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
Decadelong Fight over Yuba River Dams Ends in Favor of Feds
U.S. District Judge Daniel Calabretta ruled that the historic Daguerre and Englebright dams on California's Yuba River are not agency actions under the Endangered Species Act, granting summary judgment to the Army Corps and NMFS. The decision ends a decade‑long lawsuit by Friends of the River that sought protections for Central Valley chinook salmon, steelhead, and green sturgeon. However, the judge found the Brophy Diversion was improperly excluded from the ESA analysis and remanded that issue for further review. All other claims were dismissed, closing the case.
UK Tightens EYFS Safer‑Sleep Rules After Tragic Infant Death
Early education minister Olivia Bailey has announced amendments to the EYFS statutory framework that embed stricter safer‑sleep requirements, a move prompted by the 2022 death of nine‑month‑old Genevieve Meehan. The changes, slated for September, shift guidance from NHS references into...
SEC Chair Atkins Calls for Simplifying Exec Comp Reporting
SEC Chair Paul Atkins announced plans to simplify executive compensation reporting under Item 402 of Regulation S‑K, calling current disclosures costly, burdensome, and filled with non‑material data. He highlighted pay‑versus‑performance metrics and executive security perks as priority areas for reform....
India's Rajya Sabha Debates Legal Paternity Leave After MP Raghav Chadha's Push
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha called on the Indian government to enact a statutory right to paid paternity leave during a Rajya Sabha session, noting that only central government employees currently receive 15 days. The proposal targets the 90%...
Australia Is Tightening the Rules on Children’s Privacy – Here’s How It Will Work
Australia is overhauling its privacy framework with the 2024 Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act, tasking the OAIC with a new Children’s Online Privacy Code. The draft, now open for public comment until June 5, extends to all digital services that...
Russia Moves to Slash VPN Use, Targets Apps Including Telegram
Russia's digital minister Maksut Shadaev announced a package of measures to curb VPN usage, including mandatory blocking by platforms, a proposed data surcharge, and the removal of custom VPN apps from the Apple App Store. The crackdown coincides with intensified...
Trump Administration Pushes ‘God Squad’ to Exempt Gulf Oil Drilling From Endangered Species Act
The Interior Department’s Endangered Species Committee, known as the “God Squad,” voted to exempt all federal oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act protections. The move, driven by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s national‑security claim,...
South Dakota Divorce: Fair, Not Equal, Asset Splits
South Dakota follows equitable distribution—not a clean 50/50 split. That means a judge divides property based on what they think is fair, not necessarily equal. Interestingly, fault can creep in to divorce proceedings in SD and the courts can consider marital...
Litify Unveils ACE, an AI‑Driven Agentic Case Expert to Automate Legal Workflows
Litify introduced Litify ACE, an AI‑powered Agentic Case Expert that autonomously drives legal workflows, reduces administrative burden and speeds case resolution. The platform‑wide feature promises to turn case data into real‑time actions without adding new tools, marking a shift toward...
Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Birthright Citizenship in Trump V. Barbara
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. Plaintiffs argue the order violates the 14th Amendment, while the administration contends the Constitution’s jurisdiction clause has...
Tesla Admits Remote Operators Still Steer Robotaxis in Rare Cases
Tesla disclosed that its Austin‑based robotaxi service still depends on remote human operators who can take direct control in low‑speed situations. The revelation, made in a response to a U.S. Senate inquiry, intensifies scrutiny over the company’s claims of full...
How Your Health (and Genetic Results) Affects Your Life, Travel and Health Insurance
The Australian Parliament is set to pass legislation that will prohibit life insurers from using predictive genetic test results in underwriting, taking effect in about six months for all new life‑insurance contracts. The ban covers death, income protection, disability and...
NS Health Didn’t Follow Procurement Rules
Nova Scotia Health (NS Health) awarded six sole‑sourced health contracts without adhering to provincial procurement rules, often approving them after the contracts were already signed. The auditor general, Kim Adair, found weak justification for four of the six contracts and...
Amazon Wins Partial Dismissal in Alexa Wiretapping Class Action
A Seattle federal judge partially dismissed a class action accusing Amazon of misleading users about Alexa’s "false wake" recordings, dropping Washington consumer‑protection claims but allowing wiretap claims in Florida, Maryland and federal court to proceed. The court found Amazon’s disclosures...
Nevada Lithium Mine Clears Major Hurdle Despite Conservationists' Worries for Rare Wildflower
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. government properly approved Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium‑boron mine in Nevada, allowing the project to move forward despite a lawsuit from conservationists protecting the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat. The 11‑square‑mile site hosts the world’s largest...
Judge Rejects Johnson Amendment Settlement, Keeping Ban on Pastors Endorsing Candidates
A federal judge in Texas dismissed the proposed settlement that would have lifted the IRS’s Johnson Amendment ban on pastors endorsing political candidates, ruling the court lacked authority to approve the agreement. The dismissal ends a lawsuit brought by the...
