🎯Today's Legal Pulse
Updated 7m agoWhat's happening: Judge refuses to dismiss DOJ antitrust suit against Live Nation
A federal judge denied Live Nation's request to throw out the Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit, granting summary judgment on the core claim that the company's promotion and booking activities constitute a monopoly. The case now focuses on whether Live Nation's amphitheater network and Ticketmaster's venue agreements also meet monopoly standards.
Also developing:
News•Feb 17, 2026
Houston Is Becoming A Biglaw Stomping Ground
Houston is emerging as a premier destination for large law firms, with two Am Law top‑30 firms announcing new Houston offices in 2026. The move leaves only five firms in the top‑30 still without a Houston presence, underscoring the city’s growing legal market. Drivers include the energy sector’s expansion, a favorable tax environment, and a deep talent pool. The trend reflects broader corporate migration to Texas and signals intensified competition among biglaw firms for regional clients.
By Above the Law
News•Feb 17, 2026
Texas AG Sues Wi-Fi Company over Links to China
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TP‑Link Systems Inc., alleging the Wi‑Fi maker deceived consumers by marketing its routers as "Made in Vietnam" while sourcing most components in China. The complaint cites longstanding firmware vulnerabilities that Chinese state‑backed hackers have...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
Victims Recall Horror of School Shooting in Trial Against Suspect’s Father
Multiple survivors of the September 4, 2024 Apalachee High School shooting testified about severe physical injuries and lasting anxiety as the murder trial of their shooter’s father, Colin Gray, proceeds. The father faces 29 charges, including second‑degree murder and child cruelty, after...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
Federal Judge Tells The Trump Administration To Quit Acting Like Big Brother
Federal Judge Cynthia M. Rufe granted a preliminary injunction forcing the Department of Justice to restore signage, displays, and videos at Philadelphia’s President’s House that detail the slaves owned by George Washington. The Trump administration had sought to remove the...
By Above the Law
Social•Feb 17, 2026
County Challenges FBI Raid, Demands Return of 2020 Election Records
NEW: The filing, which shreds the logic behind the raid, marks the county’s latest effort to reclaim the materials seized by the FBI during the raid, including the original — and only — copy of Fulton County’s 2020 election records....
By Marc Elias
News•Feb 17, 2026
‘No Careless Mistake’: Trump Sued for Removing Pride Flag at Stonewall Monument
LGBTQ advocates sued the Trump administration after the National Park Service removed the rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument, citing a Department of the Interior memo that limits flags at federal parks. The plaintiffs argue the action reflects targeted...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
Massachusetts Judge Pauses ICE Policy Allowing Enforcement in Churches
A Massachusetts federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting the Department of Homeland Security’s new guidance that permits ICE agents to conduct immigration enforcement inside and near houses of worship. The memo, introduced by acting DHS secretary Benjamine Huffman, replaced...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
Got In To Your Dream Law School? Federal Loan Caps Could Change The Math
The U.S. Department of Education will enforce a new federal loan cap on July 1, 2026, limiting professional‑school borrowing to $50,000 per year and $200,000 total. At top‑tier law schools, where tuition and living costs often exceed $100,000 annually, the cap forces...
By Above the Law
News•Feb 17, 2026
Virginia Democrats Weigh Increasing Parole Opportunities to Decrease Rising Prison Medical Costs
Virginia Democrats approved a bill to double the state parole board to at least ten members, slated to take effect in 2028, as part of a strategy to curb soaring prison medical expenses. A recent Department of Corrections report showed...
By Courthouse News Service
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Votes Are In! Here Are The 15 Legal Tech Startups Selected For The 2026 Startup Alley At ABA TECHSHOW
The ABA TECHSHOW’s 2026 Startup Alley has selected 15 legal‑tech startups to pitch on opening night, after a public voting process narrowed a panel‑chosen shortlist of 25. Winners will showcase their AI‑driven solutions—from immigration case management to email automation and settlement...
By Above the Law
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Mastering Ediscovery with This Comprehensive Guide From Everlaw: EDiscovery Best Practices
Everlaw released a 151‑page guide titled “Mastering Ediscovery,” detailing every stage of the eDiscovery process from data preservation to generative AI. The guide breaks down legal hold duties, FRCP Rule 26(f) protocols, predictive coding workflows, and the latest AI‑driven tools for...
