Today's Legal Pulse
UK pushes commonhold reform to boost housing supply
The Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill proposes abolishing leasehold and mandating new homes be sold as commonhold, tying the change to a target of delivering 1.5 million homes annually—the highest since 1968. The model remains untested, with fewer than 25 developments and unresolved issues around dispute resolution.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Section 230 Is Dying By A Thousand Workarounds, And Massachusetts Just Added Another One
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously rejected Meta’s motion to dismiss, holding that Section 230 does not shield the company from claims that Instagram’s design features—such as infinite scroll, autoplay and algorithmic recommendations—were engineered to addict children, that the platform misled the public about safety, and that it created a public nuisance. The court draws a line between liability for the substance of third‑party content and liability for how that content is presented, creating a new “content‑presentation” loophole around Section 230. Combined with recent jury verdicts using a “design‑defect” theory, plaintiffs now have two distinct pathways to bypass the immunity that has long protected online services. Legal experts warn the template could be replicated nationwide, threatening the core protections of Section 230 for all interactive platforms.
The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards Shortlist
Law.com and The Legal Intelligencer released the shortlist for the 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards, with winners to be honored at a gala on June 11, 2026 in Philadelphia. The ceremony will recognize top performers across categories such as Lifetime Achievement,...
Employees Sue Vanderbilt, Allege University Axed Them for Reporting Harassment
Three long‑time Vanderbilt library employees allege they were terminated after reporting sexual harassment by their supervisor, Scott Martin. An internal Title IX investigation confirmed the harassment and led to Martin’s dismissal in March 2025, but the women say they were placed on...
Employees Can Invest Alternative Assets Into Their 401(k)s. Here's What to Know
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a safe‑harbor rule that would let 401(k) plans offer alternative assets such as private equity, real estate and cryptocurrencies. The rule, issued under Executive Order 14330, aims to shield plan sponsors from fiduciary liability...
The Paramount Question Isn’t Paramount
Paramount Skydance Corp. agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for roughly $110 billion in cash, valuing the target at $31 per share. The deal has drawn political and regulatory attention, yet antitrust concerns appear muted because the combined entity faces strong...
Roku Faces Discrimination Suit Alleging HR Dismissed Racism Complaints
Roku is facing a federal lawsuit filed by former account coordinator Jolie Parham, who alleges repeated racial harassment and disability discrimination that were ignored by the company’s HR department. The EEOC issued a Letter of Determination in January 2026 finding...
Employee Sues Crocs over Firing One Day After Accommodation Request
Crocs faces a federal lawsuit alleging it fired training coordinator Wendy Smith one day after she submitted disability accommodation paperwork. Smith, who suffers from knee and foot arthritis, claims the company removed her seated workstation, gave a brief step stool,...
Commission Carries Out Unannounced Antitrust Inspections in the Chocolate Confectionery Sector
The European Commission has launched unannounced antitrust inspections at a chocolate confectionery company operating in two EU Member States. The probe focuses on possible violations of Articles 101 and 102, specifically market segmentation and restrictions on cross‑border trade. While the raids are...
Does a Vaccine Mandate Make Sense for an Empty Office?
An Ontario arbitrator ruled that MPAC’s decision to place 39 unvaccinated employees on six months of unpaid leave was reasonable, even after the organization made office attendance optional and halted field work. The grievance, filed by the Ontario Public Service...
U.S. SEC Says Software Allowing Crypto Wallet Transactions Not Considered Broker
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued a policy statement that software platforms enabling users to trade crypto securities through self‑hosted wallets will not be classified as broker‑dealers, provided they avoid certain activities. The guidance outlines a checklist—no solicitation...
Evidence Management: The Importance Of Management In Evidence
Evidence management is the systematic control of items from collection through disposal, ensuring integrity and admissibility. It encompasses acquisition, sorting, digitization, analysis, assessment, presentation, and final disposal, each with strict handling protocols. A robust chain of custody and careful storage...
