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
Cornelia Woll on Corporate Crime and Punishment
Cornelia Woll's book argues US prosecutors increasingly rely on out‑of‑court settlements to enforce corporate criminal law beyond its borders, turning fines into a tool of geopolitical leverage. Data shows foreign companies, which represent only 16 % of cases from 2000‑2020, bear 57 % of total penalties, often paying fines six times larger than domestic firms. The strategy has prompted reactions such as the EU’s Anti‑Coercion Instrument and similar moves in China, reshaping global legal sovereignty. Woll warns that overt power politics could undermine the normative force of US‑led enforcement.
CK Hutchison Unit Seeks $2 Billion in Panama Ports Dispute
CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports Co. has filed an ICC arbitration seeking at least $2 billion after Panama seized the Balboa and Cristobal terminals in February. The company alleges an illegal state takeover, breach of a bilateral investment treaty, and unlawful seizure...
SPAC CEO Misappropriates Funds, Refuses Repayment, Faces Prison
A SPAC CEO was caught with her hand in the cookie jar, taking money from the working capital account that she was not authorized to. When the board requested she repay the funds, she refused. While the stolen funds are a fraction...
Court Revives Suit over Water Worker’s Death in Flooded Vault
An Illinois appellate court revived a wrongful‑death suit filed by the estate of 20‑year‑old water worker Matthew Heiden, who drowned after being sent alone into an underground vault without required safety measures. The court found the plaintiff’s claims were not...
Unclaimed Property Laws (#391)
In this episode Steve Bragg explains unclaimed property—assets like uncashed checks, dormant accounts, and gift‑card balances that remain on a company's books until state law forces a transfer. He outlines the fragmented state‑by‑state legal framework, the priority rules that determine...
Washington State Bill Would Prohibit Companies From Microchipping Employees
Washington’s legislature passed Senate Bill 2303, which would bar employers from requiring employees to receive implanted microchips as a condition of employment. The bill includes narrow exemptions for voluntary medical implants, non‑invasive monitoring devices, and employees who choose to be...
December 2025 Privilege Protection Amendments to Fed.R.Civ.P. 16 and 26
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended on December 1, 2025, adding a new subsection to Rule 16 and revising Rule 26(f)(3)(D). The changes require parties to address privilege and protection issues, including timing and method for complying with Rule 26(b)(5)(A), in their discovery...
Robotics Ethicist Calls for Stronger US Guardrails as Automation Accelerates
Robotics ethicist Kate Darling warned that U.S. policy is falling behind the rapid deployment of automation in warehouses and factories. She argued that profit-driven decisions, not technical capability, will shape the future of work unless stronger regulatory guardrails are introduced....
Meta Faces Lawsuit Over Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Privacy
The episode examines the class‑action lawsuit against Meta over its AI‑powered Ray‑Ban smart glasses, which allegedly allow overseas contractors to review users' video footage—including sensitive moments—without clear disclosure. Host highlights how Meta marketed the glasses as privacy‑focused while its policies...
IRS Dirty Dozen Adds New Capital Gains Scheme for 2026
The IRS’s 2026 Dirty Dozen list introduces a new entry targeting abusive undistributed long‑term capital gains claims filed on Form 2439. Scammers are inflating or fabricating these filings, often linking them to nonexistent or misrepresented investment funds and real‑estate trusts. The...
IRS Releases Proposed Regs on Trump Accounts
The IRS and Treasury have issued proposed regulations for the Trump‑account pilot program, which will deposit a one‑time $1,000 into accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028. The rules clarify the election process, eligibility criteria, and the new Form 4547...
EEOC Publishes Guidance on Using Social Media in Reasonable Accommodation Process
The EEOC issued new guidance allowing federal agencies to consider an employee’s social‑media activity when evaluating telework as a reasonable accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act. The agency stresses that such evidence cannot replace medical documentation or the interactive process, but...
MISMO Releases VA, FHA Form Standards for Industry Use
The Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) has elevated the data mapping for VA Form 26‑1820 and the HUD FHA Addendum to candidate recommendation status, making standardized XML datasets available for industry use. The VA mapping translates the loan disbursement report...
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Georgia Bill to Let Owners Sue Cities over Homelessness
Georgia’s House Bill 295 would let property owners sue cities or counties that adopt policies limiting enforcement of illegal camping, loitering, drug possession, shoplifting or sanctuary rules. The bill creates a civil cause of action, capping damages at the amount...
Florida House Passes Bill to Relaunch mDL Program
Florida’s House of Representatives approved HB 543, a sweeping transportation package that includes provisions to revive the state’s mobile driver’s license (mDL) program. The bill, passed 107‑1, introduces strict data‑privacy safeguards, limiting how businesses can use digital ID information and requiring...
Publishers File Suit Against Notorious Pirate Site Anna’s Archive
Thirteen leading U.S. publishers, represented by the Association of American Publishers, have filed a federal lawsuit against the pirate site Anna’s Archive, accusing it of copying and distributing millions of copyrighted books and journal articles. The complaint alleges the site...
