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
SCOTUS Conversion Therapy Decision “Opens a Dangerous Can of Worms”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorado's ban on conversion therapy for minors infringes on counselors' First Amendment speech rights, sending the case back to lower courts to determine if the law can meet strict scrutiny. The majority treats spoken therapy as protected speech, while physical interventions remain regulable. Justice Jackson’s dissent warned that the decision could open the door to unchecked pseudoscientific practices. The split highlights a broader clash between free‑speech protections and state authority to safeguard public health.
Friends and Foes
The latest Main Justice podcast features the first public interview with Sunita Doddamani, a veteran federal prosecutor who was abruptly dismissed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after a DOJ report flagged alleged bias in FACE Act prosecutions. The episode...
Appeals Court Reinstates Indiana Ban on Student IDs for Voting
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit lifted a preliminary injunction, reinstating Indiana’s law that bars the use of public university IDs for voting. The ban, originally passed in 2025, had been blocked last week after a student...
Did You Buy Tickets on StubHub Between May 12-14 Last Year?
The Federal Trade Commission sued StubHub for not showing mandatory fees in the total price of tickets sold between May 12‑14, 2025. As part of the settlement, StubHub will refund $10 million to eligible U.S. customers, automatically processing payments within 90 days after an...
Intelligence, Rearranged: How Agents Are Changing Legal Work
Harvey’s new long‑horizon AI agents move beyond checklist‑driven tasks to self‑directed reasoning, allowing them to plan, research, iterate, and deliver complex legal work autonomously. The platform now runs over 700,000 agentic tasks daily and extracts more than 50 million terms each...
LexisNexis and Luminance Announce Partnership to Embed Protégé Inside Luminance’s Contract Platform
LexisNexis and Luminance announced a partnership that embeds the Protégé AI assistant inside Luminance’s contract‑negotiation platform. The integration lets in‑house legal teams ask legal questions directly through Luminance’s natural‑language interface, Lumi, and receive AI‑generated answers. A migration path to Lexis+...
Producer on Rebel Wilson Film Branded 'Indian Ghislaine Maxwell', Court Hears
Australian actress Rebel Wilson is accused of commissioning a crisis‑communications firm to launch a website that labeled producer Amanda Ghost as the “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell.” The site, along with an Instagram post, formed the basis of a defamation lawsuit filed...
Defamation Suits: Drama Reserved for the Ultra‑wealthy
Defamation lawsuits are my favorite to read and cover because it’s always dramatic AF because the only people that can afford to file them and take it that far are…celebs. Presidents. FBI directors.
Poste Italiane, Postepay Fined €12.5M for Unlawful User Data Processing
The Italian Data Protection Authority has imposed a combined fine of over €12.5 million (about $13.5 million) on Poste Italiane (€6.6 million) and its Postepay unit (€5.8 million) for unlawful processing of user data via mobile apps. Regulators found the apps collected extensive device‑level...
US Estate Tax Applies Below $10M for Singapore Residents
$500K in US-listed shares across two brokerages. Tech professional, Singapore tax resident. He thinks his exposure to US estate tax starts at $10M, because that is the exemption he read about.
Luxury Brands Are Now Limited in Naming Capacity
The USPTO has refused registration of the perfume marks “Oud Nebula” and “Florae Nebula,” citing likely confusion with the existing “Nebula” cosmetics trademark. The Board highlighted similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression, noting that perfume is classified as a cosmetic...
Qanooni AI and Docusign to Connect Legal AI with Intelligent Agreement Management
Qanooni AI and DocuSign announced a technology partnership that embeds Qanooni’s legal‑AI capabilities into DocuSign’s Intelligent Agreement Management suite. The integration lets legal teams draft, review, research and execute contracts from Microsoft Word or Outlook while leveraging DocuSign’s eSignature, Navigator...
What Is “Life After PCP” And What Comes Next?
The legal claims sector is transitioning away from a singular focus on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements now that the redress scheme has been finalized. Firms are expanding into vehicle‑related disputes such as insurance under‑payments, product recalls, gap insurance and...
ACCC Granted Leave to Intervene in Epic v Apple Proceedings
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been granted leave by the Federal Court to intervene in the Epic Games v Apple relief hearing. The court previously found Apple misused its market power by blocking alternative app stores and...
Who Pays for the EU’s Toxic Exports?
Each year the EU ships more than 120,000 tonnes of pesticides that are prohibited on European farms, mainly to Africa, Asia and Latin America. A Greenpeace report shows that nearly half of the pesticides used in South Africa, Ghana and Kenya...
Retaining Director After "Proven S-Xual Misconduct" Forced Employee to Quit
The Fair Work Commission rebuked WA Mirning People Aboriginal Corporation for keeping a director on its board after sexual harassment allegations were substantiated, forcing a communications manager to quit. The manager filed a general protections dismissal claim, arguing the board’s...
Woolworths's 'Prices Dropped' Promotion Broke Guidelines, Court Hears
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken Woolworths to federal court, alleging the supermarket breached its own "Prices Dropped" guardrails on 266 products. The watchdog says Woolworths temporarily raised prices—e.g., an Oreo Family Pack jumped to A$5 (≈US$3.30)...