Lindsey Chopin Discusses Uptick in ERISA Class Action Litigation
Lindsey Chopin, senior partner at Jackson Lewis, highlighted a sharp rise in ERISA class‑action lawsuits during the first quarter of 2026, citing Bloomberg Law’s report that new legal theories are driving the surge. The report notes a roughly 40% increase...
Florida Franchise Claims E&V Tried to ‘Destroy’ Its Operations
Engel & Völkers Florida (EVFL), operating about 40 offices and 700 agents, sued its franchisor EVA in December 2025, alleging a bad‑faith campaign to devalue the franchise after EVA’s 2021 acquisition by private‑equity firm Permira. EVA terminated the master franchise agreement...
UK Bribery Act: United Kingdom Overview
The United Kingdom modernized its anti‑corruption framework with the Bribery Act 2010, extending criminal liability to the bribery of foreign public officials and private‑sector actors. The law adds a corporate offense for failure to prevent bribery and holds senior officers...
A Silent Threat, Loud Consequences: Ransom Group Hits Law Firms Hard
The Silent Ransom Group (SRG) has publicly leaked data from more than 38 U.S. law firms that refused to pay its ransom demands, indicating at least 76 firms have been targeted. Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP (WSHB) was hit...
European Commission Tells Venice Biennale to ‘Clear Its Name’ Regarding Russian Pavilion or Risk Losing $2.3 M. Grant for 2028
The European Commission gave the Venice Biennale 30 days to address the inclusion of a Russian pavilion in the 2026 edition, threatening to suspend a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant for the 2028 edition. The Commission argues the pavilion breaches EU sanctions...
Supreme Court Revives Grande ISP Copyright Fight for Fresh Fifth Circuit Review
The U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Fifth Circuit’s ruling that upheld a copyright verdict against Grande Communications and remanded the case for reconsideration under a newly‑narrowed liability framework. The high court’s action follows its recent decision that limits when internet...
State Privacy Officers Persist Despite Limited Resources, Report Finds
A NASCIO report shows 31 states now employ a chief privacy officer (CPO) or equivalent, reflecting the growing prominence of privacy governance in state government. CPOs are increasingly tasked with AI policy, risk assessments, and technology procurement, while also building...
The Forest Service Reorganization Is Illegal. USDA’s Top Lawyer Told Them to Do It Anyway.
The USDA’s Office of General Counsel issued a memo declaring congressional appropriations restrictions on Forest Service reorganization unconstitutional, allowing the agency to proceed despite explicit legal prohibitions. The memo echoes a 2019 strategy used by Stephen Vaden to relocate USDA...
NZXT to Pay $3.45 Million in Class-Action Settlement over "Predatory" Flex PC Rental Scheme
NZXT has agreed to a $3.45 million class‑action settlement over its Flex PC rental program, which critics labeled a predatory, rent‑to‑own scam. The settlement will distribute funds to more than 19,000 participants through debt forgiveness, a PC‑retention option, and cash payouts....
Anthropic Hires Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm Ballard Partners
Anthropic PBC announced it has retained Ballard Partners, a Washington lobbying firm with strong Trump‑administration ties, to navigate a growing regulatory battle with the U.S. Department of Defense. The move follows a Pentagon designation labeling Anthropic as a supply‑chain risk,...
Hamburg Prosecutors Open Criminal Investigation Into Christian YouTubers for Criticising Islam
Hamburg prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation under Section 166 of the German Criminal Code against two Christian YouTubers, Niko and Tino, for a video titled “Islam is not peace.” The video, which linked Islamic texts to anti‑Jewish sentiment, was...
Interfacing with Our Inner Demons: Comments on the Division of Trading and Markets’ Statement on Certain User Interfaces
The SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets issued a statement outlining new user‑interface (UI) standards intended to prevent deceptive or confusing trading platforms. In response, industry participants submitted detailed comments—dubbed “Interfacing with our Inner Demons”—highlighting concerns over vague language, implementation...
