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
Advisor Wins $3.2M From Wealth Enhancement-Owned RIA in Gender Discrimination, Oppression Case
Financial advisor Wendy Eldridge secured a $3.28 million verdict after a two‑year lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and shareholder oppression at Marcum Wealth, an Ohio‑based RIA. The jury found that CEO Eric Wulff manipulated profit figures during a sale to Wealth Enhancement and excluded Eldridge from equity decisions, breaching fiduciary duties. The judgment includes 7 % annual interest and holds Marcum Wealth, Marcum LLP, and Skoda Minotti Holdings liable. Eldridge, now with Carnegie Investment Counsel, hailed the decision as a step toward accountability in the wealth‑management industry.
Anchorage Blocks New Data Centers in ‘Residential Zones’
Anchorage’s City Council approved a 10‑2 ordinance that bars new data centers from being built in residential zones, limiting them to commercial and industrial districts. The measure introduces a mandatory public‑review process and requires utilities to assess water, wastewater, and...
Tribunal Orders Developer to Disgorge $22.2M for Hiding LP Conflict
Ontario’s securities tribunal ordered real‑estate developer Oscar Furtado to disgorge C$22.2 million (≈US$16.4 million) after he concealed a personal “lift” profit from limited‑partnership investors. Furtado raised C$42 million (≈US$31 million) from 23 investors for a Toronto land‑assembly project, then funneled a C$20.95 million (≈US$15.5 million) assignment...
U.S. Offshore Wind Sees First Lease Buyout
The Trump administration’s aggressive regulatory stance has stalled U.S. offshore wind projects, prompting the Department of the Interior to purchase TotalEnergies' offshore wind leases for $928 million. TotalEnergies will redeploy the proceeds into LNG and Gulf of Mexico oil production. The...
ESMA Publishes Latest Edition of Its Newsletter
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) released its February‑March 2026 Spotlight on Markets newsletter, highlighting a suite of regulatory initiatives. The edition opens with actions to simplify the retail investor journey and improve market accessibility. It features the first...
Exclusive: Governor DeSantis Files Motion in Opposition to Oral Argument in Sansone V. DeSantis mRNA Bioweapons Case
Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody (through counsel) filed a boiler‑plate response opposing Dr. Joseph Sansone’s request for oral argument in the Sansone v. DeSantis mRNA bioweapons case. Sansone, a pro se psychotherapist, alleges that Florida’s promotion of...
Short Circuit: An Inexhaustive Weekly Compendium of Rulings From the Federal Courts of Appeal
The Institute for Justice’s weekly Short Circuit roundup spotlights a new Supreme Court petition demanding Fifth Amendment compensation after SWAT teams destroyed a client’s property in Los Angeles and South Bend, and surveys a slate of recent federal appellate rulings. Decisions range...
A Trio of FCC ‘NIPRB’ Warnings Are Issued To Property Owners
The Federal Communications Commission issued Notice of Intent to Pursue Regulatory Action (NIPRB) warnings to three New York property owners after unlicensed FM pirate stations were traced to their buildings. The FCC’s notice demands immediate action to cease the illegal...
FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility PPS Proposed Rule Summary
On April 2, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule (CMS-1845-P) to update the Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility prospective payment system (IRF PPS) for fiscal year 2027. The proposal adds new therapy documentation standards,...
Minn. Districts Ask Judge to Restore Immigration Enforcement Limits by Schools
Attorneys for the Fridley and Duluth school districts and the Education Minnesota union asked a federal judge to block a Trump‑era policy that lifted longstanding restrictions on immigration enforcement near schools. The Department of Homeland Security rescinded the “sensitive locations”...
Catholic Sisters Sue for Exemption to LGBTQ+ Rights Law in NY Nursing Homes
The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, operators of the 42‑bed Rosary Hill Home in Westchester County, filed a federal lawsuit on April 6 seeking a religious exemption from New York’s LGBTQ+ rights law that requires gender‑affirming care and cultural‑competency training for nursing‑home...
