Today's Legal Pulse
Biden sues DOJ to block release of interview audio
President Joe Biden has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent the Department of Justice from publishing an audio recording of his interview. The action, reported by Axios and TIME, aims to keep the interview confidential amid political controversy.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Federal Court Revives Retaliation Claim over Atlanta Cop's Stripped Flextime
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals revived a retaliation claim by Atlanta police lieutenant Terry Joyner after his flexible schedule was abruptly revoked following a whistleblower complaint. The court held that removing an informal flextime arrangement—known to management and tied to income and childcare—constitutes a materially adverse employment action. Joyner’s First Amendment claim now proceeds to trial, while related Title VII claims were dismissed. The decision signals that informal scheduling perks are legally significant when linked to protected activity.
Code, Copies, and Consequences: $185 Million Verdict Uninstalled!
The Federal Circuit overturned a $185 million jury verdict against Gen Digital, ruling that damages based on foreign software sales were improper because the infringing copies were installed abroad. The court affirmed the jury's finding of willful infringement but vacated enhanced...
DC Court Upholds DOL Penalties Against Landscaper for H-2B Worker Violations
A U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., upheld Department of Labor penalties against Maryland landscaper C.S. Lawn & Landscape for multiple H‑2B visa program violations, including wage underpayment, uniform overcharges, and illegal worker housing. The DOL ordered $36,000 in back...
My Brother Says Lawyers Can Get Him Into a Medicaid Nursing Home, Despite His Many Assets. Is This a Scam?
The Moneyist explains that while Medicaid generally requires applicants to have no more than $2,000 in countable assets, Florida offers several legitimate ways to preserve wealth, such as exempting a primary residence up to $730,000 equity and using “share‑of‑cost” programs....
Please Leave a Message: Judge Hellerstein Finds Claims Directed to Missed-Call Categorization to Be Abstract
District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein dismissed Missed Call, LLC’s infringement suit against CloudTalk.io, Inc., ruling the ’872 Patent abstract under the Alice framework. The patent, which categorizes missed calls as urgent or non‑urgent based on termination source, was found to...
USAID Officer's Discrimination and Retaliation Claims Survive Dismissal Bid
Former USAID Foreign Service Education Development Officer Janet Thomas filed six claims after her 2019 termination. A D.C. federal judge trimmed the case but allowed the core Title VII allegations of racial discrimination and retaliation to proceed. The court found the...
Even If You’re Just Transiting Hong Kong, Refusing To Unlock Your Devices Is Now A Crime
Hong Kong has amended its National Security Law, making it a criminal offense to refuse police access to passwords or decryption assistance for any personal electronic device. The rule applies to all individuals, including U.S. citizens, whether arriving or merely transiting...
Judges Are Talking. Will Anyone Listen?
Recent court actions highlight mounting political and commercial pressures on the U.S. judiciary. Trump‑appointed nominee Sheria Clarke faced fierce Democratic backlash after refusing to acknowledge the 2020 election winner during her South Carolina federal judgeship hearing. Meanwhile, a California judge...
Federal Reserve Board Announces It Has Made the Joint Findings with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Required...
The Federal Reserve Board announced it has completed the joint findings with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency required for the OCC to approve Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.'s request for an exemption under Section 23A of the Federal Reserve...
An Older Relative Wants to Give My Daughter $19,000 when She Turns 18. I Said No. Who’s Right?
An older relative wants to give the parents' daughter $19,000 when she turns 18, prompting the parents to seek ways to limit her unsupervised access. The article explains that at 18 she attains legal majority, but the family can still...
First Circuit Rejects Per Se Rule that Performance Improvement Plans Automatically Qualify as Adverse Employment Actions
The First Circuit ruled that placing an employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP) does not automatically constitute an adverse employment action under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or Title VII. The court emphasized that a fact‑intensive inquiry is required,...
Sen. Durbin, D-Ill., Reintroduces Credit Card Airline Bill
Sen. Dick Durbin has reintroduced legislation that would empower the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Trade Commission to regulate airline‑branded credit cards and rewards programs. The bill would force airlines to disclose the monetary...
