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
Skadden Adds Paul Hastings Debt Finance Partner Duo in New York, Chicago
Skadden has recruited two former Paul Hastings partners—Scott Heard in New York and Matthew Murphy in Chicago—to strengthen its private‑credit and corporate‑restructuring practices. Heard will lead the firm’s private‑credit group, while Murphy rejoins the restructuring team, offering integrated expertise across complex debt transactions. The hires are part of Skadden’s broader strategic expansion, which includes new offices in Abu Dhabi and rapid growth in London. The moves come as law firms vie for talent to capture a $2 trillion private‑credit market and heightened distressed‑asset activity.
FDA Signals Potential Updates to SUPAC Guidances—Comments Due June 1, 2026
The FDA has opened a public docket to solicit comments on its long‑standing Scale‑Up and Post‑Approval Changes (SUPAC) guidances for immediate‑release solid oral, non‑sterile semisolid, modified‑release solid oral dosage forms and the manufacturing equipment addendum. The agency seeks feedback on...
Renters’ Rights Act Set to Drive Increase in ‘Expensive’ Rental Disputes
Tenancy disputes in England and Wales rose 6% over the past year, with 35% of landlords reporting at least one conflict. The Renters’ Rights Act, slated for 1 May 2026, is expected to further increase dispute frequency as tenants gain stronger protections....
An EB-1A Case Narrative From a Recent Approval (Virtual Event with Two Immigration Lawyers)
Fakhoury Global Immigration will host a live Q&A on March 13 at 12:00 PM EST, featuring lawyers Beneditte Boutrouille and Francisco Berreta. The session will dissect a recently approved EB‑1A petition, showcasing an anonymized case narrative to illustrate best‑practice storytelling. Attendance is limited to...
Letter: A Sharp-Toothed FCC Is Needed More Than Ever
James B. Potter’s letter rebuts calls to dismantle the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that deregulation has already weakened the agency’s stewardship of the public spectrum. He points to shrinking engineering staff, the abandonment of the Local Studio Rule, and relaxed...
Centre Acts to Prevent Damage to Underground Utilities During Telecom Cable Laying: Scindia
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the government has rolled out multiple safeguards to protect underground utilities, including drinking water pipelines, during telecom cable installations. The 2024 Telecommunication Right of Way Rules empower public entities to set conditions and claim...
Misguided Trust Advice Leads to Tax‑free Delusions
I’ve been making a stuffed head of everyone who enters my life and says they were told a trust means they never have to pay taxes again.
Four U.S. Senators Demanded an Independent Audit of the Epstein Files
Four U.S. senators—Lisa Murkowski, Dick Durbin, Jeff Merkley and Ben Ray Luján—sent a bipartisan letter to the Government Accountability Office demanding an independent audit of the Department of Justice's release of Jeffrey Epstein‑related files. The DOJ disclosed more than three...
Trump Ordered Justice Department Reversal on Law Firm Sanctions
President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to reverse its surprise decision to abandon the defense of executive orders that sanction specific law firms. The DOJ had filed to drop the defense on March 2, but within 24 hours the...
Epstein Estate Paid Off Trump’s Accuser: Five Huge Leaks From the Kahn Deposition
Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime accountant, testified before Congress that the Epstein estate paid a settlement to a woman identified as “Katie Johnson,” who accused former President Donald Trump of raping her as a minor. The payment’s timing is unclear,...
Sick of Spam Marketing Texts and Emails? This Is How to Stop Them
Australian regulator ACMA fined Lululemon Athletica Australia A$702,900 after the retailer sent over 370,000 marketing emails without a functional unsubscribe option. The penalty follows a series of high‑profile enforcement actions, including fines of $4 million on Tabcorp and $7.5 million on Commonwealth...
X's Political Influence Limited to Just 20% of Americans
Are you suggesting that @X content never reaches people who don't use @X? If you are, that's obviously untrue. These articles below are based on an X post today by @FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC taking issue with @Amazon lobbying against @elonmusk...
Graham A. Harris, a Giant of the Hong Kong Bar
The Hong Kong Bar Association awards Life Membership to barristers who have rendered outstanding service to the Bar or the administration of justice. The honor, established in 1949, requires nomination by at least 20 members, including ten senior counsel, and...
Selena Quintanilla’s Sister Sues Shein Over Knockoff Merch Bearing Late Singer’s Likeness
Suzette Quintanilla, sister of late singer Selena, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in California accusing Chinese fast‑fashion retailer Shein of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and publicity‑rights violations. The suit alleges Shein continued to sell unlicensed Selena t‑shirts and...
UK Government Gets Tough on Uni Franchises
The UK’s Office for Students (OfS) will enforce a new condition of registration from 31 March, obligating universities that host 100 or more students on subcontracted programmes to publish fee‑share data, strategic rationale and risk‑mitigation measures. The rule targets the rapid...