Four Admit Manslaughter of Homeless Man Boy Taylor in Napier, but Deny Murdering Him
Four men—Tuarima Alexander, Rua Hune, Takarangi Kumar and a suppressed‑identity defendant—have pleaded guilty to manslaughter but deny murder in the death of 58‑year‑old homeless man Boy Taylor in Napier. The two‑minute assault, captured on more than 40 hours of CCTV,...
Dispute Resolution for India and Bangladesh
India and Bangladesh finally resolved a centuries‑old enclave dispute by swapping 162 tiny territories that together cover about 15 square miles. The 2015 agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, also secured roughly $5 billion in Indian investment...
Five-Star Lawyers
Blind Justice UK surveyed 50 law firms across seven practice areas in 15 UK cities and found a stark contrast between five‑star ratings on firms’ own websites and much lower scores on external platforms. The charity identified 486 consecutive five‑star...
“Bring Back Section 21,” Insists Female Director Marking 25 Years at Same Agency
Nicola Blake marks 25 years at Cavendish, rising from junior to director, and uses the milestone to call for the reinstatement of the abolished “no‑fault” Section 21 eviction notice. She argues that the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act will make it harder...
Landlords and Tenants £16k ‘Out of Pocket’ After Ombudsman Expulsions
The Property Ombudsman expelled six letting agencies, leaving landlords and tenants roughly $20,500 out of pocket. Three of the expelled firms had no active client‑money protection when they were removed, and the missing funds ranged from about $1,200 to $15,400....
Second Homes Tax Loophole May Be Closed
Labour is reviewing rules that let second‑home owners reclassify properties as holiday lets to escape council tax, shifting them into the business rates system. Under current regulations, owners qualify for small‑business rates relief by renting the home at least 70...
Kash’s Complaint
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, alleging the outlet portrayed him as a drunken, security‑risk director. The complaint lists 17 specific accusations—from intoxication at Washington clubs to alleged interference with...
South Korean Police Seek Arrest of BTS Agency Founder Bang Si-Hyuk
South Korean police have moved to secure an arrest warrant for Hybe chairman Bang Si‑hyuk, alleging fraudulent trading that netted about $129 million during the company’s 2020 IPO. Authorities claim Bang steered early investors into a private‑equity fund linked to his...
Garrigues Merges with BSVV to Strengthen Chile Presence
Spanish law firm Garrigues announced a merger with Chilean boutique Barros Silva Varela & Vigil (BSVV), creating a combined Chilean practice of 130 lawyers and 24 partners. The deal, pending partner approval, adds BSVV’s 11 partners and its 50‑lawyer, 21‑practice...
Return of the Saturday Night Special, Courtesy of the SEC
The SEC issued an exemptive order that halves the mandatory cash tender‑offer period from 20 business days to 10, citing market efficiency and technology. The change dovetails with Delaware’s §251(h) medium‑form merger rule, allowing a friendly acquirer to close a...
Executives Suspect CH May Benefit From Losing SCOTUS Case
I've spoken with a few senior executives at large brokers that believe that CH wants to lose the Supreme Court case. I'm not convinced, but their thinking is that it would destroy a large swath of the freight brokerage industry...
Elizabeth Prelogar's Unexpected and Unusual Argument
The Supreme Court granted certiorari in T.M. v. University of Maryland Medical System, but the expected veteran litigator Kannon Shanmugam was replaced at oral argument by Elizabeth Prelogar of Cooley LLP. Prelogar, the former Solicitor General, was not listed on...
HSF Kramer Promotes 25 Partners in First Post-Merger Round
HSF Kramer announced the promotion of 25 lawyers to partner in its first round since the June merger that created the 2,700‑lawyer firm. The new partners span all regions, with London leading at seven promotions and notable additions in Sydney,...
Lawyered Raises $2.5 Mn To Expand Legal Assistance Beyond Mobility
Lawyered, a Delhi‑NCR legal‑tech startup, secured about $2.5 million (₹23.2 cr) in a pre‑Series A round co‑led by Rainmatter and Turbostart, with existing backer Finvolve participating. The funding will fuel scaling of its AI‑enhanced SaaS platform, broaden product features, and accelerate user acquisition....
Megan the Stallion Denied a Permanent Injunction Against Milagro Cooper
A federal judge denied Megan Thee Stallion's request for a permanent injunction against blogger Milagro Cooper, ruling that Cooper's commentary on the rapper's mental health, alcohol use, and family does not constitute cyberstalking under Florida law. The judge noted there...
Shareholder Sues Hercules Capital Board over Alleged Inflated NAV, Hidden Software Risk
Hercules Capital, a venture‑focused business development company, is being sued by shareholder Jeffery King for allegedly inflating its net asset value (NAV) and downplaying a large software‑loan exposure. The complaint says the board misrepresented a rigorous valuation process while a...
