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
Making Complexity Clear: Contract Design for Multilingual, Multi-Jurisdiction Deals
Large APAC deals now routinely cross several borders, languages and legal systems, turning contracts into dense, hard‑to‑interpret documents. The article argues that intentional contract design—plain language, visual aids, bilingual layouts, and layered structures—can dramatically reduce misinterpretation. Digital platforms and AI‑driven tools now allow firms to maintain a master agreement while attaching localized annexes and generating automated alerts. Real‑world examples show that these practices cut dispute rates, lower legal costs, and accelerate negotiation timelines across the region.
US Supreme Court Vacates Bannon Contempt Ruling, Remands for DOJ Dismissal
The U.S. Supreme Court vacated the appellate ruling that upheld Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress conviction and sent the matter back to the D.C. Circuit to consider the Department of Justice’s pending motion to dismiss. The Court granted Bannon’s certiorari...
House Democrats Call on Federal Regulator to Crack Down on Offshore Prediction Market War Bets
House Democrats sent a letter to CFTC Chair Michael Selig urging the agency to crack down on offshore prediction‑market bets tied to war and other government actions, citing alleged insider trading on contracts about Venezuela and Iran. They argue the...
Musk Seeks Ouster of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Trial Looms
Elon Musk has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to remove OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman from their leadership roles. The suit aims to reverse OpenAI’s recent conversion from a nonprofit to a capped‑profit entity and restore its...
Democrats Question CFTC Chair on Insider Trading in Prediction Markets
Seven Democratic members of the U.S. House have written to CFTC Chair Michael Selig demanding information on the agency’s handling of insider trading in prediction‑market event contracts, especially those tied to U.S. military actions in Iran and Venezuela. The lawmakers...
Seattle Officers File Lawsuit Against PD Leaders over Alleged Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Seattle police officers have filed a class‑action lawsuit alleging that inadequate ventilation in the West Precinct’s underground garage and adjoining workspaces exposed them to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and other exhaust fumes. The complaint says the department knew of...
London International Disputes Week 2026 Announces Keynote Speakers for International Arbitration Day
London International Disputes Week announced David Neuberger, Toby Landau and Karyl Nairn as keynote speakers for International Arbitration Day on June 1, 2026. The trio will discuss AI’s impact, geopolitical shifts in investment treaty arbitration, cross‑border enforcement, sector‑specific expertise and...
Interviewee Nets $495K Settlement After Receiving Email Stating He Was ‘Too Old’ for the Role
HCL America, a Santa Clara‑based tech consulting firm, agreed to pay $495,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit alleging age and national‑origin discrimination. The case stemmed from an email in which a sales director labeled a candidate “too old” and urged...
Employers Paid $528M in Pre-Litigation EEOC Settlements Last Year
Employers paid the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission $528 million in pre‑litigation mediation, conciliation and settlements during fiscal 2025, the highest amount ever recorded. The agency reported total payouts of $660 million to 17,680 workers, including a 24% rise in conciliation awards...
Vote for April's Minipod!
The post poses two timely policy questions: first, how a hypothetical Trump executive order that directly funds the Transportation Security Administration would operate and whether any party could sue to block it; second, the relevance of maintaining a human‑in‑the‑loop for...
Super Micro Launches Internal Probe of Server Sales to China
Super Micro Computer’s board of independent directors has hired an external law firm to investigate the recent indictment of two employees and a contractor for allegedly selling servers to China. The probe examines whether the company violated U.S. export‑control rules....
Last Chance to Nominate Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in 2026
Canadian Lawyer is accepting nominations for its 2026 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, with a deadline of Friday, April 17. Candidates can be submitted across six categories, including Human Rights, Business, In‑house, and Changemakers, highlighting leadership, innovation, and impact over the past...
