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
Encompass Health, Enhabit Secure $43.1M Judgement in VitalCaring Case
Encompass Health and Enhabit secured a $43.1 million award covering attorneys’ fees and mitigation damages after a Delaware federal judge ruled that 43% of VitalCaring’s profits and any future sale proceeds must be placed in a trust for the two companies. The judgment stems from allegations that VitalCaring’s CEO, president and CFO—former Encompass executives—engaged in willful misconduct and breached employment agreements. The ruling also halted VitalCaring’s planned acquisition of more than 100 home‑health and hospice locations tied to UnitedHealth’s Amedisys deal. Private‑equity owners Vistria Group and Nautic Partners retain the remaining 57% of future proceeds.
Producer Who Accused Karol G of Beat-Theft Dismisses His Lawsuit, Adding “We Were Wrong”
Producer Alfr3d Beats, real name Dick Alfredo Caballero Rodriguez, withdrew his lawsuit accusing Karol G of stealing his beat for the 2022 hit “Gatúbela.” During discovery, DJ Maff supplied session files proving the beat was created months before Alfr3d Beats posted his...
Semiconductor Litigation: Advanced Process Transitions and the Next Wave of Patent Risk
The semiconductor industry is moving from planar MOSFETs to 3D structures such as FinFETs and GAA transistors, reshaping how patents are drafted and enforced. These architectural shifts create new layers of patent risk, especially around enablement, claim construction, and apportionment....
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s IEEPA Tariffs: What Procurement Leaders Must Do Next
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6‑3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose broad tariffs, overturning Trump’s IEEPA tariff regime. The decision opens a path for importers to seek refunds, but claims must...
Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs
The Supreme Court, in a 6‑3 ruling, invalidated the sweeping tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, finding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president authority to levy tariffs. The justices applied the major...
Jordan’s Banking Sector Now Accepts Sanad App as Valid Customer Identification
Jordan’s Central Bank issued a directive on Feb 16, 2026 that the Sanad mobile app’s digital identity credential is now legally equivalent to physical ID documents for banking transactions. The mandate applies to every bank in the kingdom, obligating them to accept...
Supreme Court Strikes Down Most Trump Tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6‑3 that the president lacks authority to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval, striking down the 10% baseline tariffs Trump enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The decision leaves intact steel and aluminum...
World of HR: UK Supreme Court Rules Trans Individuals Cannot Use Single-Sex Bathrooms at Work
The UK Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 13 that trans individuals may use bathrooms matching their gender identity in public venues but not in the workplace. Employers must therefore maintain mixed‑sex facilities while still offering single‑sex rooms, and the decision...
Supreme Court Strikes Down Majority of Trump’s Tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 ruling that President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, invalidating most of the administration’s reciprocal tariffs. The decision overturns the 34% tariff on China and the 10% baseline...
Florida Lawmakers Approve Bill to Rename Palm Beach International Airport After Donald Trump
Florida lawmakers have passed legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport after former President Donald Trump, clearing the Senate 25‑11 and the House 81‑30. The bill now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis' signature and subsequent FAA approval before becoming effective in...
Supreme Court Blocks Key Tariff Components, Administration Must Seek Alternatives
Update on US tariffs: The Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 against components of the administration's tariff policy. The ball is now in the administration’s court—specifically the willingness and ability to impose tariffs under alternative legal authorities. #economy #tariffs #markets
NYT’s SCOTUS Tariff Blog Offers Live Global Coverage
The @nytimes #SCOTUS tariff decision blog is a thing to behold. Reporting and graphics from around the world --including, of course, Canada. Head over there for your live updates: https://t.co/fO09GrdVlu
ESMA Publishes a Supervisory Briefing on the AAR Representativeness Obligation
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released a supervisory briefing outlining how counterparties must meet the active‑account requirement (AAR) representativeness obligation. The document details the identification of relevant derivative sub‑categories, reporting procedures, and provides a compliance example. ESMA...
AI Additions Void Prior Security Reviews, Spark Compliance Crisis
Your vendors added AI features since their last security review. That means the risk profile you approved is already outdated. @markowitzadam (@DrataHQ , $100M+ ARR) on why AI is creating an entirely new compliance crisis most companies aren't ready for. https://t.co/WzM8x2xm2s
Netflix: Paramount‑Skydance Deal Lacks DOJ Approval, Misleads Investors
Netflix says Paramount Skydance’s prospective Warner Bros. Discovery takeover has *not* received DOJ approval. “Paramount Skydance continues to mislead stockholders and distract from the facts,” Netflix chief legal officer David Hyman said in a statement https://t.co/NiKkflro8J
ESMA Publishes Statement Supporting the Smooth Implementation of the Listing Act – Simplifying Prospectus Compliance for Issuers
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a statement to facilitate the rollout of the EU Listing Act, offering practical guidance on the revised prospectus framework. It confirms that registration documents approved or filed up to 4 June 2026 remain valid...
