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
End of Voyage Is Not a Legal Doctrine in Maritime Law, so What Is the Legal Basis..??
Carriers have begun issuing "End of Voyage" notices, declaring that ships bound for the Arabian Gulf will divert to alternative ports and cease responsibility for the cargo. The term is not a legal doctrine; it stems from standard Bill of Lading clauses that allow carriers to change routes or abandon carriage without notice. Recent advisories cover the entire Gulf trade lane, reflecting the unprecedented closure of the Strait of Hormuz in 2026. Shippers must now manage cargo disposition themselves and assess potential claims.
Asset Protection Means Changing Ownership, Not Hiding Wealth
The first rule of asset protection is simple: If you still own it, a court can probably reach it. When done correctly and legally, asset protection is not focused on secrecy and hiding wealth. It is about changing the legal relationship...
Seizing Iranian VLCCs Could De‑Escalate Conflict
My only difference with @ed_fin strategy is this: Vice hitting an Iranian VLCC, we wait until they exit the Strait and seize, a la Venezuelan tankers. Start grabbing these ships as they come out and threaten to impound them and...
Regulatory Authority in Canada
The article explains how Canada’s Constitution splits legislative authority over trade between federal and provincial governments, limiting the ability to enact nationwide regulatory or deregulatory standards. It reviews key Supreme Court decisions that have narrowed the federal trade‑and‑commerce power, especially...
SEC Senior Trial Attorney Emmett Murphy Rejoins King & Spalding in New York – King & Spalding
J. Emmett Murphy has rejoined King & Spalding as a partner in its Business Litigation practice in New York. He returns from the SEC, where he served as a senior trial attorney in the Division of Enforcement since 2023. Murphy’s...
SEC, CFTC Weigh Move to Same Washington Building Complex Near Capitol – Bloomberg
Wall Street’s two primary regulators, the SEC and the CFTC, are evaluating a joint move into a single building complex near the U.S. Capitol, adjacent to Union Station where the SEC currently resides. The proposal does not involve merging the...
The Violence of Protection | The Weekly Read
Lee Ann S. Wang’s book *The Violence of Protection* critiques the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), arguing that its funding of law‑enforcement rescue operations creates new forms of racial violence against survivors, especially Asian American women. By framing victims as...
Federal Government Lawyer's Filings Appear to Include "Fabricated Quotations and Misstatements of Case Holdings"
A federal prosecutor in North Carolina is accused of inserting fabricated quotations and misstatements of case law into multiple court filings in the Fivehouse v. Department of Defense litigation. The alleged fabrications involve citations to Fourth Circuit decisions and regulatory...
☕ Morning Briefing — Saturday, March 7, 2026
In the past 24 hours the United States saw a federal conviction of an Iran‑linked assassination plot targeting top political figures, a non‑citizen charged with illegal voting, a joint U.S.–Ecuador operation against narco‑terror networks, President Trump urging defense contractors to...
How Donald Trump Is Pushing the Supreme Court to Weaken Federal Judges
Since returning to office, Donald Trump’s administration has filed 31 emergency petitions to the Supreme Court, overwhelmingly alleging that lower‑court judges are unlawfully impeding presidential power. Ninety‑seven percent of those requests claim judicial interference, a stark contrast to the 26%...
Florida Senate Passes State-Level Stablecoin Bill, Awaits DeSantis’ Signature
Florida’s Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 314, creating the nation’s first state‑level regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. The bill amends the state’s anti‑money‑laundering statute to explicitly cover stablecoins and requires issuers to register with the Office of Financial Regulation, with...
24-614 - Bryant Et Al V. Tinker Federal Credit Union
The federal case Bryant et al v. Tinker Federal Credit Union (24‑614) saw an initial order on March 13, 2025 that denied several motions, stayed others, and granted the plaintiffs permission to amend their complaint within seven days. The plaintiffs...
26-240 - Nwokolo V. Grant Et Al
The U.S. District Court dismissed Nwokolo v. Grant et al, concluding it lacked jurisdiction to grant habeas relief. The magistrate’s recommendation to dismiss was adopted on March 5, 2026, and the petitioner’s emergency motion for a temporary restraining order was denied as...
23-104 - LaFever V. United States of America
On March 5, 2026, Judge Charles Goodwin of the Western District of Oklahoma denied Christopher James LaFever’s motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to vacate, set aside, or correct his federal sentence. The order, filed as Document No. 60, leaves LaFever’s original conviction and imprisonment intact. The...
Guarding Original Voice Amid Unprotectable Idea Theft
I hate when people steal my content (because IP infringement, IP attorney…duh) But what’s harder to explain is the "idea theft." I know, not protectable. But when someone lifts my thread series or email sequences and slaps a new name...
Regulating AI Washing
Federal regulators, led by the SEC, are cracking down on “AI washing,” where firms exaggerate or falsify AI capabilities in investor communications. Recent enforcement actions cite violations of the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b‑5...
WGA Releases Pattern Of Demands Ahead Of AMPTP Negotiations
The Writers Guild of America released its Pattern of Demands ahead of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, a step approved by 97.4% of its members. The document outlines broad objectives on health and pension contributions,...
