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
Inventorship Errors Can Undermine Patent Value: Practical Steps to Reduce Risk
A Federal Circuit ruling in Fortress Iron, LP v. Digger Specialties invalidated two patents after a co‑inventor was omitted, demonstrating that inventorship errors can destroy patent enforceability. The court held that Section 256 cannot correct the defect when the omitted inventor cannot be located for notice. The decision underscores the heightened risk in collaborative development environments where suppliers, contractors, or overseas partners contribute technical ideas. Companies are urged to adopt systematic, documented inventorship processes from project inception through issuance to safeguard patent value.
Supreme Court Intervention Clears Uttarakhand Man’s Negative CIBIL Score
The Supreme Court intervened in a five‑year dispute to clear a Uttarakhand businessman’s negative CIBIL credit score that persisted despite having no loans or defaults. The petitioner, Rajendra Singh Panwar, argued that shared PAN numbers caused other individuals’ defaults to be mistakenly...
When Trusted Advisor Turns Risk: Seeking Guidance
I am reaching out to the @X community for advice with the likely risk of sharing TMI. I have been sufficiently upset about the whole matter that I have lost sleep thinking about it and I am hoping that this...
Pilot Flew A Jet With A Taped-On Tail Number — Then Ignored An FAA Warning And Lost His License For...
A private pilot flew a Cessna Citation 550 with a taped‑on tail number after the FAA warned the aircraft was displaying the wrong registration and lacked a matching airworthiness certificate. The pilot ignored the condition notice and returned to Texas, prompting...
Use Practical Law Templates for Lawyer-Approved Contracts
Want a contract drafting secret? Use the SEC public agreements as a starting point. Or get a subscription to practical law. Thats where the real templates live. If you use a template from practical law, your lawyer will be impressed. Because...
Are Employers Using Your Data To Figure Out the Lowest Salary You'll Accept?
MarketWatch highlights a growing practice called “surveillance wages,” where employers use personal data—such as payday‑loan history, credit‑card balances, and social‑media activity—to infer the lowest salary a candidate will accept. An audit of 500 AI‑driven labor‑management firms found that vendors serving...
Fifth Lawsuit Challenges Trump's Nationwide Mail‑in Voting Restrictions
NEW: A group of voting rights organizations has filed the fifth lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive order seeking to control mail-in voting procedures. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/voting-rights-groups-file-fifth-lawsuit-against-trumps-sweeping-anti-voting-order/
Federal Agencies Ramp Up AI Enforcement Amid Policy Gridlock
AI Enforcement Accelerates as Federal Policy Stalls and States Step In Federal agencies are relying on existing authorities to regulate AI-related conduct: FTC: Section 5 of the FTC Act remains a primary enforcement vehicle for allegedly unfair or deceptive AI practices SEC:...
Deadline Set for Comments on FCC’s Lifeline Reform
The FCC has set a May 4 deadline for initial comments on a Lifeline reform proposal aimed at curbing fraud, tightening eligibility, and improving oversight. The move follows an inspector‑general report that uncovered roughly $5 million in benefits paid to about 117,000...
Lawsuit Claims Perplexity’s ‘Incognito’ Sold Chats for Ads
Perplexity’s “Incognito Mode” is a “sham,” -lawsuit says Google, Meta, and Perplexity accused of sharing millions of chats to increase ad revenue. https://t.co/vxnnXugoR4
Key Takeaways on Upcoming Federal AI Regulations
Emerging Federal AI Policy: What to Know and How to Prepare | JD Supra https://t.co/vlCQXK7HGf #AIGovernance https://t.co/XQ16MHItI8
EPA Considers Rolling Back Clean‑Air Rules for Plastic‑Waste Recycling Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency is weighing a rollback of Clean Air Act regulations that govern advanced recycling of plastic waste through pyrolysis. The move, embedded in a wood‑incineration rule, pits chemical industry lobbyists against environmental advocates and could reshape emissions...
States' Legal Missteps Preserve Sports‑Event Contracts, Ignoring NV Lessons
If the States had retained outside counsel and/or filed suit first in state court rather than sending C&D letters to Kalshi, there likely would not be any sports-event contracts today. The lessons of NV & NJ have not been heeded...
Kalshi's Federal Shift Stalls Washington AG's Enforcement
It's been 8 days since Kalshi removed the Washington AG's civil enforcement action to federal court, and the AG's Office still has not filed a motion to remand it back to state court. Lack of outside counsel not exactly helping...
CFTC Cracks Down on Prediction Markets Over Insider‑Trading Risks
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced intensified enforcement against prediction‑market platforms, warning that insider‑trading violations could trigger criminal prosecution. The move reflects growing regulator concern over a fast‑expanding class of event‑based derivatives.
Who Legally Owns the AI Worker?