Neom Terminates $5bn Trojena Dams Contract with Webuild
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megaproject has terminated its $5 billion contract with Italian builder Webuild for three Trojena dams and the signature "Bow" structure. The works were roughly 30% complete, leaving Webuild with an estimated $3.2 billion backlog. The move follows a string...
New York City Proposes Bill That Sets Higher Minimum Wages and Eliminates Tip Credits
The New York City Council introduced Bill Int. No. 757, proposing a city‑wide minimum wage that outpaces the state level and climbs to $30 per hour for large employers by 2030, with smaller firms reaching $27‑$29 per hour. The plan phases in automatic cost‑of‑living adjustments...
Louisiana Judge Dismisses NAR 3-Way Agreement Lawsuit
A Louisiana federal judge dismissed the antitrust claims against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and local Realtor groups alleging a forced three‑way membership scheme, while allowing plaintiffs to amend claims against GBRAR executive Kenneth Damann. The federal claims were...
Brazil's New Anti-Gang Law Lets Authorities Liquidate Seized Crypto to Fund Police Operations
Brazil’s President Lula signed Law No. 15,358, granting judges authority to freeze, seize, and liquidate crypto assets linked to organized crime without a conviction. Proceeds from forced sales are earmarked for public‑security funds to finance police operations, intelligence, and training. The...
Pesticide Companies Want to Be Able to Injure and Kill with Impunity Like Vaccine Companies
House lawmakers advanced H.R. 7567, a farm‑bill amendment that would sharply curb the ability of individuals to sue pesticide manufacturers in state courts. The legislation also pushes back the EPA’s deadline for reviewing more than 700 pesticides, including glyphosate, from...
Dissent Discontent: FCC’s Gomez Shares Anti-Nexstar Statement
Anna M. Gómez, the sole Democratic FCC commissioner, issued a public dissent on the Nexstar Media Group‑TEGNA merger after Media Bureau Chief Erin Boone approved the deal with rule waivers. Gómez criticized Chairman Brendan Carr and the Trump‑era leadership for politicizing...
Traffic Violation! License Plate Reader Mission Creep Is Already Here
A recent 404 Media report reveals that Georgia State Patrol used a Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) to issue a traffic ticket for a motorcyclist holding a phone, contradicting the vendor’s claim that its technology is not employed...
FDA Releases 2026 Guidance Overhauling Supplement GMP, Labeling and NDI Rules
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a comprehensive 2026 guidance that updates current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards, labeling requirements, and New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification procedures for dietary supplement manufacturers. The guidance, detailed in a Qalitex Laboratories briefing,...
Ottawa's New Hardscaping License Bylaw Could Boost Costs and Slow Permits
Effective March 1, 2026, Ottawa requires all contractors who perform hardscaping—driveways, walkways, decks—to hold a city licence costing $441 CAD (≈$327 USD) per year. The rule, aimed at safety and consumer protection, has provoked backlash from local tradespeople who warn of...
Trash(no)more: Reminder to Radio as April 1 Approaches
Attorney and digital‑media specialist David Oxenford issued his annual reminder to broadcasters as April Fools approaches, warning that the FCC’s Broadcast Hoax Rule (Section 73.1217) strictly prohibits false announcements of crimes or catastrophes. The rule demands a clear disclaimer for any fictional...
DOJ Unseals $2.5 B AI Export Smuggling Indictment Targeting Supermicro Executives
The U.S. Justice Department has unsealed an indictment accusing three Super Micro Computer insiders of exporting at least $2.5 billion of AI‑laden servers to China. The revelation knocked Supermicro’s stock nearly 28% lower and sparked fresh concerns about export‑control compliance across...
Legora Teams with Jus Mundi to Embed AI Arbitration Tool for Global Disputes
Legora has partnered with Jus Mundi to integrate the Jus AI generative‑AI engine into its platform, delivering citation‑backed answers drawn from more than 100 arbitration institutions. The integration, slated for full rollout later in 2026, marks a major step toward...