Recovered Bannon‑Epstein Interview: Video, Transcript, Audio Released
I HAVE THE BANNON-EPSTEIN VIDEO THAT THE DOJ REMOVED - *AND* I ORDERED THE TRANSCRIPT AND CREATED AN AUDIO FILE FOR YOU Speaking of Bannon, as we were yesterday with this week's Supreme Court remand of his case back to...
Court Weighs Standing, Injunctive Relief in Nexstar Case
Harm, standing, injunctive relief yada yada at Nexstar-Tegna v DirecTV & several states including CA.
Sen. Warren Urges FCC to Shield Fans From Media Consolidation
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Pat Ryan urged the FCC to intervene against growing sports‑streaming consolidation, warning that bundled packages force fans into exorbitant fees. They highlighted recent deals—including Disney’s $220 million cash purchase of a 72.9% stake in Fubo and...
Judge's Injunction Threatens Nexstar‑Tegna Merger Completion
⚡️ The Big Chill: How Judge Nunley’s Injunction Could Ice Broadcast M&A ⚡️ $NXST Given the harshness of Nunley’s March 28th Temporary Restraining Order, we believe the most likely outcome will be a preliminary injunction barring Nexstar and Tegna from...
AP Threatens Legal Action as Lee Seeks Contract Exit
Scoop: AP threatens Lee Enterprises over potential contract breach — Lee said last month it wants to terminate its contract w AP. Has suggested it's because of its focus on local coverage — AP says its legally bound to their deal, which...
Will Washington's Income Tax Rate Go Up? (History Says Yes)
Washington’s new income tax imposes a 9.9% rate on household earnings above $1 million, marking the state’s first foray into personal taxation. Historical evidence shows that every state which has introduced an income tax eventually raises the rate, lowers the threshold,...
Jefferson Health Sues Aetna over Downcoding, Avoids Class Action
Jefferson Health sues Aetna over ‘downcoding’ policy I’m surprised they couldn’t make this a class action lawsuit https://t.co/tZgfdFxRJE
UK Fathers Challenge Full Child Maintenance Payments for Distant Teens
Mark, a 45‑year‑old father earning about £80,000 (≈ $100,000), asked Metro why he must continue paying full child‑maintenance for a teenage daughter he barely sees. His query highlights a growing tension between legal obligations and fathers’ sense of fairness, as a...
Death Bot? Lawyers Question Privilege and Foreseeability Amid Rising ChatGPT Litigation
Lawyers are preparing a wrongful‑death lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT gave advice to the alleged Florida State University gunman. The case raises novel questions about product liability, privilege and whether AI providers can be held liable for user actions....
Texas to Launch Statewide Food‑Truck Permit System on July 1
Texas will implement a statewide food‑truck permit system on July 1 under House Bill 2844, creating a single license for an estimated 19,000 trucks and capping fees between $300 and $1,350. The move aims to cut costs for operators while sparking...
The Continuing Rise of Collective and Mass Actions Outside the U.S.
Collective and mass actions are rapidly expanding beyond the United States, with hundreds of securities class or group lawsuits filed since 2021 across Europe, Australia, and the Asia‑Pacific. The European Union’s new collective redress directive and the United Kingdom’s opt‑out...
Estate Planning Before 2028: How Washington's Income Tax Changes the Calculus
Washington will impose a 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million starting Jan 1 2028, adding a second layer to its already aggressive estate tax regime. The combined effect creates a double‑tax problem for high‑net‑worth residents, making the pre‑2028 window the most...
Brazil Blacklists BYD for Slave Labour Conditions at Its Biggest Plant Outside China
Brazil's labour ministry placed Chinese electric‑vehicle maker BYD on its forced‑labour blacklist after inspectors documented slavery‑like conditions at its Camaçari plant, including locked passports, withheld wages and substandard dormitories. The blacklisting restricts BYD’s access to state‑bank financing, private credit and...
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Investigates Cassidy Hutchinson, Who Testified Against Trump
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, accused of lying to the Jan. 6 congressional committee. The probe was triggered by a referral from a Trump‑aligned congressperson and represents an atypical...
