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
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 and other industry witnesses. Lawmakers aim to strengthen leaseholder rights by capping ground rents, advancing Law Commission recommendations on enfranchisement, and tackling "fleecehold" charges. TIME Investments declined a live appearance, while Grosvenor Property submitted written evidence for future sessions.
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...
JV Video: Arbitration Finance Moves Into the Mainstream, Says Burford Capital
Arbitration finance has shifted from a niche service to a mainstream strategic tool for mining companies facing investor‑state and commercial disputes. Multi‑million‑dollar claims and lengthy litigation have driven firms to seek third‑party funding to cover legal costs and manage balance‑sheet...
Feds Renew Wilson Logistics Waiver, Launch Training Data Inquiry
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed Wilson Logistics' exemption allowing commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to serve as team drivers without a front‑seat trainer, extending the waiver through February 2031. The renewal adds a 30‑day limit on...
FAR 2.0 Update: Deviations and FAR Companion Guide
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) is now being implemented through agency deviations, with the Department of Defense (DoD) issuing class deviations covering most FAR parts from 1 to 52. Twenty‑four agencies have already adopted RFO Part 12, and the DoD’s...
All Sizzle, No Safety Net: The Legal Risks of Restaurant Stages
California’s labor laws deem most unpaid restaurant stages illegal, classifying participants as employees entitled to minimum wage and overtime. The DLSE has repeatedly ruled that trial shifts, even when labeled as internships or auditions, violate wage‑order requirements and expose owners...
IRS Sent $447.8M in RRC Payments to Ineligible Taxpayers
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration reported that the IRS mistakenly issued $447.8 million in Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC) payments to 300,843 ineligible taxpayers, many of whom were non‑resident aliens or received duplicate advances. The erroneous disbursements represent roughly 25 %...
Pilot’s Widow Sues Boeing, GE Following UPS Crash
The widow of UPS pilot Dana Justin Diamond has filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit against Boeing, General Electric and maintenance firm VT San Antonio Aerospace. The suit, lodged on Feb. 25 in Jefferson County Circuit Court, blames design, manufacturing and upkeep failures...
Marquis V. SonicWall Lawsuit Ups the Breach Blame Game
Fintech firm Marquis, which serves over 700 banks, filed a lawsuit against firewall vendor SonicWall after a ransomware breach exposed client data for roughly 780,000 individuals. SonicWall later disclosed that a breach of its own firewall configuration backups affected all...
STAT+: Justice Department Backs AbbVie in Its Bid to Overturn a Colorado Law Guiding a Drug Discount Program
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief supporting AbbVie in its effort to overturn a Colorado statute that prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from limiting discounts under the federal 340B drug pricing program when hospitals use contract pharmacies. The Colorado...
What Is the HELOC Cooling Off Period and How Does It Work?
The Truth in Lending Act grants a three‑business‑day right of rescission for HELOCs on a primary residence, allowing borrowers to cancel the loan without penalty. Cancellation must be submitted in writing before the deadline, and the lender has 20 calendar...
Data Broker Kochava Reaches Privacy Deal With FTC Lawyers
Kochava, a mobile‑data broker, has reached a privacy settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations it sold precise geolocation data linked to sensitive venues. The agreement, still pending approval by FTC commissioners, requires Kochava to implement a two‑year privacy...
Nordic Council Tender Pursues Cross-Border Digital ID Verification with Baltics
The Nordic Council of Ministers has launched a 1.6 million Danish‑krone tender to study cross‑border digital identity verification across Nordic and Baltic nations, including the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland. The analysis will identify legal, technical and organisational obstacles to automated...
AICPA Requests Guidance for Itemized Deductions and Trump Accounts
The American Institute of CPAs has formally asked the Treasury and IRS for detailed guidance on reporting requirements introduced by the H.R. 1 legislation. The request centers on Section 68’s limitation on itemized deductions for high‑income individuals, estates and trusts, and on...
Court Rejects ICE Contractor’s Right to Immediate Appeal
The Supreme Court rejected GEO Group’s attempt to secure an immediate appeal of a district‑court ruling on detainee claims, holding that the contractor’s argument was a merits defense, not an immunity. Justice Elena Kagan reaffirmed that only final judgments are...
Milwaukee Cop’s Misuse of Flock ALPR Undercuts Case for Facial Recognition Use
Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) halted its facial‑recognition program while drafting usage policies after a scandal involving an officer who allegedly accessed the city’s Flock automated license‑plate recognition (ALPR) system over 120 times to track a personal acquaintance and 55 times...
Provider’s Degree of Control Affects DMCA Safe Harbor
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Elliott McGucken’s false copyright‑management‑information claim against Shutterstock, finding the platform’s watermarking and automated CMI removal did not show scienter. However, the court vacated summary judgment on the underlying...
