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
Don't Get Billed: Avoiding Surprise Medical Costs & Medical Debt #CareTalk
The latest CareTalk episode spotlights the growing crisis of surprise medical bills that trap millions of Americans in debt. Patricia Kelmar of PIRG breaks down patient rights under the No Surprises Act and explains how the law reshapes billing practices. Co‑host Louise Norris adds perspective on Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA coverage options. Listeners are urged to submit their own insurance questions for future shows, reinforcing the podcast’s role as a practical consumer‑education platform.
Humana, Caught up in the Metastasizing Medicare Overbilling Scandal, Enters Our Imploded Stocks
Humana’s Medicare Advantage business, once a profit engine, is now under intense federal scrutiny for alleged overbilling and kickback schemes. The crackdown has stalled revenue growth and led to a February loss, pushing the stock 71% lower from its November 2022...
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Names Claire McKenna as General Counsel
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announced that Deputy General Counsel Claire McKenna will assume the role of senior vice president and general counsel on May 1, replacing Ashley Carvalho. McKenna, who joined MWAA in March 2020, brings nine years of senior attorney experience...
HR Can Be ‘Unreasonable’ as Long as It’s Not Discriminatory, 5th Circuit Says
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a healthcare IT firm’s termination of a Black female employee, who had reported alleged racial and gender bias, did not constitute unlawful retaliation under Title VII. Although the court noted the close...
Geron Corporation Secures Dismissal of Federal Securities Class Action
Geron Corporation and its officers secured a dismissal without prejudice of a federal securities‑fraud class action tied to the launch of its blood‑cancer drug RYTELO. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled the plaintiffs failed to allege a plausible intent to...
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a class‑action suit contesting President Trump’s executive order that would end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented or temporary‑resident parents after Feb. 20, 2025. ACLU lawyers argue the move would...
Fintech Firms Scramble for Banking and Payment Licences as Nigeria's New Vision Reshapes Competition
Nigeria’s central bank unveiled a Payments System Vision at the Africa Capital Forum, prompting fintechs to rush for banking and payment licences. The move coincides with $706.84 million of foreign capital entering the country’s banking recapitalisation, underscoring the high stakes for...
Elon Musk’s $2.6 Billion Tweet: The Verdict Everyone Missed
Eliza Orlins breaks down the recent San Francisco jury verdict that found Elon Musk liable for misleading investors with two tweets during his $44 billion Twitter acquisition, awarding roughly $2.6 billion in damages. The case stemmed from Musk’s May 2022 “on‑hold” tweet...
Bureau Veritas and Trade Technologies Link Compliance and Finance Workflows
Bureau Veritas and Trade Technologies have formed a partnership to embed inspection and conformity documents directly into trade‑finance workflows. The integration targets document‑heavy markets in the Middle East and Africa, aiming to speed up letter‑of‑credit (LC) processing and reduce compliance...
Labor Dept Proposes Rule to Permit Crypto in 401(k) Plans
The U.S. Department of Labor unveiled a proposal that would let 401(k) plans invest in cryptocurrency and other alternative assets. The rule creates a safe‑harbor framework for fiduciaries and opens a 60‑day comment period, signaling a shift in retirement‑savings policy.
Irrelevant Officer Misconduct Won’t
You are a CRAVATH senior partner in the petty misdemeanor defense department. Draft an air tight motion to dismiss my case permenantly on the grounds that the officer was a big fat jerk. Include that I was comitted the crime...
Democrats Examine Elon Musk’s Role in Suspension of Business Disclosure Law
Democratic lawmakers, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, have asked the Treasury for any communications that might show Elon Musk urged the administration to suspend the Corporate Transparency Act. The 2021 law requires companies to disclose ownership information to combat money...
"Reckless, to Be Sure. Stupid." "But Mere Reckless Stupidity Does Not a Malicious Federal Arsonist Make"
A federal judge in Miami granted a judgment of acquittal for Ramirez, who was convicted of federal arson after throwing two flares at an Orlando City soccer match. The court held that the government failed to prove the malicious intent...
Payers’ Prior Authorization Denial Rates Go Public: 5 Notes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized an Interoperability and Prior Authorization Rule that obliges payers to publish annual aggregated prior‑authorization metrics, with the first set due March 31 for calendar‑year 2025. The rule also shortens decision timelines to seven...
Judge Rejects Environmental Challenge, Clears Ioneer's Nevada Mine
March 30 (Reuters) - A federal judge has rejected claims by environmentalists that the U.S. government improperly approved Australia-based ioneer's Rhyolite Ridge lithium and boron mine project in Nevada in a ruling on Monday that boosts efforts to increase U.S....
JPMorgan Must Face Wells Fargo Lawsuit over Troubled $481M Loan
A Manhattan federal judge rejected JPMorgan Chase’s attempt to dismiss Wells Fargo’s breach‑of‑contract lawsuit over a troubled $481 million commercial‑real‑estate loan. Wells, acting as trustee for investors, alleges JPMorgan knew the Chetrit Group’s 2019 loan was based on overstated net operating...
