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
Former Manufacturing Firm CFO’s Case Against CBIZ Moves Closer to Trial: Trial Balance
Former AmeriTex CFO Christopher Podlasek is suing accounting firm CBIZ, which acquired Marcum in a $2.3 billion deal, alleging a low‑ball valuation that deprived him of more than $25 million for his 1.5% equity stake. A federal judge on March 24 rejected CBIZ’s motion to dismiss, clearing the way for a trial where Podlasek seeks $30 million from both CBIZ and AmeriTex. CBIZ contends it had no knowledge of any scheme and calls the lawsuit a sham, while AmeriTex previously tendered a $2.1 million check far below the claimed value. The dispute highlights potential conflicts of interest in valuation services tied to large M&A transactions.
The Dissent that Questioned Certain Jury Trials
Supreme Court’s 6‑3 decision in SEC v. Jarkesy held that the Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury trial for civil fraud actions, overturning the SEC’s practice of adjudicating such cases before in‑house administrative law judges. The ruling curtails the agency’s ability,...
Request for Comments on Texas PUCT Draft Report Regarding Transmission Cost Recovery in the ERCOT Region
The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUCT) released a draft report on 16 March 2026 proposing six changes to how wholesale transmission costs are recovered in the ERCOT market. Key proposals include replacing the four‑coincident‑peak (4CP) methodology with a broader set of peaks...
![[Audio] Subject Matter Eligibility Challenges in Post-Grant Proceedings — Patents: Post-Grant Podcast](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://jdsupra-static.s3.amazonaws.com/profile-images/og.14355_0412.jpg)
[Audio] Subject Matter Eligibility Challenges in Post-Grant Proceedings — Patents: Post-Grant Podcast
The Post‑Grant Podcast episode hosted by Andy Zappia and Nick Gallo examines how Section 101 subject‑matter eligibility intersects with post‑grant review (PGR) practice. It outlines the nine‑month filing window, the broad estoppel effect, and strategic considerations for raising eligibility challenges at...
TikTok Canada Reaches Agreement With Federal Government, Securing Local Operations, Creator Programs
TikTok Canada avoided a forced shutdown after reaching a settlement with the federal government, allowing its local operations to continue. The agreement introduces legally binding undertakings, including upgraded data‑security measures and an independent monitor to audit Canadian user data access....
New York Attorney General Subpoena Defense Counsel on Top Consumer Complaints of 2025
On March 2, 2026 New York Attorney General Letitia James published the 2025 top‑10 consumer complaint list, highlighting 4,809 retail, 4,595 internet, and 4,521 automobile filings. The report underscores new enforcement tools such as the Algorithmic Pricing Disclosure Act, which mandates disclosure of data‑driven...
Canadian Cattle Association No Longer Backs Traceability Changes; Will Convene Task Force on Disease Preparedness
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has formally withdrawn its support for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s proposed amendments to livestock traceability regulations under Part XV of the Health of Animals Regulations. While the CCA still endorses traceability as essential for...
Over 400 Voting-Related Cases Currently Active Nationwide
As we start another week, here is what Democracy Docket is tracking: Active Voting Rights Cases: 162 Active Redistricting Cases: 51 Active Anti-Voting Cases: 90 Active Pro-Voting Cases: 68 Active DOJ Lawsuits: 31 Sign up to stay informed: https://bit.ly/4r9A45t
Predicted Outcome: AI Training May Lose Fair Use
things are playing out exactly as i said they would. if fair use doesn’t apply to training AI in the US, it’s all over
How to Avoid Copyright Infringement in Print-on-Demand
Print‑on‑demand (POD) sellers face escalating copyright, trademark and personality‑rights risks, from DMCA takedowns to multi‑million‑dollar lawsuits. The guide outlines how infringement arises—copying online images, using protected logos, fan‑art, mis‑licensed stock, and AI‑generated content referencing brands. It offers a four‑step compliance...
