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
Motta, Convicted Kingpin of Staged Truck Accident Scam, Seeks New Trial
Vanessa Motta, the convicted mastermind behind Louisiana's staged‑truck‑accident fraud, has filed a motion for a new trial, alleging prosecutors broke pre‑trial promises by threatening to link her to the 2020 murder of informant Cornelius Garrison. Her attorneys claim the threat violated her Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and hampered her defense. The filing also highlights disputes with co‑defendant Giles’ counsel and procedural objections to jury instructions. Meanwhile, sentencing for other conspirators has been postponed to August, underscoring the case’s ongoing complexity.
Illinois AG Defends Card Fee Law
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul defended the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which bars merchants from passing interchange levies on sales tax and gratuities, before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The state argues the law does not conflict with the...
China Empowers State Council to Probe Foreign Supply‑chain Threats
Regulations of the State Council on the security of industrial and supply chains Article 15 If a foreign organization or individual violates normal market transaction principles, interrupts normal transactions with Chinese citizens or organizations, takes discriminatory measures against Chinese citizens or organizations,...
Michigan Court of Appeals Upholds Indirect Sales Tax Audit Method
The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the Department of Treasury’s right to conduct an indirect sales‑tax audit of Sav‑Time, Inc., after the retailer failed to itemize non‑taxable labor on its invoices. The court held that the taxpayer’s invoices did not...
Court of Appeals Weighs in on Vesttoo LOC Reinsurance Broker Responsibilities
The U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a district‑court dismissal, allowing Porch Group’s claim that reinsurance broker Gallagher Re failed to verify fraudulent letters of credit in Vesttoo transactions. The appellate panel held that Section 13 of the reinsurance intermediary‑authorization agreement likely...
Airport Operator Sued Over Alleged Unpaid Revenue
The city of Gastonia, North Carolina, has sued Academy of Aviation Gastonia, the fixed‑base operator of Gastonia Municipal Airport, alleging it failed to pay required fuel fees and a 3% share of flight‑school revenue, totaling over $25,000. The complaint says...
Inside View: Stewart Crane on Withers’ Technology Priorities and AI in Practice
In a recent Inside View interview, Stewart Crane, global IT director at Withers, outlined the firm’s technology agenda and its pragmatic AI rollout. Withers was an early adopter of Microsoft Copilot, deploying it firm‑wide to build internal AI expertise before...
PracticePanther Launches PantherAccounting Plus, a Native Trust and Operating Accounting Suite for Law Firms
PracticePanther, part of Paradigm, launched PantherAccounting Plus, a native trust and operating accounting suite fully integrated into its cloud‑based legal practice management platform. The module lets law firms manage client retainers, month‑end reconciliations and year‑end tax reporting without leaving the...
High Court Tackles Birthright Citizenship in Tense Oral Arguments
On April 1 the Supreme Court heard heated oral arguments on whether the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause extends to children born to undocumented immigrants. The justices grappled with the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” weighing originalist interpretations against modern...
Innovation Exemption, Reg Crypto on Track for Digital Asset Capital Raising
SEC Chair Paul Atkins reaffirmed plans to introduce a new “innovation exemption” and a dedicated “Reg Crypto” framework for digital‑asset fundraising. The proposals would create a time‑limited startup exemption allowing up to $5 million to be raised over four years, and...
VP Duterte Petition to Stop Impeachment 'a Clear Attempt to Mislead SC, Pinoys'--Ridon
Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team filed a 58‑page petition for certiorari and prohibition to nullify four impeachment complaints, arguing procedural violations. Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House Committee on Justice, called the filing a misleading attempt to...
Popeyes Dodges Lawsuit over Fingerprint Scans, but Court Leaves Door Open for Redo
A U.S. District Court in Illinois dismissed Popeyes’ liability in a biometric privacy lawsuit, finding the fast‑food chain did not control the franchisee’s fingerprint‑scanning policy. The employee alleged violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) after her thumbprint was...
