Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Joe Biden has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio recording of his interview. The action, reported by Axios and TIME, aims to keep the interview confidential amid political controversy.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Mamdani Is Cracking Down on Food Delivery App Junk Fees in NYC
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $875,000 settlement with food‑delivery platform HungryPanda for charging illegal junk fees to New York City restaurants. The deal will reimburse more than 380 eateries, primarily immigrant‑owned, and imposes fee‑disclosure and annual compliance requirements on the app. The settlement follows a January $5 million agreement that addressed pay violations by Uber Eats, Fantuan and HungryPanda. Mamdani said the city will keep targeting corporations that exploit local businesses and consumers.
Another Court Rules Copyright Can’t Stop People From Reading and Speaking the Law
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld that reproducing building codes incorporated into federal or state law qualifies as fair use, rejecting ASTM’s claim of copyright over those standards. The court found UpCodes’ use transformative, factual, and...
US Lawmakers Demand IRS Crack Down on CCP-Linked Nonprofits, Citing New York Networks Connected to Foreign Influence Cases
House Select Committee on the CCP and Ways and Means Committee chairmen John Moolenaar and Jason Smith sent a joint letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS chief Frank Bisignano demanding immediate enforcement against Chinese Communist Party‑linked tax‑exempt organizations....
Your Client Is Talking to ChatGPT About Their Case. After 'Heppner,' That's a Discovery Problem.
Clients are turning to ChatGPT for legal advice, prompting courts to scrutinize AI‑generated communications. The recent Heppner decision clarified that chatbot interactions constitute discoverable evidence, forcing parties to preserve and produce them. Defense attorneys are now tightening discovery requests to...
Competition Bureau Steps up Probe of Proposed Keyera Gas Acquisition
The Competition Bureau has obtained a federal court order compelling Inter Pipeline Ltd. to provide information for its probe of Keyera Corp.'s proposed $5.15 billion acquisition of Plains All American’s Canadian natural‑gas‑liquids business. The regulator is assessing whether the deal would...
Deadline Approaches for Maryland Digital Advertising Tax Refund Claims
Maryland’s Comptroller clarified that the state’s Digital Advertising Tax (DAT) does not apply to audio‑only ads or ads sold outside programmatic channels. Taxpayers who previously reported revenue from these excluded services can file for a refund. The three‑year limitation for...
CLARITY Act a ‘Done Deal,’ Bullish for XRP
North Carolina Rep. Hugh Blackwell announced that the CLARITY Act is a "done deal," signaling that banks and crypto firms have reached a compromise. The bill, which passed the House 294‑134, now awaits a Senate markup in April and a...
Private Employers Can Fire You, Except Protected Speech
You don't have freedom of speech protections within private employment. A private employer can terminate you for any reason as long it's not an illegal reason. That being said, the contents of your speech and expression could be legally protected...
Tech Giants Form Patent Licensing Group to Mitigate AI Risks
Article: Anthropic, IBM, Meta, Microsoft launch patent licensing group in response to AI legal risk - IAM https://t.co/uOqVcOVoPy?
AbbVie Files Lawsuit to Address ‘Outdated’ Drug Discount Eligibility Program
AbbVie has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Health and Human Services Department seeking updated guidance on the 340B drug discount program. The company argues that current rules allow hospitals and clinics to claim discounts for patients with minimal or...
Insurer Must Cover Mental Health Facility in Sex Harassment Case: Court
A federal appeals court ruled that Allied World Specialty Insurance must defend American Behavioral Health Systems against sexual‑harassment allegations, rejecting the insurer’s claim that a policy exclusion for sexual abuse barred coverage. The 9th U.S. Circuit held that a complaint can...
Scott Barshay’s Paul, Weiss Makeover: More Money, Less Soul?
Paul, Weiss’s new chair, M&A partner Scott Barshay, is reshaping the firm from a progressive‑litigation powerhouse into a profit‑driven corporate shop. He overhauled partner compensation to reward rainmakers, tightened associate staffing, and pushed an apolitical brand. The strategy has paid...