Checking In On The FAT Brands Matter
In May 2024 FAT Brands, the franchisor of 18 restaurant chains, and several current or former executives were hit with civil charges from the SEC and criminal charges from the DOJ for alleged violations of the FCPA’s books‑and‑records provisions, despite...
Bambu Lab Settles with Pop Mart over Labubu IP Theft, Publicly Apologizes — 'Problematic Content' Fully Removed From MakerWorld 3D...
Bambu Lab reached a settlement with toymaker Pop Mart over Labubu fan‑art files hosted on its MakerWorld marketplace, avoiding an April 2 trial in China. The company publicly apologized on Weibo and removed all infringing content from the platform. The dispute...
Cardiff City Fails in £100m Claim Against Nantes over Emiliano Sala Death
Cardiff City’s attempt to recover over $132 million in compensation from French club Nantes for the 2019 death of striker Emiliano Sala was rejected by a Nantes commercial court. The judge dismissed the claim and ordered Cardiff to cover approximately $508,000...
Renters Rights Act Hurting London Rental Supply, Data Mis
This is so terribly misleading. 1) This is ALL housing, not just rentals. 2) Even so, London rental supply DID fall last year largely due to the "Renters Rights Act," which swings pendulum so far that it's disincentivizing rental supply.
Roth 401(k)s Shed RMDs, Giving High‑Earners New Withdrawal Flexibility
The SECURE 2.0 Act removed required minimum distributions (RMDs) from Roth 401(k) accounts, effective 2026. The change gives higher‑income workers greater control over retirement cash flow and forces advisors to revise long‑term income strategies.
Arthur Cox Names First CTO to Lead Legal‑Tech Innovation
Arthur Cox has appointed Jennifer Ward as its first chief technology officer, giving the firm a dedicated executive to drive AI, technology and innovation initiatives. The move signals the Irish firm’s commitment to modernising client services and keeping pace with...
Indonesia Bans Under‑16s From Social Media, Impacting 70 Million Kids
Indonesia has begun enforcing a new regulation that bars anyone under 16 from creating accounts on major social media platforms, affecting roughly 70 million children. The law targets sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox,...
New E-Bike Bill in Congress Could Bring Long-Awaited Federal Regulation
A bipartisan Safe SPEEDS Act has been introduced to give the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission authority to create national classifications, labeling and age guidelines for electric bikes, e‑motos and similar micromobility devices. The bill would replace the patchwork of state...
Europe Moves to Boost Deportations, Echoing Hardline U.S. Tactics
European Union officials announced a push to increase deportations, adopting stricter asylum measures similar to those seen in the United States. The move has ignited legal battles across member states and raised questions about the future of European migration law.
Bank of America Settles Jeffrey Epstein Lawsuit for $72.5 Million
Bank of America has agreed to a $72.5 million settlement with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, ending a multi‑year lawsuit that drew intense public and regulator attention. The deal, which was not fully disclosed beyond the total amount, aims to resolve claims...
Compliance Without Validation Is a False Sense of Security
Compliance teams can pass audits and keep perfect documentation yet remain vulnerable to third‑party breaches. The article argues that without real‑world validation, controls are merely theoretical and provide a false sense of security. It highlights that 68% of organizations experience...
Seyfarth Shaw Partner: Law Firms Should Invest in AI Training in Law Schools or Via Associate Programs
Seyfarth Shaw labor‑and‑employment partner David Baffa urges law firms to fund AI curricula in law schools and launch associate‑level training programs. He argues that current business barriers—budget constraints, legacy systems, and cultural resistance—stifle innovation. By embedding AI skills early, firms...
Meta's AGC: &Lsquo;Legal Tech Is Fundamentally Shifting the Outsourcing Paradigm'
Meta’s associate general counsel Jen Fryhling highlighted that emerging legal technology, especially AI, is fundamentally reshaping the outsourcing model for law services. She argued that client‑firm relationships will evolve from transactional engagements to strategic partnerships, driven by custom AI tools...
Companies Must Disclose Exact Changes in Policy Emails
When companies send emails that they're changing their terms and conditions or privacy policy they should tell you what they changed.