Reimagining KYC
Capgemini released a whitepaper outlining perpetual KYC, a shift from periodic, manual reviews to near‑real‑time, event‑driven monitoring. Early adopters report 20‑40% fewer false positives, 40‑60% faster onboarding, and 50‑70% reduction in case backlogs. The proposed pKYC triad blends data modernization,...
LoanCare Faces Revived Class Action on Prepayments
A three‑judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a district‑court summary judgment that had favored Loancare, reviving a class‑action suit alleging the mortgage servicer mishandled borrower prepayments. The plaintiffs claim Loancare delayed applying prepayments to principal,...
FedRamp 20x Opens the Door to Fast Access to Secure Services
FedRAMP 20x redesigns the federal cloud‑security authorization process by eliminating the agency sponsor requirement and introducing a cloud‑native path that can deliver approvals in weeks instead of years. Automation replaces narrative controls with machine‑readable evidence, targeting over 80% validation through continuous‑monitoring...
Tampa Airport Wants Passengers To Stop Wearing Pajamas—Their Absurd Dress Code Is Almost Certainly Illegal
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority in Tampa announced a proposed dress‑code banning passengers from wearing pajamas in its terminals. The initiative, tied to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s “Golden Age of Travel Starts with You” campaign, has ignited debate over its...
SLS Annual Conference 2026: Private International Law Section: Call for Papers
The Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) will hold its 2026 Annual Conference at the University of East Anglia in Norwich from 2‑4 September, returning to a fully in‑person format while keeping plenary sessions available online. The Private International Law section...
Federal Circuit Upholds Infringement Damages and Validity for Modular Artificial Tree Patent
The Federal Circuit affirmed Willis Electric’s $42.5 million verdict and upheld the validity of claim 15 of its modular artificial‑tree patent. The court rejected Polygroup’s motions, finding the district court correctly admitted the damages expert’s testimony and did not require limiting damages...
Suno Investor Admits She Ditched Spotify for AI Music, Accidentally Undermining the Company's Fair Use Defense
Suno, the AI‑generated music platform, has reached $300 million in annualized revenue and 2 million paying subscribers in under two years. Investor C.C. Gong publicly said she shifted most of her listening from Spotify to Suno, claiming AI music offers a personalized, infinite...
How States Can Best Prepare for the Approaching DOJ Accessibility Deadline
In this episode, NACIO policy analyst Kalia Young‑Gibson outlines how states can prepare for the DOJ’s upcoming accessibility compliance deadline on April 24, 2026. She highlights the recent accessibility officer summit, a forthcoming NACIO guide that maps policy through different...
Exclusive: Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan FHLB Bond Bill
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D‑NV) and Todd Young (R‑IN) introduced the Municipal Investment and Neighborhood Transformation (MINT) Act, restoring a 2008 authority that lets Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) members issue tax‑exempt bonds for community‑development projects. The bill expands the...
GAO Says Tax Pros Helped Shape IRS Response to ERC Issues
The Government Accountability Office reported that tax practitioners shaped the IRS's response to the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), prompting a two‑part voluntary disclosure program, an updated eligibility‑tool website, and new professional‑responsibility guidance. The IRS says it has closed nearly five...
The Challenge of Adding Fiber to Poles
On February 5, 2026 the FCC issued a Memorandum and Order resolving a pole‑attachment dispute between Comcast and Appalachian Power Company (APCO). The FCC reaffirmed that attachers only pay the incremental cost of replacing a pole when the existing pole violates...
EEOC Issues Remote Work Accommodations Guidance
The EEOC issued FAQ‑style guidance for federal agencies on how to treat remote‑work requests as reasonable accommodations under the ADA and FEHA. It clarifies that remote work is only an accommodation when it enables essential job functions, participation in hiring,...
FCC Chair Warns on Sports Shift, May Sue Network
FCC Chair Unfiltered: Protecting Local News, Sports on Broadcast TV and May Sue a Network @BrendanCarrFCC did not hold back in a wide-ranging, must-watch conversation with @semaforben yesterday. The interview came shortly after Carr issued an FCC Public Notice seeking...
What’s Old Is New Again: DOL Proposes to Revert to the 2021 Independent Contractor Framework
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2024 independent‑contractor rule and revert to a modified version of the 2021 framework. The proposal restores a two‑core‑factor analysis—control and opportunity for profit or loss—while...
Beach Blasts and Unusually Dangerous Weapons
The Supreme Court added a single case to its merits docket, granting review of Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a climate‑change preemption dispute that could reshape state‑level climate lawsuits. Three new relists were filed: the Air Force’s hazardous‑munitions permit challenge in Guam,...
More States Are Tightening Their Gift Card Regulations
In 2025, 22 U.S. states introduced legislation aimed at curbing gift‑card fraud, a sharp rise from eight states the previous year. While many bills increase criminal penalties, several also impose new duties on merchants, such as conspicuous fraud warnings and...
