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
HDFC Bank Has Been Repeatedly Hauled up by Regulators on Compliance Issues
HDFC Bank has faced a string of regulatory actions over the past seven years, beginning with a ₹1 crore RBI penalty in 2019 for KYC and AML lapses. Subsequent sanctions include a 2020 RBI directive that halted digital launches, a 2024 RBI fine for deposit‑rate and customer‑service violations, and a 2025 RBI fine of ₹91 lakh for benchmark misuse. International scrutiny grew when the Dubai Financial Services Authority barred its Dubai unit from onboarding new clients, and SEBI issued a warning for merchant‑banking non‑compliance. The cumulative effect underscores persistent compliance gaps at one of India’s largest lenders.
Vereins – The Reckoning, and the GenAI Problem
DLA Piper, the world’s third‑largest law firm, announced it will dissolve its Swiss verein and adopt a global holding company to align strategy, leadership and partner economics. The move follows a decade of criticism that the verein model hampers data...
Freedom House Scores U.S. at Historic Low of 81, Tying South Africa
Freedom House reported the United States fell to 81 points on its Freedom in the World index, the lowest score since the survey began in 1972 and equal to South Africa. The drop reflects growing executive power under President Donald...
Former Judges Practically Begging D.C. Circuit To Do The Right Thing In Anthropic Case
Former state and federal judges filed a 149‑signatory amicus brief urging the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to invalidate the Pentagon’s designation of AI firm Anthropic as a supply‑chain risk. The brief argues the Department of Defense exceeded its statutory...
IOSCO Proposes Good Practices Concerning OTC Commodities Derivatives Markets
On 19 March 2026 IOSCO released a consultation report proposing good practices to reinforce Principles 12, 15 and 16 of its commodity derivatives framework. The focus is on improving access to OTC position data, enhancing information sharing between regulators and...
Reducing FOI Cost Limits Will Reduce Government Transparency
The UK government is weighing a reduction of the Freedom of Information (FOI) cost limit to curb a surge in requests. A lower limit would shrink the time authorities can spend on each request, making it easier to refuse complex...
14th International Forum on the E-APP: Registration Open!
The Permanent Bureau announced that registration is now open for the 14th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e‑APP), scheduled for 12‑13 May 2026 in Marrakesh, Morocco. This marks the first time the e‑APP Forum will be hosted in...
Daybreak and The Heroes Journey Creators Settle Lawsuit, $3.5 Million in Damages Possible if Deal Violated
Daybreak Games settled its lawsuit against the EverQuest emulator The Heroes Journey and its creators, Kristopher Takahashi and Alexander Taylor. The agreement bars the developers from distributing or promoting any EverQuest‑related emulator, with a $3.5 million damages clause if they breach...
USDA Proposes Delaying Poultry Industry Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed delaying the poultry grower‑payment and capital‑improvement rule until December 2027, pushing back its original July 2026 effective date. The rule, part of a Biden‑era effort to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, would...
Say It So People Hear It
Effective communication is a strategic tool for lawyers, not just a delivery of facts. Tailoring tone and structure to each audience—clients, opposing counsel, and judges—builds trust and credibility before any substantive dispute begins. Clear themes, disciplined wording, and concise follow‑ups...
Section 230’s Application to Account Terminations, CSAM, and More
In 2026 a series of rulings across California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas and federal courts refined the scope of Section 230 immunity. The California Court of Appeal affirmed Google’s right to suspend ads under 230(c)(1), while the Eastern District of Pennsylvania...
Alberta Introduces Bill to Prohibit Assisted Suicide for Minors & the Mentally Ill
Alberta has tabled the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act, which would bar medical assistance in dying (MAID) for anyone under 18, for patients whose sole condition is a mental illness, and for cases where death is not...
U.S. Senate Lawmakers Urge ‘Seedance 2.0’ AI Video Model Shutdown Following Copyright Infringement
U.S. Senators Peter Welch and Marsha Blackburn wrote to ByteDance demanding the shutdown of its Seedance 2.0 AI video model, citing rampant copyright infringement. Within 24 hours the tool generated viral deep‑fake scenes featuring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Stranger Things, and...
U.S. Auto Safety Agency Deepens Probe Into Tesla’s Self-Driving Technology
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has widened its investigation into Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system, now covering about 3.2 million vehicles across multiple models. The probe zeroes in on the “degradation detection” feature that should alert drivers when camera‑based perception...
Ex Boss Brings Whistleblowing Legal Action Against Battersea Power Station
Former Battersea Power Station CEO Don O'Sullivan has filed a whistleblowing claim alleging serious financial misreporting and unfair dismissal by the Malaysian‑owned development company. The London South Employment Tribunal has scheduled the case for a final hearing in 2029, reflecting...
McDonald’s Must Face Black Ex-Execs’ Harassment, Retaliation Claims
A federal judge in Chicago ruled that two former McDonald’s vice presidents can pursue hostile‑work‑environment claims after alleging racial slurs and retaliation, while dismissing their promotion‑discrimination claims for insufficient evidence. The plaintiffs, Black women, say they were demoted and ultimately...