FINRA Had Fewer Cases, More Settlement Money in 2025
FINRA’s 2025 enforcement tally fell 22% to 431 disciplinary actions, yet total monetary sanctions surged 77% to $154 million, largely because of a $26 million penalty against Robinhood for supervisory and AML lapses. Excluding that case, fines would have been 15% lower...
Techshow Attendees Dig Deeper Into AI Uses and Capabilities
The ABA Techshow 2026 in Chicago gathered over 2,000 legal professionals and more than 100 technology vendors to examine the latest generative AI tools for law firms. Attendees such as Duggan Bertsch’s chief innovation officer and LegalTech Hub’s data curation director used...
![[Guest Post] Wear Your Trade Mark on Your Sleeve: Sponsorship Agreements and Termination Clauses in the Football Industry](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzJdhLr2RbI4-50qkU0wAA-oy-OjimApwZGJG9NJlSNYxh_sU32a5PssyGBN9OVyv-NwCvpuyEE0nV7pUAV7QkcpL0kWyEpsI0H7D6jDxO6xLRkdOcoktAQ5kYXeZDYysaH6Etb6l8kNt8FSUuqhioIsJeTdPcipIHgcnpPHBJm4QweQPV2SVNQ/s72-c/k5ycq14tfcr71.jpg)
[Guest Post] Wear Your Trade Mark on Your Sleeve: Sponsorship Agreements and Termination Clauses in the Football Industry
The Milan Court ruled that Inter Milan validly terminated a three‑year sleeve‑sponsorship agreement after the Cyprus‑based sponsor failed to pay, confirming the binding nature of express termination clauses under Italian law. The decision classified the deal as a fiduciary contract, emphasizing...
Japan‘s Financial Watchdog Flags KuCoin for OTC Derivatives Transactions
Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) issued warning letters to KuCoin and three other crypto platforms for offering over‑the‑counter (OTC) derivatives to Japanese residents without proper registration. KuCoin, headquartered in the Seychelles, was singled out after the FSA previously asked Apple...
March Global Regulatory Brief: Trading and Markets
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) released a consultation paper proposing a standalone market‑abuse framework for IFSC securities, replacing reliance on SEBI rules and introducing hybrid principle‑ and rule‑based standards. In Europe, ESMA approved supplementary deferral timelines for sovereign...
Lawyer’s E&O Insurer Owes No Defense in Trade Secret Theft Case
A U.S. District Judge in Georgia ruled that ALPS Property & Casualty Insurance Co. has no duty to defend attorney Jeremy Cohen in a trade‑secret theft lawsuit because the alleged conduct does not fall within the scope of legal services....
March Global Regulatory Brief: Risk, Capital and Financial Stability
Recent financial stress has spurred a wave of regulatory initiatives worldwide. In the United States, the Treasury signaled a possible reset of bank liquidity rules, including a review of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio and discount‑window caps. China’s CSRC introduced a...
What Does the White House AI Framework Mean for Free Speech?
The White House unveiled a new AI framework aimed at guiding the development and deployment of artificial intelligence while safeguarding democratic values. Among its provisions are requirements for transparent labeling of AI‑generated content and mechanisms to curb deepfake misinformation. The...
Florida Court Shields Undrawn Reverse Mortgage Funds From Creditor Garnishment
A Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that creditors cannot force a homeowner to draw from an undrawn Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) line of credit to satisfy a judgment. The decision involved a $55,000 judgment against Norman Desmarais,...
Developer Sues Florida City for Denying Water to 3,250-Unit Project
Developers of Avalon Park, a 3,250‑unit project in Daytona Beach, have sued the neighboring City of Ormond Beach for refusing to provide essential water and sewer services, effectively halting construction. The dispute stems from a 2006 interlocal agreement that gives...
“In Scope” Vs. “Out of Scope” Modifications: How GAO Explains The Difference
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) clarified the line between “in‑scope” and “out‑of‑scope” contract modifications in its 2017 Zodiac of North America decision. GAO held that a modification is out‑of‑scope only when it creates a material difference—substantially altering work, cost, or...
