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
British Child Sex Offender Faces Possible Visa Review After Avoiding Deportation
An 80‑year‑old British man convicted of sexually abusing a nine‑year‑old was initially barred from staying in Australia, but the Administrative Review Tribunal reinstated his permanent visa on the grounds of ill health and strong ties to the country. The decision sparked outrage, prompting the Department of Home Affairs to draft a new brief for a fresh visa‑cancellation review. The case has reignited criticism of the 2024 Direction 110 guidelines, which prioritize community protection in visa decisions. Opposition politicians are now urging the minister to deport the offender to safeguard the public.
EU Parliament Fails To Renew Loophole Allowing Tech Firms To Report Abuse
The European Parliament voted against extending a 2021 temporary carve‑out of the EU Privacy Act that let big‑tech platforms use automated tools to scan for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The exemption expired on April 3, leaving a legal gap where...
Circle Must Act Fast to Prevent Massive Hack Losses
Agreed & hope Circle reconsiders their stance quickly since it's a big error that will lead to many millions more USD lost in hacks before they change their mind. Even as a "competitor" with $frxUSD, we have 24/7 comm channels...
Abbott Loses $70M Verdict in Multi-Plaintiff Formula Trial
A Cook County jury awarded $53 million in compensatory damages and $17 million in punitive damages to the parents of four premature infants who developed a life‑threatening gastrointestinal illness after consuming Abbott's Similac formula. The verdict follows a $495 million Missouri judgment against...
Act Now: Balanced AI Regulation Over Innovation Risks
To a degree that may surprise some people, I agree with much of this* from @deanwball and would only add that you don’t have to believe that AGI is remotely close to want to find—ASAP—a regulatory regime that foster innovation...
Californians Sue over AI Tool that Records Doctor Visits
A group of Californians filed a proposed class‑action lawsuit against Sutter Health and MemorialCare, alleging that the AI transcription tool Abridge recorded their doctor visits without consent, violating state and federal privacy laws. The complaint says the software captured and...
Appeals Court Removes Limits on DOGE Access to SSA Data Despite ‘Alarming’ Revelations
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated a preliminary injunction that had barred the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Social Security Administration (SSA) data. The panel held that the three plaintiff organizations...
Hines Says Microsoft Acquisition Made His Job Impossible
Hines suggests it became impossible to do his job after the Microsoft acquisition. He was part of the 2023 FTC trial over an email he circulated about Call of Duty getting to remain multiplatform while Bethesda games were made exclusive. https://t.co/Va6rvrrPPe
What The Legal Industry Can Learn About AI Hallucinations From Auditors
Legal firms are grappling with AI‑generated "hallucinations" that embed false citations and non‑existent cases into court filings. Since the first AI‑driven brief in 2023, more than 1,200 incidents have been logged, and a recent lawsuit by Nippon Insurance accuses OpenAI...
DOGE, the Social Security Administration, and How Inferior Courts Should Treat S. Ct. Interim Orders
The Fourth Circuit en banc vacated a district court's preliminary injunction that barred the U.S. DOGE Service from accessing Social Security Administration (SSA) records, sending the case back for further proceedings. The court reasoned that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated...
LNG Pioneer Charif Souki Sued for Alleged Financial 'Trickery'
Charif Souki, the founder of the now‑defunct Tellurian LNG export project, is slated to appear in federal court next week. An investor has filed a lawsuit alleging Souki engaged in financial trickery that caused the investor to lose money on...
Artemis II and the Surprisingly Earth-Bound Problem of IP
Artemis II’s launch highlighted not only NASA’s return to lunar missions but also the massive patent portfolios behind the hardware. Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Lockheed Martin and Airbus together hold seven‑figure numbers of patents covering propulsion, life‑support and communications systems. The article explains...
Surface Transportation Board Proposes to Amend Its NEPA Procedures
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) proposed a rule on March 24, 2026 to update its NEPA procedures in line with recent legislative and judicial reforms. The rule expands actions exempt from NEPA, adds five new categorical exclusions, and sets tighter page limits...