Florida Court Rejects Broader Comp Drug Dispensing Rule
A Florida appeals court struck down a 2023 rule that would have forced workers‑comp insurers to reimburse medications dispensed by physicians, ruling the measure exceeded the statutory “free, full, and absolute choice” language for pharmacy selection. The court held that...
FCC Chair Unfiltered: Protecting Local News, Sports on Broadcast TV and May Sue a Network
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a new enforcement push to preserve local news and sports programming on broadcast television. He warned that any network failing to meet public‑interest obligations could be sued under the Communications Act. Carr emphasized the FCC’s...
Terraform Lawsuit Exposes Hidden ETF Conflicts of Interest
Below is the AI-assisted summary of today's Spaces discussion on Terraform's lawsuit against Jane Street and the wider questions it invites about the murky behind-the-scenes mechanics of how ETFs function. It also touches on the wider conflicts of interest that...
Bluprynt Secures $4.25M Seed, Bridges Compliance to On‑Chain
Truly big news today: I’m delighted to share that my startup @blupryntco has completed its oversubscribed $4.25m seed raise. Thanks to an all star roster of investors including @valorcapgroup @CultivationCap @RobinhoodApp @cbventures @QuonaCapital @FlourishVC @SelahVentures and Kazea for joining...
Huawei Takes Part in EU Research Programs Despite Commission Crackdown
Huawei is participating in 16 Horizon Europe research projects despite being labeled a high‑risk supplier by the European Commission. Fifteen of the contracts were signed before the 2023 ban, while a sixth‑year project was deemed outside the restriction scope. The...
Democrats Could Block Paramount Merger, Says California AG
Uh, Democrats can stop the Paramount merger. State attorneys general have jurisdiction. California AG Rob Bonta said he’s watching it closely.
900 Companies Sue Over $100B Illegal Trump Tariffs
Almost 900 companies are SUING for refunds from the more than $100 Bn in ILLEGAL tariff revenue Pres. Trump collected in 2025. All Trump's ILLEGAL tariffs have done is MAKE ENEMIES and create LEGAL & FISCAL CHAOS. https://t.co/I1jP900jcz
Online Advisory Letters
The FDA has issued online advisory letters to multiple companies for illegally marketing dietary supplements and other products as treatments or preventatives for serious diseases. The letters, dated between April and December 2025, give each firm a 30‑day window to...
FTC Delays Alcon Deal, Closing Slips to H1’26
FTC compliance with the second request is ongoing in Alcon’s $LNSR takeout. Closing pushed again: now H1’26 from Q1’26 (already delayed from YE’25). With an ~18% spread to the cash offer, it’s getting harder to believe this deal closes.
Labor Dept Targets Dominant Employers Over Labor Law Violations
Scoop: Trump Labor Dept. "will give greater scrutiny to employers whose market power permits them to dominate their respective labor markets in ways that can facilitate employment-law violations," labor solicitor Jonathan Berry told staff in a memo today https://t.co/Ctlb1BI9Qx
Survey: Nearly 90% of Legal and Tech Pros Say Operational Gaps, Not Regulation, Threaten Defensibility
Exterro’s latest survey of over 400 legal, IT, data‑governance and security professionals reveals that operational shortcomings, not regulatory uncertainty, now pose the greatest threat to defensible eDiscovery. Nearly 90% of respondents flagged budget limits, skill gaps and fragmented governance as...
Antitrust Panel Seeks Second Look at Netflix‑WBD, May Add Paramount
Antitrust subcommittee wants a second chance to beat up on Netflix - WBD deal and has hearing scheduled for March 4. Will they add Paramount to mix if at that point they are in driver's seat?
Alito Likely Stays; No Supreme Court Retirements in 2026
Justice Samuel Alito Won’t Hang Up His Robes Anytime Soon This is an UPDATED version of my @BloombergLaw column. I'm still predicting no #SCOTUS retirements in 2026, but this update continues new info going the other way. LINK: https://t.co/QPTZWA3GfD https://t.co/26fQA5XJ02
Preparing for the Global Implications of Brazil’s Digital ECA
Brazil’s Digital ECA, effective March 2026, creates a comprehensive child‑safety regime that applies to any online service accessed by minors, not just kid‑focused apps. The law forces companies to audit actual user bases, implement privacy‑preserving age‑verification infrastructure, and adjust monetization...
Supreme Court Likely Blocks Refunds of Illegal Tariff Payments
NEW from me & @CatoInstitute colleagues, a deep-dive primer on IEEPA tariff refunds and what probably (unfortunately) comes next: "Sore Losers at the Supreme Court: The Government Doesn’t Want to Pay Back Unlawful Tariff Money After All" https://t.co/jHI5Jkd11d https://t.co/0mURjfiJNt
Third‑party Apps Often Bypass Consent Signals, Breaking Compliance
We’ve been running cookie compliance audits for our @Shopify retainer clients. A significant number of third-party apps and services either ignore consent signals or don’t properly integrate with Consent Mode. It's bad.