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
US Communications Regulator Targets Chinese Tech for Security Risks
The Federal Communications Commission announced a series of measures aimed at curbing security risks posed by Chinese‑origin communications equipment. The rules require carriers to identify, assess, and, where necessary, replace hardware and software from firms such as Huawei and ZTE by the end of 2026. The FCC also introduced reporting obligations and penalties for non‑compliance, signaling a more aggressive stance than previous voluntary guidelines. The move follows heightened geopolitical tension and recent intelligence reports linking Chinese tech to espionage threats.
CA9 Reversal Could Trigger Nationwide Tribal IGRA Lawsuits
A reversal at the CA9 would open the floodgates nationally for more Tribal lawsuits under IGRA. The CA9 is the key circuit both on the federal preemption question and the IGRA vs. UIGEA tension, and could become the ticket to...
Philippine Senator Flees Arrest as ICC Unseals Warrant For ‘Drug War’ Killings
The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant for former Philippine police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s “war on drugs.” Hours after the ICC announcement, Dela Rosa fled to the Senate...
Conflicting Sanctions Force Companies to Choose Legal Paths
Increasingly complex sanctions obligations will be a headache for global corporations. China is now directing companies to oppose US sanctions relating to Iran. Essentially the competing frameworks will drive companies to make choice, or form separate vehicles to try and...
Mailman Says He Never Pepper-Sprayed Dog in Federal Trial over Asthma Claims
In a federal bench trial, former USPS carrier Nestor Medina denied repeatedly pepper‑spraying the Galindo family’s dog, a claim the family says caused asthma in their two young children. Video footage shows Medina delivering mail while holding a pepper‑spray can,...
Ex-USCIS Officer Shares Insights on Recent Adjudications (Insights and Session Recording)
An ex‑USCIS officer, Evan Law, fielded questions on EB‑1A and O‑1 visa adjudications, clarifying how membership, authorship, and judging evidence should be presented. He emphasized that membership must demonstrate outstanding achievements and external review, while scholarly authorship can satisfy both...
Israel Will Prosecute Oct 7 Suspects in Eichmann-Style Tribunal
Israel’s parliament approved a special military tribunal to try roughly 400 Palestinians accused of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks, invoking the historic Eichmann trial as a model. The court will be built in Jerusalem, broadcast hearings, and allow group trials, with...
Judge: IGRA Overrides UIGEA, Kalshi Betting Illegal on Tribal Lands
Judge Conley: IGRA > UIGEA "Just because Kalshi’s conduct is not prohibited by the UIGEA, does not make its offering of sports betting contracts legal anywhere, much less on Indian lands where it is expressly prohibited." https://t.co/dfTcLnKhHu
Less Housing Act Resurfaces, Blocking Construction with Bureaucracy
Well, the ROAD to [Less] Housing Act is back on the radar it seems. Reminder that this bill effectively bans construction, not just acquisitions, and creates enormous new bureaucratic red tape over housing.
Bombay HC Pulls up Berger Paints Ad over ‘Fraud’ Swipe at Asian Paints
The Bombay High Court issued an interim order on May 8 restraining Berger Paints India from circulating a 102‑second promotional video that compared its BERGER EASY CLEAN product with Asian Paints’ APCOLITE SHYNE ALL PROTEK. The ad featured a meme flashing...
Tribal Nation Poised to Halt Kalshi Sports Betting
"A tribal nation is likely to succeed in blocking Kalshi from offering sports contracts on its land, a federal judge said in what appears to be the first ruling of its kind against the prediction market operator." Via @jjmccorvey https://t.co/GoZQFP9tFQ
Judge Orders Kalshi to Preserve Online Betting Evidence
Wisconsin federal judge tells Kalshi to preserve evidence: "Kalshi is strongly encouraged to monitor and preserve where online sports betting is occurring by whatever means available, including tracking originating bets, URLs, financial transactions or other means." https://t.co/qUkpZ7crZx
Barnes & Thornburg Adds Entertainment Trio From Nixon Peabody
Barnes & Thornburg has bolstered its entertainment practice by hiring three music lawyers from Nixon Peabody—Christina S. Chang and Carron Joan Mitchell in Los Angeles, and Farrah Usmani in Nashville. The trio brings a roster that includes Tim Burton, Childish Gambino, and a slate...
