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
Guidance: DAO Policies
The Department of Administrative Operations (DAO) has maintained a rigorous schedule of policy revisions since its inception in July 2017. The most recent overhaul on 11 March 2026 refreshed eight core policies, including complaints, conflict of interest, quality assurance, reasonable adjustment, safeguarding, sanctions, special considerations, and whistleblowing. Earlier updates added current policies in January 2025 and removed outdated documents in October 2024. This continuous refresh cycle demonstrates DAO’s commitment to governance, compliance, and stakeholder protection.
An Inside Look at a VC Firm’s AI Patent Journey
Venture capital firm Decasonic partnered with Norton Rose Fulbright to secure patent protection for its agentic AI platform. Lead attorney John McBride guided the firm through the filing process, emphasizing the strategic importance of intellectual property in emerging AI technologies....
FCPA Enforcement Isn’t Dead; a Former Coal Executive Found Out the Hard Way
A federal jury in Pennsylvania convicted former Corsa Coal vice‑president Charles Hunter Hobson on two FCPA counts, conspiracy, money‑laundering and wire‑fraud charges, despite the 2025 Trump‑era pause on FCPA enforcement. The DOJ completed its review and proceeded, emphasizing that bribery...
Not CT: New Hampshire House Passes Bill to Restrict Teacher Speech in Classrooms
The New Hampshire House approved the Countering Hate And Revolutionary Leftist Indoctrination in Education Act, known as the CHARLIE Act, which bars teachers from covering critical race theory, LGBTQ+ topics, and concepts deemed Marxist. The legislation also permits parents to...
FCA Imposes Restrictions on Sendsii
UK's Financial Conduct Authority has placed stringent restrictions on Sendsii Ltd, prohibiting the firm from engaging in any regulated activity. The action follows a First Supervisory Notice issued after HM Revenue and Customs suspended the company's registration on October 9,...
Mayer Brown Hits McGuireWoods for Six Partners Across Houston, Washington DC
Mayer Brown has recruited six partners from McGuireWoods, including trial lawyer Yasser Madriz and labor specialist Meghaan Madriz, to bolster its energy practice in Houston and Washington, D.C. The hires expand the firm’s Houston roster to 65 lawyers and 27...
Feds Raid Another Somali-Owned Biz Over Tax, Welfare Fraud Scheme in Lewiston
Homeland Security Investigations raided Bright Future Healthier You, a Somali‑owned behavioral health firm in Lewiston, after a federal probe uncovered a multi‑million‑dollar Medicaid interpreter fraud and tax scheme. The company billed MaineCare for interpretation services, receiving about $15.58 million between 2019...
Grieving Parents Push for Stricter AI Online Safety Laws
A.I. Incites a New Wave of Grieving Parents Fighting for Online Safety Parents who lost children to chatbot interactions are joining social media safety campaigns. Megan Garcia sued Google and Character. AI in 2024 after her son Sewell died. Advocacy groups are pressing...
California DACA Recipient Sues Trump Administration over Her Deportation
Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, a 42‑year‑old DACA recipient, was deported to Mexico in February 2026 despite holding active DACA protection. Her attorneys filed a federal lawsuit demanding her immediate return, arguing the removal violated due process because she never...
CMA Approves Robo‑Advisory Regulatory Framework
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority approved amendments to its Capital Market Institutions Regulations, establishing a formal regulatory framework for robo‑advisory services. The rules apply to licensed institutions managing investments and require advance CMA notification, algorithmic oversight, diversification standards, detailed disclosures,...
Law Firm Marketplace Realities: Why Finding a Buyer Is Harder Than You Think
Finding a buyer for a small law firm is far more challenging than the industry narrative suggests. The market is immature, with most retiring boomers selling internally or to local competitors, while few listings appear on public platforms. Private‑equity interest...