SEC and CFTC Progress Toward Harmonized Crypto Regulation
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have signaled a coordinated push toward a unified regulatory framework for digital assets. Recent staff memoranda and public statements outline joint rulemaking initiatives, shared definitions, and cross‑agency enforcement...
Google Contacts Advertisers with a Mandatory EU Political Ads Deadline
Google is emailing all advertisers to certify whether their active campaigns contain EU political ads, with a non‑negotiable deadline of March 31 2026. The new EU regulation forces Google to verify political‑ad status across every campaign, and failure to comply could result...
Congress Targets School Book Bans on Gender Identity
A new bill in Congress would punish schools for letting students read about gender identity — and “lascivious dancing.” Book bans aren’t fading. They’re evolving. Today’s newsletter: https://roncharles.substack.com/p/now-congress-is-coming-for-the-books
Google Covers Epic Games' Legal Fees in Settlement
Did you know Google is paying Epic Games' legal fees in this antitrust settlement? https://t.co/Qwy0yMFPj1
After Florida Charged People With Selling Insurance Licenses, 12 More Arrested
Florida authorities arrested 12 individuals linked to a scheme that sold insurance licenses through a fraudulent testing center in Miami. The operation, run by Rainier Miguel Salas’s D&R Financial Services, falsified Pearson VUE exams and provided pre‑licensing education. Salas previously...
Court Upholds Reporters' Right to Question, Limits DoD Suppression
Summary judgment arguments still going…but going very well so far. Court clear on this: “reporters have to be able to ask questions…that’s what they’ve done…since the beginning of time.” Dept of Defense can’t do an end around to suppress viewpoints...
CBP Easily Collects Illegal Taxes, Struggles to Refund Them
It was easy for CBP to collect the illegal taxes, but it's apparently impossible for them to return the illegal taxes (with interest). Sure, Jan. https://t.co/t3ZvGLtijs
How Trump's Antitrust Enforcer Andrew Ferguson May Be Pushing Up Oil Prices
The FTC under new chair Andrew Ferguson quickly overturned Lina Khan’s condition that barred Scott Sheffield from Exxon’s board after the agency’s 2024 investigation into alleged price‑fixing between U.S. shale producers and OPEC. The reversal came just as a Middle‑East...
Curve Accuses PancakeSwap of Using Stableswap Code Without Authorization
Curve Finance has publicly accused PancakeSwap of incorporating its StableSwap algorithm without obtaining a license, alleging a breach of the code’s open‑source terms. PancakeSwap rolled out the StableSwap feature on BNB Smart Chain on March 1, prompting Curve to reach out...
Judge Rebukes Justice Dept, Cites Pentagon Papers Precedent
Listening into NYT v Pentagon over new press credentialing Judge lays into US Justice Dept atty defending policy agst allowing reporters who ask for info not authorized for release - or even legal to release. "I am not persuaded," the judge says,...
Federal Law Bars Cannabis as Treatment for Injured Worker
The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that cannabis cannot be deemed a reasonable and necessary medical expense under the Longshore Harbor and Workers’ Compensation Act because it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law. The decision cites the...
EU Promises 48-Hour ‘Delaware’ Regime Won’t Lead to Boom in Bad Bosses
The European Commission is set to unveil an EU‑wide “EU Inc.” regime that would allow companies to incorporate in just 48 hours outside the 27 national legal systems. Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath insists the framework will preserve existing labor protections,...
On ‘Upskilling’ Your Compliance Team
Compliance leaders must shift from reacting to employee training requests to proactively upskilling their entire team. The article stresses evaluating each member's development needs and directing budget toward targeted learning, such as conferences, podcasts, and mentorships. It highlights that interpersonal...
Suicideboys Sued in the UK by Rough Trade and Beggars Music over Alleged Unauthorized Sample (Report)
US hip‑hop duo $uicideboy$ faces a lawsuit in the UK after allegedly sampling composer Mica Levi’s BAFTA‑nominated score for the film Under the Skin without permission. The disputed track, “What the Fuck is Happening,” contains a 1‑minute‑23‑second excerpt of Levi’s...
Colorado’s “First Murder Free” Bill Is the Endgame of a 15-Year Plan
Colorado Democrats introduced HB 26-1281, a bill that would require a homicide to involve at least two victims before prosecutors can pursue a first‑degree murder charge. Under the proposal, a single‑victim killing would be downgraded to second‑degree murder, with narrow...
GAO Sustain: Failure to Acknowledge Solicitation Amendment Was a Material Defect
The GAO sustained a protest by Moorish‑Wallace Construction, finding that E.C. Korneffel Co.'s failure to acknowledge a third amendment to an Army IFB was a material defect. The amendment increased the steel pile cap size and weight, changing performance requirements...
Selling ADUs?
A homeowner asks about accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, costs, and resale potential. Local rules impose no extra parking requirements and allow up to two stories, though taller structures are discouraged. Building a basic ADU starts around $200,000, but adding...
