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
The War Against Fraud Should Be a War for Tech Modernization
The White House issued an executive order creating a new anti‑fraud task force to oversee state and county public‑benefits programs. While fraud exists, the article argues that most improper payments—up to $30 billion in Medicaid alone—stem from outdated legacy systems and poor data sharing. The task force is urged to prioritize technology modernization, flexible county‑level solutions, and integrated eligibility platforms. Significant federal, state, and local investment will be required, but the potential savings far outweigh the costs.
U.S. Supreme Court Won't Hear Oklahoma Tribal Citizen Taxation Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a petition from Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen Alicia Stroble, who argued that Oklahoma cannot tax tribal members living on reservation land. The case stemmed from the 2020 McGirt decision, which affirmed that roughly...
Today’s Podcast Episode: Debt Sales 101 Mini-Series — Episode 2: What Can Be Sold? Understanding Eligible Debt and Portfolio Composition
Episode 2 of Ballard CFS Group’s Debt Sales 101 podcast shifts focus from why debt is sold to what can be sold, detailing eligible consumer and small‑business receivables, specialty accounts, and high‑risk categories such as fraud or deceased estates. The discussion highlights...
Do You Have Questions About a No-Bid Federal Contract? Tell Us Here.
The New York Times is gathering information on no‑bid federal contracts awarded during the Trump administration. Recent reporting revealed that a firm that organized the Jan. 6 rally received sole‑source event‑planning contracts without competition. A similar pattern emerged in the Department...
DOL Proposes 'Safe Harbors' For Fiduciaries Sailing Into 'Alts' In 401(k) Plans, but Morningstar Says It May Not Be Safe...
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule creating six “safe harbors” that would shield 401(k) fiduciaries who add alternative assets such as private equity, real estate, commodities, and digital assets to retirement plans. The framework aims to...
Supreme Court Denies Bannon's Cert, No Dismissal
NO! THE SUPREME COURT DID *NOT* JUST RULE THAT STEVE BANNON'S INDICTMENT FOR CONTEMPT IS DISMISSED. HERE'S WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED Today the Supreme Court issued several orders regarding "writs of certiorari" or, as we in the legal biz call them "writs...
Shoe Retailer Minelli Is Back in Receivership
French shoe retailer Minelli, founded in 1973, has been placed into receivership after a safeguard period was converted by the Paris Economic Activities Court in March 2026. The company posted a €3.7 million loss (about $4 million) for the 2024‑25 fiscal year,...
How Parents Won: The Case That Changed Social Media Liability
A New Mexico jury held major social‑media platforms liable for harm to children after a landmark case uncovered millions of internal documents and first‑hand accounts of youth distress. The discovery phase broke the usual pattern of early dismissals, providing concrete evidence...
Court Allows Steve Bannon to Move Forward on Dismissal of Criminal Charges Against Him
The U.S. Supreme Court on April 2 sent Steve Bannon's contempt‑of‑Congress case back to the lower court after the Justice Department filed a motion to dismiss his indictment. The Court also agreed to review a veterans‑benefits jurisdiction case and remanded...
4chan Won’t Play by UK Age Check Rules, Raising Question About Enforcement Potency
4chan has publicly refused to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act age‑verification rules, arguing that US law shields it from British regulation. Ofcom responded by levying fines of £450,000 (≈$596,000) for lacking age checks and an additional £70,000 (≈$92,000)...
From Content Creation to the Courtroom: Influencer Liability for Promoting Counterfeit Goods
Nike won an $11 million jury verdict against influencer Nicholas Tuinenburg for willful counterfeiting and trademark infringement, marking a pivotal court decision in March 2026. The Central District of California held the creator of “Divide The Youth” liable for promoting counterfeit Nike...
Charlemont Residents Push for 1,500‑Foot Setbacks on New Cell Towers and Small Cells
Charlemont town officials will vote on citizen‑driven bylaws that would ban new cell towers within 1,500 feet of residences and impose strict spacing for small‑cell sites. The proposal, led by resident Jonathan Mirin, reflects local concerns over health, property values, and...
AI Supercharges FISA 702 Renewal, Raising Enterprise Surveillance Risks
The pending renewal of FISA Section 702, set to expire on April 20, is now being framed as an AI‑enabled surveillance tool. Experts warn that machine‑learning can accelerate mass‑data searches, heightening compliance burdens for corporations that handle foreign communications.
Hawaii Senate Committee Halts Lava‑Zone Insurance Fund, Calls for Study
Hawaii’s Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted unanimously to amend House Bill 20, stripping its subsidy language and directing a legislative study of the proposal. The move stalls a plan to create a fund that would offset property‑insurance...
SEC Lawsuit Over Musk's 2022 Twitter Takeover Heads to Trial
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Elon Musk have abandoned settlement talks and are preparing for a courtroom battle over Musk’s 2022 Twitter acquisition. The agency alleges Musk hid a 5% stake, costing shareholders more than $150 million, while Musk...