DFSA Publishes Its Conflicts of Interest Thematic Review
In January 2026 the Dubai Financial Services Authority released a cross‑sector thematic review examining how Authorised Firms in the Dubai International Financial Centre identify, manage and monitor conflicts of interest. The review uncovered significant variability in standards across governance, identification,...
AutoRek Debuts RegToolKit to Streamline Compliance
AutoRek has launched RegToolKit, a regulatory compliance platform that plugs into its existing reconciliation suite to help financial institutions map and evidence adherence to complex rules. The solution automatically refreshes rulebooks, links regulatory obligations to operational controls, and provides an...
The Partial Government Shutdown’s Impact on Deals
A partial U.S. government shutdown that began in mid‑February has left the Treasury and most CFIUS offices funded, but the Department of Homeland Security’s involvement remains halted. CFIUS statutory deadlines are tolled, meaning approvals can be delayed, especially for transactions...
Freedom Means Choice
The FCC recently encouraged radio stations to broadcast patriotic programming in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, suggesting content such as the national anthem, Sousa music, and pro‑America PSAs. The op‑ed argues that even well‑intentioned suggestions constitute compelled speech,...
Fortifying Your Compliance Strategy: Decoding AML Risk Assessment Methodology
The article outlines how anti‑money laundering (AML) risk assessment has become a cornerstone of compliance, detailing its methodology, regulatory mandates, and core elements such as customer, geographic, product and transaction risk factors. It explains the BSA/AML framework, the role of...
Supporting Injury Victims Across Louisiana: A Closer Look at Morris Bart’s Commitment to Car Accident Cases
Morris Bart, a New Orleans‑based personal injury firm, specializes in motor vehicle accident claims across Louisiana. The firm leverages deep knowledge of state comparative‑fault rules and local court practices to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain‑and‑suffering. Operating...
Neurodiversity | Police Worker's Sacking over Sexualised Jokes Ruled Unfair Due to ADHD Link
A UK employment tribunal ruled that the Met Police dismissed employee Martin Madden unfairly because his ADHD influenced his perception of social cues, linking his sexualised jokes to a disability. The tribunal classified the termination as discrimination arising from his...
SRA Issues Warning over ‘No Win, No Fee’ Arrangements: What Law Firms Need to Know
The Solicitors Regulation Authority issued a Warning Notice in January 2026 targeting the use of ‘no win, no fee’ arrangements. The notice stems from a thematic review that flagged opaque fee structures, conflicts of interest, and risky third‑party referrals. It...
Georgian Court Recognizes DABs as a Pre-Arbitration Procedure
Georgia’s appellate courts have shifted their stance on Dispute Adjudication Boards (DABs). A 2021 decision invalidated multi‑tier dispute clauses that required a DAB before arbitration, deeming them void under Georgian law. In contrast, a 2025 ruling recognized DABs as legitimate...
DHS Seeks Access to Massive Employment, Salary and Family Database Legally Restricted to Use in Child Support Cases
The Department of Homeland Security is requesting unrestricted access to the Federal Parent Locator Service, a comprehensive database originally limited to child support enforcement. The database contains personal and employment information for virtually every employed U.S. resident, as well as...
Ropes & Gray Raises London NQ Pay to £170k
Ropes & Gray has increased its newly qualified solicitor salary in London to £170,000, a 3% rise from the previous £165,000 level. The uplift, effective 1 January 2026, places the US‑based firm ahead of the Magic Circle, whose NQ pay sits at...
I Can't Resist Verifying Anyone's Trademark Attorney
I’m such a metiche any time someone says their trademark registered and I’m remotely interested in the brand I go check to see if they worked with an attorney and if so, who.
U.S. Customs to Refund IEEPA Tariffs Within 45 Days
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a new ACE‑based system to refund IEEPA tariffs within 45 days after a Court of International Trade ruling. The solution aggregates refunds by importer, bypassing the need to process each entry individually. Only about...
