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
Rapper Future Faces New Paternity Suit Over Alleged 9th Child
Multi‑platinum rapper Future is sued in Florida by Layla Sanad, who alleges he fathered her son born in 2017 and seeks child‑support and retroactive payments. Future argues the case belongs in Arizona, where the child resides, and says he already provides $3,500 a month. If a court confirms paternity, it would be Future’s ninth child, adding to his already extensive family. The dispute spotlights the rapper’s ongoing legal and public‑relations challenges.
Vietnam Accelerates IP Process: Pros and Cons of the New Timelines for IP Owners
Effective 1 April 2026 Vietnam’s amended Intellectual Property Law slashes examination periods for trademarks, industrial designs and patents, and trims opposition windows. Substantive patent examination drops from eighteen to twelve months, with a fast‑track option that can finish in three months. The...
Testing the Applicability of EU Law Abroad: The Italy–Albania Protocol in the Comeri, Sidilli, and Sedrata Hearings
On 23‑24 March 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU heard two linked cases (C‑706/25 Comeri, C‑707/25 Sidilli and C‑414/25 Sedrata) on the Italy‑Albania Protocol that allows asylum and return procedures to be carried out in Albanian detention centres. The hearings raised two core...
FAA Scraps Civil and Criminal Penalties for Flying Drones Near ICE Vehicles
The Federal Aviation Administration withdrew a temporary flight restriction that had banned drones within 3,000 feet of ICE vehicles and threatened civil or criminal penalties. The revised advisory softens the language, removes the penalty threat, and expands the list of...
Ogier and MJM Partner to Share Cross-Border Legal Expertise
Ogier, a leading international offshore law firm, has formed a partnership with Bermuda‑based MJM to jointly serve cross‑border clients. The alliance will allow both firms to pool expertise across key finance hubs, notably extending Ogier’s capabilities into Bermuda. By collaborating...
USPS Imposes Strict May 1 Deadline on Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers for Mail Transport
The U.S. Postal Service announced that, effective May 1, any non‑domiciled CDL driver must be screened and badged by the Postal Inspection Service before hauling mail. Suppliers are responsible for submitting the required forms and must complete the clearance within two...
New Earnings Test Moves One Step Closer to Reality
The U.S. Department of Education has proposed a rule that would strip federal loan eligibility from undergraduate programs that do not produce higher earnings than a typical high school graduate, and require graduate programs to out‑earn comparable undergraduate offerings. The...
Guidance: Investigation Into the Deaths of Radhi Nama and Mousa Ali
The UK government has published a comprehensive archive of more than 200 PDFs related to the investigation of the 2003 deaths of Iraqi detainees Radhi Nama and Mousa Ali. The collection spans witness statements, forensic reports, FRAGOs, interview transcripts and...
Has Legal Industry Upheaval Changed Your Career Goals?
The legal sector faces mounting uncertainty as AI and other forces reshape firm operations, prompting professionals to reconsider career trajectories. A brief, anonymous survey asks lawyers whether concerns about “cognitive offloading,” office‑based work preferences, and skill development influence their plans....
AMLA Consults on Group-Wide Requirements and Business-Wide Risk Assessment
On 16 April 2026 the EU Anti‑Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) launched two consultations on draft instruments that will define how obliged entities assess and manage money‑laundering and terrorist‑financing risks. The first proposes guidelines under Article 10(4) of the AML Regulation, setting minimum expectations...
Nazal Places Spotlight on Credibility Issue vs Madriaga
House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Robert Nazal Jr. urged the House Committee on Justice to closely examine the testimony and affidavit of detainee‑turned‑witness Ramil Madriaga in the impeachment hearings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Nazal highlighted Madriaga’s detention for a...
Napier AI Names Top Markets for AI-Driven AML Compliance
Napier AI’s AI/AML Index 2025‑2026 spotlights the UK, US and France as the most advanced markets for AI‑driven anti‑money‑laundering compliance, while Hong Kong lags due to high upfront costs. Regulators in Europe, especially Germany and France, are issuing explicit guidance...
