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
Future Equity, Present Value: The Law and Economics of SAFEs
The Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) was introduced by Y Combinator in 2013 to replace convertible notes, stripping away debt features while preserving the ability to convert into preferred stock later. SAFEs quickly became the standard for seed‑stage financing because they defer valuation, keep transaction costs low, and avoid premature governance rights. Recent case law, however, often mischaracterizes SAFEs as non‑equity or debt, overlooking their embedded preferred‑stock economics. This legal confusion threatens the instrument’s core benefits and could reshape early‑stage funding dynamics.
Michigan Bill Would Require Seniors to Regularly Re-Take Their Drivers’ Tests
Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require drivers aged 75 to pass written and on‑road tests every four years, and those 85 and older to retest annually. The proposal would make Michigan’s senior licensing regime the strictest in...
Adani Seeks Dismissal of SEC Case, Cites Extraterritorial Overreach, Lack of Jurisdiction
Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar have filed a motion to dismiss the SEC’s securities‑fraud lawsuit, arguing the case over a 2021 $750 million bond sale falls outside U.S. jurisdiction. They contend the SEC’s claims are extraterritorial, lack a domestic transaction,...
Broadcom Secures Google’s Commitment Through 2031, and Anthropic Invests in the Next Generation of TPUs
Broadcom announced a multi‑year agreement with Google to develop and supply future generations of custom Tensor Processing Units and the networking components for AI racks through 2031. In parallel, Anthropic secured access to roughly 3.5 GW of Google‑based TPU capacity starting...
How China’s Tax Crackdown on Undeclared Overseas Income Is Targeting Retail Investors
China’s tax authorities are expanding enforcement to retail investors, requiring self‑declaration of overseas income dating back to 2022 and imposing a 20% tax on foreign stock gains and dividends. The crackdown has already recovered 7.1 billion yuan from 4,223 high‑risk individuals,...
Florida Appeals Court Rejects Rules Protecting Physician Dispensing in Workers’ Compensation Cases
The Florida First District Court of Appeal struck down two Department of Financial Services rules that had extended the workers’ compensation “absolute choice” provision to physicians and other dispensing practitioners. The ruling means insurers can now require injured workers to...
Trump’s Justice Department Dropped 23,000 Criminal Investigations To Focus On Deportations
In the first six months of the Trump administration, the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi declined more than 23,000 criminal cases, a record pace that eclipsed prior administrations. The wave of declinations spanned terrorism, drug, labor‑union, and fraud...
IEEPA Tariff Refunds: Who Really Owns the Money?
The Supreme Court’s *Learning Resources* decision nullified IEEPA tariffs, revealing that Customs and Border Protection collected roughly $166 billion to $182 billion in now‑invalid duties. More than 2,000 refund cases have been filed in the Court of International Trade and assigned to...
AI as Star Witness: How a Buyer’s AI Conversations Sank Its Earnout Avoidance Strategy
The Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that Krafton’s termination of Unknown Worlds’ key executives and seizure of studio control violated the Equity Purchase Agreement, reinstating the CEO and extending the earnout period by 258 days. The buyer’s strategy, guided by...
Brick Court’s Hollander to Take Silk in Hong Kong
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung announced that Charles Hollander KC will be appointed Senior Counsel – Hong Kong’s equivalent of King’s Counsel – in May, joining a six‑barrister elevation round. Hollander, a Brick Court silk who splits his practice between Temple...
Lit & Legit Business Briefs: Do Your Homework on Cannabis Properties
New Jersey’s cannabis licensing now hinges on securing both a municipal Resolution of Support and a zoning determination letter, adding a layer of local approval beyond state requirements. Landlords are not obligated to lease to cannabis operators, and many properties...
USTR Section 301 Forced Labor Investigations: Tariff Risk, UFLPA Overlap, and What Companies Should Do Now
The U.S. Trade Representative has launched Section 301(b) investigations into forced‑labor enforcement gaps in 60 major trading partners, expanding risk from product‑level actions to potential country‑wide tariffs. The probe runs alongside existing UFLPA and CBP measures, creating layered compliance and cost...
(Re-)Planting the Flag: DOJ’s National Security Division Reaffirms Primacy in Corporate National Security Enforcement
On March 30, 2026 the DOJ’s National Security Division (NSD) issued guidance reaffirming its lead role in corporate enforcement of national‑security laws under the newly adopted department‑wide Corporate Enforcement Policy (CEP). The CEP replaces NSD’s component‑specific policy and standardizes voluntary...
Woman Charged over Singapore Crash that Killed Indonesian Girl in Chinatown
A 38‑year‑old Indian woman has been charged in Singapore with driving without due care causing death and grievous hurt after her car struck a six‑year‑old Indonesian girl and her mother near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The girl, Sheyna Lashira...
A Judge Mistakes the Claude Chatbot for a Person
A Manhattan federal judge ruled that a criminal defendant’s use of Anthropic’s Claude chatbot to organize privileged defense material waived attorney‑client privilege, allowing the prosecution to view all inputs and outputs. The opinion treats the AI model as a third‑party...