RFK Jr. Gains Expanded Authority Over ACIP Vaccine Committee in New Federal Charter
The Federal Register released a revised charter for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Monday, granting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expanded authority over the panel. The change eliminates prior expertise requirements, prompting lawsuits, a federal judge’s pause, and...
Court Largely Grants Class Certification, But Narrows Walker Process Claims over Biologic Drug Stelara on Summary Judgment
The Eastern District of Virginia granted class certification for CareFirst’s Sherman Act claims against Johnson & Johnson, covering roughly 90‑95% of third‑party payers affected by Stelara. The court denied both parties’ motions for summary judgment on market power, leaving factual...
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 lacked direct control over a franchisee’s fingerprint‑time‑clock system. The plaintiff, an employee of an Illinois Popeyes franchise, alleged violations of the Biometric...
New IFS Report on State AI Laws
In March 2026 the White House unveiled an AI policy framework that seeks broad federal preemption of state regulations, branding the existing landscape as a dangerous "patchwork" of roughly 1,200 bills. The Institute for Freedom and Society (IFS) report counters...
When Rules Meet Reality: How Recent BIR Issuances Are Reshaping Tax Audit Administration
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue issued Revenue Memorandum Order 6‑2026 and Revenue Memorandum Circular 14‑2026 to clarify and operationalize the Single‑Instance Audit Framework. The circular confirms that replacement letters of authority do not create new audit powers or expand the audit...
Massachusetts House to Vote on Under 14 Social Media Ban
The Massachusetts House will vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban social media for children 14 and under without parental consent and require age verification. The bill also mandates parental consent for 15‑year‑olds, allows unrestricted use after 16, and imposes...
JPMorgan’s Dimon Bemoans Parts of Basel, G-SIB Proposals
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon criticized the latest Basel III and G‑SIB capital proposals, calling parts of them "nonsensical" and arguing they would unfairly penalize the bank’s success. He noted the revised G‑SIB surcharge would fall to about 5%, still requiring JPMorgan...
$55K Sanctions Related in Part to AI-Hallucination-Filled Court Filings
U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer sanctioned Alabama attorney Franklin Eaton for filing pleadings riddled with fabricated citations and false legal statements, ordering a $55,597 fee award to the defense. The court detailed a pattern of incompetence, including missed jury demands,...
Concerns over Beetroot Red, Spirulina Safety Halt Food Color Progress
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indefinitely delayed the effective dates for both beetroot red and spirulina food‑color approvals after receiving formal objections. Beetroot red, produced via a genetically‑engineered yeast fermentation process, was challenged for lacking an acceptable daily...
Trump Administration Effort to Rewrite Federal Housing Grant Criteria Hits Setbacks
A Rhode Island federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally altered the criteria for the $75 million Continuum of Care (CoC) permanent supportive housing grants, violating the Administrative Procedure Act. The decision was upheld by the First Circuit Court of...
New Senate Bill Targets Roadside Worker Safety Nationwide
The bipartisan Safe Roads for Those Who Serve Act was introduced in the Senate to curb the growing toll of work‑zone fatalities and injuries. The bill would compel every state to improve data collection on highway‑worker incidents and to draft...
Zoning Rules Flood US Cities, Stifling Unique Design
Nearly every US city and town has hundreds of pages of zoning codes and regulation to make sure no place today ever looks like this.
DOJ’s Bleak Future and Modest Paths for Reform
The post argues that Pam Bondi’s firing does not signal a limit to President Trump’s control of the Justice Department; instead, it underscores his willingness to demand more from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Under Trump, the DOJ has been...
Wisconsinites Can Keep Watching Porn After Governor Vetoes Age Verification Bill
Governor Tony Evers vetoed Wisconsin Assembly Bill 105, which would have required age verification for porn and other adult‑content sites. The governor cited privacy intrusion, data‑security risks, and First Amendment concerns. The veto leaves Wisconsin among the few states without...
FDIC Finds TILA Non-Compliance Top Issue in 2025
The FDIC’s 2025 Bank Examination Report identified Truth‑in‑Lending Act (TILA) non‑compliance as the most prevalent regulatory breach among U.S. banks. Roughly 28 % of surveyed institutions received TILA citations, translating to an estimated $1.2 billion in consumer‑harm costs. The agency warned that...
Judge To Toss Rovirosa Conviction
A federal judge in Southern District of Texas announced he will grant Ramon Alexandro Rovirosa Martinez's motions to dismiss and acquit, effectively overturning his December 2025 conviction linked to an alleged Mexican bribery scheme. The defense argued that the government...
Antifa Doesn't Exist
Eight defendants in a Texas federal case face up to 55 years in prison after a July 4, 2025 shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center. Two individuals fired weapons, while six were convicted mainly for wearing black, throwing fireworks, and espousing anti‑fascist...