FDIC and OCC Finalize Rule Removing Reputation Risk From Most Supervisory Actions
On April 7, 2026, the FDIC and OCC issued a final rule barring regulators from using reputation risk as the sole basis for supervisory or enforcement actions. The rule requires examiners to rely on quantifiable risks—credit, liquidity, legal, or operational—when assessing...
Bard College President Tells Staff He Will Soon Be Cleared in Inquiry over Epstein Ties
Bard College President Leon Botstein told staff he expects to be cleared by an independent WilmerHale review of his communications with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The board hired the law firm in February to examine emails, donations, and any...
Newcastle Midwife Charged with Manslaughter After Baby Dies in Home Birth
Jordan Michaela Holland, a 28‑year‑old private midwife, was arrested and charged with manslaughter after a baby boy died following a home birth in Wallsend, NSW. The case, the second of its kind in the Hunter region, revives debate over the...
Georgia AG Chris Carr Ready to Shoot at Drones to Stop Prison Cellphone Smuggling
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced a plan to shoot down drones that drop contraband into state prisons, releasing a campaign video that frames the tactic as a "multiple means necessary" approach. He and 20 other Republican attorneys general urged...
Bank of France Pushes EU to Rein in Non-Euro-Backed Stablecoins
The Bank of France is urging the EU to tighten the Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) to curb the use of stablecoins that are not backed by the euro. It wants restrictions on everyday payments, stricter rules on multi‑issuance, and...
AT&T, Verizon Press SCOTUS To Nix Privacy Fines
AT&T and Verizon have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn more than $100 million in FCC privacy forfeiture orders. They argue the FCC’s use of forfeiture without a jury trial violates their constitutional right to a trial by jury and...
Cushman Sues Sotheby’s over $10M Commission Tied to HQ Sale
Cushman & Wakefield filed a lawsuit against Sotheby’s, demanding a $10.2 million commission tied to the auction house’s $510 million sale of its Upper East Side headquarters to Weill Cornell Medicine. The brokerage argues a 2 percent commission clause was triggered by a 30‑year...
Security Guard’s Retaliation Claim Fails because Firing Manager Didn’t Know of Complaint, Court Holds
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a security guard’s retaliation lawsuit against Weiser Security Services, finding he failed to prove his supervisor knew about his HR complaint. The guard alleged he was fired for reporting...
![[Audio] 'Urgent National Action to Save College Sports': Trump’s NIL Playbook — Highway to NIL Podcast](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com/profile-images/og.14355_0412.jpg)
[Audio] 'Urgent National Action to Save College Sports': Trump’s NIL Playbook — Highway to NIL Podcast
In a recent Highway to NIL podcast, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys dissect President Donald Trump’s new executive order titled “Urgent National Action to Save College Sports.” The order calls for a unified national framework governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals,...
Trump’s Section 122 Tariffs Challenged in Court as Consumer Sentiment Reaches Record Low
The Court of International Trade is hearing a lawsuit from small businesses and about two dozen states seeking to overturn President Trump’s 10 percent Section 122 tariffs, which were imposed under the Trade Act of 1974 to address a purported balance‑of‑payments deficit....
Trump Administration Cuts Red Tape on Commercial Drones to Counter China’s Market Lead
The Trump administration announced streamlined approvals for commercial drones, arguing the move will close airspace security gaps and help U.S. firms compete with China’s dominant drone market. Officials say the patchwork of existing permits hampers rapid response and threatens national...
NY AG Threatens Nationwide Disgorgement for Kalshi, Polymarket
New York State case could bring massive consequences for Kalshi and Polymarket—i.e., nationwide disgorgement and personal liability for company executives. @Capitol_Forum examines the @NewYorkStateAG’s broad enforcement powers under New York Executive Law 63(12). https://t.co/5bOs5BJHiL
Apotex and Orbicular Secure First FDA Tentative Approval for Generic Ozempic
Apotex Corp., in partnership with Orbicular Pharmaceutical Technologies, has earned the first U.S. FDA tentative approval for its generic semaglutide injection, a biosimilar to Novo Nordisk's Ozempic. The milestone opens the door to a lower‑cost alternative for a blockbuster diabetes...
