Cybersecurity Docket’s Incident Response Elite list for 2026, with three Goodwin partners and four Cooley partners recognized. The selections underscore the growing premium placed on data‑breach response capabilities across global law firms.
Ex-Orrick Partner Withdraws Data‑Breach Suit Hours After Filing
Joseph Casillas, a former Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe employee, voluntarily dismissed his data‑breach lawsuit against the firm just hours after filing. The move leaves the case open for re‑filing in another venue and highlights the difficulty of pursuing negligence claims...
IBM Pays $17 Million as DOJ Expands FCA DEI Enforcement for Federal Contractors
IBM settled a $17.1 million False Claims Act case over alleged discriminatory DEI practices, marking the Department of Justice's first civil‑rights‑fraud enforcement action. The settlement follows a March 26, 2026 executive order that embeds DEI compliance into federal contracts, exposing contractors...
Intel CFO David Zinsner Takes on Principal Accounting Officer Role After CAO Exit
Intel announced that Chief Financial Officer David A. Zinsner will also serve as principal accounting officer after the immediate resignation of Scott Gawel. The change, filed on April 24, 2026, consolidates financial reporting authority under Zinsner and underscores the company's...
Malaysia Picks a Former Judge to Lead Its Anti-Graft Agency
Malaysia has appointed former High Court judge Abdul Halim Aman as the next chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission, succeeding embattled Azam Baki. Halim will take office on May 13, following a government statement that aims to restore the...
Procedural Ghost Undermined RM200B Infrastructure Deal
A RM200,000,000 "regional infrastructure dream" is rarely a business failure when the foundations were never actually laid—it’s a 14-year countdown to a Monday morning in court. While the market sees a standard MACC arrest of a former director in his 70s,...
U.S. Regulators Ban Banks From Outsourcing Judgment to AI Algorithms
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve released revised model risk management guidance that prohibits banks from delegating judgment to AI algorithms. The guidance demands real‑time validation, auditable decision trails...
FAA Grounds Blue Origin’s New Glenn After Satellite Mis‑orbit
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket after its upper stage placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into an off‑nominal orbit on April 19, 2026. The incident cancels the first reuse of a New Glenn booster and triggers a mandatory...
SEC Staff Expands Broker‑Dealer Exemptions to Digital Asset Interfaces, Shaking DeFi Compliance
On April 13, the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets issued staff guidance that for the first time outlines conditions under which a crypto user‑interface provider can operate without registering as a broker‑dealer. The rule defines a “Covered User Interface”...
Crypto Advocacy Groups File Joint Petition Urging SEC to Launch DeFi Rulemaking
On April 6, 2026, a coalition of crypto advocacy groups submitted a joint petition to the SEC’s Crypto Task Force, demanding a formal notice‑and‑comment rulemaking process for decentralized finance. The filing seeks clear definitions and compliance pathways for DeFi participants,...
Patent Case Summaries | Week Ending April 17, 2026
The Federal Circuit issued three notable opinions this week. It reversed a district court’s summary‑judgment of non‑infringement for Intel, finding the extraterritoriality stipulation and the doctrine‑of‑equivalents analysis were misapplied. It affirmed the on‑sale invalidity of Definitive Holdings’ patent against Powerteq,...
CFPB's New Fair Lending Rule Is Out – No Surprises But Big Changes
On April 22, 2026 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a final rule amending Regulation B, the ECOA implementing regulation. The rule narrows prohibited discrimination to intentional acts, eliminates disparate‑impact liability, tightens the discouragement provision, and bars for‑profit special‑purpose credit programs...
DEA Reschedules FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and State-Licensed Medical Marijuana to Schedule III
On April 22, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed a final order moving FDA‑approved marijuana products and state‑licensed medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. The change eliminates the Section 280E tax disallowance for medical operators and creates an expedited DEA...
Judge Grounds Flyers’ Attempt to Undo Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines Merger
U.S. District Judge Micah Smith dismissed a six‑plaintiff antitrust suit seeking to unwind Alaska Airlines' $1.9 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines. The judge ruled the complaint failed to define a geographic market or prove that the merger caused higher prices or...
Medspas on Alert: The FDA Says You’re a Dispenser Too
On April 1, 2026, the FDA issued its first warning letter to a “dispenser” of prescription drugs, targeting Texas‑based medspa Pure Indulgence Aesthetics for violations of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Inspectors cited use of unauthorized Botox suppliers, failure to provide...
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Essentials for Employees and Employers
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), enacted in 1993, mandates eligible employers to grant up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave for qualifying family or medical reasons. Employees must work for a firm with at least 50 staff...
