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
The In-House Legal Team's Most Undervalued Compliance Tool Is Already in Your Inbox
In‑house legal teams are increasingly recognizing premium legal news as a low‑cost, high‑value compliance intelligence source. By treating enforcement actions, settlement agreements and agency speeches as structured risk signals, firms can anticipate regulator focus without investing in expensive technology. The article outlines a three‑step framework—curation, systematic review, and response protocol—to transform daily news consumption into an actionable compliance program. This approach promises to improve regulatory posture while delivering a clear return on investment through avoided penalties.
SEC Speaks 2026: What Public Companies and Investment Advisers Need to Know
The SEC’s 2026 conference underscored a return to traditional financial materiality, with Commissioners Uyeda and Peirce warning against overly broad ESG‑type disclosures. Chair Paul Atkins introduced the ACT (Advance, Clarify, Transform) framework to modernize rules, cut unnecessary filings, and streamline...
The Machine Isn’t the Interlocutor: EDiscovery Trends
The Sedona Conference Journal released a 20‑page critique of the U.S. v. Heppner decision, arguing that the court mistakenly treated a large‑language model as an independent interlocutor and thereby eroded attorney‑client privilege. The authors, Bridget McCormack and Shlomo Klapper, contend that AI...
Deere Settles Class Action Right-to-Repair Lawsuit
John Deere agreed to a $99 million settlement for a class‑action lawsuit alleging restrictive repair practices, and pledged a ten‑year commitment to supply farmers with the digital tools needed for equipment maintenance, diagnosis, and repair. The settlement covers eligible plaintiffs who...
Harvey Drives Legal Agent Learning Via ‘Harness Engineering’
Harvey conducted a small‑scale experiment using “harness engineering” combined with autoresearch to improve its legal AI agents. Across 12 benchmark tasks, the average success score jumped from 40.8% to 87.7%, with seven tasks surpassing 90% and one achieving 100% completion....
Whistleblower Overload - Part 2: Mitigation Through Clear Policies and Redirected Claims
Bowmans partners Luway Mongie and Graham Damant propose a two‑pronged approach to curb the surge of whistleblowing complaints in South African workplaces. First, they recommend drafting separate policies for protected disclosures, harassment, ordinary grievances, and ethics, rather than a single,...
Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Affirms Rejection of Insurer Subrogation Argument in Condo Dispute
The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court’s decision that a condominium unit owner must pay solicitor‑client costs despite claiming coverage under the condo corporation’s liability insurance. The appellate court found the owner was not an insured under the...
Why Black Colleagues Still Do Not Feel Safe Reporting Racial Discrimination at Work
Black professionals increasingly view corporate "speak‑up" programs as unsafe, citing retaliation, subtle career penalties, and a lack of race‑literate investigators. Research shows every participant experienced discrimination, yet most avoid internal channels until damage is severe. The article argues that compliance...
The New “School for Family Litigants”
The National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP) has launched a revamped “School for Family Litigants,” a hybrid online program that blends recorded lectures with live Q&A sessions. The pilot 12‑week course in 2022 attracted full enrollment and strong feedback, prompting a...
EU Inc.: Questions Remain, But a Step Forward for Europe
The European Commission has released its first proposal for EU Inc., a new EU‑wide limited‑liability company designed to cut red tape and speed up cross‑border business formation. The draft promises registration in as little as 48 hours for under €100 (about $108)...
Sportradar’s Antitrust Suit From Ex-Partner Faces Challenges
Altenar Technologies has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Sportradar, alleging Sherman Act violations for refusing to deal and leveraging exclusive multi‑year contracts with the NBA, NHL and MLB. The complaint claims Sportradar’s duopoly with rival Genius Sports over live...
Deere Reaches Settlement in Antitrust Class Action
John Deere agreed to a $99 million settlement to resolve a class‑action antitrust lawsuit alleging it monopolized farm equipment repairs. The deal requires Deere to offer owners, lessees and independent repair shops licensed access to diagnostic and repair tools on fair,...