Singularity May Arrive Before Copyright Courts Decide AI Training
we may hit the singularity before courts decide whether or not AI can learn using copyrighted materials and that’s sort of amazing, no?
Google, Android Users Near Final Approval of $135M Data Transfer Settlement
A U.S. magistrate has granted preliminary approval for a $135 million settlement that resolves a class action accusing Google of silently transferring Android users' data over cellular networks. The deal caps individual payments at $100, with named plaintiffs eligible for up...
Judge Doubts Pentagon's Press Access Restrictions
I was there today. What's not said is DoJ's attorney was very low energy, hard to hear and seemed just going through his paces; Hegseth’s attorney Tim Parlatore sat with him .. Federal judge appears skeptical of Pentagon’s restrictions on press...
Five Things California Employers Need to Understand About At-Will Employment
California’s at‑will employment rule is a legal starting point, not a free‑hand termination license. Employers who issue offer letters, handbooks, or verbal assurances can unintentionally create contracts that override the presumption. The state’s expanding protected‑class statutes and the new SB 497...
Are Politically Charged Investigations Doomed in D.C.?
The Department of Justice’s autopen investigation, launched by the Trump‑aligned DOJ, has reportedly hit a procedural snag, raising concerns about its viability. Sources indicate that the probe, overseen by D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office, is stalled amid internal disagreements...
F1 to Green Card: US Immigration Pathways for International Students
F‑1 students cannot directly obtain a green card and must qualify under an employment‑based category, either through employer sponsorship (EB‑2/EB‑3) or self‑petition (EB‑2 NIW, EB‑1A). The optimal strategy hinges on the student’s degree, field, and country of birth, with the...
FEMA Ordered to Restore Disaster Mitigation Funding
Federal Judge Richard G. Stearns ordered FEMA to restore the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program after a coalition of 20 states successfully challenged its 2025 termination. The court mandated concrete steps within 14 days, including releasing pre‑disaster mitigation...
VA Partial Claim Draft Arrives with Detail Sought on Limits
The Department of Veterans Affairs released a draft policy for a new VA partial‑claim program, allowing eligible borrowers to receive a second, interest‑free lien covering up to 25% of the unpaid principal balance. The assistance is designed to curb delinquency...
EEOC Letter Cautions Corporate America to Discontinue Unlawful DEI Programs
On February 26, 2026 the EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas sent a warning letter to the Fortune 500, cautioning that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The notice echoes Trump‑era executive orders...
Law Firm Defends Voter Data in 30-State DOJ Battle
The Department of Justice has sued 30 states and DC for access to their unreacted sensitive voter data. My law firm is fighting them in all 30 cases. We are dedicating so many resources because these are the most important...
Arizona Considers Legislation to Deter DEI Programs and Policies
Arizona's House Bill 2135, passed by the state House and pending in the Senate, would create a private right of action allowing employees to sue employers for violating state or federal prohibitions on DEI policies. The bill sets a minimum...
'The Court's Hands Are Tied': Major Insurers Avoid Antitrust Class Action
A federal judge granted motions by Aetna, Elevance Health, and UnitedHealth to compel arbitration, removing a pending antitrust class action from the courts. The ruling forces the dispute into private arbitration, a venue that typically limits discovery and collective redress....
Litigation Trends to Watch: 'Cashless ATM' Fees, Manager Misclassifications and ShinyHunters Cyberattack Trigger Suits
A wave of litigation is sweeping multiple industries, from fintech to health insurance and pharmaceuticals. Consumer groups are targeting cashless ATM transaction fees, while Aetna, Elevance Health and UnitedHealth secured court orders compelling arbitration of antitrust claims. The 1st Circuit...
Under Standstill Rule, Rogers Obligated to Freeze Movement of Corus Channels: Appeal Court
The Federal Court of Appeal rejected Rogers' challenge to two CRTC decisions that barred the cable operator from repackaging or removing Corus Entertainment’s Slice, Home and Flavour channels. The court interpreted the regulatory "standstill" rule as freezing all contract terms,...
Debating Insider Trading Legitimacy in Prediction Markets
🥸💰 Should "insider trading" be allowed on prediction markets? Would also appreciate hearing your definition of "insider trading" when it comes to prediction markets 👇
Video Shows Sheraton Manager Deny a Room Over a Service Dog — Police Have to Explain “No Pets” Doesn’t Apply
A Sheraton Atlanta Perimeter North manager refused a guest’s reservation because she arrived with a service dog, citing the hotel’s "no pets" policy. Police intervened, pointing out that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations to accept legitimate...
IRS Seeks to Scrap Basis‑shifting TOI Reporting Regulations
The Internal Revenue Service has issued proposed regulations to withdraw the basis‑shifting transaction‑of‑interest (TOI) reporting rules that were finalized in January 2025. The withdrawal would be treated as effective retroactively to Jan. 14, 2025, allowing taxpayers and advisers to consider the rules...
