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
Is Judge Pauline Newman Entitled to Her Day in Court?
Judge Pauline Newman, a senior Federal Circuit judge, has filed a petition for certiorari asking the Supreme Court to review her removal from active service by fellow judges. The D.C. Circuit previously held that the Judicial Councils Reform and Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 bars any judicial review of that action. Newman argues the removal constitutes a de‑facto impeachment that threatens Article III independence and seeks forward‑looking relief rather than a merits ruling. The case spotlights a rare jurisdictional clash over who can police intra‑branch discipline.
Trump-Appointed DOJ Pardon Attorney Faces Ethics Charges over Letters to Georgetown University
Ed Martin, the Trump‑appointed DOJ pardon attorney, has been charged by the District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility for allegedly using his official position to coerce Georgetown University Law Center into abandoning its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs....
With Disputed Legal Maneuver, Trump Tries to Set Policy Without Legislation
The Trump administration is leveraging lawsuits against Republican‑led states to overturn existing statutes, exemplified by a six‑hour settlement with Texas that nullified a law allowing undocumented students to pay in‑state tuition. By reaching rapid settlements, the White House sidesteps legislative...
Media Watchdog Withdraws Its Suit Against X
Media Matters and X Corp. filed a joint stipulation to dismiss all federal lawsuits between them, ending a year‑long dispute that spanned U.S., Irish, Singaporean, and UK courts. The dismissal is with prejudice against X’s claims but leaves the nonprofit...
Regulatory Clarity Unlocks Full On-Chain Finance Stack
Genius Act sorted stablecoins. Done. But thats only half the regulatory picture. The Clarity Act is the other half and arguably the bigger one. It draws the line between securities and commodities. Once institutions have that answer they can go all...
GSA’s New Proposed “American AI” Clause for Schedule Contracts: What Contractors Need to Know
On March 6, 2026 the GSA issued a proposed GSAR clause—552.239‑7001—mandating the exclusive use of "American AI" in all Schedule contract performance. The clause requires contractors to disclose every AI system, enable human oversight, report incidents within 72 hours, and provide extensive documentation...
'Not Out of the Ordinary in This Circuit': Amazon Must Turn Over Source Code in Biometric Privacy Action
A Chicago federal judge ordered Amazon to produce the source code behind its biometric‑recognition systems in a lawsuit filed under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The magistrate ruled that the code is discoverable, provided Amazon’s trade‑secret protections are upheld...
Judge Blocks ICE Warehouse Construction in Md.
In this episode, host Adam interviews Michael Riston of Project Saltbox about a federal judge’s temporary injunction halting ICE’s construction of a massive detention‑warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland. The discussion details how community activism, backed by environmental science expertise and coordinated...
New Report Calls on Alberta to Reverse Insurance Changes
A new Brownlee LLP report urges Alberta to scrap its upcoming “Care‑first” no‑fault auto‑insurance regime, slated for Jan. 1 2027, arguing it strips victims of the right to sue and limits compensation. The report highlights that UCP AGM members voted to retain...
Hyatt Changes Card Surcharge Practices as ACCC Compliance Monitoring Continues
Hyatt hotels in Australia have overhauled their card‑payment surcharge practices after the ACCC flagged excessive debit‑card fees at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. The regulator required the chain to separate debit and credit surcharges and ensure they do not exceed actual...
FAPA Blocks Fannie Mae, U.S. Bank From Reviving Stale Foreclosures
On March 11, 2026 New York’s Appellate Division, Second Department, dismissed foreclosure actions by Fannie Mae and U.S. Bank, finding the filings untimely under the state’s six‑year statute of limitations. Both lenders relied on strategies—voluntary case dismissals and challenges to prior acceleration—to reset the clock,...
DOJ’s FCA Head Shares Enforcement Insights
At the Federal Bar Association’s Qui Tam conference, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna Jenny outlined the Department of Justice’s enforcement philosophy under the False Claims Act. She stressed that the DOJ targets concrete harm, will pursue stale conduct within the statute...