Compliance Skills Unlock Opportunities Across Every Regulated Industry
Your compliance and regulatory experience travels further than you think. Healthcare. Finance. Government. Manufacturing. Any industry with strict rules and high stakes needs people who understand how to build within constraints. Stop thinking your niche is limiting you. Start seeing...
Singapore: Tightening Oversight for a Safer Digital Environment
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued Letters of Caution to two major social‑media platforms, placing them under Enhanced Supervision for failing to detect and remove child sexual exploitation material and terrorism‑related content. The action stems from the Code of...
More Applications for Probate Being Made without Lawyers
The Ministry of Justice reports that digital probate applications have become the norm, with 81% of unrepresented filings submitted online between April and June 2025. For small estates under £10,000 (about $12,700), self‑filing rose from 62% in 2019 to 74%...
Injunction Stops White House Ballroom at Start of Vertical Construction
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the $400 million White House State Ballroom project, a flagship construction plan of President Donald Trump. The ruling finds the administration likely lacks statutory authority to proceed without explicit congressional approval. The stop...
LeO: Internet Driving “Incorrect Expectations” About Conveyancing
The Legal Ombudsman warned that online information is giving home buyers and sellers unrealistic expectations about conveyancing timelines. In Q4 2025, conveyancing accounted for 36% of accepted complaints, up from 30% a year earlier, with consumers expecting transactions to finish in...
Cross-Generation Collaboration: The Key to In-House Legal Tech Adoption
In‑house legal departments are at a tipping point as generative AI matures, forcing leaders to rethink how multigenerational teams adopt new tools. James Lewindon argues that blending the tech‑savvy of younger lawyers with the experience of senior counsel creates a...
Japan Allows Divorced Couples to Negotiate Joint Custody of Children for First Time
Japan has amended its Civil Code to allow divorced parents to negotiate joint custody for the first time in over a century. The amendment permits couples to choose joint or sole custody and enables petitions to family courts to alter...
Crypto Moratorium Is the Right Starting Point for Political Finance Reform
The UK government has introduced a temporary moratorium on cryptocurrency donations to political parties, acting on the Rycroft Review’s recommendations. The move targets growing concerns that crypto can mask foreign financial interference in UK politics. While critics argue the measure...
Top Democrat Presses DHS Secretary Mullin on Judicial Warrants
Secretary Markwayne Mullin, sworn in as DHS head, faces Senate scrutiny over whether he has rescinded the 2025 guidance that let ICE and Border Patrol agents enter homes using administrative warrants instead of judicial ones. Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal asked...
News Wrap: Judge Orders Halt to Trump's White House Ballroom Construction
A federal judge halted the Trump administration's $400 million White House ballroom project, siding with a preservationist group and stating the president lacks statutory authority over historic properties. The injunction is delayed 14 days to allow for an appeal. In a...
Supreme Court Sides with Therapist Challenging Colorado Ban on Conversion Therapy
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an 8‑1 decision siding with Colorado therapist Kaley Chiles, finding that the state’s ban on conversion therapy for minors likely infringes the First Amendment. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority opinion, emphasizing that the law...
Albanese Government Reaches Deal with $550b AI Giant in Legal Battle with Trump
Anthropic, the $380 billion AI firm, signed a formal AI‑safety memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Albanese government, committing to share research, conduct joint safety evaluations, and provide Economic Index data on AI adoption. The pact includes roughly US$2 million in Claude API...
131 Hospitals Sue HHS over DSH Cuts: 5 Notes
More than 130 hospitals have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, challenging a 2023 CMS rule that changes how disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments are calculated. The rule counts Medicare Advantage Part C patient...
US Strips Citizenship From Couple in Trade Theft Case, Part of Trump Immigration Push
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department successfully revoked U.S. citizenship from Yu Zhou and Li Chen, a Chinese‑born couple convicted of conspiring to steal pediatric medical trade secrets. A San Diego federal judge ruled their naturalization was obtained through misrepresentation, meeting...
Massachusetts Legislators Skeptical Of Prohibitionist Ballot Initiative
Massachusetts legislators are scrutinizing ballot initiative No. 25‑10, which would repeal adult‑use cannabis sales and revert the state to prohibition. The proposal, backed by the out‑of‑state‑focused Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, faces fierce opposition from local operators, equity advocates, and the...
Money Talks March 2026 - Money, Money, Money, Money... Money: Motion for Summary Judgment in Lieu of Complaint
The New York court granted summary judgment in lieu of complaint under CPLR 3213 for a partially‑paid promissory note exceeding $24 million in TSLA Capitals v. ATL Funds. The ruling clarifies that a note remains an “instrument for the payment of money...
Penn Ordered to Give Government Jewish Employee List, Despite Nazi Comparisons
A federal judge ordered the University of Pennsylvania to provide the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with a list of its Jewish faculty and staff, including personal contact details, after the EEOC issued a subpoena alleging a pattern of antisemitic harassment....