Judge Warns Absurd Outcomes From Expanding Swap Definition
Wisconsin federal judge highlights the "absurd results" that could flow from defining a 'swap' to include sports-event contracts," noting that the CEA makes it "unlawful for any person to enter into a swap" outside of a DCM. https://t.co/FLWyiU7RPy
Court's Hidden Immunity Clause Shows Unlimited Power
Face it, a Court that can find a presidential immunity clause in the Constitution, that apparently had been hidden for more than 200 years, can do anything.
FDA Issues CMC Flexibility Guidance to Accelerate Cell and Gene Therapy Development
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a new guidance outlining chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) flexibilities for human cellular and gene therapy (CGT) products. The draft lists phase‑appropriate CGMP exemptions, permissive release criteria and risk‑based comparability pathways intended to...
Pennsylvania Superior Court Refines Co-Employee Immunity
The Pennsylvania Superior Court narrowed co‑employee immunity under the state Workers’ Compensation Act. In Brown v. Gaydos, the court ruled that immunity applies only when a co‑employee’s negligence occurs within the course and scope of employment. The plaintiff’s injury resulted...
UK ICO Issues Guidance to Tackle AI‑Generated FOI Requests Amid Record Volume
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance to help public authorities process Freedom of Information (FOI) requests generated by artificial intelligence. The move comes as AI‑driven submissions push annual FOI volumes to a record 94,526 in 2025, up...
Is It Time for Courts to Embrace Shareholder Oppression Outside of the Corporate Dissolution Context?
New York courts are increasingly treating shareholder oppression in closely held companies as a standalone wrong, rather than automatically resorting to corporate dissolution. The Court of Appeals’ *Matter of Kemp* definition emphasizes reasonable expectations, allowing judges to fashion equitable remedies...
Sixth Circuit Panel Strikes Down Trump Administration Detention Policy
A Sixth Circuit panel ruled 2-1 that the Trump administration cannot detain long‑term undocumented residents without a bond hearing, requiring them to be placed under permissive detention instead of mandatory detention. The court held that individuals who have lived in...
The DTSA Turns Ten: What a Decade of Litigation Tells Us
The Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) marked its ten‑year anniversary, having introduced a federal civil cause of action for trade‑secret misappropriation that replaced a fragmented state‑law regime. Passed with near‑unanimous bipartisan support, the law saw its first ruling within a...
Dutch DPA Fines Taxi App €100M Over Unlawful Transfers of Personal Data to Russia, Despite Use of EU Standard Contractual...
On April 1, 2026 the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined MLU B.V., the operator of the Yango taxi app, €100 million (approximately $109 million) for illegal transfers of EU personal data to Russia. The regulator found the company relied on Standard Contractual Clauses meant for...
Anthropic and FIS Deploy AI Agent to Slash AML Investigation Time at BMO and Amalgamated Bank
Anthropic and FIS have unveiled a Financial Crimes AI Agent that can compress anti‑money‑laundering investigations from hours to minutes. Bank of Montreal and Amalgamated Bank will be the first to deploy the tool, while FIS shares jumped about 7% after...
Winter Weather Premises Liability: When Property Owners Are Responsible for Slip-and-Fall Injuries
Winter weather in New Jersey creates hazardous slip‑and‑fall conditions that can trigger premises‑liability claims. Property owners must address ice and snow promptly after precipitation stops, especially in commercial settings with high foot traffic. Victims must prove actual or constructive notice, often...