Justices to Consider Rules Pardoning Omissions by Bankrupt Debtors
The Supreme Court will hear Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, a dispute over whether judicial estoppel should bar a debtor’s tort claim after failing to disclose a car‑accident recovery to the bankruptcy court. The case highlights two competing appellate standards:...
Breaking: Judge Extends Block on Maryland ICE Detention Facility, Setting Stage for April Showdown
A federal judge extended the construction halt on the 825,000‑square‑foot Maryland ICE detention warehouse until at least April 16, and set a hearing for the week of April 13 to consider a longer‑lasting injunction. The facility, purchased for $102.4 million and...
EB-1A/EB-2 NIW/O-1 Case Reviews with a Lawyer (a Virtual Event on What Makes a Strong Case)
Immigration law firm Manifest Law will host a virtual live case review event on March 25, featuring attorney Gabriela Urizar. The hour‑long session focuses on EB‑1A, EB‑2 NIW, and O‑1 visa petitions, offering personalized feedback on submitted profiles. Participants can...
Why the Wills Bill Signals a Need for Lawyers to Reassess Their Safeguards Against Document Fraud
The UK Law Commission’s draft Wills Bill aims to replace the 1837 Act with modern provisions, including electronic wills and e‑signatures. This shift introduces new fraud vulnerabilities, as AI‑generated deepfakes and manipulated documents can compromise authenticity. Legal firms are urged...
Katie Miller Grills Todd Blanche About the Epstein Files on Her Podcast - This Is Just Bizarre
Former Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch appeared on Katie Miller’s podcast to discuss the Jeffrey Epstein files, claiming the Trump DOJ and FBI prosecuted more violent offenders and child predators in 14 months than during Biden’s entire four‑year term. He...
Maharashtra Panel Orders Lodha to Refund Rs 5 Crore to Homebuyers
The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Macrotech Developers (Lodha) to refund more than Rs 5 crore to a senior‑citizen couple after finding the developer guilty of deficient service and unfair trade practices. The ruling mandates repayment of Rs 2.83 crore plus 10%...
At the Money: Billionaire Divorce Planning
The Bloomberg "At the Money" episode explores how ultra‑wealthy divorces differ from ordinary splits, focusing on privacy concerns, complex estate structures, and liquidity challenges. Guest Patrick Kilbane explains that while the legal process mirrors standard divorces, a single tax mistake...
Plaintiff Sold Her Cell Phone After Litigation Commenced
Ms. Jennifer L. Hernandez sold her cell phone after filing a harassment suit, despite counsel’s warning to preserve electronically stored information (ESI). The court held that all five Rule 37(e) threshold requirements were met, finding her actions unreasonable and the missing...
High Court Throws Out Appeal of 'Lack of Integrity' Sanction
The High Court dismissed partner Scott Halborg’s appeal against a 12‑month suspension imposed by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). The judge affirmed that allegations of lacking integrity are judged by the civil standard of proof, not an elevated moral standard....
Firearms Trafficking Comes to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Recent Advisory Opinion
On March 5 the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights issued advisory opinion OC‑30/25 at Mexico’s request, clarifying state and private‑sector obligations to prevent illicit firearms trafficking. The opinion links illegal arms flows—over 70% of seized Mexican guns trace to the United...
Tanzanian Rapper Wakazi to Pay Rival $38,000 for Defamation
Tanzanian rapper Webiro Wasira, known as Wakazi, was ordered by a Dar es Salaam court to pay $38,000 (Tsh 100 million) in damages to MP and musician Clayton Chipando, aka Baba Levo, for defamation. The court rejected Baba Levo’s $2.3 million claim, citing...
Beyond the Judicial Panel: What Else Stayed With Us From Legalweek 2026
Legalweek 2026 opened with high‑profile keynotes before a judicial panel anchored the event in safety, independence and the rule of law. Throughout the week the conversation shifted from AI hype to disciplined governance, operational readiness and measurable client value. Attendees...
KPMG & Costa | Which Employers Failed to Pay Workers Minimum Wage - and Why?
The UK Department for Business and Trade released a list of 389 employers that failed to pay the national minimum wage, affecting an estimated 60,000 workers and resulting in £7.3 million in missed wages. Companies, including KPMG, Quorn and Costa, have...
Kevin Spacey And Three Accusers Settle Civil Lawsuits For Sexual Assault
Oscar‑winning actor Kevin Spacey reached a confidential settlement with three British men who had filed civil suits alleging sexual assault from 2000 to 2013. The settlement caused the High Court to stay the lawsuits, canceling a trial slated for October....
Suspended: The AMC That Turned “Review” Into a Value Demand
Virginia’s Board of Real Estate suspended appraisal‑management firm Financial Asset Services (FAS) and its chief appraiser Brandon Sison for six months, adding an 18‑month probation period, after they pressured a certified appraiser to lower a $385,000 reverse‑mortgage valuation. The firm...