Osaic Asks Court to Toss United Capital Poaching Suit
Independent broker‑dealer Osaic filed a motion in Delaware Superior Court to dismiss United Capital's poaching lawsuit, arguing the complaint relies on vague, conclusory allegations. United Capital claims Osaic induced three Florida advisors to breach contracts, taking client data and about...
The FTC Launches a Dedicated Healthcare Task Force
On March 20, 2026 the Federal Trade Commission announced a new Healthcare Task Force that unites antitrust and consumer‑protection resources to curb consolidation‑driven price hikes and quality gaps. The task force will be co‑chaired by leaders from the FTC’s Competition...
Ninth Circuit Affirms Partial Denial of Motion to Compel Arbitration
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court’s partial denial of Kelly Services’ motion to compel arbitration, holding that the arbitration agreement lacked the clear and unmistakable intent required to delegate arbitrability questions to an arbitrator. The court emphasized that merely...
You Missed the March 31 Deadline: What Indian Crypto Investors Must Do Now
The Indian financial year closed on March 31, and crypto investors who failed to report their digital‑asset gains now face a tax liability for FY 2025‑26. The deadline missed does not erase the obligation; taxpayers must still calculate profits, file a revised...
US Appeals Court Denies Bid From Families of Boeing 737 Max Crash Victims to Reopen Criminal Case
A three‑judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied families of the 737 Max crash victims a request to reopen the criminal case against Boeing. The families argued the Justice Department violated the Crime Victims’ Rights Act by...
Strategic Planning For Marketers: Your Critical Role In Strategy Development And Implementation
Legal marketing professionals are uniquely positioned to shape law‑firm strategic planning. By keeping discussions outward‑focused, distinguishing business from brand strategy, and injecting client intelligence, marketers ensure plans target market opportunities. Their grasp of profitability metrics transforms them into strategic advisors...
Fintech - March 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) plans to issue an interim final open‑banking rule in 2026, revisiting data‑access requirements after suspending its 2024 rule. Meanwhile, the House‑pending Bank‑Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act would empower the OCC and Federal Reserve to study...
Are Influencer Brand Deals Loaded with Moral Clauses?
Everyone’s like Amanda/West this and that and I’m like BUT DO ALL OF THEIR BRAND DEALS HAVE MORAL CLAUSES? 👀👀👀 (lol I’m such a lawyer sometimes)
College Students Face Voting Barriers at Their Campuses
Students away at college could especially be disenfranchised because often they are blocked from registering and voting where they attend college
If You Want to Extend Your Lease's Original Term, Don't Say You Are Renewing
A Maryland federal judge ruled that a commercial lease amendment stating the "original term" was extended did not create a new renewal right. Samuel Sons had exercised a two‑year renewal option, but the amendment’s language attempted to treat the extension...
Prediction Market Prosecutions May Be Curbed by Decades-Old Case
Federal prosecutors are signaling a crackdown on insider trading in prediction markets, but applying the Commodity Exchange Act presents factual and legal complexities not seen in traditional markets. To sidestep these hurdles, authorities may pursue wire‑fraud charges anchored in violations...
Amazon Settles Teamsters Case Alleging It Retaliated Against Striking Workers
Amazon has settled an NLRB case brought by the Teamsters alleging the company illegally docked unpaid time off (UPT) for workers who walked off the job. Under the agreement, Amazon will restore the docked UPT for more than 100 employees...
Elon Musk Must Face Class Action over Late Disclosure of Twitter Stake, Judge Rules
A Manhattan federal judge ruled that investors can pursue a class‑action lawsuit against Elon Musk for allegedly delaying the disclosure of his Twitter (now X) stake. Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022 and failed to report his 5%...
NAR Prevails in Another Mandatory Membership Case
A federal judge in Michigan dismissed the Hardy mandatory‑membership lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, marking another legal win after a similar dismissal in Louisiana. The court found the plaintiffs’ claims unsupported, reinforcing NAR’s stance that its membership fees...
AI Law in Canada Is Evolving Through Familiar Principles
A new two‑part “AI on Trail” report by Canadian Lawyer catalogues 388 AI‑related court decisions across 77 Canadian courts from 2021‑2025. The analysis shows that judges are applying established doctrines—consent, reasonableness and procedural fairness—to technologies such as facial recognition and...
How Can I Quickly Get a Patent in Germany?
Companies needing fast German patent protection can choose between a utility model and accelerated examined patents. A utility model registers in 2–8 weeks for about $33 and offers immediate enforceable rights but only for products and a 10‑year term. Accelerated...
Judlau Sues Illinois Tollway for $29.4M in Damages
Judlau Contracting has filed a $29.4 million lawsuit against the Illinois Tollway Authority, alleging that the agency’s failure to obtain required easements caused significant delays and cost overruns on the Interstate‑490/Route 390 interchange near O’Hare Airport. The contractor seeks to overturn a...