FCC Orders North Carolina Translator Back Off the Air for Interference
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered the 150‑watt FM translator W252EL in Cary, North Carolina, to shut down after determining it continues to cause harmful interference with Lakes Media’s Class C3 station WLUS‑FM 98.3 in Clarksburg, Virginia. Despite installing a...
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Releases 2026 Intellectual Property Administrative Protection Work Plan – China to Toughen IP Export Control...
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) unveiled its 2026 Intellectual Property Administrative Protection Work Plan, outlining 12 priority actions. The plan emphasizes a coordinated crackdown on illicit technology exports, mandating tighter cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce to manage IP...
Maine Greatly Expands Department of Labor’s Enforcement Powers Against Employers
Maine enacted LD 1587, expanding the Department of Labor’s enforcement powers effective July 14, 2026. The law grants the Director subpoena authority, the right to review records, and mandates that employers post violation notices and notify both current and former employees. Penalties now...
Grand Jury Indicts Eight in Esparto Fireworks Explosion That Killed Seven
Yolo County prosecutors announced a grand jury indictment of eight suspects—seven men and one woman—for the July 1, 2025 Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion that killed seven workers. The charges span second‑degree murder, weapons violations, conspiracy and alleged payroll fraud, spotlighting...
Fordham 33 (Report 3): Top 5 Takeaways: The Global Divide in Design Protection
The IPKat‑Fordham conference highlighted a stark split between U.S. and European design‑protection regimes. In the United States, designers navigate a costly patchwork of design patents, trade dress, and copyright, while the EU offers a streamlined, low‑cost registration that can be...
Prince Harry Is Being Sued by the Charity He Co-Founded in Memory of Princess Diana
Prince Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer are being sued for libel by Sentebale, the charity they co‑founded in memory of Princess Diana. The High Court filing alleges the duo orchestrated an adverse media campaign that damaged the charity’s reputation...
Grecia Prohibirá Las Redes Sociales a Menores De 15 Años Y Propone Extender La Medida a Toda Europa
Greece will prohibit anyone under 15 from accessing social‑media platforms starting Jan 1 2027, aiming to protect youth mental health. The rule will be enforced through the state‑run “Kids Wallet” app, which already blocks age‑restricted purchases. No parental opt‑out is allowed, and the...
North Dakota Sales Tax Guide
North Dakota levies a 5% statewide sales and use tax, with additional local rates that vary by city and county. The tax applies to tangible personal property and certain services, while most services, home‑consumption food, and specific digital goods are...
Florida Launches Probe Into OpenAI as Company Eyes Massive IPO
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Uthmeier announced a state‑level investigation into OpenAI, citing national‑security and public‑safety risks as the AI firm prepares for a potential IPO that could value it at up to $1 trillion. The probe will issue subpoenas to...
IRS Proposes Remittance Transfer Tax Rules
The IRS and Treasury released proposed regulations to enforce a 1% excise tax on U.S. remittances sent via cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, and similar physical instruments, effective Jan. 1 2026. The sender is responsible for the tax, but remittance‑transfer providers must...
AECOM Sued for Firing 27-Year Employee Who Raised Pay Equity Concerns
AECOM faces a federal lawsuit from Lisa A. Psenicska, a 59‑year‑old marketing manager with 27 years at the firm, alleging gender and age discrimination, pay inequity and retaliation. The complaint details a salary gap of roughly $34,500 between her $118,500...
Employee Sues Breakthru Beverage, Alleges HR Dismissed Harassment Complaints
A former employee, Gianna Boccia, filed a lawsuit against Breakthru Beverage Nevada alleging that the company’s HR team dismissed her harassment complaints, left the accused supervisor in place, and pressured her to resign. Boccia claims her supervisor made repeated unwanted...