Ashes of Creation Founder Claims Legal Victory Through Temporary Restraining Order, Accuses Ex-Board Of Attempting To Sabotage Studio
Steven Sharif, founder of Intrepid Studios, secured a temporary restraining order from a California federal judge that bars former board members and their affiliates from accessing or misusing Intrepid's trade secrets. Sharif alleges the board deliberately froze assets, pursued a...
Tesla Employee Claims Sixth Street Shooting Suspect Assaulted Her While on Prayer Break
Tesla employee Lillian Mendoza Brady has filed a lawsuit alleging she was assaulted by Sixth Street shooter Ndiaga Diagne during a prayer break at a Tesla facility. The complaint claims Tesla knew of Diagne’s aggressive tendencies yet failed to monitor common areas,...
California Appeals Court Upholds Trial Court Order That Cited Hallucinated Cases
The California Court of Appeal upheld a family‑court order that relied on two nonexistent cases, *Marriage of Twigg* and *Marriage of Teegarden*. The order was drafted by the appellant’s counsel, who failed to verify the citations, while the opposing attorney...
Trump Admin Appeals Block on Subpoena for Trans Care Clinic Records
The Justice Department issued a June subpoena to QueerDoc, a telehealth clinic offering gender‑affirming care, seeking billing, insurance and patient records as part of a Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act investigation into drug manufacturers. A Seattle district judge blocked...
Alchemy Pay Hits 15 Money Transmitter Licenses With Delaware Win
Alchemy Pay announced it secured a Money Transmitter License in Delaware, bringing its total U.S. state coverage to 15. The company added four licenses this year, including Nebraska, South Dakota and West Virginia, expanding its regulated fiat‑crypto payment network. Alchemy...
Turning an Inherited Home Into a Short-Term Rental: The Legal and Tax Traps To Watch For
Inheriting a home offers a tempting entry into the booming short‑term rental market, but the path is riddled with tax and regulatory pitfalls. The IRS grants a step‑up in basis, resetting the cost basis and allowing a fresh 27.5‑year depreciation...
Australia’s Statutory Redress Framework Creates New Accountability Layer for Mobile ID Providers
Australia’s Department of Finance has opened consultation on the Digital ID Amendment (Redress Framework) Rules 2026, proposing the world’s first statutory redress mechanism for digital identity. The two‑phase framework already imposes baseline notification and complaint‑handling duties, and the new rules...
Mercedes Settles NLRB Case, Pledges No Mexico Move
Scoop: Mercedes has settled NLRB case over alleged union-busting in the lead-up to 2024 vote in Alabama. Mercedes will make promises including not threatening to move to Mexico. NLRB general counsel office approved settlement despite objections of the UAW https://t.co/UsuAcusVzW
Birthright Citizenship: The Exceptions Provide the Rule
The article argues that the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship guarantee depends on both being born on U.S. soil and being “under the flag,” meaning subject to American jurisdiction. It explains that historic exceptions—diplomats, foreign‑flagged vessels, occupied territories, and tribal lands—are...
Hungary Clashes with EU After Being Shut Out on Ukraine Arms Funding
Hungary sued the EU after being barred from a vote on allocating frozen Russian asset profits to Ukraine’s military aid. The country argues its earlier abstention on the profit‑sharing decision does not strip its right to participate in the subsequent...
Notification Under Chapter 9, Section 10 of the Finnish Securities Market Act: Voting Rights of FMR LLC in Nokia Corporation...
Fidelity Management & Research’s subsidiary FMR LLC filed a notification under the Finnish Securities Market Act after its indirect voting rights in Nokia Corporation rose above the 5% trigger. As of 5 March 2026, FMR held 5.26% of Nokia’s shares, translating to...
FDA Holds Meeting with States on Importation of Lower Cost Drugs
The FDA convened a meeting with several states, Indian tribes and federal partners to discuss the Section 804 importation program, which permits importing prescription drugs from Canada to lower U.S. prices. The agency highlighted its pre‑review process, cost‑savings analysis support, and...
Congress Risks Shutting Out Small Housing Investors
Congress is advancing the ROAD to Housing Act, which would bar any entity that owns or manages more than 350 single‑family homes from purchasing additional properties. While aimed at curbing private‑equity concentration, the bill’s broad definition also captures Regulation A real‑estate...
2026 Canadian Trade & Customs Outlook: Forced Labour
Canada’s forced‑labour import prohibition remains largely unenforced, with the CBSA having detained only one shipment confirmed as forced‑labour since 2021. A private‑member Bill C-251 is advancing, proposing a rebuttable presumption that goods from certain entities are tainted unless proven otherwise....
2026 Canadian Trade & Customs Outlook: Trade Remedies
Baker McKenzie highlights a sweeping overhaul of Canada’s trade‑remedies regime, with the CBSA making annual administrative reviews the default for updating normal values, export prices and subsidy amounts. The agency recorded a near‑record number of anti‑dumping and countervailing duty investigations...
House Panel Advances 12-Bill Online Child Safety Package Targeting Big Tech
Congressional Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have moved a 12‑bill package aimed at tightening online child‑safety rules for major platforms such as Meta, Google and Apple. Central to the effort is the Kids Online Safety Act, which...