Kim Kardashian Gets Trial Date for Defamation Lawsuit, But Ray J’s Claims Sent to Arbitration
Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner won a court ruling that sets a March 6 2028 trial for their defamation lawsuit against Ray J, while his breach‑of‑contract claim over a 2023 settlement is sent to private arbitration. The original settlement required Kardashian to pay...
Trump Administration Seeks Pause Of Lawsuit Challenging Vaccine Recommendations
On April 23, Trump administration lawyers filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy to pause litigation that challenges recent CDC vaccine guidance updates made under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The request argues that a stay pending...
Friday’s Five: Mandatory Fees and Service Charges in California — What Employers Should Know
California courts and municipalities are tightening rules around mandatory service charges, creating a multi‑layered compliance maze for restaurants, hotels, salons and other businesses. Local ordinances in cities such as Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Berkeley and Oakland require that any mandatory...
Fifth Circuit Unblocks Texas Immigration Law
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted 10‑7 to lift a preliminary injunction that had blocked Texas Senate Bill 4, a law permitting state and local police to arrest individuals for immigration violations and authorizing state judges...
Feds yet to Return Vehicle Renee Good Was Shot and Killed In
Rebecca Good, the widow of Renee Nicole Good, filed a motion demanding the return of the Honda Pilot seized after an ICE officer shot her spouse in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. The vehicle, still shrink‑wrapped in an FBI facility, has not...
Legora Launches AI Platform with Jude Law as Brand Ambassador, Valuation $5.55 B
Legal‑tech firm Legora announced a worldwide advertising push featuring actor Jude Law as its new brand face. The campaign coincides with the company’s $5.55 billion valuation, a staff surge to 400 employees and daily use by tens of thousands of lawyers...
Michigan Rep. Jaime Greene Introduces Bill to Create AI Governing Board for State Agencies
Republican Rep. Jaime Greene (R‑Richmond) unveiled House Bill 5899, which would establish an Artificial Intelligence Governing Board within Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget and launch a pilot to test generative AI in state agencies. The proposal seeks to...
NO JAB, NO PAY/PLAY BILL COMING
New South Wales Libertarian MLC John Ruddick is drafting a bill to block the state’s “No Jab, No Pay/Play” policy, which ties family tax benefits and childcare subsidies to children’s vaccination status. The author of the post claims a recent...
The Legal AF Evening Briefing
Legal AF’s evening briefing highlighted four major legal‑political developments. Virginia filed an emergency motion to the Court of Appeals, seeking certification of roughly 3 million votes and preservation of a Democratic‑leaning congressional map. Attorney General Rob Bonta discussed recent state‑wide lawsuits...
DOJ Strike Force Freezes $701 Million in Crypto Tied to Global Investment Scam
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force froze more than $701 million in cryptocurrency tied to investment scams targeting Americans. The operation also shut down a Telegram recruitment channel, seized 503 fake investment websites, and unsealed charges against two...
DOJ Teams with Elon Musk’s xAI to Contest Colorado AI Bias Law
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief backing Elon Musk’s xAI in a federal lawsuit challenging Colorado’s AI discrimination law. The DOJ argues the statute violates the Equal Protection Clause and could undermine America’s AI competitiveness. The case,...
HMRC Cracks Down on Property Valuations in Inheritance Tax Returns – How to Reduce Risk of a Dispute
HM Revenue and Customs is intensifying scrutiny of inheritance‑tax property valuations, with referrals to the Valuation Office Agency rising 23.5% to 14,631 cases year‑over‑year. Executors who misvalue estates risk additional tax, 7.75% annual interest, and penalties if valuations are deemed...
GLBA 2.0: The Legislative Push for Federal Uniformity? – a Compliance Attorney Can Dream…
In late April 2026 the House Financial Services Committee began debating a “GLBA 2.0” amendment that would create a single federal standard for financial data privacy, access, deletion and minimization. The proposal seeks to preempt the growing mosaic of state privacy...
The Cascio Siblings Accuse Michael Jackson of Child Sexual Abuse
Four Cascio siblings have filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson’s estate alleging they were sexually abused by the pop star. The suit, originally filed in February, claims the children were groomed to defend Jackson publicly and now seek damages. The...
Fed IG Launched Probe Last Summer; Trump DOJ Clueless
Actually, the Inspector General at the Fed began this investigation last summer https://t.co/69DrLkUpjT But no one expects anyone in Trump's Justice Department to have a clue.
Civil Trial Opens for Socialite that Killed Two Young Brothers in Hit-and-Run
A civil wrongful‑death trial opened in Los Angeles over the 2020 hit‑and‑run that killed 11‑year‑old Mark Iskander and his 8‑year‑old brother Jacob. The plaintiffs allege that Rebecca Grossman, now serving a 15‑year‑to‑life sentence, and her then‑boyfriend, former MLB pitcher Scott...