Who Owns The #AI Worker? The Legal Question Nobody Is Asking Yet by @beygelman @Forbes Learn more: https://t.co/yllWHQvknd #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML https://t.co/wIOTjHvlGj
Thousands of Lawsuits Expose Decade‑
This is good by Favreau. There are thousands of active lawsuits for cover-ups, data leakage, fraud and deceptive metrics, antitrust, child harms all happening concurrently going back nearly a decade. Possibly SEC, too. I’ve tracked almost all of them. https://t.co/gYc19CR4C8
Los Angeles Jury Holds Meta and Google Liable, Signaling New Era of Digital Platform Accountability
A Los Angeles jury on March 25 assigned 70% liability to Meta and 30% to Google for a young woman's alleged addiction to Instagram and YouTube, awarding $3 million in compensatory and $3 million in punitive damages. The ruling, which sidestepped Section 230 protections...
The Breach Lasted 25 Minutes. How Long Will the Litigation Last?
On February 17, 2026, Auger & Auger suffered a 25‑minute unauthorized intrusion that exposed personal data of 5,102 individuals, including Social Security numbers and medical information. The firm notified affected parties on March 30 and provided a year of complimentary identity‑protection services. Within...
March Madness Isn't so 'Nonprofit'
The NCAA’s athletic departments, long classified as 501(c)(3) tax‑exempt nonprofits, are facing renewed scrutiny as college sports generate billions in revenue. CBS and Turner now pay roughly $1.1 billion annually for March Madness rights, while high‑profile NIL deals—such as a reported...
Debian Is Figuring Out How Age Verification Laws Will Impact It
Debian is evaluating how emerging age‑verification statutes, such as California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) slated for 2027 and a similar law already in force in Brazil, could affect its operating system and package management. Project Leader Andreas Tille noted...
Bitcoin Hyper , BlockDAG Questioned as Coinbase Custody Win Boosts Pepeto Past $8M
Coinbase received conditional OCC approval to operate a federally chartered crypto trust, signaling growing regulatory acceptance for institutional custody. Meanwhile, miners including Riot Platforms sold roughly 3,778 BTC—about $113 million—to finance AI data‑center expansion. In the presale arena, Pepeto has attracted over...
New Tax Laws Spark Scams: IRS Issues Warning
New tax laws often bring new opportunities—but also new scams. The IRS is warning taxpayers about schemes tied to recent tax changes. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here’s what to watch for: https://t.co/lu0sdLMc4V
FDA Initiates Review of New Dietary Ingredients and Precision‑Fermented Supplements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a formal review of novel dietary ingredients, including precision‑fermented supplements. The move aims to clarify safety standards and labeling rules for products that have surged in popularity. Industry leaders say the review could...
Lawyers Face Record $109,700 Sanction as AI‑Generated Brief Errors Surge
U.S. courts have levied more than 1,200 sanctions for AI‑generated filing errors, with a federal judge ordering a lawyer in Oregon to pay $109,700—the largest penalty to date. The trend underscores growing regulatory pressure on attorneys using generative AI tools.
Utilities Lock in $30 Billion Power Deals as AI Data Centers Surge
Xcel Energy filed a 15‑year tariff for data centers using over 50 MW, and Entergy Louisiana sealed a $27 billion agreement with Meta to add 5.2 GW of gas‑fired generation and 2.5 GW of solar for the Hyperion AI hub. The moves underscore escalating...
22 States and D.C. Sue to Block Trump's Mail‑In Voting Executive Order
A coalition of attorneys general from 22 states, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro filed a federal lawsuit in Boston to block President Donald Trump's new executive order that tightens mail‑in voting rules. The plaintiffs argue the...
Trump Administration Proposes Cutting CFPB Workforce by Two‑Thirds
The Trump administration has filed a new plan to slash the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s staff from 1,700 authorized positions to roughly 550, a two‑thirds reduction. The proposal, outlined in a court filing, faces fierce resistance from the agency’s employee...
NFL May Ban Prediction Markets Amid Legal Tests
Laws around who can participate in prediction markets are being tested, but @_Ryne_Miller says the NFL could call it 🏈 What do you think? 👇 https://t.co/QefdYUnb8I
ROSEN, A LONGSTANDING LAW FIRM, Encourages Trip.com Group Limited Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action...
Rosen Law Firm is urging anyone who bought Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ: TCOM) securities between April 30 2024 and January 13 2026 to secure legal representation before the May 11 2026 deadline to file as lead plaintiff in its securities class action. The lawsuit alleges Trip.com...
Westlaw's AI Hallucinations Undermine Legal Citation Credibility
“Really bad look for Westlaw, the top brand in the legal space, to be hallucinating legal citations within an accurately cited case.”
What Is EB-1A Final Merits? (What Applicants Miss)
The blog clarifies that EB‑1A final merits focus on the quality and impact of achievements rather than sheer volume of activities or references. Applicants often overlook that USCIS evaluates sustained national or international acclaim and future contribution potential. The piece...
'Not Ready for Prime Time': Judge Rebukes Federal Prosecutors in ICE Protest Cases
Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have faced a series of setbacks in immigration‑enforcement protest cases, including the dismissal of the Escobar‑Gutierrez indictment after a judge rebuked late evidence disclosure. A second defendant, Luis Hipolito, was acquitted of assaulting a federal...