FDA’s 2027 Budget Proposes Permanent Rare Disease Vouchers, Easier Entry to Clinic
President Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposes a $7.23 billion allocation for the FDA, a 3.2% increase over 2026, while the broader HHS budget shrinks by 12%. The agency plans to make the rare pediatric disease priority‑review voucher program permanent, averting an estimated...
CAB3 Passed: Broad Support and Clear Understanding
These are some of the SIMPLE things that folks like @mawarirej don’t get…. CAB3 has widespread support & many Zimbabweans actually understand what the Bill is all about… here is a very simplified explanation of what’s going on… CAB3 is...
Cravath Exits Mount as Sidley Hires Capital Markets Partner in New York
Sidley Austin has hired a senior capital markets partner from Cravath, Swaine & Moore to bolster its New York practice. The move comes as Cravath experiences a net loss of talent in its capital markets bench, marking a modest but...
LawNext Podcast: Learned Hand’s Shlomo Klapper on Why Courts Are the Next Frontier for Legal AI
In a LawNext podcast, Shlomo Klapper, founder and CEO of Learned Hand, argues that courts represent the next major frontier for legal AI. Drawing on his experience as a litigator and appellate clerk, Klapper describes a new "reasoning engine" that...
Do’s and Don’ts for Running a Successful Pitch Meeting
The article outlines practical dos and don’ts for law‑firm pitch meetings, emphasizing thorough preparation, tailored messaging, and interactive delivery. It advises firms to research the client’s structure, clarify expectations, and bring customized, concise materials that showcase unique value. During the...
Data Breach Exposes Jones Day Client Files After Ransomware Threat
Jones Day disclosed a data breach that exposed confidential client files after a ransomware threat forced the firm to shut down parts of its network. The intrusion, discovered in early April 2026, affected both internal documents and client communications, prompting...
Claims that a Bullet Test Cleared the Charlie Kirk Suspect Are Misleading
New court filings reveal the ATF could not definitively match the bullet recovered from Charlie Kirk’s autopsy to the rifle alleged to belong to suspect Tyler Robinson. The agency labeled the comparison "inconclusive," a result experts say is common when...
Small Business, Big Legal Risk: What You Don't Know About Your Regulatory Exposure Is Costing You More Than You Think
Small and mid‑size businesses face disproportionately high regulatory risk because they lack the compliance infrastructure of large corporations. The article outlines four high‑exposure domains—employment law, data privacy, consumer protection, and tax compliance—where enforcement actions can cripple firms. It then recommends...
Second Amendment Focus May Curb 3D Printing Freedoms
America's obsession with thinking about Second Amendment rights (while being unwilling to talk honestly about gun control) means you're possibly going to be unable to use 3D printers anymore without handing over data. Really. My latest for @FastCompany https://t.co/d5kwfQ49W7
Every Successful Entrepreneur Has a Legal Blind Spot. Find Yours Before It Finds You.
Many startups fail not because of product flaws but due to legal blind spots that founders overlook. The article outlines six common gaps—equity structure, IP assignment, employment classification, terms of service, securities compliance, and commercial contracts—that can trigger costly disputes...
Connecticut Businesses Sue For Tariff Refunds
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that most Trump‑era import tariffs were unlawful, leaving the Treasury without guidance on refunding collected duties. Over 2,000 businesses nationwide have sued the federal government for tariff refunds, including nine Connecticut firms...
Suffolk University Faces $125 M Real‑Estate Fight Over Boston’s Stahl Building
Suffolk University is locked in a courtroom showdown with the Stahl heirs and estate trustee Barry Brown over the ownership of the historic Stahl Building at 73 Tremont Street. The dispute centers on a $17 million cash gift versus full title to...