Loved Public Defense, Yet Law School Left Me Traumatized
I knew I wanted to be a public defender EARLY. Well I actually wanted to be a judge but at some point I learned you had to be a lawyer first. So being a public defender was the obvious choice...
Legal Documentation in the UAE: Insights From the Best Lawyer Dr. Hassan Elhais
Dr. Hassan Elhais, a veteran UAE attorney, has built a reputation as the region’s premier specialist in legal documentation and corporate representation. Leveraging more than two decades of experience, he guides multinational firms through the UAE’s complex civil‑law framework, from...
A Guide to the ADA Title II Accessibility Rule
The DOJ’s ADA Title II rule requires all public‑sector digital content to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA by April 24 2026, with a one‑year extension to April 26 2027 for entities serving under 50,000 residents. The regulation covers websites, mobile apps, online courses, and virtual events, directly...
The Who, What, and Where of Gun Control
The Supreme Court’s recent Second Amendment jurisprudence is being parsed through three lenses—who may bear arms, what arms are protected, and where they may be carried. In United States v. Rahimi (2024) the Court affirmed that the government can temporarily...
Wall Street Watchdogs Pull Back Amid Trump’s Deregulatory Push
The Trump administration is accelerating a broad deregulation drive, reshaping U.S. financial oversight. The SEC’s workforce fell 18% since 2024 and it has dropped dozens of crypto enforcement actions, while the CFTC trimmed staff by 25% and is seeking greater...
Women in Northern Ireland Welcome Introduction of Miscarriage Leave
Northern Ireland has passed legislation granting statutory miscarriage leave, allowing employees up to five days of paid time off after a miscarriage. The measure aligns the region with England and Wales, which introduced similar provisions last year. Employers will treat...
France’s Ex-President Sarkozy Challenges Conviction over Alleged Libya Funding
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy maintained his innocence at a Paris appeal hearing, insisting no Libyan funds financed his 2007 campaign. He is challenging a September conviction for criminal conspiracy that linked his campaign to alleged payments from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime....
The EU AI Act Newsletter #99: Bridging the Atlantic
The European Parliament approved a simplification package for the EU AI Act, setting firm deadlines of 2 December 2027 for high‑risk AI systems and 2 August 2028 for sector‑specific safety rules, while giving providers until 2 November 2026 to meet watermarking requirements. The package also bans...
100% Bonus Depreciation Returns, Real‑Estate Investors Scramble Ahead of Tax Day
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently reinstates 100% bonus depreciation for qualified property placed in service after Jan. 19 2025, sparking an urgent push among real‑estate investors to complete cost‑segregation studies before the April 15 tax deadline. Experts warn that without...
Legora Hits $100 Million ARR, Accelerating Legal AI Adoption
Legora announced it has crossed $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) just 18 months after its platform’s general release, now serving more than 1,000 customers in 50 markets. The milestone, backed by a recent Series D round, highlights the surge in...
ADA Rule Targets Digital Barriers for Blind College Students After WVU Accessibility Lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice unveiled a final rule updating the Americans with Disabilities Act’s digital‑accessibility standards, set to become enforceable at the end of April. The rule follows complaints from blind graduate students at West Virginia University who say...
Robotaxi Firms Refuse Senate Request for Remote‑operator Intervention Data
Seven robotaxi firms—Aurora, May Mobility, Motional, Nuro, Tesla, Waymo and Zoox—have refused Sen. Ed Markey’s request for data on remote assistance operator (RAO) interventions. The denial intensifies a Senate‑led probe into safety oversight and data transparency for autonomous‑vehicle platforms.
Welcome to Cryptostan: Kyrgyzstan and the Emerging Crypto Corridor
In October 2025 Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, advised by Binance founder CZ, launched the national stablecoin KGST, recognized a digital som CBDC, and announced a state crypto reserve. Crypto transactions in Kyrgyzstan surged to an estimated $20‑32 billion in 2025, dwarfing...