Digital Marketing for Law Firms in 2026 – Where to Focus Your Efforts
Digital marketing for law firms in 2026 is shifting from volume to quality as AI reshapes content discovery and platforms tighten standards. Firms that prioritize authentic LinkedIn commentary, accessible web experiences, and human‑guided paid media outperform trend‑chasing competitors. Accessibility is...
David 1, Goliath 0: Katy Perry Loses Legal Showdown Against ‘Katie Perry’ In Australia
Australia’s High Court ruled in favor of Sydney‑based fashion designer Katie Perry, allowing her to market clothing under her own name. The decision overturns a prior ruling that had limited the pop star Katy Perry’s trademark to music and entertainment,...
Tonight in Your Rights: An Epstein Files Audit?
Four senators, including Republican Lisa Murkowski, have asked the Government Accountability Office to conduct an independent audit of the Department of Justice’s massive release of Jeffrey Epstein files, citing over‑redaction of powerful figures while exposing victims. The same briefing highlighted...
How Will Hong Kong Follow Mainland China’s Ethnic Unity Promotion Law?
China’s 14th National People’s Congress will pass a Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, targeting a shared national identity among the country’s 56 ethnic groups. Hong Kong officials and scholars say the city must intensify Chinese history and culture education...
SRA: “Significant Progress” On Post Office Disciplinary Action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced significant progress in its investigation of the Post Office scandal, with more than 20 live investigations into solicitors and law firms linked to the case. While the regulator expects faster action on issues arising...
Updates to H-1B Visa Lottery Rules
The Department of Homeland Security has implemented a new H‑1B lottery rule that weights selections toward positions with higher wage levels and imposes a $100,000 fee on fresh petitions. Extensions and status conversions are exempt, and the fee is refundable...
Ex-Cheil Australia Staff Launch Fair Work Claims Against Samsung In-House Agency
Samsung’s Australian in‑house agency Cheil is facing Federal Court action after two former senior leaders, former group director Trent Ellis and head of digital Peter Bojanac, filed Fair Work Act claims alleging breach of general protections following their dismissals. Both...
V.A. Begins Drive to Put Some Homeless Veterans Into Guardianship
The Trump administration announced that the Department of Justice will grant the Veterans Affairs (VA) department authority to initiate guardianship proceedings for veterans deemed unable to make health‑care decisions. The policy targets homeless veterans and those without family, allowing state...
Vietnam Moves to Amend Foreign Trade Management Law to Ease Trade Processes
Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade has released a draft amendment to the foreign trade management law, aiming to close regulatory gaps and simplify procedures. The proposal addresses re‑import of exported goods, inconsistencies in Certificates of Origin, and limited authority...
The Big Stay: Lawyers Reluctant to Move in 2026
Australia’s legal market is entering a “Big Stay” phase in 2026, with lawyers opting to remain at their current firms rather than pursue new opportunities. Gartner’s Q4 2025 talent monitor shows confidence at a three‑year low of 55.7, and SEEK...
AI Use Risks NDA Violations and Data Exposure
Perplexity has changed my way of work. Love these guys. But not sure we use the word "secure" the same way. Strong protections on data, but both Perplexity and other models they exchange data with open up new threat...
Your Patent Is in Trouble When Borat Is Cited as Prior Art
A recent patent application for a sling‑style male garment was rejected after an examiner cited a screenshot from the movie *Borat* as prior art. The case illustrates that prior art extends beyond patents to movies, comics, videos, and other public...
Permanent Ban for Energy Efficiency Company that Falsified Claims, Misled Regulator
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has permanently suspended Phenix Trading’s registration under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, barring the firm from creating renewable energy certificates. The decision follows earlier bans by New South Wales and Victoria regulators for exaggerated...
EFF To Court: Don’t Make Embedding Illegal
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging the Fifth Circuit to keep the long‑standing server test, which holds the party controlling a server liable for infringing content, rather than shifting direct liability to those who embed links. Emmerich Newspapers argues...
U.S. Issues New OFAC and BIS Guidance on Cuba: What Exporters Need to Know
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC announced a favorable licensing policy for resales of Venezuelan oil destined for Cuba, while the Commerce Department’s BIS clarified that the EAR’s License Exception SCP can cover petroleum shipments to eligible Cuban private‑sector and humanitarian end‑users....
Federal Judge Halts Construction of Maryland ICE Detention Facility
U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson issued a temporary restraining order that halts all construction and renovation at the Williamsport Warehouse, the site Maryland purchased for roughly $102.4 million to house a 1,500‑bed ICE detention facility. The 14‑day pause comes after...
One Bad Provision Could Sink a Critical Bipartisan Housing Bill
Congress is on the brink of passing a critical bipartisan housing bill that aims to boost affordable housing construction. The legislation cleared a Senate committee unanimously, won a 390‑9 vote in the House, and secured White House backing, before a...
‘We Do Not Have Time’: Interview with MEP Delara Burkhardt on the EUDR’s Second Delay
The European Union Deforestation‑free Regulation (EUDR), a cornerstone of the EU Green Deal, has been postponed twice, pushing its start date beyond the original 2024 deadline. MEP Delara Burkhardt attributes the delays to political pressure from industries and countries fearing...
