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
Venture Fraud | NBER
The NBER study compiled the first large‑scale dataset of 614 U.S. venture‑capital‑backed startups that faced fraud charges since 2000. It shows VC‑backed firms are 54% more likely to be charged with fraud than comparable non‑VC firms in a public‑company subsample. Governance factors—strong founder control, convex cash‑flow rights, complex cap tables, and involvement of non‑traditional investors—drive this risk, with founder‑controlled boards 88% more likely to commit fraud. Fraudulent entrepreneurs can launch new VC‑backed ventures without penalty, indicating weak market discipline.
UK Court of Appeal Rules on the Concept of Personal Data in the Context of Data Security
On 19 February 2026 the UK Court of Appeal decided DSG Retail Ltd v The Information Commissioner, holding that a controller’s data‑security duty covers all information it treats as personal, even if an attacker cannot identify individuals. The ruling, based...
SEC Obtains Final Consent Judgment as to Senior Executive of Brazilian Company Charged with Fraud
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission secured a final consent judgment against Fernando Passos, former executive vice president of finance and investor relations at IRB Brasil Resseguros. Passos allegedly fabricated a press release and shareholder list claiming Berkshire Hathaway had...
Florida Man Arrested in Alleged $328M Crypto Ponzi Scheme
Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Christopher Alexander Delgado, a 34‑year‑old from Apopka, Florida, accused of orchestrating what may be the largest crypto‑linked Ponzi scheme in U.S. history. Authorities allege Delgado siphoned roughly $328 million from investors through fraudulent cryptocurrency offerings....
Fat Brands Says that Bond Investors Knew What They Were Getting Into
Fat Brands, the parent of Fazoli's and 15 other restaurant chains, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024. Lenders have pushed for a court‑appointed trustee, alleging CEO Andy Wiederhorn misused company funds for personal loans, bonuses, and an unauthorized stock...
AvTalk Episode 359: Reading Them the ROTOR Act
In this episode Ian and Jason discuss the stalled passage of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (ROTOR Act), which aims to mandate ADS‑B‑In across U.S. airspace and tighten reporting for Department of Defense exemptions after the Washington,...
Data Readiness – Why, and How, Your Data Will Make or Break AI Success in 2026
Legal technology leaders are hosting a March 18 webinar to dissect "data readiness" as the decisive factor for AI success in the legal sector by 2026. They argue that fragmented repositories, inconsistent metadata, and weak governance are the primary obstacles...
Progress Rail and Wabtec Settle Lawsuit
Progress Rail and Wabtec announced a settlement of the antitrust lawsuit filed in September 2023, ending claims that Wabtec abused market power after acquiring GE Transportation. The dispute centered on Wabtec’s alleged dominance in North American diesel freight locomotives, where...
FCA Targets Q3 for Captive Rules Consultation
The Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority will launch a joint consultation in the third quarter of 2026 on a new regulatory framework for captive insurers, with the rules expected to take effect in 2027. The timetable was...
Podcast: Rare Disease Day: FDA Guidance Allowing Advancement
The FDA issued a suite of new guidance documents in early 2026 aimed at easing development of therapies for rare diseases, including the Rare Disease Evidence Pathway, Plausible Mechanism Pathway, and innovative trial designs for cellular and gene therapies. The...
The Truth About AI False Positive Reduction
AI-driven supervision is now entrenched in financial services, with 94% of firms using or planning AI detection tools. Vendors tout dramatic false‑positive reductions, but Theta Lake warns these claims often rely on misleading accuracy metrics. The underlying base‑rate problem means...
'Game Changing' AI Listing to Help Clear Court Backlog
The UK Ministry of Justice is piloting an AI‑driven case‑listing tool in Preston and Isleworth to help clear the chronic criminal court backlog. A new judicial national listing framework, due before summer, will standardise and increase transparency in how criminal...
DE Supreme: Accountant May Resolve Earnout Claim Involving No Calculation
The Delaware Supreme Court in Fortis Advisors v. Stillfront held that an earn‑out dispute clause referencing the “calculation of the earn‑out amount” triggers arbitration, not merely expert determination. The court affirmed that the accounting firm acting as arbitrator could resolve...
National Cyber Security Bill and NIS2: Senior Management’s Compliance Guide
The EU’s NIS2 Directive now obligates senior management to approve, oversee, and assume responsibility for cybersecurity risk, a shift echoed by Ireland’s forthcoming National Cyber Security Bill. The draft legislation mirrors NIS2’s Article 20, imposing personal liability, temporary bans, and fines...
With Court Orders, Know Your Legal Obligations and Risk Considerations
The article outlines employer duties when court orders intersect with the workplace, covering wage garnishments, court‑appearance leave, custody schedules, restraining orders, and confidentiality requirements. Employers must withhold and remit support payments precisely, avoid retaliation for legal attendance, and adjust work...
Why Legal AI Tools Need Human Feedback to Succeed
The RegTech market is flooded with legal AI tools that rely heavily on static statutes and generic language models. Zeidler Group warns that these solutions miss the nuanced, practice‑based knowledge that regulators and firms apply daily. By treating its AI...