Mamdani Selects New Mom & Pop Czar To Lead NYC Small Businesses and Slash Red Tape
Mayor Zohran Mamdani named Delia Awusi as New York City’s first “mom‑and‑pop” small‑business czar, charged with streamlining permits, inspections and fine processes for ultra‑small firms that generate $1‑2 million in annual revenue. Awusi brings a decade of leadership at a Brooklyn...
How to Make Estimated Tax Payments Under Washington's New Income Tax
Washington’s new 9.9% income tax, effective Jan 1 2028, will require estimated quarterly payments for taxpayers with income above $1 million. The Department of Revenue has not yet issued detailed rules, but the statute mirrors the federal model, likely adopting similar payment dates...
Italian Court Declares Netflix Price Hikes Illegal, Orders Refunds for Subscribers
A Rome court ruled that Netflix's subscription price increases in Italy from 2017 to 2024 violated local consumer‑protection rules, ordering the streaming service to refund affected customers. Netflix announced it will appeal the decision, highlighting a potential precedent for digital...
RFK Jr. Rewrites CDC Vaccine Panel Charter to Boost HHS Secretary Control
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed a Federal Register notice that revises the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices charter, allowing the HHS Secretary to directly select members. The change follows a judge’s order suspending Kennedy’s earlier, largely anti‑vaccine...
Is Retirement Income Subject to Washington's 9.9% Income Tax? (Social Security, Pensions, 401(k), IRAs)
Washington’s new 9.9% income tax, effective 2028, treats retirement income like any other earnings, with a $1 million exemption threshold. Social Security benefits are only taxed to the extent they are federally taxable, while Roth withdrawals remain excluded. Traditional IRA, 401(k)...
Supreme Court Wipes Piracy Liability Verdict Against Grande Communications
The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated the $47 million contributory infringement verdict against broadband provider Grande Communications, sending the case back to the Fifth Circuit for review. The Court cited the recent Cox v. Sony decision, which raises the liability bar...
Fired Worker Sues Ecolab, Alleges Racial Bias Behind Safety Violations
Ecolab faces a federal race‑discrimination lawsuit filed by former production worker Jamaal Watts, who alleges he was terminated after three safety incidents that he contends were caused by the company's own operational lapses. The first incident in May 2023 resulted in...
Analyzing SEPs: Strategies To Avoid Or Prepare For Litigation
Standard‑essential patent (SEP) licensing and litigation remain a dominant legal focus, affecting companies that embed standardized technologies in their products. The article outlines proactive strategies—such as early licensing negotiations, rigorous SEP portfolio tracking, and leveraging FRAND commitments—to mitigate the risk...
Worker Sues Eaton, Claims Company Weaponized Drug Tests After Race Complaints
A federal lawsuit filed on April 2, 2026 alleges Eaton Corporation used drug testing in a racially discriminatory manner. Former employee Carsten James Gibba claims he was singled out for testing and terminated after reporting racial disparities in promotions and...
Maine Bans Credit Cards for Online Betting, Following Industry Trend
Maine last week became the latest state to pass a law banning credit cards to fund online sportsbook accounts. Many of the nation's leading sportsbooks no longer accept credit cards in any state.
Academy Mortgage's $38.5m Whistleblower Case Lands Back in Court
Academy Mortgage Corp. settled a whistleblower lawsuit for $38.5 million, with $27 million returned to the government and $11.5 million awarded to former underwriter Gwen Thrower. The settlement left attorney‑fee issues unresolved, leading to a district‑court award of $8.59 million that applied a 1.75...
Former AT&T Director Alleges Return-to-Office Mandate Drove Out Older Workers
A former AT&T director, Lorraine Lopez, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the company’s return‑to‑office mandate was used to push out older employees. Lopez, 58, with a top performance rating, says she was forced to relocate without reimbursement, labeled “surplus,”...