FCC Proposes Extending Ban on Chinese Networking Gear to All Products
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a proposal to expand its existing ban on Chinese networking gear, covering not only new models but also equipment previously authorized. The move targets Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Dahua, Hytera and other firms, prompting comments...
Legal Foresight Is Not a Trend — It Is the Next Great Practice Area
Legal foresight is emerging as a disciplined practice that predicts how law will evolve and advises businesses on proactive positioning. The article argues that this forward‑looking approach is shifting from academic theory to boardroom reality, with law firms and in‑house...
ISDA Taps Gentek AI for DRR Traceability Tool
The International Securities Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) has appointed Gentek AI to develop a traceability tool for Digital Regulatory Reporting (DRR). Gentek will adapt its existing attribution and retrieval engine to let users track the full history of DRR...
HPM Seeks a Junior to Mid-Level Associate With Healthcare Experience
Hyman, Phelps & McNamara (HPM), a leading boutique FDA regulatory law firm, announced a search for a junior‑to‑mid‑level associate with two to five years of healthcare compliance experience. The role will advise pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical‑device clients on antikickback statutes,...
Crypto-Backed Resort Scheme in Timor-Leste Sparks PropTech Scrutiny
A joint Guardian and OCCRP investigation uncovered an alleged crypto‑financed luxury resort project in Timor-Leste tied to the sanctioned Prince Holding Group. The probe found the site empty, raised questions about the project's legitimacy, and highlighted regulatory risks for blockchain‑enabled...
Gujarat High Court Bans AI in Judgments, Sets Strict Accountability Rules
The Gujarat High Court released a policy that bars the use of artificial intelligence in drafting judgments, reasoning, and orders, while allowing limited research assistance. The directive places personal liability on judges and court officers for any AI‑generated content and...
Medvi’s $401 M Revenue Surge Shadowed by Fake Doctor Ads Probe
Medvi, an AI‑powered telehealth startup, posted $401 million in revenue and $65 million profit last year and projects $1.8 billion in sales this year. The company now faces FTC and FDA scrutiny after investigations uncovered affiliate‑driven ads that feature non‑existent doctors and AI‑generated...
Microsoft to Revise Copilot Terms, Dropping ‘Entertainment‑Only’ Clause After Viral Backlash
Microsoft announced it will amend the Copilot Terms of Use to eliminate the legacy “entertainment purposes only” language after the clause went viral on social media. The change, slated for the next update, seeks to align the legal wording with...
Reactive Is Dead. The Legal Teams That Win in 2026 Are Already Three Moves Ahead.
Legal teams that wait for regulations to be finalized are incurring hidden costs such as delayed launches, higher counsel fees, and strategic paralysis. The blog argues that winning teams in 2026 have shifted from a reactive "ambulance" model to an...
Metro Cities Halt Flock Safety License‑Plate Readers Amid Privacy Outcry
Dunwoody, Georgia, and several other U.S. cities have voted to defer renewal or shut down Flock Safety’s automated license‑plate‑reader cameras after residents raised privacy and security concerns. The move puts roughly $860,000 of recent municipal spending under review and signals...
Timely Takes Podcast: Scott Kimpel on Tokenized Securities
The Timely Takes Podcast features Hunton partner Scott Kimpel discussing the rapidly evolving landscape of tokenized securities. He breaks down core concepts, contrasting issuer‑sponsored and third‑party tokenization, and illustrates how a simple stock trade functions on a blockchain. Kimpel highlights...
Walmart Pulls Thousands of Items From Online Marketplace After Safety Alerts
Walmart announced the recall of thousands of products sold through its online marketplace after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued safety alerts. The pull includes male‑to‑male extension cords, "Relaxing Baby" swim floats and 740,000 Granitestone sauté pans, underscoring the...
ADA Risk: Undoing a Working Accommodation After Years of Success
The EEOC has sued a major grocery retailer for firing a long‑term employee after a new manager revoked her proven ADA accommodation—a walker and sit‑down station—that had enabled her to work successfully for over three years. The employer allegedly refused...