By eDiscovery Today
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Rent to Your Business Tax-Free—Only With Proper Paperwork
Influencers: “Rent your house to your business and boom — tax-free money.” What they don’t tell you: 📂 Fair market rent. 📝 Real agendas and minutes. 👥 Actual humans in attendance. 💼 A separate legal entity. 📸 Documentation that doesn’t look like it was created during...
By Prof. Victoria J. Haneman
News•Feb 17, 2026
Utah Considers Adding a Third Law School
Utah lawmakers are evaluating a bill to create a third law school, tasking Utah Valley University with a feasibility study for a campus at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. The study, due Nov. 30, will examine accreditation routes, including ABA approval, and...
By Law.com (ALM)
News•Feb 17, 2026
3 Questions For A Litigation Funding Startup Founder (Part II)
The interview with Signal Peak founder Lauren Harrison highlights a critical shortage of trial‑ready talent in IP law firms, noting that fewer than 10% of litigators have ever tried a case. She explains that funders favor firms that can confidently...
By Above the Law
News•Feb 17, 2026
Divided FTC Finalizes Rule to Ban Noncompete Agreements
The Federal Trade Commission finalized a rule banning most non‑compete agreements, approved by a 3‑2 vote and set to take effect 120 days after publication. The regulation spares only senior executives earning over $151,164, preserving existing clauses for that group....
By Law.com (ALM)
News•Feb 17, 2026
France Releases Oil Tanker GRINCH After ‘Several Million Euro’ Penalty for Sanctions Evasion
French authorities released the oil tanker GRINCH after its owner paid a multi‑million‑euro penalty for sanctions evasion. The vessel, seized in the Alboran Sea in January, was suspected of operating under a false Comoros flag as part of Russia’s shadow...
By gCaptain
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
A Modern Approach for Modern Data: Context-Aware eDiscovery: EDiscovery Webinars
A webinar hosted by ACEDS will explore how traditional eDiscovery tools lag behind today’s collaborative, cloud‑native data environments. Speakers from Walgreens, Cloudficient, and KLDiscovery will explain a context‑aware approach that leverages behavior, identity, and data lineage to improve custodian identification...
By eDiscovery Today
News•Feb 17, 2026
Houston Companies to Pay $200K to Workers Fired for Asbestos Concern
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered two Houston construction firms, Rise Construction LLC and Niko Group LLC, to reinstate two workers they fired for raising asbestos safety concerns during a hotel repair after Hurricane Beryl....
By Insurance Journal
News•Feb 17, 2026
Bayer to Make $10.5 Billion Push to Settle Roundup Cases
Bayer AG is set to announce a $10.5 billion settlement initiative to resolve Roundup litigation, combining a $7.5 billion class‑action proposal in Missouri with $3 billion for existing U.S. cases. The German conglomerate has already spent more than $10 billion on verdicts and settlements...
By Insurance Journal
News•Feb 17, 2026
Upcoming Webinar | Confidently Navigate the EU Pay Transparency Directive
The EU Pay Transparency Directive, one of the most comprehensive pay‑equity laws, will take effect in 2026 across all member states. It requires employers to publish gender‑pay gap data and detailed compensation breakdowns. To help organizations prepare, HRtechBot is hosting...
By HRTechFeed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Guidance: Defence Maritime Regulations: Regulatory Notices
The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) has refreshed its regulatory notice suite, adding a 2026 Regulation Source Record, ATAMS and ISM Code guidance, and updated IMO registration requirements. Recent 2025 amendments address diving safety verification and wreck management, while a 2025...
By UK Ministry of Defence (GOV.UK)
News•Feb 17, 2026
UAE Clarifies Annual Leave Rules; Sets Limits on Carrying Forward Unused Days
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued new guidance clarifying annual leave entitlements and carry‑forward limits. Employees earn a minimum of 30 days paid leave after one year, with accrual at two days per month before that. Unused leave...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 17, 2026
UK Crypto Rules Too Slow to Support Global Hub Ambitions, Says Agant CEO
Andrew MacKenzie, CEO of stablecoin developer Agant, warned that the United Kingdom’s crypto regulatory timetable is too slow to support its ambition of becoming a global digital‑asset hub. While the government plans to pass comprehensive stablecoin legislation later this year,...
By CoinDesk
News•Feb 17, 2026
New London Tribunal Centre to Open as Backlog Exceeds 66,000 Cases
The UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre in London will begin hearing cases in March, adding 30 hearing rooms and capacity for up to 60 judges. The move responds to a growing backlog of more than 66,000 tribunal cases across employment,...