Deloitte and Trilegal to Serve as Independent Counsels in TCS’ Internal Investigation
Tata Consultancy Services has appointed Deloitte and law firm Trilegal as independent counsels to assist its internal investigation led by President and COO Aarthi Subramanian. A preliminary review of the Nashik unit found no complaints on ethics or POSH channels,...
House Democrats Press GOP to Reschedule Bondi Deposition in Epstein Probe
House Oversight Committee Democrats are pressing Republican Chairman James Comer for a new date after former Attorney General Pam Bondi missed a subpoenaed deposition on the Epstein investigation. The Justice Department argued Bondi is no longer bound by the subpoena...
Why Billion-Dollar Cannabis Companies Look Unprofitable (And Could Turn Profitable Overnight)
Section 280E of the U.S. tax code forces legal cannabis companies to forgo most operating expense deductions, inflating taxable income and creating the illusion of chronic losses. Billion‑dollar firms like Trulieve generate strong top‑line revenue but report negative earnings because...
The Scoop: Live Nation Vows to Keep Fighting After Antitrust Ruling
A federal jury concluded that Ticketmaster and its parent Live Nation operate as a monopoly in violation of antitrust law. Live Nation responded that the verdict is not final, noting several motions remain, including a bid to strike expert testimony,...
The EBA Responds to the European Commission’s Consultation on EU Banking Sector Competitiveness
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has submitted its response to the European Commission’s consultation on boosting EU banking competitiveness, stressing the need to complete the Single Market for financial services. Drawing on its October 2025 efficiency report, the EBA put forward...
SEC Settlement: What Investment Managers Must Know
The SEC settled with a Florida‑based investment manager in April 2026 for fraud and misleading investor disclosures, underscoring regulators’ focus on marketing compliance. The enforcement action highlights the SEC Marketing Rule’s demand for truthful, balanced performance and risk information. Zeidler...
A Year On...
A year after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the court clarified that the Equality Act mandates single‑sex spaces, rendering existing guidance from equality bodies ineffective. The author argues that universities, the NHS, schools and other institutions are currently breaching the law...
New AIAA Position Paper on ITAR Reforms to Promote and Support a Robust Academic Pipeline
The AIAA Board of Trustees approved a new position paper urging ITAR reforms to modernize export controls for academic aerospace activities. It argues that outdated USML categories IV and XV unnecessarily entangle student rocketry, CubeSat projects, and mentorship in export...
When Accident Victims Can Receive Pain and Suffering Compensation
Accident victims may receive pain and suffering compensation when injuries cause lasting physical pain, emotional distress, or reduced quality of life. Eligibility depends on injury severity, the impact on daily activities, and clear evidence linking the harm to the accident....
California’s Gas System Is Crumbling. SB 1359 Charts a Path to a Clean Energy Future.
California’s aging natural‑gas network is draining over $10 billion of ratepayer funds each year, prompting lawmakers to act. Senate Bill 1359, introduced by Sen. Henry Stern, directs the CPUC to align gas system planning, ratemaking, and capital investments with the state’s...
CMS Proposes Repeal of Add-On Payment Path for Breakthrough Devices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed repealing the alternative pathway for new‑technology add‑on payments (NTAP) beginning in fiscal year 2028, restoring the requirement that all devices demonstrate a substantial clinical improvement. The alternative pathway, created in...
Can Energy Drinks Cause Heart Disease? New Lawsuit Says Teen Died From Caffeine-Induced Cardiomyopathy
The family of 17‑year‑old Larissa Nicole Rodriguez filed a wrongful‑death suit in Texas, alleging her fatal cardiomyopathy was caused by excessive caffeine from Alani Nu energy drinks. The complaint targets two distributors, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage and its Texas affiliate, accusing...