Indonesia Lawmakers Grill Candidates for Top Regulator Jobs After Market Turmoil
Indonesia’s parliamentary financial commission is set to vet ten candidates for five top posts at the Financial Services Authority (OJK) after an equity‑market rout in January forced the agency’s chair, deputy chair and capital‑market supervisors to resign. The rout, sparked...
Landlord Attacks Courts After Eviction Fees Reach Nearly £20,000
Guernsey landlord Fallon Bewey is confronting nearly £20,000 in legal costs after a tenant refused to vacate a property once a one‑year lease expired. The eviction case, delayed until June, has sparked accusations that the island’s courts prioritize tenants over...
Australian Designer Katie Perry Wins Trademark Appeal vs Katy Perry
Australian fashion designer Katie Perry has won a High Court appeal, securing her trademark against pop star Katy Perry. The court found that the singer’s fame is so strong that Australian consumers would not confuse the two brands, allowing the designer’s...
$680k Awarded to Sacked Manager Who Felt as if "the Bad Guys Had Won"
The Federal Circuit Court awarded $680,000 to a former regional operations manager of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland after finding she was unfairly dismissed for serious misconduct. The court concluded the employer’s breach of the Fair Work Act aggravated her pre‑existing...
Detect, Assess, Prevent: The Key Components of AML Risk Assessment
The article outlines the essential components of anti‑money laundering (AML) risk assessment, from risk categories and key risk indicators to regulatory expectations and the role of technology. It explains how risk models score customers as low, medium, or high, and...
Digital Infrastructure Business US Signal Hires Warner Norcross & Judd Lawyer as First CLO
US Signal, a Grand Rapids‑based digital infrastructure provider, appointed Nate Steed as its first General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, a newly created role. Steed arrives from Warner Norcross & Judd after nearly two decades building a practice in software licensing,...
Paul Hastings Adds London High-Yield Partner From A&O Shearman
Paul Hastings has hired London high‑yield partner Brad Weyland from A&O Shearman, aiming to rebuild its debt capital markets team after recent defections. Weyland brings five years of partnership experience and a client roster that includes Barclays, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank...
Former Hausfeld London Managing Partner Joins Bellevue Law After Career Break
Lianne Craig, former managing partner of Hausfeld’s London office, has joined boutique Bellevue Law as a senior consultant after a career break. With more than 25 years of experience in commercial, financial‑services and competition disputes, she will bolster Bellevue’s commercial...
The EU’s Transformative Short-Term Rental Regulation
The EU Short‑Term Rental Regulation (EUSTRR) takes effect in May, creating a unified registration system and mandatory data‑sharing protocol for an estimated four million short‑term rental units across all 27 member states. While substantive rules such as caps or quotas...
Latham & Watkins Discusses the FCA’s Enforcement Strategy
The FCA has moved to a more selective enforcement model, aiming for “impactful deterrence” by concentrating on cases likely to succeed quickly. In the first half of 2025 it opened 23 new operations, with a notable emphasis on senior‑manager accountability...
SEC Simplifies Process for Early Stockholders Meetings
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that companies can now hold their annual stockholders’ meetings (ASM) earlier than the date set in their bylaws without prior SEC approval. Firms must submit a written notice at least 32 business...
Major Property Firm’s Accountants Face FRC Investigation After £165m Accounting Error
The Financial Reporting Council has opened an investigation into two former Vistry Group accountants over a £165 million accounting error tied to the housebuilder's South Division projects. The error, initially projected to shave £115 million from pre‑tax profit, was later revised upward...
AI Could Help Increase Access to Legal Assistance, ABA President Says in Podcast Appearance
American Bar Association President Michelle Behnke told the Legal Services Corporation’s “Talk Justice” podcast that artificial intelligence can expand access to legal assistance, especially in underserved “legal deserts.” She stressed the ABA’s duty to educate lawyers on AI’s limitations, confidentiality...