Washington Governor Signs High-Earners Income Tax; Challenges Expected
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6346, imposing a 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million. The levy, slated to begin on 2028 income with payments due in 2029, is projected to generate $3‑4 billion annually and affect roughly 21,000...
NYC Denies 9/11 Ground Zero Toxin Records Request as Advocates File New Lawsuit
New York City has again refused a Freedom of Information Law request for records on the toxic environment at Ground Zero, even though the Department of Environmental Protection previously turned over 68 boxes of related material. Survivor advocates, led by...
Michigan Marijuana Industry Files Second Lawsuit Over 24% Tax
Michigan’s cannabis industry filed a second lawsuit challenging the state’s 24% wholesale tax, arguing it creates a tax‑on‑tax structure that pushes the effective sales tax above the constitutionally capped 6%. The suit, brought by growers, retailers and the Michigan Cannabis...
Advertisers Battling Meta Over Metrics Blast '11th-Hour' Arbitration Bid
Advertisers who sued Meta in 2018 over allegedly inflated ad‑reach metrics are now challenging the platform's last‑minute bid to force most class members into arbitration. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals must decide whether Meta waived its arbitration clause by...
Visa-DOJ Discovery Dispute Goes to Judge
The Justice Department’s antitrust suit, filed in September 2024, accuses Visa of monopolizing debit‑card payments. Visa has asked U.S. District Judge John Koeltl to compel the Treasury Department to produce pay.gov debit‑transaction records, arguing the agency is a relevant party....
CriticalPoint Wins Case
CriticalPoint Partners secured an arbitration ruling that former vice presidents Phillipe Didisheim and Chapin Newhard must return $1.18 million earned from competing firms they launched using the bank's confidential client data. The arbitrator also issued an injunction prohibiting any further use...
Supreme Court Justices Teach Appellate Practice Class
Appellate Practice and Procedure Class No. 10 (@MercerLAWSchool, 2026), featuring Justices Charlie Bethel (@CharlieBethel) and Michael Boggs (@SupremeCourtGA). https://t.co/2N3hY2Stxz
Senator Queries SEC on Crypto After Enforcement Head Quits
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal has asked SEC Chairman Paul Atkins to explain the abrupt resignation of enforcement director Margaret “Meg” Ryan. Blumenthal’s letter seeks records on the agency’s cryptocurrency investigations, including cases involving Justin Sun, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, and...
Can You Deduct Getaway Car and Driver Costs?
But can you deduct the cost of the getaway car and driver from the fair value of the stolen property? And is the getaway driver really an independent contractor? So many questions. 😀
Lawyer's Defamation Claim Based on Sig Sauer's Press Release About Unintended Discharge Lawsuits Can Go Forward
A Connecticut federal judge ruled that attorney Michael Bagnell’s defamation lawsuit against Sig Sauer can proceed. The case stems from Sig Sauer’s March 2025 press release, which labeled plaintiffs’ claims that the P320 pistol can fire without a trigger pull as profit‑driven lies...
Access to Open AI Tools for Reviewing Discovery Materials Denied by Court: EDiscovery Case Law
The Kansas District Court granted Defendants’ motion to amend a protective order, restricting the use of open‑AI generative tools on any discovery material while permitting closed‑AI solutions that meet security standards. The judge rejected plaintiffs’ claims that the amendment would...
Authors' Lucky Break in Court May Help Class Action over Meta Torrenting
A federal judge has allowed authors to add a contributory infringement claim to their class action against Meta, linking it to a separate lawsuit over the company's alleged torrenting of AI training data. Meta is leaning on a recent Supreme...
Set Redlining Limits to Preserve Deal Value
Founders: Set clear expectations around contract redlining: 'We can handle 1-2 rounds of reasonable changes. Beyond that, legal fees eat the deal value.' Helps prevent endless back-and-forth that kills deals through exhaustion.
SCOTUS Shields Platforms; IP Owners Must Secure Cloud Deals
SCOTUS says platforms are not liable for copyright infringement. Disney's OpenAI deal collapsed. WBD's Superman hits public domain in 2034. The Ellisons own Paramount and Oracle. Every other IP holder needs a cloud infrastructure deal now. https://t.co/frS0mL1rld
The DEF Rules Changed This Week. Here Is What the Guidance Actually Says — and What It Does Not.
The EPA’s March 27, 2026 guidance eliminates the urea‑quality sensor requirement but leaves the DEF fluid, SCR catalyst and emissions standards untouched. The Department of Justice’s January 21, 2026 memo stops criminal prosecutions for emissions‑tampering while preserving civil penalties up to $45,268 per vehicle....
ATA Sought Compensation in Rhode Island Trucking Tolls Case; It Got Nothing
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) asked a federal court for more than $21 million in legal fees after its challenge to Rhode Island’s truck‑only toll program, RhodeWorks, but received nothing. Rhode Island was awarded roughly $185,000 in costs, while its request...
Tennessee Court Awards Benefits to Injured Worker Who Acted ‘Recklessly’
A Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims ruled that maintenance mechanic Jerome Monroe is eligible for workers’ comp benefits despite his reckless act of inserting his hand into a running machine. The court held his conduct was negligent, not willful,...