SCOTUS Issues 6-3 Ruling Against Administration on Tariffs
1/ We have the #tariffs opinion from #SCOTUS. Bottom line: a 6-3 loss for the administration. LINK to opinion: https://t.co/ITOB5aymTt
Sky‑High $3K+ Rates Often Just a PR Stunt
I was quoted in yesterday's edition of @dealbook, re: billable-hour rates north of $3,000: “At a certain point, for some firms, it’s a publicity stunt.” https://t.co/G6QQeNnJeB
Justices to Consider Constitutionality of Tax Foreclosure Sales
The Supreme Court will hear *Pung v. Isabella County*, challenging the constitutionality of tax foreclosure sales. Michael Pung contends that the county’s auction sold his nephew’s property for $76,000, far below its $200,000 fair‑market value, violating the Fifth Amendment takings...
Tribunal Upholds Bans and Fines for Reckless Adviser and Fund Manager
The Upper Tribunal upheld the FCA's bans on Stephen Joseph Burdett and James Paul Goodchild, senior advisers at Synergy Wealth and Westbury Private Clients, for recklessly exposing pension holders to unsuitable, high‑risk investments. The pair were fined £265,071 and £47,600...
California Bans Unapproved 3D Printers to Curb Gun Parts
California bill would restrict 3D printer sales to state-approved models to prevent printing gun parts — joins Washington and NY on legal offensive https://t.co/Zd7PlM6jB2
How Part 108 Could Shape Global BVLOS Regulation
The FAA is finalizing Part 108, a performance‑based rule that will govern beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Unlike Part 107’s waiver‑heavy approach, Part 108 offers a scalable certification model focused on safety outcomes such as detect‑and‑avoid, airworthiness, and uncrewed traffic management. Because the United...
New Podcast Episode: What Employers Need to Know About Arbitration Clauses
The latest "From Lawyer to Employer" podcast episode tackles arbitration clauses in employment contracts, featuring host and Emily McDonough Souza. It outlines arbitration’s speed, privacy, and legal focus while warning against treating it as a default solution. The discussion highlights...
In-House Counsel Need To Carry A Quota And Sell
The article argues that in‑house counsel must step out of the legal ivory tower and acquire direct sales experience to truly understand how revenue is generated. By taking a sales quota and selling themselves, lawyers gain empathy for the sales...
B.C. Snooping Scandal Puts Workplace Privacy – and Employer Liability – Under Microscope
A British Columbia privacy commissioner report revealed 36 healthcare workers accessed patient records in 71 separate incidents, highlighting a broader issue of employee snooping. Privacy lawyer Lyndsay Wasser says such unauthorized access is common across sectors, not limited to high‑profile...
CIRO Hands Toronto Dealer Exec Rare Permanent UDP Ban After US$1.4 Million Loss
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) imposed a permanent Ultimate Designated Person (UDP) ban on Peter Michael Deeb, a Toronto dealer executive, after leveraged ETF trading and capital reporting failures caused a US$1.419 million realized loss. Deeb faces a $500,000 fine,...
Democratising Surveillance: Why Culture Is the Real Compliance Challenge
VoxSmart CEO Oliver Blower argues that compliance failures stem more from entrenched cultural norms than from a lack of surveillance technology. He proposes reframing communications monitoring as a product discipline that emphasizes explainable AI, fairness, and shared accountability rather than...
New Generative AI Court Ruling Puts HR on Notice: What to Know Now
A New York federal judge ruled that generative‑AI documents created by a non‑lawyer and shared with counsel are not protected by attorney‑client privilege, marking the first federal decision on this issue. The case involved former board chair Bradley Heppner, who...
Geopolitical Union: Europe’s Attempt to Take Back Control of Technology Regulation
The European Commission is repositioning itself as a “Geopolitical Commission,” aiming to reclaim control over technology regulation. The strategy, outlined in Benjamin Farrand’s book *Geopolitical Union*, targets standards, micro‑chip access, online platform oversight, industrial data, and artificial intelligence. By blending...
Coinbase CLO Calls White House Meeting Constructive, Promising Updates
UPDATE: 🇺🇸 Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal said progress was made at the Feb. 19 White House meeting, calling the talks constructive and cooperative, with more updates to come.
Modular Construction’s Big Boom: New Risks Outpacing Standard Contracts in Industrial Projects
Modular construction is set to surpass $200 billion globally by 2030, reshaping industrial building practices with faster schedules and reduced waste. While residential projects have already embraced the method, large‑scale industrial applications such as airport terminals are exposing new liability, logistics,...
Digital Services Act: Summary and Links
The EU Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes a special regulatory regime on very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines (VLOSEs), mandating risk assessments, independent audits, data‑transparency and fines up to 6% of worldwide turnover. The European...
ATA Seeks Expanded Compliance Latitude for EPA 2027 NOx Rules
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has asked the EPA to soften key provisions of the 2027 nitrogen‑oxide (NOx) emissions rule for heavy‑duty trucks, arguing that the required technologies are not yet proven in real‑world use. ATA’s letter cites ongoing freight...
X Challenges €120M EU Fine
Elon Musk's X has filed a legal challenge against a €120 million fine imposed by the European Commission under the Digital Services Act. The penalty, issued in December, alleges breaches of transparency obligations and deceptive design of the platform’s blue verification...