By HRreview (UK)
News•Feb 17, 2026
DSS Files Charges Against El-Rufai Over Alleged NSA Phone Interception
The Department of State Services has filed a three‑count criminal charge against former Kaduna governor Nasir El‑Rufai for allegedly intercepting the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Prosecutors say El‑Rufai admitted the illegal interception during a televised interview on 13 February 2026,...
By The Cyber Express
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
British Airways Passenger Reveals The Clever Way He Won Compensation Despite An ‘Extraordinary Circumstance’
A British Airways passenger successfully claimed £520 compensation after the airline cited a tropical storm in Nassau as an “extraordinary circumstance” to deny liability. The passenger appealed to an independent arbitrator, who ruled that BA had not demonstrated that it...
By Paddleyourownkanoo
News•Feb 17, 2026
Sources: US Healthcare Manufacturer Danaher Is Nearing a Deal to Buy Medtech Company Masimo for ~$10B; Masimo Is in an...
Danaher, a US healthcare conglomerate, is close to finalizing a roughly $10 billion acquisition of Masimo, the maker of pulse‑oximetry and other medical monitoring devices. The deal, still subject to antitrust clearance, would add Masimo’s sensor technology to Danaher’s Life Sciences...
By Techmeme
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Know Your Business Meal Deduction Risk Levels
A guide to business meal deductions Lower Risk • Occasional client lunch • Modest amounts • Clean documentation • Clear business relationship Moderate Risk • Frequent meals but defensible revenue • Slightly aggressive % of expenses • Documentation exists but is thin High Risk • Large meals relative to income • vague “business meeting” notes • No attendee names • Receipts missing • Pattern suggest disguised...
By Prof. Victoria J. Haneman
Podcast•Feb 17, 2026•34 min
Sponsor Bank 101: Everything Fintechs Need to Know Before Signing a Contract
In this episode, Lindsay Borgeson, President of Partner Banking at Core Bank, explains how her community bank built the CoreX Banking‑as‑a‑Service platform from the ground up, emphasizing a compliance‑first mindset, early regulator engagement, and careful tech‑partner selection. She highlights the...
By Fintech Confidential
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Romance Could Spark Ethics Violations for Lewandowski
Come get this tea ☕️ Reports about a relationship between Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski may raise more than gossip — they could raise legal concerns. As a Special Government Employee, Lewandowski must avoid conflicts of interest and cannot exceed...
By JayJay Legal
News•Feb 17, 2026
EFCC Quizzes El-Rufai, Defends Use of Tear Gas on Protesters
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) summoned former Kaduna governor Nasiru El‑Rufai for questioning over alleged mismanagement of public funds during his 2015‑2023 tenure. While El‑Rufai complied, supporters stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, prompting operatives to deploy tear gas...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Big Financial Impacts From Off-Campus HOPD Rule Change
Effective Jan. 1 2028, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 requires hospitals to assign separate NPIs and submit two provider‑based attestations for each off‑campus hospital outpatient department (HOPD) or lose Medicare OPPS reimbursement. Compliance documentation can be extensive—up to 200 pages per...
By HFMA – Healthcare Financial Management Association
News•Feb 16, 2026
EU Crypto Reporting Goes Live and Netherlands Immediately Votes on 36% Bitcoin Tax – Even if You Don’t Sell
The Dutch House approved a Box 3 overhaul that will tax the annual change in value of liquid assets such as Bitcoin at a flat 36 % rate, effective Jan 1 2028 pending Senate approval. The regime treats crypto like a marked‑to‑market security, meaning...
By CryptoSlate
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Over 300 Voting-Related Lawsuits Currently Active Nationwide
Here is what Democracy Docket is tracking for you: Active Voting Rights Cases: 165 Active Redistricting Cases: 49 Active Anti-Voting Cases: 89 Active Pro-Voting Cases: 72 Active DOJ Lawsuits: 24 Stay informed. Subscribe today. https://bit.ly/4r9A45t
By Marc Elias
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Upcoming Roadmap: E‑Sign, Check‑In/Out, Conflict Flags
What it looks like and what’s on the roadmap: 1) E-Sign integration (right now it just sends a copy to the client via email); 2) Check in/Check out functionality (you edit in platform, but would prefer sometimes to edit outside and...
By Matt (Employment Law)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Antitrust Filing Says Google Cannibalizes Publisher Traffic via @Sejournal, @Martinibuster
Penske Media Corp (PMC) filed a federal memorandum opposing Google’s motion to dismiss its antitrust lawsuit, alleging the tech giant broke the long‑standing “fair exchange” of search traffic for indexed content. The complaint says Google’s AI‑driven, zero‑click answers repurpose publisher...
