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
Get Ready for More Big Tech Lawsuits About Design, Not Content
A landmark tort lawsuit in Los Angeles accuses Meta and YouTube of designing addictive features that harm children, shifting the legal focus from First Amendment speech protections to product design. The case, representing roughly 1,600 plaintiffs from 350 families, draws analogies to cigarettes and casinos to argue intentional harm. Parallel suits are emerging in over forty states and against AI chatbots, alleging defective design and wrongful‑death claims. The outcome could compel tech firms to redesign interfaces, add warnings, and face substantial damages.
SRA Boss Poised to Beef up Her Executive Team
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) chief executive announced plans to expand her senior leadership team, adding several new directors focused on technology, compliance and strategic operations. The expansion will be funded by a £5 million budget increase approved by the board....
Conveyancing: Tax Adviser Registration 'Could Be Deferred'
The UK government is considering deferring the mandatory registration of tax advisers involved in conveyancing transactions. The postponement aims to give firms additional time to meet new compliance standards while regulators finalize the qualification framework. Industry bodies have welcomed the...
We’ve Quips and Quibbles Heard in Flocks
Southwest Airlines adopted a Texas‑mandated bylaw requiring a 3% shareholder stake to bring derivative actions. An investor with only 100 shares sued, claiming directors breached fiduciary duties after abandoning the “Bags Fly Free” policy under Elliott pressure. The federal court...
Face-to-Face Requirement Would Hinder Early Legal Abortions
Yet another account that does not know the law. Pills for terminations cannot be obtained from the NHS after 10 weeks gestation. The vanishingly small number of cases of drug-induced late termination involved pills illegally obtained from a foreign online...
Saudi FM Warns Iran: Patience Not Unlimited as Gulf States Threaten Military Response
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf partners will not tolerate further Iranian missile and drone attacks, saying patience is not unlimited and the Kingdom reserves the right to take military action. The statement...
Eve Webinar: 3x Attorney Capacity with Eve AI Agents
Eve Legal is hosting a March 25 webinar to unveil its AI Agents designed for plaintiff law firms. The platform promises to triple attorney capacity and shave more than 60 days off case resolution times by automating routine tasks around the...
Harvey Nichols and J.D. Williams Among Hundreds of Employers Named for Failing to Pay Minimum Wage
The UK government has identified 389 employers, including Harvey Nichols and J.D. Williams, for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage to roughly 60,000 workers. Collectively, these firms must repay more than £7.3 million in back wages and face fines totaling...
Why I Switched From ChatGPT to Claude (And What Finally Pushed Me Over)
Attorney Ernie Svenson explains why he abandoned ChatGPT for Anthropic's Claude, citing the CoWork feature that lets the AI interact directly with local files. He leveraged Claude’s Projects to build legal training courses in under three hours, generating quizzes automatically....
Efforts to Shut Down Pro-Palestinian Speech Face Series of Setbacks in Court
Pro‑Israel groups have filed dozens of lawsuits since 2023 aiming to curb pro‑Palestinian speech on campuses, but recent federal rulings have consistently upheld such slogans as First Amendment‑protected. Courts have dismissed most Title VI claims that allege universities foster a hostile...
California Used Faulty DUI Tests for Nearly 10 Years, State Justice Department Says
California’s Department of Justice discovered that for nearly ten years it relied on faulty urinalysis kits from Andwin Scientific, which lacked adequate sodium fluoride to prevent sample fermentation. An audit revealed that only 0.07% of DUI cases – about 97...
The Uberization of UPL? How AI Is Outpacing the Unauthorized Practice of Law (Ken Crutchfield, Bill Henderson, Jim Doppke)
In this episode of Technically Legal, host Chad Main and guests Ken Crutchfield, Bill Henderson, and Jim Docky explore how large language models are challenging long‑standing unauthorized practice of law (UPL) rules. They discuss real‑world examples, such as a ChatGPT‑generated...
Kim Launches Enterprise AI Execution Layer
Kim, founded by legal‑tech pioneer Karl Chapman, has launched an execution layer that converts AI‑generated requests into deterministic, governed workflows for enterprises. The platform offers a no‑code configuration tool that integrates across existing systems, ensuring reliable outcomes without locking customers...
25-205 - Morales Et Al V. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company
A lawsuit titled Morales et al v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in 2026, docket number 25‑205. The plaintiffs, led by Morales, allege wrongdoing by Allstate,...
25-1240 - Guerra V. Bondi
On December 16, 2025 a magistrate recommended granting Miguel Montero Guerra’s habeas petition and ordering his immediate release from custody, citing an unlawfully revoked Order of Supervision. The recommendation was adopted on January 15, 2026, directing immigration officials to either notify Guerra of a...
26-234 - Singh V. Noem Et Al
A federal lawsuit titled Singh v. Noem et al was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in 2026. The plaintiff, Singh, is suing South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and other state officials, alleging...