Colorado Widow Seeks Trust to Shield $3.5 M Estate From Daughter‑in‑Law
Alice, a 73‑year‑old Colorado widow, is structuring a $3.5 million estate to benefit her son and grandchildren while barring her daughter‑in‑law. The case underscores how high‑net‑worth families turn to trusts to avoid marital‑property claims and illustrates broader advisory challenges.
Charlemont Residents Push for 1,500‑Foot Setbacks on New Cell Towers
Charlemont citizens have filed a petition to amend the town’s telecommunications bylaw, demanding that any new cell tower or small‑cell installation be at least 1,500 feet from residential structures in Rural Residential districts and meet strict spacing rules. The proposal...
Eurojuris Launches Austria and Belgium Legal‑Tech Conferences and Expands JUMP Programme
Eurojuris International announced new national legal‑tech conferences in Vienna and Brussels, while also highlighting the JUMP cross‑border training programme that recently placed German lawyer Tara Schau in Denmark and Norway. The moves underline the network’s push to scale community events...
Mid‑Sized Law Firms Accelerate Tech Overhaul to Counter Profitability Paradox
Mid-sized law firms are overhauling practice management, automation, and compliance workflows with modern legal‑tech platforms, a shift driven by expanding revenue opportunities but tightening margins. The move reflects a broader industry realignment where firms must balance growth against rising costs...
Federal Appeals Court Deems Kalshi Prediction Contracts Swaps, Not Sports Bets
A three‑judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that Kalshi’s sports‑related prediction contracts are swaps, placing them under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight. The 2‑1 decision curtails New Jersey’s attempt to ban the platform and signals...
Republican‑Led States Pass 15 Laws Shielding Oil and Gas Firms From Climate Lawsuits
Republican‑controlled legislatures in 11 states have enacted or are debating 15 statutes designed to bar climate‑change lawsuits against oil and gas companies. The bills are part of a national strategy orchestrated by groups linked to conservative activist Leonard Leo, who...
DeSantis Signs Florida Law Expanding State Terror‑designation Authority
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping terror‑designation bill in Tampa, granting the state power to label domestic and foreign groups as terrorist organizations and to block their funding. The measure, which also bars courts from applying foreign or religious...
Telehealth Abortion Will Remain Available for Now, After a Federal Judge's Ruling
A federal judge in Louisiana granted a stay on a lawsuit challenging the FDA's 2023 rule that permits telehealth prescribing of the abortion pill mifepristone. The decision keeps medication abortions available nationwide while the agency completes a safety review, which...
TRAI Proposes Mandating Telcos to Offer Affordable Plans for Voice, SMS Services Only
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has drafted an amendment requiring every operator to provide at least one special tariff voucher (STV) that includes only voice and SMS for each validity period currently offered with data. The regulator observed...
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Applicable Federal Rate (AFR): Definition and Usage Guide
The IRS publishes a monthly Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) to set a minimum interest benchmark for private loans, categorizing rates by short‑term, mid‑term, and long‑term durations. The AFR is derived from Treasury yields and is used to prevent below‑market loans...
Berkovitz Recalls CFTC’s Scramble to Build Swaps Regime After Dodd-Frank
Former CFTC commissioner Dan Berkovitz reflected on the agency’s rapid construction of a swaps regime after Dodd‑Frank, emphasizing the philosophical rather than partisan nature of internal debates. Meanwhile, U.S. futures commission merchants face a record $49.1 billion capital requirement by January 2026, up...
Potential Poison Pill Violation Could Trigger Catastrophic Fallout
Once upon a time having passed on such a tactic ….This is a pretty interesting question as to weather the PP and subsequent voting rights agreement constitutes a violation of the company’s shareholder rights plan aka poison pill. If $TNR...
OpenAI Faces Court-Ordered Witness Sit‑down, Sanctions Risk
This just in. OpenAI's bad week continues. Here, their corporate witness ordered to sit down again and the Court puts them in the sanctions red zone. in major copyright lawsuit. https://t.co/Qn9quiuWzV
The CAS Board’s Carrying Out a Mandate—And Comments Are Now Open
The Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board released a draft rule raising the exemption threshold to $35 million and the full‑coverage threshold to $100 million, aiming to cut the number of contractors subject to the full 19 standards by roughly 30 percent while still...
Lively V. Baldoni: The Smear Factor Showdown
A Manhattan judge trimmed Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, dismissing ten of thirteen claims and leaving the core allegation of a retaliatory media smear campaign intact. With the trial slated to begin in six weeks, the case now hinges...
The $135M Google Data Settlement Site Is Live — See If You're Eligible
Google has launched the official website for the $135 million settlement of the Taylor v. Google class‑action lawsuit, which alleges Android devices transmitted cellular data without consent. The settlement covers roughly 100 million U.S. Android users and will be finalized at a...
Waymo Suspends New York City Robotaxi Tests After Permit Expiry
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous‑vehicle unit, announced it will cease robotaxi testing in New York City after its city and state permits lapsed. The move underscores growing regulatory friction as the company evaluates its next steps while other AV firms expand elsewhere.