Two Days in the Office a Month? L.A. City Attorney Candidates Tussle over Telework
Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto enforces a three‑day‑in‑office rule for most staff attorneys, while challenger Marissa Roy argues for a two‑days‑per‑month schedule modeled on the state attorney general’s office. The dispute has split the city attorneys union, which filed an...
Users Demand Westlaw’s Data Be Factual, Not Fabricated
“Users have every right to expect that a Westlaw product isn’t spewing made up garbage.” 👀
Gig Work Is Flexible, Taxes Are Complicated
Gig work is flexible. Gig taxes? Not so much. No 1099 doesn’t mean no reporting—and some new deductions sound great… until you realize there are rules attached. It’s one of those “simple until it’s not” situations. Here’s what to know: https://t.co/BXKJJZUpEQ
Massachusetts Residents Battle 4 Million‑Cubic‑Yard Sand Mining Expansion
Homeowners in Cranberry Village are confronting A.D. Makepeace’s plan to extract roughly 4 million cubic yards of sand over five years, arguing the operation creates chronic noise and airborne sand. State legislators have moved a bill to pause new sand‑excavation permits...
California Extends Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Operations to 2045, Securing 8.5% of State Power
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a 20‑year license extension for PG&E’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, allowing it to operate until 2045. The move preserves roughly 2,200 MW—about 8.5% of California’s electricity—while the state legislature still must ratify the extension.
Trump Plan Lowers SEC Exam Funding, Pitches CFTC Fee Offsets
President Trump's FY2027 budget proposal trims the SEC’s examination budget while modestly increasing enforcement funding. The examination allocation drops by $3 million, bringing the total SEC budget to $2.08 billion, down from $2.2 billion spent last year. Enforcement spending is projected to rise...
Tata Steel Hit with $212 Million Excess‑Mining Demand as Share Price Slides
Tata Steel has been served a Rs 1,755 crore (about $212 million) demand notice for alleged over‑mining in Jharkhand. The steelmaker plans to appeal the order as its shares tumble amid broader market weakness, highlighting regulatory risk for India's heavy‑industry sector.
Young Americans Are Turning to Bankruptcy. Are You One of Them?
Individual bankruptcy filings in the United States jumped to roughly 533,000 last year, an 11% increase over the prior period. Attorneys report a noticeable surge in filings among Gen Z and young millennial clients, attributing the trend to soaring living expenses,...
What Happens to Your Debt When You Die?
When a person dies, their estate is used to pay outstanding debts before any inheritance is distributed. Assets that have named beneficiaries, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, typically bypass probate and are not subject to creditor claims. In community‑property states,...
Germany Bans Men 17‑45 From Long Trips Abroad
🚨 UPDATE All men aged between 17 and 45 are no longer allowed to leave Germany for more than three months without permission. 👀 https://t.co/Cjg0KV2NKG
Auckland Preschool Teachers Censured After Child Found Screaming in Locked Van
The Teachers' Disciplinary Tribunal censured two teachers at Kākāpō Creek Children’s Garden after a child was discovered screaming inside a locked van 80 minutes after a field trip. The ruling highlights gaps in roll‑call procedures and prompts a review of...
Georgia Cuts Income Tax Rate to 4.99% and Scales Back Property Tax Relief
The Georgia General Assembly approved a reduction of the state income‑tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99% and a scaled‑back property‑tax relief that will be financed by a new one‑cent sales tax. The measures, set to take effect if Gov. Brian...
FedEx Secures $2.68 Million Judgment Against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Over Unpaid Shipping Fees
FedEx obtained a $2,677,933.31 default judgment against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell after the court found he owed the carrier for unpaid shipping fees. The ruling follows a broader $9 million claim and highlights the challenges carriers face when extending credit to...
UK, Allies Mull Fresh Iran Sanctions as Hormuz Toll Threatens Oil Supply Chain
Britain and a coalition of allies announced they are drafting new sanctions on Iran after Tehran imposed a $2 million toll on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while European nations rebuffed President Trump’s request for military support. The move threatens...
California Lawmakers Pitch State‑Run Construction Insurance to Spur Factory‑Built Housing
A bipartisan group of California lawmakers introduced a package of six bills, including Assembly Bill 2166, that would create a state‑run construction insurance program to guarantee payouts for developers and lenders using factory‑built housing. The move targets the chronic housing...
Colorado Forces Lawyers to Swear Off Assisting ICE to Use State E‑Filing System
Colorado has made it mandatory for all private attorneys to sign a perjury‑penalized pledge that they will not use court‑record information to aid federal immigration enforcement, or they will be barred from the state’s electronic filing system. The rule, stemming...
Labor Department Proposes Rule to Expand 401(k) Access to ETFs and Other Alternative Assets
The U.S. Department of Labor released a proposed rule on March 30, 2026 that would broaden the range of investment options—including ETFs—in employer‑sponsored retirement plans. The rule creates a safe‑harbor framework for fiduciaries and defines “designated investment alternatives” to include...