More Tariff Refunds, Not So Fast? Court of International Trade Strikes Down Section 122 Tariffs — But Relief Is Limited to...
On May 7, 2026 the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the Administration’s 10 % global tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 exceeds statutory authority. The court issued a permanent injunction only for the two private importers and...
That’s the Spirit, Effective Immediately, and Claim Baggage
A federal judge approved Spirit Airlines' Chapter 11 wind‑down motion, ending its attempt to reorganize after a failed financing effort and soaring fuel costs. Purdue Pharma completed its $7.4 bn bankruptcy, pleading guilty, paying a $5.5 bn fine and earmarking $865 m for victims,...
AI Boom Hinges on Fair Use Assumption for Training
all of this green rests on the assumption that training AI falls under fair use. literally the entire AI market meaning most of all growth in the US rests on the assumption that training AI = fair use
Meta Can’t Duck Majority of Android Advertising Tracking Claims
A federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Meta must face the bulk of a class‑action lawsuit alleging the company secretly circumvented Android’s sandbox to link users’ web‑browsing activity with their Facebook and Instagram accounts. The decision allows claims of...
£15 Million and a Message: The SFO Returns to Corporate Bribery Enforcement
The UK Serious Fraud Office secured a deferred prosecution agreement with Ultra Electronics, resolving an eight‑year bribery probe for roughly £15 million (about $19 million). The deal includes a £10 million penalty, £4.8 million in costs, and a three‑year compliance reporting requirement, but no...
Legal Publishing Deserves to Live Beyond a Website and In a Law Library
Legal publishing by lawyers often lives only on firm websites and can disappear. The LexBlog Library offers a permanent, open‑access repository where such content is archived and linked to legal research platforms. By preserving articles, the Library enhances citation potential,...
![[Sponsor] Drata](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/53aafe558a60fe3a33da171d61fab781.webp)
[Sponsor] Drata
Drata is a compliance‑automation platform that connects to over 130 SaaS tools, enabling continuous evidence collection for more than 25 regulatory frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI and GDPR. The solution provides a library of 40+ auditor‑approved security policies that...
Trump Officials Cancel Rule that Made Conservation a ‘Use’ of Public Lands
The Trump administration has moved to cancel the 2024 Biden-era rule that allowed conservation projects to be leased on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands on the same footing as oil, gas, mining, logging and grazing. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum...
Division 296 Triggers Asset‑Location Overhaul for Australian Wealth Advisors
From 1 July 2026, Australia’s Division 296 will levy an extra tax on earnings from superannuation balances above $3 million (≈ $2 million USD). The change is pushing wealth advisers to move from compliance‑only advice to proactive asset‑location planning for high‑net‑worth clients.
Oversight Chair Seeks Information From OpenAI's Sam Altman About Potential Financial Conflicts
The House Oversight Committee chair, Rep. James Comer, has sent a letter to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman demanding documents on potential conflicts of interest between Altman's personal investments and his leadership of the AI firm. The request comes as Elon...
Smokeball Teams with Thomson Reuters to Embed CoCounsel AI in Practice Management Suite
Smokeball announced a partnership with Thomson Reuters to embed the CoCounsel AI engine directly into its practice‑management software, with the first rollout slated for late spring. The move promises to give firms of 2‑30 lawyers access to high‑level legal reasoning...
Arbitrator Rules in Favor of College Sports NIL Watchdog in First Appeal
A third‑party arbitrator ruled against 18 Nebraska football players, upholding the College Sports Commission's (CSC) rejection of their NIL deals. The arbitrator found the deals lacked a valid business purpose and violated the settlement’s anti‑warehousing rule. Playfly, the multimedia rights...
Virginia Asks Supreme Court to Allow It to Reinstate Congressional Map that Would Advantage Democrats
Virginia Democrats and Attorney General Jay Jones have filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking permission to use a new congressional map for the 2026 elections. The map, approved by voters in a narrow 3‑point referendum, would...