Cooley Partner Named to India International A-List
Cooley partner Rishab Kumar has been placed on the India Business Journal’s International A‑List for the third year in a row, earning recognition for his leadership on technology‑focused M&A transactions. The A‑List spotlights lawyers outside India who are regarded as...
US Importers Challenge New Tariffs as Economists Warn Section 122 Is ‘Wrong Tool’
Importers and a coalition of U.S. states have filed a new lawsuit in the Court of International Trade challenging the administration's use of Section 122 emergency tariffs. Economists supporting the case argue the statute, crafted for balance‑of‑payments crises under fixed exchange...
Wyoming LLCs Shield Equity While Corp Shares Remain Vulnerable
S-Corp or C-Corp stock vulnerable: lawsuit winners liquidate assets, return worthless shares. LLC equity units protected via charging order. 99.9% cases use Wyoming LLC. C-Corp as management entity advanced strategy. S-Corp prohibits trust ownership.
50 Cent Reaction to Being Filmed Mid-Workout: Are You Allowed to Record People Working Out?
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was filmed while working out at a public gym in Miami, prompting a viral reaction on social media. The clip sparked debate over whether recording gym patrons is legal, especially for high‑profile individuals. U.S. law generally permits...
UniQure Investors Face April 13 Deadline to Lead Securities‑fraud Lawsuit
UniQure N.V. shareholders who purchased ordinary shares between September 24 and October 31, 2025, have until April 13, 2026 to file a motion to serve as lead plaintiff in a securities‑fraud class action. The lawsuit, filed by Rosen Law Firm,...
Iran, Pseudonymity, and Risk of Harm
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg granted a motion allowing the plaintiff in John "Farshid Do" v. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to proceed pseudonymously. The naturalized U.S. citizen alleges that Iran’s IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence tortured him and continue to...
Webinar: What’s the Right Data Strategy for Future AI Success?
Elite is hosting a free webinar on May 7, 2027 to explore how law firms can craft data strategies that unlock AI potential. The session highlights the pitfalls of relying on fragmented best‑of‑breed tools, which impede scaling and governance. Chief Technology Officer...
Litera CTO Says Hybrid AI Beats Pure LLMs in Contract Review
Litera’s chief technology officer announced that a hybrid AI model, which layers generative AI over its 20‑year‑old rules‑based comparison engine, outperformed leading large language models in a Legalweek 2026 benchmark. The findings underscore a shift toward mixed‑technology platforms in legal...
White House Unveils National AI Policy Framework, Sets Federal Governance Standards
On March 26, the White House released a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, adding legislative recommendations to the AI Action Plan of July 2025 and the December 2025 executive order. The framework aims to create uniform AI governance standards...
The Role Of An ABC Officer: The Anti-Corruption And Bribery Officer’s Role
The anti‑corruption and bribery (ABC) officer is a senior compliance specialist appointed by the CEO to oversee a board‑approved anti‑bribery program. The role requires a documented mandate, direct reporting to the CEO, and unrestricted access to all business units. Responsibilities...
Transformative Use Shields UpCodes From Market Harm Claim
“Where ROSS could see the best advantage from the UpCodes opinion is on the question of market harm, the fourth factor of the fair-use analysis. Even though UpCodes’ published codes are direct substitutions for ASTM’s copyrighted works, Restrepo wrote that...
Montana Finally Drops Cease-and-Desist Against Kalshi
Montana is the last remaining state that issued a cease-and-desist letter to Kalshi (last year) that had not yet ended up in litigation vs. a PM. Until now.
Cooley Strengthens Fund Formation Practice With Private Equity Partner in New York
Cooley has added Derek Pease, a former Silver Lake legal director, as a partner in its New York fund formation practice. Pease brings over two decades of private‑equity legal experience, including leadership of multibillion‑dollar fundraises. The move expands Cooley’s private‑equity...