Hong Kong Police Can Force You to Reveal Your Encryption Keys
Hong Kong police have gained the legal authority to compel individuals to disclose encryption keys for computers, phones, hard drives and other devices under a revised National Security Law framework. The power extends to anyone transiting the city’s airport, and...
Enforcement Targeting Weak Control Design – The GRC Fault Line
Regulators are intensifying scrutiny of governance, risk and compliance (GRC) frameworks, targeting weak control design rather than mere documentation. Recent enforcement actions include the FCA fining Dinosaur Merchant Bank for $3.05 billion of CFD trades that escaped automated surveillance, ASIC imposing...
Centerbase and Billables AI Give Midsize Law Firms Automated Time Capture and Actionable Practice Intelligence
Centerbase announced a native integration with NetDocuments' ndMAX AI, linking matter data directly to document intelligence for midsize law firms. The integration automatically extracts key contract details and writes them back into Centerbase, enabling real‑time reporting and workflow automation. It...
Fladgate Posts Double-Digit Revenue Rise to Pass £100m
Fladgate, a UK‑based law firm, reported double‑digit revenue growth, pushing total earnings past £100 million (approximately $127 million). The surge reflects strong demand for corporate and financial services across its London and regional offices. The firm highlighted a robust pipeline of M&A,...
To Lead in Tech, Congress May Need to Lead Less—And Rethink the FCC
Congress is debating a rewrite of the Communications Act, sparking debate over the future role of the Federal Communications Commission. Critics argue the FCC, created for monopoly telephone and broadcast spectrum oversight, is outdated in a fragmented digital economy where...
Everything Retailers Need to Know About the Launch of the Fair Work Agency
The UK Fair Work Agency launched on 7 April, consolidating enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, agency worker rules and gangmaster licensing under a single executive body. Retailers are urged to audit compliance with existing rights, especially holiday‑pay calculations and record‑keeping,...
Will I Make Partner at… Mayer Brown?
Law firm Mayer Brown’s partnership track remains a focal point for associates seeking senior status. Recent internal data shows the average timeline to partnership is eight years, with promotion heavily tied to billable hours and client origination. The firm has...
Nobody Knows How to File Taxes on Prediction Market Wins
Prediction‑market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket have surged, with Kalshi processing over $12 billion in monthly trade volume, yet the IRS has issued no clear guidance on how users should report winnings. Tax professionals are left to interpret existing rules...
Lucas Tells Fortune 500 to Avoid DEI Discrimination
On Feb. 26, 2026 EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas sent a letter to Fortune 500 CEOs urging their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to comply with civil‑rights statutes. The agency also sued Coca‑Cola Northeast for a women‑only networking event, deeming...
Open‑source Tool Simplifies SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR Compliance
Comp AI: The open-source way to get compliant with SOC 2, #ISO27001, #HIPAA and #GDPR https://t.co/mvwHwvS9mu https://t.co/q7t0s2qhc4
Comp AI: The Open-Source Way to Get Compliant with SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and GDPR
Comp AI launches an open‑source compliance platform that automates SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and GDPR readiness. The tool combines an AI‑driven policy editor, automated evidence collection, and a device‑agent that monitors encryption, antivirus, password and screen‑lock settings. Core code is released...
ISDA In Review – March 2026
In March 2026 ISDA released a suite of publications addressing key regulatory topics. A paper on April 2 argued that single‑sided reporting does not erode data integrity for supervisors, easing regulator concerns. The same day, ISDA, AFME and ICMA updated a...
Guernsey Regulator Warns over Fake Documents Linked to Advance Fee Fraud Scheme
The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has issued a warning after discovering counterfeit documents bearing its name being used in an advance‑fee fraud scheme. The scheme employs a fictitious law firm, Flaven Law Chambers, and a bogus bank, ApexKrest Bank,...