Digible and Engrain Integrate All‑In Pricing Into Google Ads to Meet Fee‑Transparency Rules
Digible, a leading multifamily marketing agency, has teamed with Engrain, the interactive touring and data‑visualization platform, to feed structured pricing data into paid media. The integration lets advertisers display an “all‑in” price—including rent and mandatory fees—in Google Ads, addressing regulator‑driven...
Corporate Class Action Spending Projected to Hit $4.8 Billion as Nearly All Large Companies Face Regular Claims
Corporate legal spending on class‑action defense is projected to reach $4.8 billion in 2026, marking the 11th straight record year and a 5.9% rise from 2025. The Carlton Fields survey of over 300 Fortune‑1000 executives shows 91.7% of large firms now...
Colorado's New Speed Cameras Can't Be Outsmarted by Waze
Colorado has activated an automated speed‑camera system on a five‑mile stretch of I‑25 south of Fort Collins, using paired cameras to calculate average speed rather than a single radar snapshot. The program, part of CDOT’s Speed Enforcement initiative, began enforcement on...
Cottage Season and Occupiers’ Liability: Familiar Principles in a Riskier Setting
As spring ushers in cottage season across Ontario, the Occupiers’ Liability Act continues to govern premises liability for seasonal homes just as it does for urban properties. Lawyers warn that increased foot traffic, alcohol consumption, and recreational activities raise the...
Bankruptcy and Restructuring Company Stretto Launches New Research Platform
Stretto, a specialist bankruptcy and restructuring firm, announced the launch of its Research Suite, a new platform designed to surface and compare bankruptcy documents across jurisdictions. The service aggregates court filings, DIP financing agreements, and plan documents, providing a searchable...
China Issues New E-Commerce Guidelines Following Pressure From the EU
China released new e‑commerce guidelines a week after an EU delegation raised concerns in Beijing about counterfeit and unsafe goods flowing to Europe. The rules, crafted with multiple agencies, aim to align Chinese cross‑border platforms with international safety standards and...
Two Amicus Briefs Weigh in for UMG in Its Battle with Drake
Universal Music Group (UMG) has secured two amicus briefs supporting its defense in Drake’s defamation lawsuit over the 2025 single “Not Like Us.” The Floyd Abrams Institute for Freedom of Expression at Yale Law School and a coalition of social...
Eversource, Avangrid Ask FERC to Stay $1.5B Refund Decision
FERC’s March 18 order cut the base return on equity for New England transmission owners, triggering a $1.5 billion refund obligation dating back to 2011. Eversource, Avangrid and other utilities argue the retroactive payments would damage liquidity, credit ratings and increase...
Postal Service Can Proceed with 8% Parcel Surcharge, Regulator Says
The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the U.S. Postal Service’s request to impose an 8% temporary surcharge on parcel transportation, effective April 26 through Jan. 17, 2007. The surcharge is designed to offset rising fuel costs—up 38% in five weeks—and other...
9 Reads that Could Save You From a Legal Crisis You Don't See Coming This Year
Law + Koffee’s latest roundup spotlights nine actionable briefs that map hidden legal risks threatening businesses in 2026. It shows how predictive analytics, a four‑layer risk framework, and regulatory monitoring can shift legal teams from reactive fire‑fighting to proactive foresight....
Benjamin Means: The Principles of Family Business Law and Governance
In this episode, Professor Benjamin Means discusses the unique governance challenges of family‑owned businesses, highlighting how traditional corporate law often overlooks family dynamics. He explains key concepts such as shareholder oppression, the three‑circle model that maps family, ownership, and management...
Winckworth Sherwood Promotes Two New Partners
Winckworth Sherwood has elevated Charlotte Coleman and Qaisar Sheikh to partnership, bolstering its property litigation and education practices. Coleman brings deep experience in high‑value residential development disputes, while Sheikh adds 15 years of expertise in education, public and discrimination law, especially...