With New Environmental Law, China Expands Its ‘War on Pollution’
China has adopted a sweeping environmental protection law, replacing ten existing statutes and expanding regulation to microplastics, PFAS, and light pollution. The code aims to shift from reactive penalties toward preventive controls, reinforcing the country’s long‑term "war on pollution" and...
Jan Vishwas Bill Eases Export Offence Penalties for Textiles, Handlooms
The Jan Vishwas Bill proposes sweeping de‑criminalisation of export offences in textiles, handlooms and related agricultural products. Imprisonment provisions are removed, replacing them with warnings and fines up to Rs 25 lakh (≈$26,000). Handloom compliance violations now face fines between Rs 10,000 and...
Washington State’s Estate Tax Whiplash
Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 6347, overturning Washington’s 2025 estate‑tax hike that raised the top rate from 20 percent to 35 percent for estates over $9 million. The reversal restores the previous 20 percent rate, ending the state’s brief stint as having the...
Sanctioned Russian Oligarch’s Charity Launches Legal Action Against Barclays
The UK‑registered Potanin Foundation, linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin, has initiated legal proceedings against Barclays Bank in the London Circuit Commercial Court. The charity, now overseen by interim manager Guy Hollander of Forvis Mazars, holds investment assets exceeding £60 million (about...
EBA Streamlines Supervisory Approvals for IRB Model Changes
On 30 March 2026 the European Banking Authority published a final report containing draft regulatory technical standards that amend Delegated Regulation EU No 529/2014, which governs the materiality assessment of Internal Ratings‑Based (IRB) model changes. The revisions align the regulation with the recent CRR 3 amendments,...
Regulators Launch Joint Taskforce to Crack Down on Poor Practice in Motor Finance Claims
On 30 March 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority announced a joint taskforce with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Advertising Standards Authority to curb poor practice in motor‑finance claims. The collaboration will enable regulators to share intelligence and...
Clash Between Gender Data vs Hungarian Personal Data Register: Can an Existing Hungarian Registry System Prevent the Enforcement of Trans...
Hungary’s Supreme Court (Kúria) rejected a trans‑person’s request to amend the "sex" field in the personal data and address register, arguing the register must mirror the birth‑registry’s biological "sex at birth" entry. The claimant invoked Article 16 GDPR and the CJEU’s...
Fair Elections Alert: March 30, 2026
The Justice Department is on the brink of a deal to share state voter‑roll data with the Department of Homeland Security, sparking privacy concerns. Meanwhile, Mississippi and South Dakota have moved forward with proof‑of‑citizenship registration bills, while Georgia’s Senate approved...
Publishers Acquire Stake in Rock Song at Center of Landmark Termination Rights Case as They Plan to Pursue Supreme Court...
A consortium of music publishers—including Capitol Music Group, Warner‑Tamerlane, BMG Rights Management and Essential Music Publishing—purchased a 25% stake in the song *Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)* from Robert Resnik and are moving to substitute themselves as defendants in...
Tennessee SB1947: When Patient Rights Collide with a $24 Billion Industry
Tennessee Senate Bill 1947 aimed to guarantee patients the right to receive autologous or directed blood transfusions ordered by their physicians. The measure cleared the Senate Health Committee and passed the Senate floor 25‑6, but stalled in a later committee...
Florida Law Aimed at Increasing Housing Includes Exemption for ‘Large Destination Resorts’
Florida enacted HB 399, a sweeping state law that limits local zoning authority to accelerate housing production. The measure forces municipalities to tie development fees directly to the cost of project review, adopt objective standards, and prioritize conflict resolution over...
New Private Rights of Action and Increased Penalties Under Competition Act Increase Business Risk
Canada’s Competition Act has been overhauled to give private parties a clearer path to the Competition Tribunal and to lower the evidentiary hurdles for the Commissioner, especially in abuse‑of‑dominance cases. The amendments also introduce tougher penalties, allowing fines of up...