Lawyer Tells Attorneys For Missing Child That They’re ‘Gonna Burn In Hell’
During the final day of evidentiary hearings over the Camp Mystic flood tragedy that killed 27 people, including 25 children, Camp Mystic lawyer Thomas Wright told plaintiffs’ counsel, “you’re gonna burn in hell.” The remark prompted Judge Maya Guerra Gamble...
How to Buy and Sell a Trucking MC Number
The FMCSA has reaffirmed that MC numbers and USDOT authorities cannot be bought, sold, or traded as standalone assets, and violations can lead to deactivation. To acquire an MC number legally, buyers must structure the deal as a business acquisition—typically...
As LPTV Market Evolves, Winemiller Readies For Focused Growth
The FCC has enacted its first major low‑power television (LPTV) rule changes in over four decades, allowing broadcasters to relocate facilities, resolve interference and expand coverage. Jeff Winemiller, owner of Lowcountry 34 Media, has filed more than 250 applications and plans to...
COVID-Era Refund Claims Due July 10, 2026
The U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Kwong v. United States held that the COVID‑19 disaster postponement under §7508A froze the §6532(a) refund‑suit deadline from Jan. 20, 2020 through July 10, 2023. A 2025 amendment, §7508A(f), now treats that frozen period as an extension...
Step Five: Litigate
The post argues that litigation is a vital tool for confronting authoritarian actions and reshaping society, citing historic cases like Brown v. Board and recent victories such as Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, where a small business successfully challenged illegal...
Carnival Cruise Passenger Served 14 Shots Awarded $300,000 After Fall Down Stairs
A federal jury in South Florida awarded Diana Sanders $300,000 after finding Carnival Cruise Line negligent for serving her more than a dozen tequila shots, which led to a fall and a possible traumatic brain injury aboard the Carnival Radiance....
Is Your AI Risk Assessment Ready? (Part 1)
The article warns firms against handing compliance duties to ChatGPT without a structured approach. It outlines the first three steps of an AI risk assessment: establishing an enterprise‑wide governance body, performing a use‑case specific risk assessment, and pinpointing whether risks...
E‑commerce Brands Face Aggressive Multi‑state Tax Enforcement
Five years ago, you could sell in 30 states, and nobody came looking. That era is over. States have figured out that ecommerce brands are sitting on millions in uncollected sales tax, and they finally have the tools to go collect...
FSSAI Asks States to Crack Down on Fruit Ripening Agents
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order directing state officials to clamp down on illegal fruit‑ripening chemicals. It reaffirmed that calcium carbide, used to artificially ripen mangoes, bananas and papayas, is strictly prohibited due...
Legal Advice for Mitigating Cyber-Risks
Partner Mark Chapman of Herrington Carmichael outlines practical legal steps for firms to reduce cyber‑attack exposure. He stresses the need for systematic risk assessments, robust incident‑response frameworks, and appropriate cyber‑insurance coverage. The advice also highlights employee training and vendor due‑diligence...
Charlie Kirk’s Accused Killer Seeks to Keep Cameras Out of Courtroom
Tyler Robinson, the man charged with the aggravated murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, filed a petition on April 17, 2026 to bar cameras from the courtroom. His lawyers argue that live broadcasts could prejudice jurors and violate his right...
Will the Eleventh Circuit Allow the Endangered Species Act to Commandeer the Florida Department of Environmental Protection?
The Eleventh Circuit will hear oral arguments in Bear Warriors United v. Lambert, where Florida challenges a district court order that the state must tighten nitrogen‑discharge regulations to protect manatees under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The lawsuit claims the...
Prepared Plans Cut Legal Costs and Accelerate Progress
The fastest way to spend more on legal is to show up unprepared. The fastest way to move is to bring a clear plan and a few firm decisions. Follow if you want to operate like a pro from day one. secattorney #raisingcapital...