Digital Creators Can Now Receive Tax‑free Tips
Instead of getting paid as a tax advisor, can you earn tax-free tips as a "tax-fluencer"? Final Treasury Regulations include "no tax on tips" for digital content creators, such as streamers, online video creators, social media influencers, and podcasters. https://t.co/FyI6F9noBQ
Illinois Bill Bans Casino Credit‑card Cash Advances, Gains Bipartisan Support
An Illinois bill that would prohibit ATMs located within state casinos from offering cash advances on credit cards and bans customers from using credit cards to participate in a gambling game is now up to 18 bipartisan co-sponsors; the bill...
US Opposition Puts Chagos Sovereignty Transfer to Mauritius on Indefinite Hold
The United Kingdom has suspended its plan to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after President Donald Trump publicly rejected the deal. The pause revives a legal tug‑of‑war involving a 1966 UK‑US defence treaty, UN human‑rights scrutiny and...
Judge Grants Pentagon 14‑day Pause on Corridor Changes
Judge Friedman gives the Pentagon a 14-day stay on his orders in the N.Y. Times case with regard to reopening the Correspondents Corridor' and ditching the escort requirement. He denies to stay the full orders as the government seeks a...
Legal Week: Justice Feuds, AG’s Trump Ties, New Nominees
In the latest Judicial Notice, my weekly legal news roundup: - a justice’s public criticism of a colleague; - the acting AG’s bromance with Trump; - two new circuit-court nominees; - another partner departure from Cravath. LINK: https://t.co/OKH87JK3Qk https://t.co/Y8j77RAqi2
India Weighs Mandatory KYC, Age Checks for Online Social Platforms
India’s Committee on the Empowerment of Women released its fourth report urging mandatory KYC and age‑verification for social media, dating and gaming platforms, alongside expanded intermediary liability and a unified cybercrime law. The proposal would shift platforms from voluntary to...
AI Model Retuning Triggers Securities Fraud Disclosure Duty
When AI Model Tuning Becomes Securities Fraud The Upstart Case: Why AI Lending Model Performance Is Now a Disclosure Obligation Model 22, Upstart`s AI lending model was retuned, performed differently than disclosed, and executives allegedly knew about it and sold $15 million...
Florida Appeals Court Order Forces Medicaid Staffing Boost, Tightening State Budgets
A federal appeals court mandated that Florida increase Medicaid‑funded home care for medically complex children, requiring 90% private‑duty nursing and an independent monitor. The order adds billions in projected costs and comes as the state grapples with a severe nursing‑staff...
UK Leasehold Traps Undermine Downsizing Into Flats
@HarryScoffin working away to expose the issues ailing UK flats; here on downsizing. Selling your family home to move into a nice flat sounds nice, in theory, and in most countries it makes sense, but not in the UK, due...
Kraken Pays $30 Million to Settle SEC Lawsuit and Halts U.S. Staking
Kraken agreed to a $30 million penalty to resolve the SEC's securities‑law lawsuit and will shut its staking service for U.S. customers. The settlement underscores growing regulatory pressure on crypto exchanges.
Health Systems Should Prepare Now for Increasing Enforcement Around AI Use
Healthcare regulators are poised to intensify enforcement of AI applications across billing, coding, and clinical decision support, using existing fraud and abuse frameworks rather than a dedicated AI regulator. Jeff Wurzburg of Norton Rose Fulbright warns that boards will be...
Maine Set To Become First State With Data Center Ban
Maine is poised to become the first U.S. state to impose a temporary ban on new data‑center construction, halting projects statewide until November 2027. The bill, already cleared by lawmakers, also creates a council to develop guardrails that protect residents from...
Health Gorilla Misses Multiple Court Deadlines, Faces Default
@healthgorilla just let a federal class action go unanswered. Plaintiff Ricky Lott filed for entry of default today in the Southern District of Florida after Health Gorilla blew past its response deadline. And it wasn't the only deadline they missed....
A Health Gorilla Default?
Health Gorilla faces a potential default after plaintiff Ricky Lott filed a motion for entry of default in the Lott v. Health Gorilla class action. The original complaint was served on March 18, giving the company until April 9 to...