Israel's Knesset Approves Death Penalty Bill, Prompting Legal and Moral Clash
Israel's Knesset voted 62‑48 to expand the death penalty to terrorists whose acts “negate the existence of the state,” igniting a heated legal battle over constitutional limits and human‑rights concerns. The bill faces potential review by Israel’s Supreme Court and...
South Korea Faces Pressure to Accelerate and Expand ESG Disclosure Rules
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission plans mandatory ESG disclosures starting in 2028 for KOSPI firms with assets over KRW 30 trillion, covering roughly 58 companies. The National Pension Service and the ruling Democratic Party have pressed for an earlier rollout, lower asset...
Medvi’s $1.8B Telehealth Surge Stalls Over AI‑Generated Doctor Ads
Medvi, an AI‑driven telehealth firm that posted $401 million in revenue last year and expects $1.8 billion this year, is being investigated after affiliate marketers ran ads featuring AI‑generated doctors. Regulators and consumer groups say the practice breaches FTC rules and misleads...
Cambodia Has a New Law Targeting Scams, but Is It Just Another ‘Paper Reform’?
Cambodia's parliament approved its first law targeting online‑scam centres, imposing prison terms of two to ten years and fines up to $250,000. The illicit industry is estimated to generate $12.5‑$19 billion annually and traffick up to 200,000 workers. Analysts argue the...
Comcast Goes to the Mattresses with Scripps
Comcast has blacked out all Scripps-owned broadcast stations for its cable customers nationwide since March 31, after the two sides failed to reach a new retransmission consent agreement. The dispute intensified as Scripps recently secured multi‑year media rights for several NHL...
Nexstar-Tegna’s Day in Court
Nexstar and Tegna are facing a critical court hearing that could turn the temporary restraining order on their $6.2 billion merger into a full preliminary injunction. The companies asked Judge Troy Nunley to require the MVPD and state attorneys general to...
Opening the Gate: A Brief Review of the DOL’s Proposed Rule on Alternatives in 401(k) Plans and Revisiting CAIA’s Position
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule creating a safe‑harbor for fiduciaries that add private‑equity, credit, real‑estate and digital‑asset alternatives to 401(k) and other defined‑contribution plans. The rule, prompted by an August 2025 executive order, outlines six fiduciary...
Construction Contract Negotiation & Drafting: A Practical Checklist (and Where State-Specific Issues Can Surprise You)
Construction contract negotiations often falter not because of template forms, but due to misaligned project documents, vague pricing mechanisms, and overlooked state statutes. The article offers a practical checklist that guides owners, developers, and contractors through early identification of related...
What to Watch: FDA's FY 2027 Budget
The FDA’s FY 2027 budget, a $7.2 billion request, outlines several policy‑driven proposals. It seeks new statutory authority to label misleading direct‑to‑consumer drug ads as misbranded, and introduces an optional “Expedited IND” pathway to accelerate Phase 1 trials using validated pre‑clinical data. The...
AI Cuts Entry Work, Threatens Future Senior Talent
This isn't just a story about lawyers. It's a story about career ladders. If AI wipes out the entry-level tasks, firms save money today but may lose the training ground that creates senior talent tomorrow.
SF Legislation Aims to Crack Down on Uncertified Batteries as Fires Grow More Common
San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood and the fire department are introducing legislation to ban the sale of uncertified lithium‑ion batteries after a December fire displaced dozens in the Tenderloin. City data shows 120 battery‑related incidents between 2024 and 2025, with...
Court Goes Private in Nexstar‑Tegna Merger Challenge
The court has gone into closed session in the Nexstar, Tegna merger challenge and unclear if it will resume public session https://t.co/RNYqGdjn9n
Elon Musk Seeks Ouster of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Part of Lawsuit
Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman from their officer roles, alleging the company defrauded him after a $38 million donation. The filing, submitted on April 7, also demands that OpenAI revert...
Judge to Decide Preliminary Injunction on Tegna‑Nexstar Merger
US judge says he will issue written order on whether to grant preliminary injunction in challenge to Tegna Nexstar merger https://t.co/RNYqGdjn9n
Reminders for Auditors on the UK Corporate Governance Code
The Financial Reporting Council’s January 2024 update to the UK Corporate Governance Code introduces revised Provision 29, expanding board reporting on risk, internal controls and ineffective controls. The new requirements take effect for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2025, with the...
Changes to Company Size Thresholds
From 6 April 2025, UK legislation will raise company size thresholds, reducing reporting and audit obligations for many businesses, including limited liability partnerships. Entities that fall into the small‑entity or micro‑entity categories will be exempt from statutory audits, strategic reports, and, for...
New FCC Actions to Streamline Retirement of Copper Networks
The Federal Communications Commission adopted new procedures to accelerate the retirement of legacy copper telephone networks. The rules include waivers that allow bundled‑service retirements, relax notification requirements, and protect consumers during the transition. Chairman Brendan Carr said the changes clear...
Nexstar Omitted Redaction of $150M Bond Request
Lawyer for state AGs says Nexstar failed to redact the $150 million bond request in one of its filings that was not filed under seal