Parents of Burlingame 4-Year-Old Killed in Crash Sue City, Young Driver
Parents of 4‑year‑old Ayden Fang filed a lawsuit after he was killed on Aug. 8, 2025, when a 19‑year‑old driver lost control exiting a parking lot and drove onto the sidewalk in downtown Burlingame. The suit names the city, the driver and...
AI Glasses Enter the Workplace: FAQs For Employers
AI‑enabled smart glasses are moving from novelty to workplace tool, offering hands‑free data capture and AI assistance. Their ability to record audio, video, and biometric data silently raises consent, privacy, and security concerns. Employers must navigate NLRA scrutiny of recording...
SKILLS 2026 Unveils Top 10 Recommended Legal Tech Vendors
The Strategic Knowledge and Innovation Legal Leaders Summit (SKILLS) released its 2026 top‑10 legal‑tech vendor rankings, based on recommendations from 106 large law firms. DeepJudge retained the #1 spot, followed by Centari, SimplyAgree, Legora, and Harvey, with DraftWise, Syntheia, Definely,...
SEC Confirms Legal Action Against 'Acme Traderist'
The Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed that a criminal complaint was filed in March 2023 against cryptocurrency promoter Worawat Narknawdee, known as “Acme Traderist,” and his platform 1000X Limited for operating an unlicensed digital‑asset trading business. More than...
Arbitrator Orders Restoration of Telework at Social Security
An independent arbitrator ruled that the Social Security Administration (SSA) breached its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) by ending telework for most staff in March 2024. The decision mandates the restoration of remote‑work options,...
California Attorney General Vows to Scrutinize Paramount's Deal for Warner Bros. Discovery
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an open investigation into Paramount’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that federal antitrust enforcement has receded. Bonta said the state could file suit or join other AGs to block the deal, citing...
Kim Kardashian Denies Involvement in Sex Tape Release. Ray J’s Lawyer Calls It ‘Perjury’
Kim Kardashian filed a sworn declaration denying any conspiracy with her mother to release her 2007 sex tape, directly countering Ray J’s accusations. Ray J’s attorney Howard King called Kardashian’s denial demonstrably false and warned it could constitute perjury. Kris...
Maryland ISP, State Agencies Spar Over FCC Preemption
Talkie Communication, a Maryland ISP, filed a petition with the FCC seeking preemption of state zoning rules and annual fees that it says block the deployment of fixed‑wireless equipment on a utility pole. Maryland state agencies and Queen Anne’s County...
Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Reject Companionship Exemption
Congress introduced the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, aiming to repeal the longstanding companionship exemption that excludes many home care workers from minimum wage and overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep....
While Democrats Empower Gun Seizures in the Name of Safety, the Scene in Portland Tells a Different Story - MWTV
In this MainWire TV episode, host Tom Shattuck and panelists discuss Maine’s newly enacted red‑flag (extreme risk protection) law, arguing it expands state power to seize firearms without due process and threatens civil liberties. Guest David Trahan of the Sportsmen’s...
X Could Be Breaching US Sanctions on Iran, Watchdog Warns
Tech Transparency Project reports that X has verified a newly created account for Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, with a blue premium checkmark, indicating a paid subscription. The leader has been on the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions list since 2019,...
Court Partly Upholds Block On California Kids Safety Code
The 9th Circuit Court partially upheld a block on California’s 2022 Age‑Appropriate Design Code, keeping in place restrictions that prevent platforms from collecting or sharing minors’ data without a compelling reason. It lifted the block on the law’s age‑estimation requirement, sending...
9th Circuit Stands by Venezuelan, Haitian TPS Ruling
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower‑court ruling that grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelan and Haitian nationals. The decision rejects the federal government’s effort to terminate those protections, citing statutory authority and humanitarian considerations. The...