Persistence Pays: Olson Wins After Multiple Court Defeats
Ted Olson lost 7x in NJ federal courts and CA3 (twice), got rehearing and lost again (a third L), had cert denied the first time, and ultimately prevailed. That one was a much longer shot. Strong dissent from Roth, but...
24‑Hour Threat to Pull Report on Oxford
We’ve just been given 24 hours to take down our report on a dodgy Oxford accounting firm. Here’s the correspondence. On the Richter scale of legal threats, it’s somewhere between cornflakes and a kitten: https://t.co/ftbhNlq9Vq
SDNY Gives Preliminary Approval to $72.5M Bank of America Epstein Settlement
A Manhattan federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $72.5 million settlement that resolves claims from up to 75 women alleging Bank of America facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s sex‑trafficking. The case centers on accusations that the bank ignored red flags and continued...
Kwong Decision Opens Refund Claims for Penalties, Interest
“…the Kwong decision suggests that taxpayers should reevaluate penalties and interest previously paid and consider filing refund claims targeting those amounts, even when the underlying tax liability itself is not in dispute.” Kwong Opens New Path for COVID-19 Refunds https://t.co/6OGToPBe1j...
China Tightens Offshore Scrutiny, Dampening Tech Biotech IPOs
Stricter Chinese scrutiny of offshore vehicles a blow for tech and biotech IPO candidates Mainland’s stock market watchdog is discouraging establishment of ‘red-chip-structured’ companies in sensitive industries https://t.co/Pj3ZJqdAAm
TRAI Pulls Up Reliance Jio Over Tariff Practices, Sets April 14 Deadline for Compliance: Reports
India’s telecom regulator TRAI has ordered Reliance Jio to stop certain tariff practices deemed non‑transparent and discriminatory, giving the operator until April 14 to comply. The directives require Jio to publish all special tariff vouchers—Rs 249 (≈$3), Rs 199 (≈$2.4), and Rs 209 (≈$2.5)—across...
Family Offices Shift to Fractional Talent, Cutting Costs
Bill Ackman replaced his $1M family office legal counsel with a fractional alternative This signals a wider trend in the family office world Families are embracing a hybrid / virtual models Fractional talent Small central teams Lean costs
Rome Court Orders Netflix to Refund Illegal Price Hikes
A Rome court has ruled that Netflix's price increases in Italy between 2017-2024 were illegal and that it must refund customers and roll back its price adjustments. Customers on the Premium plan continuously from 2017 are entitled to €500 in...
Trump's Birthright Citizenship Case, Explained
The Supreme Court heard Trump v. Barbara, a challenge to President Trump’s executive order that would narrow birthright citizenship to children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The case, consolidated from lawsuits by 22 states, featured an unprecedented appearance...
Facebook's $6B Settlement Reveals Deep Privacy Cover‑up
All eyes have been on Facebook's child harm jury trials but DC attorney general office back in trial court at 9:30am in privacy/data case derailed for yrs while FB settled related matters for $6B+ growing. Many highly sensitive aspects of...
Two Trump Moves Last Week Could Kill Off Future Accountability for His Deeds | Jan-Werner Müller
The Justice Department released a 52‑page opinion declaring the 1978 Presidential Records Act unconstitutional, a move authored by T. Elliot Gaiser, a jurist linked to election‑denial efforts. Simultaneously, Trump promoted an AI‑generated rendering of a Miami waterfront skyscraper billed as...
Sidley Austin Adds Cravath VC Co-Head in New York
Sidley Austin announced the addition of Scott Bennett, former co‑head of Cravath’s venture capital, growth equity and digital assets practices, as head of its technology capital markets group and partner in its capital markets practice. Bennett brings extensive experience advising...
How ‘GLP-1 Friendly’ Claims Are Regulated in the UK and EU
Weight‑loss drugs targeting the GLP‑1 pathway are reshaping consumer demand for smaller, nutrient‑dense portions, prompting food manufacturers to explore “GLP‑1 friendly” labeling. In the EU, such phrasing is classified as a health claim and, without an approved application, is unlikely...