To Beat Altman in Court, Musk Offers to Give All Damages to OpenAI Nonprofit
Elon Musk amended his lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, stating he will not seek any personal monetary award. Instead, he asks the court to return all alleged ill‑gotten gains—up to $134 billion—to OpenAI’s nonprofit foundation. The change follows a...
Paid Leave After Termination: Key Takeaways From a New German Federal Labor Court Decision on Employment Contracts and Company Cars
The German Federal Labor Court ruled on March 25, 2026 that blanket paid‑leave release clauses lacking objective grounds are unenforceable. Employers must rely on case‑by‑case balancing of interests and document reasons before placing a terminated employee on paid leave. While paid leave...
Unpaid Tourist Medical Bills Push Thailand Toward Mandatory Insurance Rule
Thailand is weighing a rule that would require foreign tourists to carry accident insurance upon entry after public hospitals report growing losses from unpaid treatment costs. The Ministry of Public Health estimates unpaid bills from uninsured visitors exceed 100 million baht...
State Laws About Pay Transparency in Job Ads Are Gaining Popularity, Lawyers Say
Pay‑transparency statutes are rapidly spreading, with more than 20 U.S. states now requiring employers to disclose salary ranges or minimum compensation in job ads. The trend is part of a broader push for salary equity and is gaining bipartisan support....
Rejection Due to Headscarf – German Federal Labor Court Holds Employer Liable for Compensation
The German Federal Labor Court (BAG) ruled that a job applicant rejected for wearing a religious headscarf is entitled to compensation, awarding her €3,500 (approximately $3,850). The court held the employer liable even though a third‑party recruiter conducted the selection,...
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration Against Maersk Over Panama Canal Port Dispute
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison has initiated arbitration in London against Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller‑Maersk, accusing the carrier of breaching a contract by collaborating with Panama to replace Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company as operator of the Balboa terminal. The...
Big Tech Owes Scholars. It's Time to Pay Up.
Big Tech’s reliance on free scholarly content has sparked a call for payment after Anthropic’s $1.5 billion settlement over unlicensed use of 500,000 books. The article argues that AI firms profit from zero‑priced academic knowledge, which fuels model hallucinations and undercuts...
Pam Bondi Defies House Subpoena over Epstein Files
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has refused to appear for a sworn deposition before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on April 14, arguing that she is no longer in her official capacity after being ousted. The committee,...
Stifel Settles Another Chuck Roberts Claim for $1.2M
Stifel Financial agreed to a $1.2 million settlement over a new arbitration claim tied to former broker Chuck Roberts and his structured‑note sales. The settlement adds to a mounting liability that now tops $198 million, including a $133 million arbitration...
EXCLUSIVE: KIM & KRIS SCRAMBLE TO BURY SEX TAPE DETAILS — BUT A JUDGE SAYS NO
A Los Angeles judge denied Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner's request to keep the details of a settlement tied to Kim's 2007 sex tape with Ray J sealed, opening the possibility that the terms could become public. The family has...
Why Advisory Committees Remain Essential in an Era of Complex Medicines
A senior FDA official recently dismissed advisory committees as costly, slow, and theatrical, prompting renewed debate over their role in drug review. Advisory committees (AdComs) are independent panels that convene when a therapy presents a nuanced benefit‑risk profile, offering real‑time...
What Insurers Want to See: Practical Steps to Reduce Your Cyber Insurance Costs
Law firms that adopt measurable cybersecurity practices can lower cyber‑insurance premiums and secure more favorable policy terms. Insurers now price risk based on behavior—such as multifactor authentication, password hygiene, and employee phishing training—rather than merely cataloguing technology stacks. Ongoing system...