Taiwan Dispatch: Ministry Issues Forced Labor Guidelines After US Trade Action, Migrant Workers’ Rights at Risk
Taiwan's Ministry of Labor issued forced‑labor prevention guidelines after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Withhold Release Order against Giant Manufacturing. The 11‑indicator framework offers self‑assessment tools for companies but excludes home‑care workers and does not tackle debt bondage or...
Websites Change. Perma Links Don’t.
Perma.cc offers a simple, library‑backed solution to the growing problem of link rot by creating permanent, unalterable snapshots of web pages for citation purposes. Users copy a URL, paste it into the platform, and receive a stable Perma Link that...
SC Upholds Bharti Telecom's Share Capital Reduction
The Supreme Court of India rejected appeals from 35 minority shareholders of Bharti Telecom Limited, upholding the company’s 2018 decision to reduce its share capital by cancelling a small block of shares. The court affirmed that the valuation process, which...
Ex-Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund General Counsel Pam Hrick Joins Lerners Toronto
Former Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) general counsel Pam Hrick has become a partner at Lerners LLP’s Toronto office. She will work within the firm’s dispute resolution and advocacy practice as well as its personal injury group focused...
CITR Challenges US Government Censorship Policy
The Coalition for Independent Technology Research (CITR), joined by the Knight First Amendment Institute and Protect Democracy, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. government’s May 2025 Censorship Policy. The policy targets non‑citizen researchers, fact‑checkers, and trust‑and‑safety workers, threatening visa denials,...
NSW Cotton Partnership to Face Court over Farm Deaths
Directors of New South Wales cotton giant P&J Harris & Sons will appear before the Industrial Court on April 20, facing charges over two fatal workplace incidents—a 2022 backhoe accident and a 2024 drowning. SafeWork NSW has alleged six companies within...
Lululemon Cops $703K ACMA Fine For Email Marketing Misdemeanour
Lululemon has been hit with a $702,900 penalty from Australia’s ACMA for breaching spam regulations. The regulator found the athleisure brand sent over 370,000 service‑related emails that also contained promotional material but omitted an unsubscribe option between Dec 1 2024 and Jan 5 2025....
“Ed Martin Faces Disciplinary Proceedings over Actions as D.C. U.S. Attorney; The Senior Justice Department Official Faces Disciplinary Proceedings over...
Ed Martin, the former Trump‑appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, is under disciplinary investigation by the D.C. Bar after sending a letter to Georgetown University Law Center that challenged its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The grievance...
What Does the IRS Do if Someone Is Kidnapped and Not Able to Pay Taxes?
The IRS has established a protocol to protect taxpayers who are kidnapped or held hostage, placing a “hostage indicator” on their accounts to freeze filings and assessments. The program, developed with the State Department and FBI, was formalized with new...
Smartmatic Claims DOJ Weaponized to Fuel Trump Election Lies
The voting technology company Smartmatic accused federal prosecutors of weaponizing the Justice Department against it to promote President Donald Trump’s 2020 election lies and aid his allies facing massive defamation lawsuits. https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-prosecuted-election-tech-firm-to-fuel-2020-election-lies/
Stablecoin Earnings Won’t Vanish, Says BoE’s Breeden
BoE's Sarah Breeden currently doing a sterling job explaining to Lord Davies on the Financial Services Regulation Committee why money earned by the BoE on prospective stablecoin deposits wouldn't just disappear from the system. https://t.co/bdMoke431Y
Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of SB 21 Safe Harbor
The Delaware Supreme Court unanimously upheld the constitutionality of Senate Bill 21, confirming that the new statutory safe harbor for interested transactions remains valid and can be applied retroactively. The court clarified that the safe harbor does not strip the Court...
Institutional Homebuying Ban: What It Actually Changes
What the institutional homebuying ban actually does, according to ResiClub’s reading of the bipartisan Senate housing bill Me + @MalasMeghan's latest ResiClub PRO report: https://t.co/GIci6e5eqY