OpenAI Bans ChatGPT Accounts Linked to Fake Law Firms and Lawyers
OpenAI has disabled several ChatGPT accounts it identified as part of a coordinated fraud operation called “False Witness.” The scheme involved fake law firms and impersonated lawyers using the model to craft persuasive legal‑sounding messages, create bogus profiles, and steer...
AI for Legal Professionals: Insights From Our “Artificial Intelligence for the Rest of Us” Author Panel
The recent author panel titled “Artificial Intelligence for the Rest of Us” explored how AI tools are reshaping legal practice. Panelists highlighted practical use cases such as contract review automation, predictive litigation analytics, and e‑discovery optimization. They also addressed data...
Understanding the Regulatory Change of Updates to Individual Income Tax Withholding System in China
On January 23, 2026 China’s State Taxation Administration rolled out an update to the Golden Tax III Individual Income Tax Withholding System. The revision optimizes calculation rules, most notably the method for computing cumulative standard deductions on comprehensive income. Although the agency has...
Burford Capital – Back From the Dead?
Burford Capital, the world’s largest litigation‑finance firm, presented a refreshed investment case at an online conference, highlighting its expanding portfolio and a strategic shift beyond the high‑profile YPF dispute. While the YPF claim—still pending collection—has driven past volatility, the company...
Second Chances in Arbitration – The German Federal Court of Justice Clarifies Conditions for Remittal to the Arbitral Tribunal
The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) clarified that § 1059(4) ZPO permits remittal to the original arbitral tribunal unless a serious, uncurable procedural defect exists. The court rejected a blanket rule that any breach of the right to be heard bars...
Investment in UK Legal Tech Soars to Record High, Report Finds
The UK legal‑tech sector secured a record £188.8 million in 2025, a 35% increase over the prior year, according to LawtechUK’s Investment Snapshot. Twenty home‑grown firms raised £42 million in the second half of the year, with an average raise of £2.1 million,...
New Start for Comptoir Des Cotonniers and Princesse tam.tam in France
The Paris Commercial Court has approved the final relaunch of Fast Retailing France, the owner of Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse tam.tam, ending its insolvency proceedings. The company will operate a two‑brand model designed to generate greater synergy between the labels....
Early Call for Inputs on the BEREC Work Programme 2027
BEREC has launched an early call for inputs to shape its Work Programme 2027, inviting stakeholders to submit project proposals by 15 April 2026. Submissions must use the provided Excel template and be sent to the designated BEREC email address. The programme...
OANDA Ends Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against GAIN Capital
Forex platform OANDA Corporation has formally ended its long‑standing patent infringement lawsuit against GAIN Capital Holdings. The parties filed a stipulation in New Jersey District Court on February 26, 2026, dismissing all claims and counterclaims with prejudice and agreeing to...
Payroll Gaps Exposed as Firms Face Compliance Crunch
Payroll teams claim readiness for the UK’s Joint and Several Liability reforms, yet a Finity survey reveals significant gaps in data visibility and system capability. The new rules, effective April, give HMRC broader authority to hold multiple parties in labour...
NT TOs Win $54M Compensation over McArthur River
Traditional Owners in the Northern Territory have secured more than $54 million in compensation from the Federal Court for the loss of native‑title rights linked to the McArthur River mine. The judgment is the first Australian ruling to award “just terms”...
Victory! Tenth Circuit Finds Fourth Amendment Doesn’t Support Broad Search of Protesters’ Devices and Digital Data
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reversed a district court ruling that had dismissed a civil‑rights suit over sweeping warrants targeting a protester’s devices and a nonprofit’s Facebook page. The appellate panel found the three warrants overbroad,...
Red Flags Adjusters Should Look for in Truck Accident Claims Investigations
Adjusters handling commercial‑truck accidents must navigate a dense web of electronic logs, driver qualification files, maintenance records, and carrier safety scores. Red flags such as ELD violations, missing qualification documents, incomplete DVIRs, and low SMS ratings often signal heightened exposure...
Marsh Awarded Injunction Against Former Employees Now With Howden US
A federal judge granted Marsh a preliminary injunction blocking seven former employees, now at Howden US, from using Marsh's confidential information, soliciting Marsh staff, and courting Marsh clients for one year. The court found Marsh likely to succeed on breach‑of‑contract...
HR Manager "Opened the Door" To Discussions About Her Personal Life: FWC
The Fair Work Commission ruled on a dismissal claim by an HR manager at disability‑services provider Hands On People. The manager alleged adverse action after raising compliance concerns, filing a workers’ compensation claim and taking personal leave. The Commission found...
From Barista Aprons to Factory Floors: Why Top GCs Savor Time in the Trenches
Top general counsel are increasingly stepping onto the shop floor—whether serving coffee or overseeing factory lines—to gain hands‑on insight into the businesses they protect. Jessica Nguyen of DocuSign argues that this immersion builds deeper strategic acumen than boardroom meetings alone....