By Search Engine Journal
News•Feb 16, 2026
FCA Exchanges Letters on Cooperation with India Regulator, IFSCA
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has signed an Exchange of Letters with India’s International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), the regulator for GIFT City. The pact commits both bodies to share regulatory knowledge and best‑practice insights, aiming to strengthen links...
By UK FCA – News
News•Feb 16, 2026
DPP Link Rolls Out GS1 Shield for ESPR Rules
DPP Link has launched its GS1‑integrated Shield platform to help exporters and manufacturers meet the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The solution automates product registration using GS1 Digital Link standards and tracks material composition with a ten‑year data...
By Fintech Global
News•Feb 16, 2026
Rethinking SARs in the Fight Against Financial Crime
Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) remain the cornerstone of global AML frameworks, yet many institutions misunderstand their purpose, treating them as accusations rather than suspicion flags. Regulatory pressure and soaring transaction volumes have driven firms to prioritize filing speed over narrative...
By Fintech Global
News•Feb 16, 2026
The Spreadsheet Trap in Financial Crime Risk
Spreadsheets have long been the default tool for financial crime risk assessments, prized for their flexibility and low cost. However, they cannot enforce governance, version control, or audit trails required by modern compliance frameworks. As institutions expand across products and...
By Fintech Global
News•Feb 16, 2026
OKX Snags European Payments License for Stablecoin and Crypto Card Expansion
OKX has obtained a Payments Institution (PI) licence in Malta, bringing the exchange into compliance with the EU’s upcoming Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regulation and the revised Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2). The licence authorises OKX to offer stablecoin‑linked payment...
By CoinDesk
News•Feb 16, 2026
A Practical Guide to Completing Identity Verification for Your Clients
In this Accountancy Age episode, the hosts walk listeners through the two‑step Companies House identity verification process that directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must complete before filing confirmation statements. They explain how ACSPs report verifications, obtain the 11‑character...
By Accountancy Age
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
A ‘Corruption Perceptions Index’ for Your Own Co.
Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index shows a global decline in clean governance, prompting compliance leaders to look inward. The article proposes building a corporate‑level corruption perception index to gauge how employees view ethical standards and misconduct. It outlines the...
By Radical Compliance
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Crypto-Derivatives Regulation Is Too Fragmented
A new comparative study finds crypto‑derivatives regulation is highly fragmented across major financial hubs, despite the products mirroring traditional derivatives in structure and risk. Regulators have forced crypto‑derivatives into existing regimes, leading to divergent rules based on settlement method, underlying...
By CLS Blue Sky Blog (Columbia Law School)
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Open Door for Aspiring Law Students Seeking Guidance
I’ve said this many times and I will say it again…if ✨🪩 current events 🪩✨ have you inspired to go to law school and you want to talk to a practicing attorney, my door is always open. DM us or...
By Taylor M. Tieman (Legalmiga)
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Penske Sues Google for Siphoning AI‑generated Search Traffic
Antitrust filing by Penske Media Corporation claims Google is cannibalizing search traffic of sites repackaged into AI search answers. https://t.co/sHZrDZGsuS via @martinibuster, @sejournal
By Tom Pick
News•Feb 15, 2026
How Satisfied Are Companies After Integrating NHIs in Compliance Frameworks?
The episode explores how companies are evaluating the integration of Non‑Human Identities (NHIs) into their compliance frameworks, highlighting the benefits of reduced risk, improved regulatory adherence, and operational efficiency. It outlines best‑practice steps such as discovery, automated secret rotation, behavioral...
By Security Boulevard
Social•Feb 16, 2026
US Court Rulings Will Shape AI IP, Economy, Security
we’re at this part of the awareness of the IP issues surrounding training AI and the national economic and security issues that flow from the decisions US courts will make in the coming months and years
By Andrew Arruda
Social•Feb 15, 2026
Elias's Warnings Proved Right; Act Against Trump
"I’ve wanted Marc Elias to be wrong for seven years, or six years, for as long as he’s been coming on my show. I have wanted his warnings to be wrong, but every single one of them has been either...
By Marc Elias
Social•Feb 15, 2026
Subscribe for Independent Updates on Voting Rights, Elections, Courts
If you want to stay informed about what is happening to voting rights, elections and the courts while also supporting independent pro-democracy media, subscribe now to Democracy Docket. https://bit.ly/4r9A45t
By Marc Elias