Call Your Rep: Stop Book‑Banning Bill H.R. 7661
This dreadful book banning bill, H.R. 7661, has made it out of committee and into the House. It's time to call your reps.
Deregulation Inevitably Triggers Later Re‑regulation, Says Regulators
Just a reminder that when it comes to bank regulation, what is deregulated on the way up is inevitably reregulated on the way down. Love them or hate them, there is no trend following crowd like our banking regulators.
TikTok Is Not Your Tax Attorney
In this episode of the Liquid Lunch Project, host Matthew Mehan and co‑host Luigi Rosa Bianca sit down with former IRS attorney Pietro Canastrelli to demystify tax law and the role of tax attorneys. Pietro explains how his team helps...
Regulators Demand More Data on Union Pacific‑Norfolk Southern Merger
US regulators are seeking additional information about Union Pacific’s proposed takeover of Norfolk Southern, an unexpected hurdle for the rail industry’s biggest-ever deal https://t.co/YELIEDfiKf
DOJ Refuses Politically‑motivated Fast‑track on Paramount‑Warner Deal
DOJ Will ‘Absolutely Not’ Fast-Track Review of Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal for Political Reasons, Antitrust Chief Says https://t.co/sQogt9Eyeq via @variety
How the Government Built a Cage Around Healthcare, One Law at a Time
The essay chronicles how a succession of U.S. health‑care statutes—from the 1946 Hill‑Burton Act to the 2010 ACA provision—has incrementally constrained the industry. It quantifies each law’s impact, noting $4.6 billion in Hill‑Burton grants, 36 states retaining Certificate of Need (CON)...
Candidate James Fishback Loses Arbitration After Cutting Lawyer Payments
Florida governor candidate James Fishback stopped paying his lawyers and lost his arbitration case against Greenlight. The great "global head of macro" drama ends with a whimper... https://t.co/MfpIKNWO1Z
Judge Blocks Kennedy's Attack on CDC Vaccine Schedule
Maybe you heard that a federal judge ruled against @SecKennedy's attack on the CDC vaccine schedule. Always great to win a battle, but we are still at war. The damage already done can’t be repaired. @JessicaMalaty & I break it all...
Delaware Supreme Court Guidance on ADR Provisions to Resolve Earnout Disputes—Stillfront
The Delaware Supreme Court in Fortis Advisors v. Stillfront held that an ADR clause labeling an accounting firm as an "Arbitrator" grants it broad authority to resolve all earnout‑related disputes, including legal and bad‑faith claims, not just calculation issues. The...
EEI Serves Shareholders, Not Ratepayers; FERC Must Act
The Edison Electric Institute works for utility shareholders, not utility ratepayers. That's why FERC should revive its dormant proceeding about utility trade association dues and ensure that utility shareholders pay for EEI, not the public.
NY AG Warns Pay‑TV Rates Will Jump Post‑merger
NY AG Letitia James says pay-TV prices will spike if Nexstar-Tegna deal goes through because they will demand higher carriage fees and those costs ultimately get passed on to consumers.
Bonus 216: Shadow Docket Shadowboxing
The author’s bonus newsletter dissects the Supreme Court’s March 2 emergency rulings in Mirabelli v. Bonta and Malliotakis v. Williams. He critiques Justice Barrett’s concurrence—joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh—for offering only a superficial defense of the Court’s decision...
Afroman's Lawyer Mocks Seriousness of Flag‑suit Defendant
If you haven’t been following this, Afroman’s lawyers have also had some incredible moments — including asking if any reasonable person would think that a man wearing a flag suit in court should be taken seriously
Tech Leaders Seek AI, Yet Need Real-World Planning
It’s a bit ironic that so many tech founders and executives find me through AI, only to hear my first piece of advice—don’t rely on AI. I recently addressed a rolling GRAT question from a young married couple and discovered they...
What’s Next for the Office of Rail & Road?
The Office of Rail & Road (ORR) is set to see its remit dramatically reduced as Great British Railways (GBR) takes over the UK rail network. While the regulator will lose direct control over Network Rail’s assets and fare approvals, it...
New Law Ensures Partners' Abusers Face Justice
The legislation passed yesterday would not mean a man who commits a crime against his partner gets away with it.
Eight States Sue Nexstar, Tegna Over Local News Antitrust
8 states file antitrust complaint against NXST/TGNA. https://t.co/ezHdcMNmdr Interesting complaint in that it goes after retrans and degredation of local news coverage as a consumer welfare/loss of competing product issue. /1
Not a Robot Judge: What AI Is Really Doing to Civil Justice
The Cambridge Handbook of AI in Civil Dispute Resolution shows that artificial intelligence is already reshaping civil justice, not by replacing judges but by altering how disputes are managed across courts, online platforms, mediation and arbitration. It highlights AI’s potential...
Adobe: Consumer Protection Enforcement Case
On 19 March 2026 the UK Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into Adobe Systems Software Ireland Limited over its early‑termination‑fee clause in certain subscription plans. The probe will assess whether the fee is an unfair contract term and whether its...