A Cure Worse Than the Scroll
The App Store Accountability Act (ASAA) has cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee and now heads to the full House. It would force Apple’s App Store and Google Play to verify every user’s age and block minors without parental...
Prof. Goldstein on Cox V. Sony (Excerpt From His Treatise)
The U.S. Supreme Court in Cox v. Sony held that an ISP is not contributorily liable for subscriber infringement merely by providing a service with knowledge of potential misuse. Justice Thomas clarified that liability requires intent—either direct inducement or a...
4 Wash. Sheriffs Sue Governor Who Signed Law Giving Oversight Board Power to Remove Sheriffs
Four Washington sheriffs have filed a lawsuit against Governor Bob Ferguson, challenging a newly‑signed law that empowers the state Criminal Justice Training Commission to remove elected sheriffs based on certification standards. The legislation requires five years of law‑enforcement experience, a...
Malaysia: Daim’s Daughter to Be Charged in Kuala Lumpur Court Amid Corruption Probe
Asnida Daim, daughter of late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, will be charged in Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for failing to comply with a Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission (MACC) notice to declare assets. The charge, under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009,...
Pet Health Company’s Ex-COO Faces Fresh Insider Trading Charge: Trial Balance
Former PetIQ president and COO Michael Smith, who pleaded guilty to securities fraud last November, now faces a fresh SEC insider‑trading charge tied to the company’s 2024 sale to Bansk Group. The regulator alleges Smith traded on confidential acquisition information,...
Nearly 400 DC Trips Show Deep Regulatory Engagement
"Importantly, our travels have included 396 trips to Washington, D.C., over the last decade, visiting regulators, administration officials and members of Congress approximately 300 times — providing insights, research, data and, where necessary, a countervailing view, testifying and receiving input,...
Help Identify No‑Bid Federal Contracts
YOUR HELP NEEDED: Do you know of a no-bid federal contract we ought to be examining? Tell us here. https://t.co/U6QsMlokMu
Changes to LMIA Focus on Youth Hiring, Job Postings
Effective April 1, 2026, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program will require employers filing a Labour Market Impact Assessment for low‑wage roles to post the vacancy for at least eight consecutive weeks and to demonstrate concrete youth‑targeted recruitment. The government also maintains sector‑specific...
All‑Trump Ninth Circuit Panel Set for Crypto Market Appeal
The 3-judge panel has been selected for the Ninth Circuit oral argument on April 16th in the prediction markets appeals involving Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto. The 3 judges--Ryan D. Nelson, Bridget S. Bade, and Kenneth Lee--are all Trump appointees. Ideal...
Patent Troll Files 90+ Suits over Airline Call‑center Software
Patent Troll Targets Airline Call Center Software In New Suit — 90+ Filings In 3 Years - View from the Wing https://t.co/rsHX1zILfc
What Really Happens on the Emergency Docket
The article uncovers Justice John Paul Stevens’ archival memos that reveal the hidden deliberations behind Supreme Court emergency‑docket orders, using the 2005 *Wisconsin v. Moeck* stay as a case study. While the public order appeared unanimous, internal paperwork shows a 5‑4 split,...
NCAA's New Eligibility Rules Likely Spark Antitrust Lawsuits
The NCAA is considering new eligibility rules that would impact pre-college players and pro draft participation. Expect antitrust litigation should those rules go into effect. I look at potential legal fallout in my weekly @Sportico sports law column: https://t.co/kXWgyni3L7.
Kalshi Scores Partial Victory, Faces Possible En Banc Review
Big win for Kalshi at the Third Circuit, but split decision means possible rehearing en banc.
TRAI Moves to Regulate Free Streaming TV Apps
India’s telecom regulator TRAI has issued a consultation paper to create a formal framework for application‑based linear TV (ALTD) services, commonly known as FAST (free ad‑supported streaming TV). The paper, prompted by a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting request, focuses...
FCC Proposes Ban on Pre‑2024 Chinese Tech
ICYMI: @FCC on Friday proposed barring Chinese tech on the Covered List added in 2024 or earlier https://t.co/SObMOT0jXm
HBO Max's ER Recommendation May Hurt Crichton Lawsuit
every time i finish an episode of The Pitt and HBO Max suggests that i watch ER next, i think "that can't be good for them in the Crichton lawsuit"
NY-Based RIA A.G. Moran Charged in Alleged $138M Fraud Targeting Elderly Clients
A.G. Morgan Financial Advisors and its CEO Vincent J. Camarda were charged by the SEC for raising at least $138 million from 431 investors, many retirees, through private‑equity promissory notes. The funds were funneled into a single mining company and Camarda’s...
Kalshi's NJ Appeal Win Keeps Prediction Markets Alive
Kalshi had a big win in NJ appellate court; all this court stuff matters in the near term for whether prediction markets can keep operating until big inevitable Supreme Court showdown https://t.co/zh8IUYM5W8