26-216 - Fozilov V. Cerna Et Al
A new civil action, 26‑216 Fozilov v. Cerna et al, was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on March 17, 2026. The docket number is 26‑216 and the case involves plaintiff Fozilov against defendants...
26-164 - Kumar V. De Anda-Yabarra Et Al
On March 17, 2026, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell issued an order in Kumar v. De Anda‑Yabarra et al, partially granting Manoj Kumar’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The court held that Kumar, detained under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), is...
Meta on Trial over Child Safety: Can It Really Protect Its Next Generation of Users?
Meta is on trial in New Mexico over alleged failures to protect children on Facebook and Instagram, with prosecutors presenting internal emails, evidence of delayed CSAM reporting, and claims the platforms are designed to be addictive. The defense argues safety...
Trump Is Threatening International Students, and a New Bill Could Help Stop Him
A bipartisan pair of California representatives introduced legislation to codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which lets international students work in the U.S. for up to 12 months, with extensions for STEM graduates. The Trump administration has signaled intent...
In N.C., Stokes County Approves a Data Center Rezoning, Triggering a Citizens’ Lawsuit
Stokes County commissioners voted 3‑2 to rezone 1,844 acres for a massive data‑center project, overruling the local planning board and approving the request from Engineered Land Solutions. The rezoning was approved without a detailed site plan, tenant identification, or verified...
New Law Decriminalizes Self‑managed Abortions, Not Full‑term Legalization
OK, I am bored with this lie now. Here are the facts. - Abortion remains illegal after 24 weeks gestation except in certain rare and exceptional circumstances - Supplying pills to terminate a pregnancy remains illegal after 10 weeks gestation -...
Government Spent over £1m on Court Cases to Keep Information Secret
A recent investigation reveals that UK government departments spent over £1 million on legal fees to contest Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in 2024‑25. The Cabinet Office topped the list with £318,000, while the Department of Health and Social Care and...
US Wafer Origin Rules Put Solar Domestic Content Bonus at Risk
The U.S. Treasury and IRS have issued guidance that could strip the 10% domestic‑content bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act from solar cells that rely on imported silicon wafers, even if the wafers are later coated domestically. The rule hinges...
New Tax Regime Will Relieve Burden for Small Companies
Nigeria enacted four interconnected Tax Reform Acts, consolidating legacy statutes into the Nigeria Tax Act effective Jan 1 2026. The reforms raise the small‑company exemption threshold to $74,088 in annual turnover and set a N250 million fixed‑asset ceiling, easing the federal tax burden...
The Long Run: Leading with Endurance, Authenticity, and Strategy in Legal Operation
In this episode of Clock Talk, Lindsay Van Benstuyten, Legal Operations Director at HCA Healthcare, draws parallels between marathon running and legal operations, emphasizing endurance, strategic pacing, and sustainable transformation over quick wins. She explains how she assessed organizational capacity,...
Millions of JB Hi‑Fi Customers Are Getting Texts and Emails About a Court Case
Maurice Blackburn is pursuing a class action against JB Hi‑Fi over more than 8 million extended warranties sold between 2011 and 2023. Consumers have been notified by text and email and must opt out by May 29, while the trial begins in Victoria’s...
Sun, Money and Missiles: The Dilemma Facing British Lawyers in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates hosts roughly 500‑700 UK‑qualified solicitors attracted by tax‑free income and booming financial‑services projects. Recent Iranian missile and drone strikes have killed eight people and sparked safety alerts, prompting many expats to consider leaving. Legal recruiters report...
Diplock Courts
Lord Carswell, former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, reflected on the pressures of judge‑alone trials in Diplock courts, which now handle about five percent of the region’s most serious cases. He argued that despite the heavy responsibility, judges have...
More Red Tape for Holiday Lets Sector in Wales
Wales' Senedd has approved the Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation Bill, creating a mandatory national register for holiday lets and other self‑catering rentals. Providers must display a registration number and pay an average £172 annual licence, with...
What Will the Renters’ Rights Act REALLY Mean for Letting Agents?
The Renters’ Rights Act forces letting agents to rethink revenue models, pushing many toward rent‑collection and full‑service management to avoid refunds on short tenancies. Agents must reassess minimum letting‑fee terms because frequent turnovers will erode profitability under the unchanged fee...
CLOs Don’t Count Against Fund of Fund Caps
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued new guidance stating that collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are not considered fund‑like investments for the purpose of fund‑of‑fund (FoF) investment caps. The clarification means that FoF managers can allocate to CLOs without those...
Manager's Bullying 'Fixation' Overshadowed Real Dismissal Reasons
An Australian Federal Circuit Court dismissed a former Toll Transport general manager's adverse‑action claim, finding his termination was driven by a leadership overhaul aimed at boosting productivity, not by his complaints of bullying. The manager received three months’ notice and...