Did You Shop at Trader Joe’s in 2019? You Might Be Owed Money From a Class Action Settlement.
Trader Joe’s agreed to a $7.4 million class‑action settlement after receipts printed the first six and last four digits of customers’ credit or debit cards between March 5 and July 19 2019. The over‑exposed card information raised identity‑theft concerns, prompting a lawsuit alleging federal...
How Vable Helps Law Firms Turn News Into Insight and Action
In this episode, host Charlie Uniman interviews Matthew Dickinson, CEO of Vable, about his unconventional journey from philosophy student to lawyer to tech entrepreneur and the evolution of Vable from a simple law‑firm newsletter aggregator to an AI‑enhanced SaaS platform...
Court to Consider Rights of Lawful Permanent Residents Accused of Committing a Crime
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear *Blanche v. Lau*, examining whether lawful permanent residents (LPRs) accused of a crime must be classified as inadmissible only when immigration officers have clear‑and‑convincing evidence of the offense at the moment of reentry. The...
Legal Tech-Owned &Lsquo;Hybrid Law Firms' Are Growing. Why Now?
Hybrid law firms backed by legal‑tech investors are experiencing rapid growth as generative AI reshapes service delivery. AI‑driven platforms now handle routine document drafting, research, and compliance checks, allowing firms to operate with leaner staff and lower overhead. In 2025,...
Former Solicitor General Calls ROAD Housing Act Unconstitutional
A former U.S. Solicitor General just put out a paper arguing that the ROAD to Housing Act is "constitutionally flawed thrice over." It's not an easy read, full of legalese, but boils down to three key arguments: 1) It violates the Constitution's...
Jones Day Backs Easement Syndication; Appellate Review Awaited
I am impressed that Jones Day managed to come up with anything that supports the easement syndication industry's view of the world. I am looking forward to see what the appellate court makes of it. https://t.co/8UkCT0NPy7
FERC Tees up June Decision on Data Center Interconnection Reform
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced it will issue a decision in June on the Department of Energy’s proposed reforms for interconnecting data centers and other large loads to the transmission grid. The commission emphasized a swift, efficient, and legally...
CFTC's Inaction May Undermine Kalshi Sports Betting Lawsuits
Rule 40.11 is a major problem. I wrote this nearly one year ago. "CFTC’s Failure To Enforce ‘Gaming’ Contract Ban Could Still Upend Kalshi Sports Betting Lawsuits" https://t.co/hFQ1ejhfoB
Competition and Privacy Law Clash over Micro‑targeted Ads
Reason number five thousand two hundred and twenty three why enforcement of competition laws and privacy laws overlap in a digital world. Especially with Google and Meta. Their biz is microtargeted mostly performance based ads delivered based on unprecedented...
Free Highly-Rated Tax Compliance Guide Now Available
#TaxTwitter My article on tax compliance that @tonynovak rates high is available free here https://t.co/67NFKLcdho
Ziply CEO Pushes Back on FCC Foreign
D.C. Memo: @ZiplyFiber CEO Urges @BrendanCarrFCC to Back Away from Foreign Call Center Regulation; Carr wants to onshore call centers to provider U.S. consumers with a better experience and limit the ability of foreign bad actors to get their...
Nelson’s Questioning Pushes Nevada Vote on Kalshi Contracts
"Nelson’s 40.11 line of questioning, his 'sophistry”' line, and his pointed reminder that Kalshi told the DC Circuit these were gaming contracts lean toward a vote for Nevada." Via @vcrosspoker https://t.co/4Ly73netJD
Judge Rejects Claim CFTC Sole Authority over Sports Contracts
PM Lawyer: “Whether 40.11 bans sports event contracts is a matter for the CFTC to address, not a matter for Nevada to address.” Judge Nelson: “That can’t be a serious argument. It’s self-certification. You can put up anything you want.” Via @Dan_O_Boyle https://t.co/HrzTVlnaJ9