Senate Bill Would Require Human and Automated Track Inspections
Senators Tammy Baldwin and Josh Hawley introduced the Secure Tracks Act, requiring railroads to combine automated track inspection (ATI) with twice‑weekly human visual inspections on all main‑line tracks rated Class 3 or higher. The bill also bars the Federal Railroad Administration...
Florida Tank Company Contesting OSHA Fines After Fatal Incident
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued 19 citations against PCE Petroleum Contractors Enterprises, a Florida tank‑service firm, after a worker died from benzene and toluene exposure in a confined space. The agency proposed a $60,242 fine, which the...
Sixth Circuit Addresses Arbitrability of Individual Claims in Sexual Assault and Harassment Claims (US)
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Bruce v. Adams and Reese that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA) bars arbitration of an entire case when any claim involves sexual harassment or assault....
SEC Sends Crypto Securities Guidance to OIRA, Vote Pending
LATEST: 🚨 SEC issues crypto securities law interpretation to OIRA, commissioners set to vote after interagency review
Privacy Expectations in Consumer AI Tools: How Patient Use of ChatGPT Health and Claude Differs From HIPAA-Regulated Care
OpenAI and Anthropic are rolling out both enterprise‑grade AI suites for hospitals and consumer‑focused health assistants like ChatGPT Health and Claude Pro. Enterprise tools operate under HIPAA, allowing covered entities to negotiate Business Associate Agreements that impose strict data safeguards....
Indonesian Communities Try to Reclaim Lands Following Company Permit Revocations
Indonesia’s government revoked the forest utilization permit of PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) and 27 other firms in January 2026, citing violations that contributed to the deadly 2025 floods and landslides. The revocation affects a 167,927‑ha concession, prompting 29 Indigenous...
Check Licensure of Wholesale Drug Distributors and Third-Party Logistics Providers
The article outlines the legal requirement that U.S. wholesale drug distributors and third‑party logistics providers (3PLs) must hold a valid state license to handle prescription medications. It warns that unlicensed or unauthorized partners can expose patients to counterfeit, stolen, or...
TV Host Rob Rinder Urges MPs to Oppose Jury Curbs
Criminal barrister and TV judge Rob Rinder has joined a growing chorus of legal professionals opposing the UK government’s proposal to limit jury trials for offences carrying up to three‑year prison terms. In a letter to MPs ahead of Justice...
SEC Reaches Partial Settlement with Consultant of Failed Bond-Financed Arizona Sports Park
The SEC reached a partial settlement with Jeffrey Puzzullo, the construction consultant who helped fabricate financial projections for the $284 million Legacy Cares municipal bond offering in Arizona. Puzzullo pleaded guilty to conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft,...
Nigeria Exited the FATF Grey List. Now It Wants to Set the Rules for African Fintech
Nigeria was removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October 2025 after completing a 19‑point anti‑money‑laundering reform that brought it into compliance with 37 of the 40 FATF recommendations. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s new Fintech Policy...
Fintech Regulation Explained: Licenses, Banks & Compliance
Fintech firms navigate a fragmented regulatory maze, with the United States hosting multiple agencies—from the OCC to FinCEN—each overseeing a slice of the financial pie. The United Kingdom relies on a twin‑peaks system where the PRA ensures solvency and the...
Türkiye Makes Moves to Possibly Ban Valve’s Steam, Epic Games Store
Turkey's government is reportedly considering bans on major gaming platforms Valve's Steam and Epic Games Store. The move follows recent restrictions on Roblox and Discord, signaling a tightening regulatory stance. Turkey hosts more than 800 game development studios, whose access...
From Stopgap to Status Quo: Why There’s No Going Back on PI’s Digital Shift
The pandemic‑driven move to video calls and e‑filing in Ontario’s civil courts has become permanent, with plaintiff‑side firms like Singer Kwinter now operating a virtual‑first model. Senior litigator Shane Katz estimates that about 98 percent of pre‑trial proceedings are conducted via Zoom, a...
Shanghai Launches Cross-Border Digital Authentication for Foreign Business Registration
Shanghai has rolled out a cross‑border digital identity platform that enables foreign firms, starting with Singaporean investors, to register online. The new system replaces paper‑heavy notarisation with distributed identifiers, verifiable credentials and blockchain checks, shrinking registration time from a week...
JSE Censures Mantengu for Not Disclosing 2023 Confidential Information Leak
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has issued a public censure against mining investment firm Mantengu for failing to publish a cautionary announcement after a price‑sensitive acquisition offer was leaked in 2023. The breach stems from WhatsApp messages that revealed the...
Responding to FDA Form 483 Observations at the Conclusion of a Drug CGMP Inspection
The FDA has issued a draft Level 1 guidance (Docket FDA‑2025‑D‑1504) titled “Responding to FDA Form 483 Observations at the Conclusion of a Drug CGMP Inspection.” The document targets both foreign and domestic manufacturers of human and animal drugs regulated by CDER,...
Alabama Lawmakers May Change Simplified Sellers Use Tax That Has Sparked Multiple Lawsuits
Alabama lawmakers are proposing a bill to revise the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) allocation formula by updating municipal and county population figures every five years instead of relying on the decennial census. The SSUT, an 8% flat tax on...