UN Law Bans Strait Tolls, yet US and Iran Ignore
The reason charging toll for using the Strait of Hormuz is illegal is the UN Law of the Seas. Yet, the US has not signed or ratified the treaty. Neither has Iran. The Strait was open before...
Defense Department Lawyering Almost As Good As Hegseth’s Pullups
The Pentagon’s new press credential policy, championed by Secretary Pete Hegseth, required journalists to sign gag‑style agreements that barred the publication of any “unauthorized” information. After more than 30 outlets refused to sign, reporters were stripped of their Pentagon Facilities...
WinZO Cofounder Bail: K’taka HC Warns ED Of Costs For Frivolous Appeal
The Karnataka High Court warned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) it could be penalized about $1.2k if its appeal against the bail granted to WinZO co‑founder Paavan Nanda is deemed frivolous. The ED alleges the gaming platform generated roughly $21 million through...
Insights From an Ex-USCIS Officer (Summary and Session Recording, Part 1)
A recent virtual session with former USCIS officer Evan Law revealed FY 2025 approval rates for top‑skill visas: O‑1 at 93.9%, EB‑1A at 66.9%, and EB‑2 NIW at 55.2%. Law emphasized that EB‑1A adjudication now hinges on demonstrated top‑of‑field status rather...
Study: Broadcasters Must `Prepare Now’ for Impact of FCC C-Band Auction
The FCC plans to auction the remaining 100‑180 MHz of upper C‑band spectrum by July 2027, effectively ending broadcasters’ long‑standing satellite option. Unlike the 2020 reallocation, this auction leaves no like‑for‑like replacement, forcing stations to consider Ku‑band, managed IP or hybrid delivery...
BIPA Cases: 7th Circuit Rules Change to Illinois Law’s Damages Provision Retroactively Limits Defendant Exposure
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that Illinois’s 2024 amendment to the Biometric Information Privacy Act’s damages provision applies retroactively, ending per‑scan statutory damages for cases pending at the time. The amendment caps recovery to a...
Ninth Circuit Dismisses Kids Climate Case Against Discounting in Cost-Benefit Analysis
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court’s dismissal of the youth‑led G.B. v. EPA climate lawsuit, finding the plaintiffs lacked standing. The case challenged the EPA’s use of discounting in cost‑benefit analyses, arguing it discriminates against future...
NAR, Elliman Opt Into Tuccori Homebuyer Settlement
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has opted into the Illinois‑based Tuccori settlement, committing $52.25 million to a global fund that will be paid over several years. This payment follows NAR’s earlier $418 million settlement with home‑seller commission cases, expanding the organization’s...
YouTuber Who Lost Lawsuit To Donkey Kong High Score Contender Billy Mitchell Is Now Suing Him For ‘Emotional Distress’
Veteran high‑score investigator Karl Jobst has filed a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against former Donkey Kong record‑holder Billy Mitchell, alleging unauthorized use of his name, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jobst, representing himself pro se, cites Mitchell’s X...
UK Bans “Stepfamily” Porn by One Vote, Sets 5-Year Prison Term
The UK House of Lords approved a ban on pornography that depicts sexual acts between stepfamily members, passing the measure by a razor‑thin 144‑143 vote. The legislation, championed by Conservative peer Gabby Bertin, classifies such material as a form of...
Ontario Superior Court Rejects Public Policy Argument to Resist Enforcing Beijing Arbitration Award
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted recognition and enforcement of a 2019 CIETAC arbitration award in the Feicheng Mining Group v. Liu case. The respondent, a 50% shareholder of Dehua International Mines, argued duress and public‑policy violations after signing...
HEI Customers File New Class Action Against Unison
Home equity investment firm Unison is sued in Colorado federal court by homeowners Katharine and Charles Kane, who claim the company's shared‑appreciation contracts function as undisclosed loans. The Kanes allege the agreement, originally a $88,000 advance for a 70% home...