Federal Court Reverses Trump Administration’s Past Cuts To ESA
A federal judge ruled that several Trump‑era regulations weakening the Endangered Species Act (ESA) were unlawful, reinstating the mandate to use the "best available science" when assessing harm to listed species. The decision also struck down a Biden administration rule...
Israel Passes Law Making Death Penalty Default Sentence for Palestinians Convicted of Lethal Attacks
Israel’s Knesset passed a law that makes the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks in military courts, fulfilling a core promise of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far‑right coalition. The measure replaces judicial discretion with a...
FINRA Streamlines New Member Application Process
FINRA has overhauled its New Member Application (Form NMA), launching the updated version on April 15, 2026 via the FINRA Gateway and retiring the legacy form on July 15, 2026. The redesign adds streamlined document uploads, repositioned file requests, specified formats, and interactive navigation...
Kaufman Astoria Studios Draws Pre-Foreclosure Suit
Deutsche Bank has filed a pre‑foreclosure suit against the 500,000‑square‑foot Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, alleging a $359 million loan default. The loan, originally $340 million taken in 2021, was guaranteed by Michael Hackman, whose partnership with Hackman Capital also bought the...
Ginnie Mae Gives Issuers a Break, Adds New Prepayment Data
Ginnie Mae announced immediate relief for issuers filing annual audited financial statements by eliminating the 15‑day advance notice for extension requests, allowing submissions through Ginnie Mae Central on the due date. The change comes as issuers manage a new audit...
84 Lumber Promotes Dave Morgan to General Counsel
84 Lumber announced that Dave Morgan has been promoted from deputy general counsel to general counsel, effective immediately. Morgan, who joined the firm in 2016, has been instrumental in steering the company’s strategic growth and will now oversee all legal...
Biglaw Firms Are Starting To Get ‘Nervous’ About Deal Work Inventory
Biglaw firms are showing increased anxiety over shrinking deal work inventories, according to law‑firm consultant Blane Prescott. Managing partners report lighter workloads compared with a year ago, prompting more cautious revenue forecasts. The slowdown is most evident in M&A and...
The Guardian View on Family Justice: Transparency Should Help a Flawed System to Improve | Editorial
The UK family‑justice system is moving toward greater openness after Sir Andrew McFarlane introduced transparency orders that let journalists report anonymised cases. While the courts remain chronically under‑funded and legal‑aid cuts have left many family lawyers without support, the new rules...
Lost in FX Translation: The Latest 987 Regs
PwC International Tax Services leaders Doug McHoney and Laura Valestin dissect the latest Section 987 updates introduced by Notice 2026‑17. The new rules replace the legacy framework with a simplified equity‑and‑basis‑pool method for calculating foreign currency gains and losses in...
Ligado Hearing Threatens Viasat; $100M Escrow, Massive Damages Possible
Ligado bankruptcy hearing goes very badly for Viasat. $100M payment from AST will be put in escrow, judge mentions possibility that "the quantum of damages here could really be large to say the least" https://t.co/k8kSucvvPU
The U.S. and the EU Are Quietly Narrowing Opportunities for Public Comment
The interview highlights a quiet shift in both the United States and the European Union toward fewer public‑comment opportunities in regulatory rulemaking. In the EU, a decade‑old regime that allowed up to four comment rounds is being rolled back to...
Empowering Women in the Legal Profession: Reflections From Katie Twardak, President of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), founded in 1914, celebrated Women’s History Month with insights from President Katherine A. Twardak. Twardak highlighted the association’s role in mentorship, CLE programming, and legislative advocacy through its Political Action Committee. She cited...
States Score Win as Flagstar Denied Escrow Rehearing
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Flagstar Bank’s request for a full‑panel rehearing, leaving in place its earlier ruling that upheld California’s interest‑on‑escrow law. The decision was celebrated by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS), which used the...
Italian Regulator Fines Financial Giant $36 Million for Data Protection Failures
Italian Data Protection Authority fined Intesa Sanpaolo €31.8 million ($36 million) for unauthorized access to over 3,500 customers' data between February 2022 and April 2024. The regulator cited serious shortcomings in technical and organizational safeguards, noting that internal controls failed to detect the breach....
Critical Trucking Regulator FMCSA Severely Underfunded
The FMCSA is the most important regulator in trucking. Its job is to monitor the 800k registered motor carriers that transverse the highways. The problem: it is critically underfunded
Congress Aims to Make Digital Dollars Easier to Use than Bitcoin Solidifying the ‘Digital Gold’ Narrative
Congress is moving ahead with the GENIUS Act, establishing a federal framework for dollar‑backed stablecoins that includes reserve backing, consumer protection, and cross‑border efficiency. The White House and Treasury have labeled these stablecoins as the next wave of payment innovation...
CDRH Guidance: Patient Preference Information (PPI) in Medical Device Decision Making
On March 27, 2026 the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health issued new guidance on incorporating voluntary patient preference information (PPI) throughout a medical device’s total product life cycle. The document supersedes the 2020 guidance and details when and...