FWC Targets Meritless Gen-AI Claims with New Filing Rules
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) will soon require all employees and witnesses to disclose any use of generative‑AI in preparing their applications, with false statements subject to imprisonment. Justice Adam Hatcher highlighted AI’s dual role: it can help self‑represented litigants...
Proofread Every Legal Application to Avoid Embarrassing Errors
I want to offer just a bit of advice to law students applying for internships, clerkships, or any other legal jobs: Please make sure you carefully review your cover letters, emails, or statements of interest before you send them. Here...
Yes, Santos Was Cleared of Greenwashing. But a Climate Law Reckoning Still Looms
The Federal Court dismissed all greenwashing allegations brought by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility against Australian gas producer Santos, finding its claims about cleaner‑energy gas and its net‑zero roadmap were not misleading. The judgment accepted Santos’ description of natural...
This Startup Is Building an All-in-One AI Ecosystem for Nigerian Law Firms
Modulaw AI, a Lagos‑based startup, has launched an all‑in‑one AI‑driven legal operations platform for Nigerian law firms. The system combines a RAG‑powered research engine—trained on roughly 10,000 appellate and Supreme Court judgments—with case management, client collaboration, workflow automation, and billing...
Why Scalable Case Management Software Is Essential for Growing Law Firms
Law firms that experience rapid growth quickly outgrow spreadsheets, email chains, and ad‑hoc filing systems. Scalable case management software provides a centralized platform that aligns tasks, documents, and deadlines across expanding teams. By standardizing workflows, the technology streamlines onboarding, delegation,...
Paramount-WBD Pact Is ‘Not a Done Deal,’ California AG Teases ‘Vigorous’ Investigation
California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned that the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger is not finalized, citing an open state investigation. Paramount’s $31‑per‑share offer has been deemed superior, prompting Netflix to step aside. Regulators must still clear the deal amid concerns...
National Constitution Center "We the People" Podcast About the Supreme Court Tariff Decision
The National Constitution Center released a "We the People" podcast analyzing the Supreme Court’s recent decision that declared President Trump’s tariffs unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Hosted by Zach Shemtob of SCOTUSblog and NCC’s Julie Silverbrook, the...
Schiff Demands Independent Review of Paramount Merger
Sen. Adam Schiff: “What was true for Netflix is still true now for Paramount. The merger of two of Hollywood's biggest studios must be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny, free from White House political influence, to determine...
Cold War Law Threatens AI Vendor Contract Protections
Question for Monday's meeting: "If the government invoked a Cold War-era law to access our AI tools, would our vendor contracts protect us?" This isn't hypothetical. The Pentagon did it this week. What would your team's answer be? https://t.co/3QPuHpodWP
OCC May Give Senators Warren and Scott Access to Trump Bank Application
The OCC’s comptroller, Jonathan Gould, indicated he will consider providing Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tim Scott with the unredacted bank charter application of World Liberty Financial, a Trump‑family‑linked DeFi firm. The application, submitted in January, seeks a national trust bank...
Analysts Often Overlook State Merger Review Powers
Even people who write about mergers for a living, have a way of forgetting about the states and their merger review powers https://t.co/txf7WOgAjH
Paramount‑Warner Deal Overlooks Federal Antitrust Scrutiny
Feel like the some of the reporting on Paramount-Warner Bros has kinda forgotten this little thing called federal and state antitrust review
Professional Probation Recommended for Attorney Whose Briefs Had AI-Generated Fake Quotes
A state bar has recommended professional probation for an attorney who inserted AI‑generated fabricated quotations into multiple court briefs. The misconduct was uncovered after a routine review revealed that the cited sources did not exist. The disciplinary recommendation follows the...
SB 1216 Rewards Cities Actively Building Housing
All of the bills we're sponsoring are great, but I'm especially excited about this one: after years of state mandates to plan and adopt policies, SB 1216 will recognize cities that are actually building housing and afford them warranted flexibiltiy/grace...
Land Registry Tells PM Law Clients to Quickly Instruct New Solicitors
HM Land Registry has urged former PM Law clients to appoint new solicitors after the firm’s sudden closure left hundreds of conveyancing cases in limbo. The registry is actively identifying applications submitted by PM Law and will contact affected customers directly where...
Former Housing Secretaries to Give Evidence on Leasehold Reform
Former housing secretaries Angela Rayner and Lord Michael Gove will appear before the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on 3 March to give evidence on the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. The session will also hear leasehold campaigners, the Residential Freehold Association...
Fed Seeks to Block DOJ Subpoenas in Secret Probe
The DOJ probe of the Federal Reserve is playing out behind closed doors The Fed, in sealed proceedings, is asking a judge to quash the subpoenas, which could reduce or eliminate its obligation to respond via @cryanbarber @sgurman https://t.co/HvnC5W8ImQ
February 2026 Reincorporation Update
The February 2026 reincorporation update adds seven new filings, expanding the list of companies shifting their legal domicile. Notable moves include Datadog’s transfer from Delaware to Nevada, boosting Nevada’s market‑cap share to roughly $44 billion, and ArcBest’s relocation to Texas with...