CySEC Warns Public Against Dealing with Three Unauthorized Investment Firms
CySEC issued a public warning on April 8, 2026, telling investors to avoid three firms—Obsidian Group (obsidian‑group.org), Ext Ltd (ext‑ltd.com) and Harindale Trade (harindale.trade)—because they are not authorized under Cyprus Law 87(I)/2017 to provide investment services. The regulator stressed that the websites do not belong to...
Regulators Relax AML Rules for Banks, Credit Unions
Washington Wrap: Federal regulators ease banks, credit unions anti-money laundering requirements | S&P Global Market Intelligence https://t.co/9NBq4IA82k
Employers See Spike in Labor Department Immigration Enforcement
The U.S. Labor Department has dramatically increased enforcement of its new H‑1B salary proposal, targeting employers whose wage offers fall below the updated prevailing wage thresholds. Companies are already seeing a wave of audits and wage‑level reviews, with many expecting...
Law360 Announces The Members Of Its 2026 Editorial Boards
Law360 announced that Bradford Kelley has been re‑selected for its 2026 Employment Authority Discrimination Editorial Board. The board curates the outlet’s coverage of workplace discrimination, including EEOC actions and state agency enforcement. Kelley’s repeat appointment underscores his standing in employment...
US Companies on Notice: The Price of Foreign Talent Is Going Up
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a rule that would raise the prevailing wage calculations for H‑1B and other employment‑based visas. The change aims to align wages with market rates, effectively increasing the cost of hiring foreign talent. Companies...
Employment Lawyers Won’t Talk to Me Until I’ve Already Been Fired — How Do I Find a Legal Consult Now?
Employment lawyers increasingly use contingency fees, so many refuse pre‑termination advice, especially on ADA issues. Plaintiff‑side firms screen aggressively because they can’t monetize a case without a firing. However, management‑side attorneys and boutique HR‑compliance practices still bill hourly and will...
Acting Attorney General Forms National Fraud Enforcement Division
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED) to combat fraud in taxpayer‑funded programs, a move spurred by rising Medicaid fraud concerns in Minnesota. The division consolidates oversight of existing fraud units,...
Umary and Related Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning that Umary and Amazy dietary supplements contain undeclared prescription‑drug ingredients, including dexamethasone, diclofenac, and omeprazole. Laboratory testing confirmed these hidden drugs, prompting voluntary nationwide recalls by several distributors. Parallel alerts...
Axiom’s Lawyers On Demand + Clients Get Harvey Access
Axiom, the leading alternative legal service provider with a bench of about 14,000 on‑demand lawyers, has incorporated the Harvey AI platform into its "AI Tech + Talent" portfolio. The move equips its lawyers and the 1,500 corporate legal departments it...
FAA Weighs Ultralight Access Dispute At California Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a complaint lodged by ultralight pilots who say Yuba County Airport in northern California has imposed fees, a key‑card entry system, and an insurance mandate that effectively bar them from the publicly funded field....
SEC Appoints David Woodcock as Director of the Division of Enforcement
The SEC announced David Woodcock will become Director of the Division of Enforcement on May 4, 2026, succeeding acting director Sam Waldon. Woodcock returns after a stint as a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he chaired the securities enforcement practice, and...
Minnesota Daycare Operator Charged with Manslaughter After Infant Suffocation
Janel Kay Dierkhising, 53, was charged with two counts of second‑degree manslaughter and operating an unlicensed daycare after 2½‑month‑old Karson Asfeld suffocated in a pack‑and‑play on Nov. 11. The case underscores growing concerns about safety standards in home‑based child‑care settings.
UK Law Removes 26‑Week Wait for Statutory Paternity Leave
The United Kingdom enacted a law on April 6 that eliminates the 26‑week employment‑tenure requirement for statutory paternity leave, allowing fathers to take time off immediately after a new job. The change is part of the Employment Rights Act 2025...