Ninth Circuit Shields Employer Arbitration Agreements From Mass Invalidation Tactic
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court ruling that had used non‑mutual offensive collateral estoppel to block hundreds of arbitration agreements at Aya Healthcare. The appellate panel held that the Federal Arbitration Act requires courts to enforce...
Homeowner Sues Freedom Mortgage over Bungled Post-Bankruptcy Credit Reporting
Freedom Mortgage Corporation and the three major credit bureaus have been sued in federal court over alleged mishandling of a homeowner’s mortgage tradelines after his Chapter 13 bankruptcy discharge. The plaintiff, Anthony Paschal, claims the servicer failed to strip bankruptcy references...
SEC Announces Enforcement Results for Fiscal Year 2025
The SEC announced its FY 2025 enforcement results, filing 456 actions that generated $17.9 billion in monetary relief, including $10.8 billion in disgorgement and $7.2 billion in civil penalties. The Commission emphasized a strategic shift toward fraud‑centric cases, individual accountability, and protecting retail investors,...
Roc Nation’s Insurance Company Says It Won’t Pay for CEO’s Legal Battle With Daughter
Roc Nation’s insurer, New York Marine and General, filed a lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend CEO Desiree Perez in her personal dispute with daughter Demoree Hadley. The insurer argues the claims fall outside...
Howard Stern and Wife Beth Are Sued by Former Assistant Over Claims They Created ‘Hostile Work Environment’ at $50 Million...
Howard Stern and his wife Beth are being sued by former assistant Leslie Kuhn, who alleges a hostile work environment after moving into their $50 million Hamptons mansion. Kuhn claims she faced immense pressure from the couple's extensive cat‑rescue operations and...
Google Loses Bid to Overturn Gender Discrimination and Retaliation Verdict
A federal court upheld a jury verdict that found Google liable for gender discrimination and retaliation against former technical director Ulku Rowe. The court affirmed liability but reduced the punitive damages from $1 million to $250,000, while granting Rowe attorneys’ fees....
New Washington Law Hits Employers with Strict I-9 Inspection Notice Rules
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed the Immigrant Worker Protection Act on March 30, 2026, mandating new I‑9 inspection notice and anti‑retaliation rules that take effect Oct. 1, 2026. Employers must inform each worker within five business days of a federal...
Parliament Passes New Statutory Licensing Exemptions for Foreign Financial Service Providers
On 1 April 2026 the Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025 passed both houses of the Australian Parliament. Schedule 2 of the Bill amends the Corporations Act 2001 to create three statutory licensing exemptions for...
Vertex Adds AI-Powered Capabilities to Improve Enterprises’ Compliance
Vertex announced a new phase of its innovation strategy, embedding AI directly into the Vertex Cloud platform to streamline enterprise compliance. The AI layer lets tax, finance and IT teams express intent in plain language, detect anomalies early, and maintain...
Judge Denies UBS Request in Dispute over Nazi-Looted Assets
A federal judge in Brooklyn rejected UBS's bid to obtain a court interpretation of the 1999 settlement that bars further claims over Holocaust‑victim assets. UBS sought clarification to pre‑empt potential lawsuits stemming from allegations that Credit Suisse concealed Nazi‑linked accounts...
Broker-Dealers Sue FINRA, Claim Enforcement Powers Violate the Constitution
Two broker‑dealer firms, Boustead and Sutter Securities, have sued FINRA in Delaware federal court, alleging the regulator’s in‑house enforcement powers violate the Constitution. The lawsuit stems from a January 2026 FINRA disciplinary action that the plaintiffs say caused immediate market...
Majority of Vendors Face Disruption Under FCC’s Foreign-Made Router Ban
The FCC’s new rule, adopted in March, bars authorization of any new Wi‑Fi router whose design, assembly, or manufacturing involves foreign facilities. A study by Ookla shows that four vendors—Eero, TP‑Link, Netgear and Arcadyan—each control roughly 9‑10% of the U.S....