White House Talks Make Progress on Stablecoin Yields but No Deal Yet
Negotiations between banks and crypto leaders advanced during the White House’s third closed‑door meeting, but the core dispute over stablecoin yields remains unresolved. Industry representatives described the dialogue as constructive, emphasizing a need for consumer protection and U.S. competitiveness. The...
Money Awards to SEC Over Pump-and-Dump Scheme Upheld on Appeal
The First Circuit upheld nearly $43 million in disgorgement awards against five defendants in a penny‑stock pump‑and‑dump scheme. The court found internal records clearly demonstrated each participant’s share of the illicit profits. The case is being sent back to the District...
Pardoned Binance Founder Hobnobs With Trump Sons and Administration Officials at Mar-a-Lago Crypto Fest – WSJ
Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, received a full presidential pardon and made his first U.S. visit since his 2024 release from a California federal prison. He attended a 500‑person crypto conference hosted by Trump‑backed World Liberty Financial at Mar‑a‑Lago,...
Microsoft Deletes Blog Telling Users to Train AI on Pirated Harry Potter Books
Microsoft removed a November‑2024 blog that urged developers to train generative AI using a Kaggle dataset of all seven Harry Potter books, which was mistakenly labeled public domain. The post, written by senior product manager Pooja Kamath, showcased Azure SQL DB,...
Musk’s Twitter Trial Gets Jurors Who Can Set Aside Feelings
Nine jurors were selected from a pool of 93 to hear the securities class action against Elon Musk over his 2022 Twitter acquisition, which investors claim violated securities law by causing the stock price to plunge. The trial, overseen by...
The Restaurant Industry Gets 2 Big Wins
Federal judges delivered two significant rulings affecting restaurants. In Illinois, a judge held Visa, Mastercard and banks not preempted, allowing states to pursue swipe‑fee reforms. In Oregon, a judge found the state's extended producer responsibility law likely unconstitutional, halting the...
Review of MOD Legislation Governing Autonomous Systems
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched an open call for evidence to review the regulatory framework governing uncrewed and autonomous systems. This initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Regulation Action Plan, which aims to cut administrative costs of...
EU Commission’s First Interoperability Report and Roadmap to a Seamless Digital EU
The European Commission released its inaugural Annual Interoperability Report, reviewing the first year of the Interoperable Europe Act that took effect in April 2024. The document highlights the creation of the Interoperable Europe Board, Community, and an enhanced portal that...
ZADNA Probe Exposes Costly Executive Spend Amid Cash Decline
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies commissioned an investigation into ZADNA’s credit‑card spending, uncovering over R1 million in expenses for travel, entertainment and luxury vehicle rentals during the 2024/25 fiscal year. The report identified policy gaps, weak oversight and excessive...
UOKiK Charges HBO Europe over Device Compatibility Changes During Subscriptions
Poland’s competition regulator UOKiK has opened proceedings against HBO Europe, accusing the streaming service of unilaterally altering its list of compatible devices and failing to adequately inform subscribers. The changes left many users unable to access HBO Max on previously...
Nobody Gets Sued but the Doctor: The Legal Vacuum at the Center of the AI Physician Revolution
The episode examines the legal vacuum surrounding AI‑assisted clinical decision‑making, highlighting that while the FDA has cleared over 1,300 AI medical devices, adoption remains low and physicians bear virtually all malpractice liability. Data shows a rapid rise in AI use...
Weekly Wrap: Why I Think Indefinite Spectrum Licences Are a Bad Idea
The European Commission’s Digital Networks Act proposes spectrum licences of up to 40 years, or even indefinite duration, a sharp increase from the current 15‑25‑year norm. Mobile operators back the change, arguing it offers long‑term certainty for investment. Critics contend...
My Wife’s Brother Never Claimed His Part of Their Mother's Estate. What Do We Do Now?
Edward is assisting his wife with her brother’s estate in New Brunswick after the brother never filed paperwork to claim his late mother’s life‑insurance proceeds and stock accounts. The brother died intestate, leaving no will or appointed executor, which triggers...
Weekly Roundup 02/20/26 (CFTC Claims Prediction Markets, Rogue AI Agents, ETH's Existential Crisis) (EP.703)
In this episode Matt and Nic dissect a week of crypto headlines, from Neel Kashkari’s harsh critique of stablecoins and Base’s split from Optimism to Ethereum’s identity crisis and a $75 million shortfall at Blockfills. They discuss regulatory moves such as...
Bulgaria Court Confirms United Group’s Bulsatcom Infrastructure Deal Not Subject to Merger Notification
Bulgaria’s Supreme Administrative Court has upheld the competition authority’s view that United Group’s purchase of Bulsatcom’s telecom infrastructure does not constitute a notifiable concentration under Bulgarian law. The decision dismisses appeals from A1 Bulgaria, Yettel Bulgaria and CETIN Bulgaria, confirming...
RemoFirst Expands RemoVisa Service to Support Visa and Work Permit Applications in 110+ Countries
RemoFirst announced that its RemoVisa service now supports visa and work‑permit applications in more than 110 countries, spanning Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Oceania. The offering is built into RemoFirst’s Employer of Record (EOR) platform, letting companies manage immigration,...