Harvard Law Hosts Major Sports Law Symposium, NCAA Antitrust Debate
Big sports law day @Harvard_Law tomorrow as annual sports law symposium will host top panels & speakers. @FedSoc is also hosting a discussion between @EliNachmany and me titled "The NCAA at an Antitrust Crossroads." If you're at HLS, hope to...
SEC Shifts Tone, Signals Openness to Streamlining Disclosures
Mike McTiernan of Hogan Lovells highlighted a marked shift in the SEC’s tone at REITwise 2026, noting a more open, collaborative stance toward industry participants. The agency’s increased presence at conferences is helping regulators understand how disclosures are prepared and...
Ireland’s Sky Cracks Down on Illegal IPTV Boxes as Pay‑TV Subscriptions Slip
Sky Ireland obtained a court order forcing Revolut Bank to reveal 304 illegal IPTV subscribers and fined a dodgy‑box operator €30,000, while a recent ComReg survey showed paid‑TV subscriptions drop from 70% to 57% over four years. The crackdown aims...
South Africa's FSCA Makes ESG Disclosures Enforceable, Triggering Consulting Surge
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has upgraded ESG guidance into binding conduct standards, requiring financial firms to treat sustainability claims like financial disclosures. The move, which aligns South Africa with ISSB climate reporting, is expected to generate a sharp...
Legal Marketers Urge Firms to Make Practice‑Group Pages AI‑Friendly for Better Search Visibility
Legal marketers are telling law firms to redesign practice‑group web pages for generative‑AI search engines. The JDSupra article highlights a checklist that could boost organic visibility and client acquisition, signaling a shift in legal‑service marketing.
Alberta Court of Appeal Denies Permission to Appeal Refusal to Hear Family Matter Urgently
The Alberta Court of Appeal rejected a father’s request to appeal a desk‑duty justice’s refusal to place his contempt and parenting dispute on the urgent applications list. The appeal court found no exceptional circumstance, no likelihood of success, and deemed...
Ontario Moves to Expand Injury Coverage Under WSIB
Ontario’s government has tabled legislation to extend Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage to private residential care, retirement homes and group homes, adding roughly 29,000 frontline care workers to the safety net. The move would standardize protections for personal...
Legal Fight Club: Trump Could Face War Crimes Charges After Viral Post
President Trump’s recent Truth Social post threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges, prompting legal experts to warn it could constitute a war crime. International law professor Gabor Rona explained that targeting civilian infrastructure without clear military advantage violates...
Read Word-for-Word: New Court Filing Reveals Delays and Drama in Brad Pitt Vs. Angelina Jolie Wine War
A newly filed court document reveals that the ongoing legal battle between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over the Château Miraval wine estate faces another scheduling dispute. The trial, currently slated for early 2027, is being pushed by Jolie’s team to...
SBI Ripple Asia Deploys Institutional Token Issuance Platform on XRP Ledger
SBI Ripple Asia, the joint venture of SBI Holdings and Ripple Labs, rolled out a regulated token issuance infrastructure on the XRP Ledger on April 7. The platform, approved as a third‑party prepaid payment instrument under Japan’s Fund Settlement Act,...
Solventum Dinged on Export Violations
Solventum, a Minnesota‑based filtration equipment maker, agreed to pay a $1.6 million civil penalty after the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security found it exported contactors to sanctioned Chinese entities in 2020 and 2023. The 2023 breach involved 87 contactors shipped...
Coinbase Secures First Australian Crypto License, Eyes Equity and Payments
Coinbase Global Inc. received an Australian Financial Services licence with retail derivatives authorisation from ASIC, making it the first crypto exchange approved directly by the regulator. The company announced plans to launch equity trading and payment services in Australia, signalling...
Insurer Must Defend Doctor Accused of ‘Fertility Fraud’
A Connecticut appellate court reversed a lower‑court decision, requiring medical‑malpractice insurer Integris Insurance to cover the defense costs of Dr. Narendra Tohan, accused of using his own sperm in IVF procedures without patient consent. The court found the insurer had...