Failed Arguments, Lasting Consequences: Prosecution Disclaimer in Puradigm V. DBG
The Federal Circuit affirmed summary judgment of noninfringement in *Puradigm, LLC v. DBG Group Investments*, holding that a prosecution‑history disclaimer narrowed the claim term “specular UV reflector.” The disclaimer stemmed from the applicant’s earlier argument distinguishing specular reflectance from mere...
John Deere Settles Right-to-Repair Lawsuit for $99 Million
John Deere agreed to a $99 million settlement resolving a class‑action lawsuit over its right‑to‑repair policies. The deal covers customers who used Deere dealers for major equipment repairs after January 2018, offering recoveries of 26% to 53% of alleged overcharge damages—significantly higher...
Report: US Demands Reddit Unmask ICE Critic, Summons Firm to Grand Jury
The Department of Homeland Security escalated its attempt to unmask a Reddit user who criticized ICE, moving from a March 12 summons that relied on an outdated tariff statute to a grand‑jury subpoena issued in Washington, D.C. The original summons...
Are Guns Allowed in National Parks? A New Lawsuit Says Yes.
On March 27, the Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit in Texas challenging the 1988 statute that bars firearms in National Park Service buildings. The suit, joined by private citizen Gary Zimmerman and the Firearms Policy Coalition, argues the...
Inside the Trial that Found YouTube and Meta Found Liable in Landmark Social Media Addiction Case
In this episode, LegalSpeak hosts Amanda Broadstand, a mass‑tort reporter for Law.com, to dissect two landmark trials that held Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and YouTube liable for social‑media addiction harms. The Los Angeles jury awarded $4.2 million to Meta and $1.8 million to YouTube,...
2025 Post-Grant Annual Report
John A. Squires was confirmed as the 60th Director of the USPTO in September 2025, bringing a free‑market, AI‑focused agenda. Since taking office, he has centralized PTAB institution decisions, tightened real‑party‑interest disclosures, and issued a rule limiting inter‑ partes review...
Denmark Imposes Age Checks to Restrict Social Media to Kids Under 15
Denmark has enacted a law that blocks children under 15 from accessing major social‑media platforms, setting a baseline age of 13 but allowing parental exceptions. The measure mirrors Australia’s age‑assurance model and targets services such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat....
Trade Court Channels 1970s Congress as It Weighs Legality of Global Tariff
The U.S. Court of International Trade heard arguments on Friday over President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariff, which was imposed under the rarely used 1974 Section 122 statute. Plaintiffs – 24 Democratic‑leaning states and two small businesses – contend the law...
FDIC Rescinds 2023 Guidance on Nonsufficient-Fund Fees
The FDIC announced it is rescinding guidance FIL‑32‑2023, which warned banks that charging multiple nonsufficient‑funds (NSF) fees for a single transaction could be deemed unfair or deceptive under the Federal Trade Act. The agency said the guidance was overly broad...
What Owners and Contractors Should Know About Data Center Construction Contracts
Data center construction is entering a $7 trillion global capex surge, with 40% slated for the United States. Developers must choose between EPC and design‑build contracts, each shifting risk and control differently. Early procurement of critical systems and well‑drafted liquidated‑damages clauses...
Massachusetts High Court: Claim Against Meta for Alleged Addiction of Children Can Go Forward Notwithstanding § 230
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state’s unfair, deceptive and public‑nuisance claims against Meta’s Instagram can proceed despite the platform’s reliance on Section 230 immunity. The court held that the allegations focus on Instagram’s own design choices—such as infinite...
United Airlines Terminated 76-Year-Old Technician After He Took Bottle of Water to Drink While Suffering Heart Palpitations
United Airlines dismissed 76‑year‑old aircraft technician Frank Bucci after he took a bottle of water from a plane to alleviate heart palpitations and light‑headedness caused by dehydration. Bucci has filed a California lawsuit alleging disability, age discrimination, and retaliation, arguing...
Debt Collectors Sue California Regulator over Licensing Fees
ACA International, the trade group for debt collectors, has filed a proposed class action against California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) challenging the agency's licensing fees. The suit seeks to halt enforcement of the fees and obtain refunds,...