Utah Court Limits Employer Liability Waiver Rule, Revives Ski Resort Defense
The Utah Supreme Court narrowed a century‑old rule barring employer liability waivers, limiting its reach to injuries that occur within the scope of employment. In Deer Valley Resort Co. v. Olson, the court upheld dismissal of vicarious liability claims but...
New Bill Aims to Roll Back Diesel Truck Emissions Mandates
Rep. Mike Collins introduced the Diesel Truck Liberation Act, a bill that would strip the EPA of authority to enforce emissions controls on heavy‑duty diesel trucks. The legislation would prohibit federal agencies from requiring emissions devices, onboard diagnostics, and penalties...
Borrower Sues Nationstar After $180k Mortgage Reported as $4.2m Debt
Deann Bueligen is suing Nationstar Mortgage and the three major credit bureaus after her $180,000 rural mortgage was reported as a $4.2 million debt because an annual payment of $11,329 was mistakenly logged as a monthly amount. The misreporting, which persisted...
Reg CF Issuers that Set Artificially Low Funding Targets Undermine the Entire Sector of Online Capital Formation
Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) lets startups raise up to $5 million with a simple notice filing, but many issuers set unrealistically low minimum targets, such as $10,000, to claim a "successful" raise. This practice inflates success metrics while delivering little operational capital,...
Drafting a Cease and Desist Letter: What to Include and Avoid
Cease‑and‑desist letters are a primary tool for addressing alleged misconduct such as IP infringement, contract breaches, or trade‑secret misappropriation before litigation. Effective letters require precise identification of parties, accurate factual descriptions, and clear, specific demands backed by solid legal authority....
From 90s Optimism to Lawsuits over Child Addiction
When the internet was just starting in the 90s, there was a genuine optimism about the future of our digital future. This week in a In a "bellwether" trial Meta and YouTube (Google) were found liable for designing platforms to addict...
Beyond Potemkin: Real Value of HIPAA and SOC 2
This week on Complex Systems, we have compliance regimes designed to go viral in and around industries, like HIPAA and the new hotness SOC 2, and we Delve into the difference between Potemkin compliance and the messy-but-real value these regimes...
Demand for Legal Engineers Skyrockets in the AI Age
The legal‑tech market is witnessing a rapid surge in demand for legal engineers as generative AI reshapes contract analysis, compliance automation, and litigation support. Job postings for legal engineers grew 48% year‑over‑year in the first quarter of 2026, with median...
House Committee Approves Chip Security Act Targeting China
House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Chip Security Act | Select Committee on the CCP https://t.co/Pxi7ysePpz
Essential Tool Maps Global Child‑Safety Verification Laws
This remains one of the most useful tools for tracking age/ID verification "child safety" laws (ironically made by a top ID verification company). It gives the best comprehensive overview of where things stand in every state and country. Phenomenal work...
Illinois Employers Stiff Employees With Interchange Fee Prohibition
The Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), passed in 2024 and slated for July implementation, will exempt taxes and tips from the standard 2% swipe fees that merchants pay on credit, debit, and gift‑card transactions. Proponents argue the measure reduces...
Save Act Rejects Driver’s Licenses, Raising Vote Suppression Concerns
But drivers licenses don’t work as legit ID under the Save Act? What weird vote suppression garbage is this?
Questioning FMC Authority Over Chinese Detention of Panama Ships
FMC. Chinese detention of Panama vessels. Question. Where does the Federal Maritime Commission get authority here?
Conflict of Interest Does Not Automatically Extinguish Attorney-Client Privilege
The Federal Circuit reversed a district court order that forced Norton’s counsel, Quinn Emanuel, to disclose privileged communications with a former employee, Dr. Dacier, after finding a conflict of interest did not automatically terminate attorney‑client privilege. Columbia University’s suit over...
Apple Adds Age Checks; Users Consider Android Escape
The impact of the UK's age verification law continues, with Apple implementing age checks for iOS 26.4 users, and some already plan to flee to Android. https://t.co/517EsY3jOJ