Connecticut Law to Require Affordable Broadband for Eligible Households
Connecticut’s Net Equality Program, enacted in June 2025 and effective Oct. 1 2026, obligates ISPs with state contracts to provide a low‑cost broadband plan of $40 per month or less to households receiving public assistance. The law guarantees minimum speeds of 100 Mbps...
AI Legal Research Startup Descrybe Launches ‘Legal Reasoning’ Tool; Says It Outperforms ChatGPT, Claude, And Gemini On Bar Exam Benchmark
Descrybe introduced DescrybeLM, a purpose‑built legal‑reasoning AI that achieved a perfect 200‑out‑of‑200 score on the NCBE multiple‑choice bar exam benchmark. In contrast, leading general‑purpose models—ChatGPT 5.2, Claude Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3 Pro—missed 13‑23 questions, scoring between 88.5% and 93.5% accuracy. The study highlighted that...
Argentina’s Labor Reform 2026: What Employers Need to Know
On March 6, 2026 Argentina enacted a sweeping Labor Modernization Law that overhauls employment definitions, collective bargaining, and severance rules. The reform narrows the legal definition of employment, excluding freelancers, independent contractors, and platform workers, while granting firms clearer liability...
Soft Selling Text Messages Could Count as Solicitations Under the TCPA
The Northern District of Georgia ruled that soft‑selling text messages offering to buy a homeowner’s property can qualify as TCPA telephone solicitations when they aim to promote services, even without explicit service language. The court upheld the plaintiff’s claim for...
The FCC Is Cracking Down on Robocallers & Banning Some Phone Companies From the U.S. Communications Network
The Federal Communications Commission has permanently banned voice service provider Belthrough LLC from connecting to U.S. telephone networks after repeated violations of robocall mitigation rules. All U.S. voice and intermediate providers must block incoming traffic from Belthrough within 48 hours...
United Airlines Sued After 4-Year-Old Is Burned By 200-Degree Tea — But Airline Liability Is Capped
United Airlines faces a lawsuit after a four‑year‑old was scalded by 200‑degree tea on a Newark‑Tel Aviv flight. The plaintiff relies on the Montreal Convention, which obliges carriers to compensate for onboard injuries but caps damages at about $216,000. The dispute...
Dentist to the Stars Sues Central Park South Co-Op, Board
Celebrity dentist Marc Lowenberg’s elite practice, located on the first and second floors of 230 Central Park South, has sued the building’s co‑op board over a new rule that forces commercial tenants to pay for an extra doorman when 30...
Virginia AG Joins Multistate Suit Over CFPB Funding Signaling More Aggressive Enforcement in the Commonwealth
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a lawsuit filed by 23 Democratic state attorneys general challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) interpretation of its Dodd‑Frank funding mechanism. The suit seeks a court order compelling the CFPB to request...
Federal Court Judge Blocks Prime Capital Advisors From Soliciting Edelman Clients
A Delaware federal judge granted Edelman Financial Engines a temporary restraining order that bars Prime Capital Advisors from using confidential information and soliciting Edelman's former clients. The order targets two former Edelman planners, Joan Greenspon and Amanda Salyer, who together...
Georgia’s 2026 Legislative Session: Major Tax Legislation Moving Forward
Georgia’s 2026 General Assembly is advancing a suite of tax reforms as the session moves past the March 6 crossover deadline. Senate‑driven bills aim to dramatically increase the standard deduction to $50,000 for single filers and cut personal and corporate rates...
Legalweek 2026 Day 4: The Importance of Training Is Clear, Even as Forms Are in Flux
Legalweek 2026 underscored that AI is now central to law‑firm training programs, reshaping how content is assigned and delivered. Speakers highlighted that AI‑driven modules accelerate skill acquisition, cut onboarding time, and improve client outcomes. At the same time, the rapid...
‘Failure to Warn’ Bill Clears Missouri Senate Ag Committee
Missouri’s Senate Agriculture Committee approved SB 1005, a "failure‑to‑warn" bill that treats federally approved pesticides, including glyphosate, as meeting state cancer‑warning requirements. The measure, backed by farmer‑senators Jason Bean and Kurtis Gregory, aims to give growers certainty about glyphosate use across...