Senator Launches Inquiry Into 8 Tech Giants for Failures to Adequately Report CSAM
Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley has opened a congressional inquiry into eight major tech firms—Meta, Amazon AI Services, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, X.AI, Grindr and Roblox—over alleged failures to provide complete child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reports to the National...
US Lags as Other Nations Grant Crypto Exemptions
Other countries exempt crypto already. US falling behind crypto capital narrative. Settlement exemption probable, investment exemption uncertain. Even tax-free selling loses versus holding appreciating assets. Leverage preserves upside despite interest cost.
Minnesota Prediction Market Ban Advances, Faces Legal Hurdles
A Minnesota prediction market ban bill continues forward in the state Senate after a Rules Committee vote; the bill's sponsor acknowledged during Friday's hearing the bill likely faces legal challenges if passed
New Procedure for Ex Parte Reexaminations: Patent Owners May File 'Pre-Order' Papers Prior to the Substantial New Question Determination
The USPTO announced a new ex parte reexamination framework that lets patent owners submit a limited “pre‑order” paper before the Office decides if a substantial new question exists. The option applies to requests filed on or after April 5 2026 and must be...
Minnesota Senate Pushes Online Sweeps Ban to Finance Committee
Minnesota Senate lawmakers advance an online sweeps ban bill out of committee for the second time in as many days; bill now goes to the powerful Finance Commitee, where from there it could be sent to the full Senate floor
IRS Delays Finalizing Tips Deduction Rules Near Deadline
With less a week to go before the #tax filing deadline, the IRS is still rewriting the rules on the #tips deduction. @forbes https://t.co/eW6YIrl2NG
![[Video] March Madness or Trademark Madness? The NCAA V. DraftKings Lawsuit](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com/profile-images/og.15496_4323.png)
[Video] March Madness or Trademark Madness? The NCAA V. DraftKings Lawsuit
The NCAA has filed a lawsuit against DraftKings alleging trademark infringement for the fantasy‑sports platform’s use of the phrase “March Madness.” The league argues the usage creates a false association and dilutes its brand, while DraftKings contends the term is...
TRO Extension Misstates Hearing Date by One Day
The TRO extension says the hearing was on April 8, 2026. Wasn’t it April 7? https://t.co/5u0tKDlwnY
Adam Hides Email Metadata to Preserve Satoshi Mystique
At first glance, it’s fishy that Adam didn’t furnish John the metadata of those emails. But wait. It’s only fishy if Adam wants to be “exonerated.” If he wants people to come away with the impression that he is Satoshi, he...
The RFO Highlights the Need for Evergreen Contracting
The Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) moved FSS ordering rules from FAR 8.4 to GSAR 538.7100, slashing the guidance from 9,449 to 2,363 words and clarifying competition requirements. While the new language streamlines blanket purchase agreements, it unintentionally halves the effective...
Crispin Odey Abandons £79mn Libel Case Against the FT over Sexual Misconduct Claims
Crispin Odey has withdrawn his £79 million libel suit against the Financial Times, acknowledging the newspaper’s strong public‑interest defence. The FT had disclosed extensive evidence, including testimonies from 15 women, after publishing allegations of sexual assault spanning five decades. Odey’s decision...
Insurance Co. Proved that Man Who Disappeared 18 Years Ago, Declared Dead Is Actually Alive: SCC
The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that the balance of probabilities is the proper standard to overturn a Quebec death declaration, allowing an insurance company to prove that a man missing for 18 years is still alive. The court...
Meta Must Face Massachusetts AG's Addiction Suit
Massachusetts' highest court rejected Meta's claim that Section 230 shields it from liability over Instagram's design, allowing the attorney general's addiction lawsuit to proceed. The court clarified that the allegations target Meta's own features—such as infinite scroll and autoplay—not third‑party content....
BC Supreme Court Expands Virtual Hearings in Civil and Family Matters
The Supreme Court of British Columbia announced an expansion of virtual hearings for civil and family matters, making video attendance the default for case planning and judicial management conferences starting May 4, 2026. New practice directions (71‑74) also permit electronic filing...