Why Corporate Lawyers Always Win
The piece argues that corporate lawyers have become the dominant force on Wall Street, eclipsing accountants, consultants and bankers. Profits per lawyer at the 100 largest firms have surged 54 % since 2019, while hourly billing rates have risen at more...
California Sets Deadline for Corporate Climate Disclosure Rule
California’s Air Resources Board set August 10, 2026 as the filing deadline for the first greenhouse‑gas emissions reports required under SB 253. Companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue that do business in the state must disclose Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while...
Senate Drops Powell Testimony Amid DOJ Probe
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott suggested this morning that the committee had decided not to compel Fed Chair Jay Powell to produce his regular, Q1 monetary policy testimony, due to the fallout from the DOJ probe stemming from his...
Armstrong and Coinbase Oppose Favorable Bitcoin Tax Policies
Feels like you all are making something out of nothing Why would Armstrong and Coinbase not support favorable taxes for Bitcoin?
The Cautionary Tale of an Advisor M&A Deal Gone Wrong
The Virginia Supreme Court affirmed a $2.07 million FINRA arbitration award to wealth advisor Jayne Di Vincenzo, rejecting Devin Garofalo’s bid to vacate the decision. The award stems from a 2020 $3.6 million acquisition of Di Vincenzo’s practice by Colonial River Wealth that unraveled...
Energy‑efficiency Firm Receives Permanent Ban for False Claims
Permanent ban for energy efficiency company that falsified claims, misled regulator #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/baLK5uJHkt https://t.co/eFAbSFcov3
Five Lawsuits, $20 Payout: Class‑action Reality
I'm part of about 5 different class-action lawsuits at the moment and I just got my payout for one of them: $20 🙂
Seven Essential Security Strategies For Law Firms And Legal Departments
Law firms and corporate legal departments face escalating cyber threats, with one‑third expected to experience a breach this year and average losses exceeding $5 million. The article outlines seven essential security strategies: building a vigilance culture, turning compliance into a market...
SEC and CFTC Partnership Could Cut Costly Regulatory Overlap
Can you imagine the SEC and the CFTC working together? The US has so many agencies overlapping the same areas it’s egregious and expensive. Hopefully we see more “partnerships” that lead to efficiency
US Global Media Agency Stumbles Without CEO After Court Ruling
UPDATE: US Agency for Global Media tells judge it's analyzing his order finding all actions by Trump admin official @KariLake unlawful. The agency says no one has been acting as ceo, it has no succession plans & doesn't know whether it...
Court Rules Employer Can't Zero Out Retired Officer's Disability Pay
The Connecticut Appellate Court’s decision in Martinoli v. Stamford Police Department reinforces that retirement does not extinguish workers’ compensation rights. Retired officer Louis Martinoli filed a heart‑related claim that later expanded to atrial fibrillation and stroke in 2015. When the...
Can FDA Tolerate Cancer Risk for Rare Pediatric Disease Gene Therapies?
The FDA placed a clinical hold on Regenxbio’s RGX‑111 and RGX‑121 gene‑therapy trials after a pediatric MPS I patient developed a tumor four years post‑treatment. The case marks the first documented long‑latency cancer linked to an adeno‑associated virus (AAV) vector in...
Trans Vegan Death Cult Leader Loses Court Bid to Get Felony Case Tossed Out
Jack “Ziz” LaSota, the self‑styled leader of a trans‑vegan extremist group, lost his bid to have a federal felony case dismissed. LaSota argued that the Second Amendment protects gun ownership for fugitives, but the court rejected the claim. The charges...
Appeals Court Revives Race Bias Lawsuit Thrown Out over Five-Day Late Filing
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals revived Phillip Beazer’s Title VII race‑bias lawsuit after finding he qualified for equitable tolling. The court held that Beazer exercised reasonable diligence despite his attorney’s abandonment and a Category 4 hurricane that delayed mail delivery. By...
West Virginia Commission Revises AEP Rate Case Decision
The West Virginia Public Service Commission revisited its August 2025 rate‑case ruling for AEP’s Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power, raising the approved revenue increase to $91 million—just 36 % of the original $250 million request—and setting the allowed return on equity (ROE) at 9.25%....
Delaware Court Hammers Financial Advisor with $765K for Breaching Non-Solicitation Agreement
A Delaware Court of Chancery ordered former Blue Rock advisor James Whalen to pay $765,103 after he poached clients and stole confidential data. The court upheld a three‑year non‑solicitation clause and classified the extracted client lists as trade secrets. Damages were...
Employer's Workplace Violence Termination Backfires when Key Evidence Falls Apart
A Louisiana appellate court upheld the reinstatement of Sadra Hamilton, a long‑tenured water board supervisor, after her employer failed to substantiate a workplace‑violence claim. The board alleged Hamilton brandished scissors during a confrontation with a subordinate, but testimony showed she...