New Online Rules Target Scam Adverts
Thailand has introduced new electronic‑transaction regulations requiring social media platforms to verify advertiser identities before ads are published. Published on May 5 and effective 180 days later, the rules mandate facial‑matching verification with government‑issued documents and a 90‑day data‑retention period, while...
India Notifies Final Central Labour Rules, Triggering Immediate HR Compliance Across Key Sectors
On May 8, India issued the final central rules under its four labour codes, moving the reforms from policy to implementation. The rules impose a 48‑hour work week, double overtime rates and new obligations for contractors, principal employers and gig‑platforms,...
Alation Launches AI Governance Platform to Streamline Enterprise Compliance
Alation Inc. unveiled its AI Governance solution at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit in London, creating a centralized system of record for AI model compliance. The offering maps AI assets to regulations such as the EU AI Act and...
Taiwanese Indicted over Illegal Chinese Company Operations
A Taipei District Court indicted Kidder Shen, the East Asia sales director of Chinese IC‑design firm Novosense Microelectronics, for operating the company in Taiwan without the required government approval. Shen rented office space, hired four former Texas Instruments employees, and...
New EUDR Package Shuts US Tribal Forests Out of Low-Risk Pathway
The European Commission’s new EUDR simplification package bars U.S. tribal forests from the regulation’s low‑risk pathway, meaning 7.8 million hectares of Indigenous land will be subject to the same high‑risk compliance regime as deforestation hotspots when the rule takes effect on...
Death Row Producer Claims Tupac Shakur Estate Owes Him Unpaid ‘All Eyez on Me’ Royalties
Death Row Records producer Daz Dillinger has filed a lawsuit against the Tupac Shakur estate, alleging unpaid royalties for more than a dozen co‑written and produced songs, including five tracks from the 1996 album All Eyez on Me. He says...
10th Circuit Considers Revamping Probation Resentencing Scheme
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals convened en banc to revisit its Moore I two‑step resentencing framework after an 18‑year‑old who violated probation by threatening public officials was resentenced to three years in prison. Public defender Jacob Rasch‑Chabot argues...
Nominee Crackdown to Focus on Tourist Islands
Thailand's Department of Business Development and the Department of Special Investigation are intensifying a crackdown on nominee companies, focusing first on tourist islands Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. After inspections and local reports, they flagged 34 real‑estate and tourism firms that may...
Energy Ministers Seek Solution to Tax Trap for Landowners Seeking Compensation for Transmission Lines
Australian state energy ministers are working to remove a tax trap that treats compensation for hosting transmission lines as a capital‑gains sale, eroding payouts for landowners. The Australian Tax Office’s classification can levy up to 45% tax, discouraging participation in...
Justice Matt Damon Orders Drinks — See Also
Above the Law’s latest roundup highlights several legal developments: John Quinn, co‑founder of Quinn Emanuel, announced his departure after a year at the firm’s helm; a former Wachtell Lipscomb partner was identified as the insider‑trading co‑conspirator in a high‑profile securities case; pop...
The Hidden Risks in Client Account Reconciliations
Legal finance firms must perform three‑way client account reconciliations at least every five weeks, yet many allow unresolved items to linger. Aged reconciling entries, debit balances, and residual credit balances can mask misappropriation of client money and breach SRA rules....
NCAA Volunteer Coaches’ $303 Million Settlement Gets Final OK From Judge
Federal Judge William Shubb gave final approval to a $303 million settlement with the NCAA, ending a class action that claimed a three‑decade wage‑fixing agreement barred pay for volunteer coaches across 44 sports. The deal compensates nearly 8,000 current and former...
Estate Agents Warned over Demanding ID Ahead of Property Viewings
The Guild of Property Professionals has issued guidance allowing UK estate agents to request identification from prospective viewers when a seller provides a clear, justified reason. Such ID checks are separate from anti‑money‑laundering duties, which only apply after a business...