ISDA Paper on EC’s Market Integration and Supervision Package Proposal
On March 20, ISDA delivered a position paper to EU lawmakers outlining reforms to the European Commission’s Market Integration and Supervision Package (MISP). The paper calls for synchronized Level 1 and Level 2 implementation dates, stronger no‑action relief, a secondary competitiveness mandate...
MLB Beats Scouts’ Age Bias Lawsuit as AI, Analytics Fear Rises
Federal Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed a lawsuit filed by 35 former MLB scouts alleging age discrimination, ruling the case lacked jurisdiction and was too speculative. The plaintiffs argued that MLB’s pivot to analytics and AI under Commissioner Rob Manfred forced...
Candidate Attorneys Caught Cheating in Admission Applications
Two South African candidate attorneys were denied admission after serious misconduct. Reza Bhayat had his January 2025 admission rescinded when the Legal Practice Council proved he forged exam results, correspondence and affidavits, prompting judges to refer the case to the National...
SEC Shakeup Renews Dispute Over Wall Street, Crypto Enforcement
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement chief abruptly resigned, sparking speculation over his successor amid a backdrop of historically low enforcement activity. Recent data show SEC actions against public companies and recoveries from fraud are at their weakest levels in...
The Real Stakes in the DOW Vs. Anthropic AI Battle: Part I
The General Services Administration’s draft AI contract clause asserts government ownership of all data, outputs, and derivative value, while prohibiting vendors from reusing that information for model improvement. Anthropic has pushed back, arguing the clause undermines the feedback loops essential...
Engines of External Governance
The forthcoming Georgetown Law Journal article by Harvard and UPenn scholars highlights nonprofits as a growing force in external corporate governance. While traditional analyses focus on shareholders, directors and market intermediaries, the authors argue that nonprofit organizations now shape board...
Texas Corporate Developments: What Officers and Directors Need to Know
Texas is rapidly emerging as a premier corporate jurisdiction, highlighted by a wave of redomestications—including ExxonMobil’s March 2026 move—newly launched Texas‑based stock exchanges, and an expanded Business Court. Recent amendments to the Texas Business Organizations Code and SEC guidance easing...
Aderant Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 for Onyx
Aderant announced on March 30 that its outside‑counsel guideline platform, Onyx, successfully completed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit. The examination, conducted by Schellman & Company, assessed controls for security, availability, and confidentiality over the period Nov 1 2025 through Jan 31 2026. Achieving Type...
JD Vance's Fraud Task Force: Fighting or Fueling Fraud?
Can someone tell me if JD Vance's fraud task force is supposed to be fighting fraud or promoting it?
X Advertiser Boycott Lawsuit Dismissed
A U.S. federal court dismissed the lawsuit accusing X, formerly Twitter, of colluding with major advertisers to withhold ad spend. The complaint named consumer‑goods giants Unilever and Mars, along with the World Federation of Advertisers, alleging a coordinated boycott of...
When Efficiency Becomes Fragility
Stuart J. Green warns that relentless efficiency can make compliance governance fragile in today’s discontinuous regulatory landscape. He argues that tightly calibrated controls, while cost‑effective in stable times, lack the capacity to adapt when sanctions, enforcement interpretations, or technology‑driven risks...
'We're Keen to Deploy More and More AI Use Cases': Quint CLO Sheraz Afzal
Quint Group’s chief legal, risk and compliance officer Sheraz Afzal marks his five‑year anniversary, highlighting the firm’s aggressive AI rollout across legal workflows. He notes that AI now automates routine tasks such as financial‑promotion approvals and answers basic HR and contract...
Withdrawal Is Mandatory Where a Client Persistently Breaches Court Orders
In Canada, a lawyer who repeatedly advises a client to stop violating court orders faces ethical duties that may compel withdrawal. The Federation of Law Societies’ Model Code prohibits lawyers from assisting dishonest conduct and requires them to report up...
NCC Orders Telcos to Compensate Users for Poor Network Service
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered mobile network operators to compensate subscribers with airtime credits when service quality falls below prescribed standards. Compensation will be calculated based on users' average spending and the specific locations of outages, and must...