Governmental Investigations: The Benefits of Early Disclosure
The California federal court in Cai v. Visa dismissed securities‑fraud claims after finding the plaintiff could not link Visa’s stock decline to alleged misstatements. Visa had disclosed a Department of Justice antitrust investigation years before the lawsuit, and the stock...
Ashurst Hits Goodwin for Three-Partner London PE Team
Ashurst has recruited three partners—Ian Keefe, Michael Miranda and George Weavil—from Goodwin Procter to bolster its London private‑equity practice. The team brings experience advising major funds such as Bridgepoint, TA Associates and The Carlyle Group, as well as mid‑market sponsors,...
Regulating City Finances
Michael Francus proposes that states create a regulatory framework for city finances that prioritizes stable revenue sources and limits debt, mirroring the safeguards used by counties. He highlights county practices such as reliance on property taxes, state aid, debt caps,...
BIS Fines Navy Contractor for Illegally Sharing Controlled Military Specifications With Chinese Manufacturer
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security imposed a $374,474 civil penalty on California‑based satellite supplier Vizocom for illegally exporting controlled technical data on UHF military antennas to a Chinese manufacturer. Vizocom uploaded detailed specifications to a...
Dual Services: Fractional Counsel and Legal Ops Solutions
I run a law firm that provides fractional general counsel services and business law support (commercial transactions, employment, privacy, tax, etc.) (Margolis PLLC). I also run a legal ops consulting and staffing company (PointTwo).
Pam Bondi Faces Subpoena, Impeachment—Real Legal Accountability
Pam Bondi is now facing a subpoena AND articles of impeachment—and those are not the same. A subpoena carries legal force: testimony under oath, penalty of perjury, and potential criminal contempt if ignored. We’ve seen it before—Steve Bannon went to...
Is the Tide Turning for Pharmaceutical Patent Preliminary Injunctions in Australia?
After eight years of denying pharmaceutical preliminary injunctions, Australia’s Federal Court granted two rare orders in 2025‑26, favoring originators Janssen and AstraZeneca. The court applied the traditional two‑factor test—prima facie infringement and balance of convenience—but placed greater weight on the...
UK Urged to Ban Crypto Donations Amid Foreign Influence
UK urged to ban crypto donations as the US and others seek influence https://t.co/7ey4RiEnCE via @irinaanghel12 https://t.co/N0BVv0WtWm
Jury Rules Afroman's Police Raid Songs Protected Speech
Jury sides with speech. Afroman prevails in defamation trial over songs about police raid on his home https://t.co/MDfdzmbKXS
Exterro: Am I Ready to Bring Document Review In-House?
In-house legal teams face rising litigation, investigations, and tighter budgets, with document review consuming roughly 75% of e‑discovery costs. Over 70% of companies generating more than $1 billion in revenue already have or plan to acquire document‑review technology. Exterro argues that...
Retain Contract Decision Power, Focus on Business, Not Tech
Don't give up decision-making authority in contracts, even if you're not a tech expert. The crucial decisions aren't technological, they're business-focused. Keep control. #BusinessTips #ContractLaw https://t.co/erLsjqASnV
California AG Leads Multi-State Lawsuit to Block $6.2B Nexstar‑Tegna
California Attorney General Rob Bonta Files Lawsuit Seeking to Block $6.2 Billion Nexstar/Tegna Broadcasting Merger. Other states part of suit include NY, VA, CO, IL, CT and OR. https://t.co/yZIDbjQZLK
Justin Smith, Everlaw: How London & Naor P.C. Leveraged Everlaw to Deliver Big Results with a Small Team
London & Naor P.C., a boutique civil litigation and white‑collar defense firm in Oakland, used Everlaw’s cloud‑based e‑discovery platform to handle terabytes of data and complex cases with a lean staff. By leveraging Everlaw’s AI‑driven document review, analytics, and collaborative...
Three‑Month VAT ID Wait: Is Germany Typical?
That's wild. 3+ months and still waiting for VAT ID. Is this normal in Germany? 😳
Opus 2 Empowers Law Firms to Extend Innovation Beyond Disputes with Its Adaptable, AI-Enabled Software Platform
Opus 2 announced that its AI‑enabled intelligent legal solution platform is now available to law firms beyond litigation, allowing them to design custom workspaces, trackers, and client portals. The adaptable platform combines structured data worksheets, collaboration portals, dashboards and AI...
Daniel Suhr: Broadcast License Revocation Fact Check
The article refutes the claim that the FCC has never revoked a broadcast license over news coverage, citing five historical cases where news distortion or partisan slant led to license actions, including three revocations. Notable examples include the 1975 Star...
Meta's Crafty Legal Tactics Sidestep Courtroom Defeats
this is actually a reasonable theory. Meta has some of the craftiest legal minds on their end. And there is an even more interesting twist in how they avoided the courtroom defeats of Google.