Global Antitrust Enforcement Report - March 2026
The Global Antitrust Enforcement Report for March 2026 shows total fines in surveyed jurisdictions rose to USD 7.7 billion in 2025, the highest level since 2021. At the same time, the number of infringement decisions fell to 279, down from 341 in 2024,...
SEC Issues New Guidance Under Rule 701 for Employee Equity Compensation
On March 6, 2026 the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance released updated Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (CDIs) for Rule 701 equity compensation plans. The guidance raises the enhanced‑disclosure threshold to $10 million and clarifies that all employees receiving equity must receive the...
Ex-Merrill Broker Clears Record of ‘Spurious’ Customer Claim
A FINRA arbitration panel cleared former Merrill Lynch broker Brian J. Mariash of a customer dispute, determining the complaints were spurious and updating his BrokerCheck record. The allegations stemmed from advice on equity‑indexed and variable annuities after Mariash moved to...
2026 Round Up for New York Employers
On April 16, 2026, Littler hosted a two‑hour Breakfast Briefing for New York employers at the Hilton Long Island. The session addressed a wave of state‑mandated changes covering pre‑hire credit checks, mandatory Narcan stocking, updated minimum‑wage and overtime rates, new...
Joseph Steinberg Named 2026 Power List Cyber Justice Expert
"Joseph Steinberg – Translating Digital Evidence for Justice" Thank you for including me in the 2026 Power List --> https://js.tc/sfe1 #CyberSecurity #Justice #JosephSteinberg #CyberSecurityExpertWitness
Financial Advisors Must Navigate Strict Tax Advice Rules
Tax Advice Restrictions For Financial Advisors⬇️⬇️ Despite the prominent role of taxes in financial planning, remaining in compliance while offering recommendations on a #taxstrategy can quickly become thorny. https://t.co/YjeKnoTO3M #taxseason
UK Fraud Strategy Considers Business Digital Identity and IDV
The UK Home Office released the Fraud Strategy 2026‑2029, committing £250 million to combat fraud and cyber‑crime, with a focus on digital identity and biometric verification. The plan introduces a £30 million Online Crime Centre, tighter KYC for company directors, and a...
TradFi Exchanges Push for Tougher CFTC Self‑Certification
Great piece from my Bloomberg News colleagues on the self certification rules around prediction markets.
PRESS PLAY, TRIGGER LITIGATION: $2.72M VPPA Pixel Settlement Approved
A federal court in the Eastern District of New York approved a $2.72 million class settlement in Carbone v. Limited Run Games, resolving Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) claims over Meta‑Pixel and other tracking tools. Plaintiffs alleged the company transmitted video‑viewing...
California Sues over Trump Demand for College Race, Test Score and GPA Admissions Data
California and 16 other Democratic states have sued the Trump administration over a new Education Department rule that forces colleges to report detailed race, gender, GPA and test‑score data for applicants, admits and enrollees by March 18. The policy is presented...
SNAP Recipients Sue USDA Over Soda, Candy Restrictions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved 22 waivers that let states restrict SNAP purchases of soda, candy, energy drinks and other sugary items. A coalition of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice and law firm Shinder Cantor...
Why Wasn’t Biglaw Ready For The Epstein Files ‘Bomb’ To Drop?
The article examines why major law firms, collectively known as Biglaw, were caught off‑guard when the Epstein files were released, revealing their ties to the convicted sex offender. Despite years of warning, firms failed to activate a coordinated public‑relations plan,...
Israeli Military Drops Charges Against Soldiers Accused of Gaza Detainee Abuse
Israel’s military attorney general, Itay Offir, announced the dismissal of all charges against five soldiers accused of violently abusing and raping a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention centre. Prosecutors said the victim’s return to Gaza under the October 2025 cease‑fire...