What Strengthens a Case? (Virtual Event with a Lawyer)
Immigration attorney Gabriela Urizar will host a live virtual case‑review event on Wednesday, April 22 at 12:00 PM EDT. The session invites paid subscribers to submit specific case questions via a short form, though attendance does not require a profile submission. Participants...
SEC Sues Crypto Founder, Alleging $16M Token Fraud Built on Phantom Insurance
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against crypto entrepreneur Donald G. Basile and his firms, accusing them of a $16 million token fraud. The SEC alleges Basile misled investors by claiming the Bitcoin Latinum token was insured for...
UK Investor Accuses Crédit Agricole of Forcing 'No-Margin-Call' Tesla Liquidation
A UK investor, Damion Berger, has sued Crédit Agricole, alleging the bank sold him a purported “no‑margin‑call” Tesla hedge that was later liquidated against his interests. The complaint says a €5 million (≈$5.45 million) forward contract was used to mask the bank’s own...
UMG and Concord Sue Fashion Startup Quince for Allegedly Using Copyrighted Music without Licenses in Its Social Media Marketing Videos
Universal Music Group, Capitol Records and Concord have sued Quince, the $10.1 billion direct‑to‑consumer fashion brand, alleging it used unlicensed tracks by artists such as Billie Eilish, Drake and ABBA in influencer‑driven marketing videos. The complaint lists 67 sound recordings and 71...
Caesars Disciplined Bipolar Server for Medication Side Effect, ADA Lawsuit Alleges
A Louisiana server with bipolar disorder alleges Caesars Entertainment disciplined her for medication side effects and revoked a flexible‑schedule accommodation. She worked at the Horseshoe Lake Charles casino since 2017; after a psychiatrist’s request in September 2023, Caesars allowed intermittent...
Ex-Worker Accuses P&G, Amazon of Blackballing Her After Harassment Settlement
Former Procter & Gamble employee Gloria Dyson claims the company “red flagged” her to Amazon, leading to a year of unpaid leave after a 2022 harassment settlement. The settlement’s “No Future Association” clause, which did not define “Affiliated Company,” allegedly...
Experts Warn Treasury’s New Homeowner Tax Guidance Misses Many
The U.S. Treasury released new tax guidance for homeowners, but leading tax experts say the advice fails to address the diverse financial situations of many owners. The criticism highlights potential pitfalls for wealth managers advising clients on mortgage interest deductions...
Nursing Mom Sues General Atlantic, Claims Firing Came Hours After Remote-Work Request
A nursing mother, Carol King, has sued investment firm General Atlantic, alleging she was forced to pump in hallways because the firm lacked a dedicated lactation room and that HR reprimanded her for pumping at her desk. She claims a male...
Biglaw Firms Say AI Adoption Is Essential as Clients Demand Innovation
Biglaw partners announced that artificial‑intelligence tools are no longer optional, citing heightened client expectations and the risk of falling behind rivals. The shift marks a decisive move toward AI‑driven workflows across the most prestigious firms.
AHA Calls on HRSA to Drop 340B Rebate Pilot, Warns of $1B Cost Hit
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has formally asked the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to abandon its proposed 340B rebate‑model pilot, arguing it would impose more than $1 billion in annual costs on safety‑net hospitals and jeopardize care for millions....
Flutter Entertainment Files 2024 Form 10‑K, Discloses 177.4 M Shares Outstanding
Flutter Entertainment submitted its 2024 Form 10‑K and 20‑F on March 26, revealing 177.4 million ordinary shares outstanding and confirming compliance with SEC reporting obligations. The filing, which includes a Business overview and Risk Factors, signals continued regulatory transparency for the gambling‑betting giant.
Election Plot Trump Lawyer Taken Down by CA Supreme Court
In this episode, Ray Brescia breaks down the California Supreme Court’s April 15 ruling that disbarred John Eastman, the chief legal architect behind attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He explains how Eastman violated multiple ABA Model Rules by filing...
Judge’s Loose Definition Won’t Undermine Settlement
Worth going back to the actual text Judge Wilken approved as the definition of an associated entity: “An associated entity is one that is closely affiliated with an NCAA member school for the purpose of promoting the school’s athletics program...
Clarity Act Faces Make-or-Break Week for Markup
🚨 PIVOTAL WEEK FOR THE CLARITY ACT This is a make-or-break week for the bill. We’ll soon find out whether it gets its long-awaited markup this month or gets pushed back to May. 👀 https://t.co/ESXMxwHUHr
FCC Commissioner Trusty Explores `That Elusive Angel of the Public Interest’
At the 2026 NAB Show, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty delivered a measured speech titled “Finding the Angel of Public Interest,” reaffirming the broadcaster‑specific public‑interest obligations that set TV stations apart from streaming services. She highlighted long‑standing duties such as localism,...
Exploring Prediction Markets' Legal Landscape at AML Summit
Looking forward to presenting later today on the prediction markets legal landscape as part of the American Gaming Association’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Summit. https://t.co/DDjA2BXkE0
Defamation Suits: Holding Trump and MAGA Accountable
This shows why defamation suits against Trump and the MAGA jerks are a public service. It would be great if more people and companies would sue like Dominion. Make the jerks acknowledge their lies.