California Voter ID Measure Heads to November Election
Supporters of a citizen‑initiated voter‑ID initiative secured enough signatures to place the measure on California’s November ballot. The proposal would require a government‑issued ID for in‑person voting and the last four digits of an ID on mail ballots, while mandating...
Appellate Court Applies Business Judgment Rule and Reverses Summary Judgment in Condominium Assessment Dispute
An appellate court in Florida reversed a trial court’s summary judgment in a condominium assessment dispute, invoking the Business Judgment Rule. The case centered on New Horizons Condo Master Association’s $248,000 cable budget after a $100,000 settlement, which a smaller...
26-467 - Ramirez V. Mullin Et Al
On April 10, 2026 a magistrate recommended granting Samuel Ramirez’s habeas petition in part, directing immigration officials to schedule a bond hearing under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a) within seven business days or release him if the hearing is not held. The recommendation was adopted on...
US Authorities Freeze $344M in Crypto Linked to Iran
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Tron wallets linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, freezing roughly $344 million in cryptocurrency. The freeze coincides with Tether’s voluntary hold on the same amount of USDT...
The Bogus Southern Poverty Law Center Indictment
The Department of Justice has filed an indictment alleging the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) committed donor and bank fraud by using funds to pay leaders of extremist groups such as the KKK and Aryan Nation. The complaint does not...
Musk Vs. Altman: Legal Showdown Heads to Court
Elon Musk’s Legal War With OpenAI’s Sam Altman Set for Showdown in Court — The Information https://t.co/wrrgLX2xOu
Inheritance Tax Valuation Referrals Rise 25% Following HMRC Crack Down
HM Revenue & Customs has intensified its review of inheritance‑tax property valuations, driving a 25% year‑on‑year rise in referrals to the Valuation Office Agency, reaching 14,631 cases in the latest year. The crackdown coincides with a 61% surge in inheritance‑tax...
26-290 - Perez Orta V. Grant
Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell issued a Report and Recommendation to dismiss the habeas corpus petition filed by Perez Orta. The petition became moot after Perez Orta was released from custody and removed to Mexico, eliminating any live controversy for the...
US Sanctions Cambodian Senator Linked To Crypto Romance Scam Centers
On April 23 the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Cambodian senator Kok An and 28 affiliated individuals and entities for operating crypto‑romance “pig‑butchering” scam centers. The network allegedly stole millions from U.S. investors by luring victims into fake cryptocurrency...
When Privacy Protects but Excludes: The Hidden Costs of Data Restrictions in Digital Lending
A 2019 Google privacy rule barred Android apps from accessing call detail records, cutting off a key enforcement tool for one of India’s largest digital lenders. The restriction sparked a 26% surge in loan applications from Android users but forced...
Elon Musk Vs. Sam Altman, Mag 7 Earnings, Fed Meeting: What to Watch
The week of April 27 will be dominated by a courtroom showdown between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over OpenAI’s $134 billion shift from nonprofit to for‑profit, alongside Q1 earnings from the Magnificent Seven tech giants. Alphabet is chasing roughly 50% cloud growth, Microsoft...
26-276 - Zelaya Losa V. Cerna Et Al
On April 23, 2026 Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell issued a report recommending that the Western District of Oklahoma grant a portion of Zelaya Losa’s habeas corpus petition. The court is urged to order an individualized bond hearing within five business days, or release...
EFF Challenges Secrecy In Eastern District of Texas Patent Case
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a motion to unseal key filings in the Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc. v. HP Inc. patent case, which centers on Wi‑Fi 6 standard‑essential patents (SEPs). The Eastern District of Texas had...
Dubai Just Rewired Its Golden Visa Machine – Here’s What Changes for Property Investors
Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs and the Dubai Land Department have merged three property‑linked residency schemes—Golden, Retiree and Property visas—into a single, end‑to‑end digital platform. The qualifying threshold stays at AED 2 million (≈ USD 545,000) and off‑plan, mortgaged or portfolio...
Minnesota Struggles to Justify Switchblade Ban in Court
Minnesota’s long‑standing ban on switchblade knives is under scrutiny in federal court as Knife Rights argues the knives qualify as protected arms under the Second Amendment. Judge Patrick Schiltz rejected the state’s narrow definition that only weapons “commonly used for...
News Wrap: DOJ Drops Criminal Probe Into Jerome Powell
The Justice Department has ended its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over alleged false statements about a headquarters renovation. The probe, launched amid former President Donald Trump’s criticism of Powell’s monetary policy, is now being referred to...