Failed Libel Suits Must Impose Hefty Penalties
I hope the FT gets indemnity costs. They must have spent a fortune on this. But even then, it wouldn’t be enough to deter Odey and others like him from trying to silence critics with libel actions. Failed libel actions...
Pregnant Worker Sues DB Schenker for Firing Her over Pregnancy Absences
DB Schenker fired Operations Team Lead Adibeth Duran Abreu after she reported severe pregnancy‑related illness and sought FMLA protection. The company issued multiple attendance warnings she says she never saw, then terminated her on April 1, 2025, before her FMLA paperwork could...
Truck Driver's Own Disability Filing Sinks His ADA Discrimination Claim
The Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Trimac Transportation, ruling that truck driver Jason Schmit’s own Social Security disability statements undermined his ADA claim. Schmit, diagnosed with Parkinson’s, had received informal and later formal accommodations but asserted he could still...
Priced Equity Rounds: A Founder's Complete Guide to Series Seed, Series A, and Beyond
A priced equity round converts SAFEs and notes into actual preferred shares at a negotiated pre‑money valuation, establishing the company’s capital structure from Series Seed through IPO. The term sheet outlines four critical levers—valuation and option‑pool sizing, liquidation preferences, board...
Stalking Victim Sues OpenAI, Blames ChatGPT for Abuse
A little scoop from earlier today...Stalking victim sues OpenAI, claims ChatGPT fueled her abuser’s delusions and ignored her warnings https://t.co/zYoxyip1SV via @techcrunch
Dunkin' Franchise Operators Agree to Scrap "100% Healed" Policy in EEOC Settlement
A consent decree filed April 9, 2026 requires a group of Dunkin' franchise operators to pay $250,000 and eliminate a “100% healed” policy that barred employees with any medical limitation from working. The EEOC alleged the policy violated the ADA by forcing...
Arkansas Officer's Title VII Claim Survives After Four Promotion Denials
The Arkansas Supreme Court allowed Officer Raunona Mays’s Title VII discrimination claim to proceed against the state Highway Police, while dismissing her § 1983, § 1981 and Arkansas Civil Rights Act claims on sovereign‑immunity grounds. Mays alleges she was passed over for four...
WilmerHale’s $35M Bill Comes Under Fire
WilmerHale faces London High Court scrutiny over a $35 million bill to billionaire heir Alberto Safra. The client disputes $18.9 million still unpaid, citing unnotified hourly rate hikes and excessive daily charges. Judge Leonard questioned the firm’s reliance on a contentious business...
Fordham 33 (Report 2): Top 5 Takeaways: Data Governance, Privacy, & Cybersecurity in an AI World
The Fordham Law data governance session highlighted how AI is upending traditional data‑management practices, demanding full traceability and new vendor oversight. Panelists compared stark regulatory splits, noting the EU’s aggressive AI legislation versus Japan’s relaxed consent rules for training data....
Bus Driver’s Human Rights Case Revived After WSIB Appeal
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) has reactivated a long‑dormant discrimination case filed by bus driver Richmond against MVT Canadian Bus Inc. and driver Aman Gill. The claim alleges disability and sex discrimination under Ontario’s Human Rights Code and was paused...
XAI’s Lawsuit Puts Colorado’s AI Law on a Collision Course With the First Amendment
AI startup xAI has filed a federal lawsuit against Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, challenging the state’s SB 24‑205 AI law slated for June 30 2026. The law forces developers of “high‑risk” AI systems to exercise “reasonable care” to avoid algorithmic discrimination and...
SEC Targets Backswing Ventures over Inflated Fees and False Portfolio Claims
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a complaint against Florida fund manager Kyle James Asman and his firm Backswing Ventures GP LLC, alleging they overcharged management fees by roughly sevenfold and misrepresented portfolio holdings. The SEC says Asman...