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
Upcoming Webinar | Confidently Navigate the EU Pay Transparency Directive
The EU Pay Transparency Directive, one of the most comprehensive pay‑equity laws, will take effect in 2026 across all member states. It requires employers to publish gender‑pay gap data and detailed compensation breakdowns. To help organizations prepare, HRtechBot is hosting a webinar on February 25 at 1 PM CET featuring SAP experts. Attendees will learn practical steps to align payroll processes and leverage SAP tools for day‑one compliance.
Regulatory Innovation as a Catalyst: How New Compliance Strategies Are Speeding Up Healthcare Technology Adoption
Regulatory bodies are reshaping medical‑device oversight to prioritize usability, interoperability, and cybersecurity, accelerating adoption in both hospitals and homes. New human‑factors guidelines, AI/ML lifecycle controls, and post‑market surveillance tools ensure devices are safe, intuitive, and adaptable to real‑world conditions. Manufacturers...
From Citizen Ideas to Bills
The Brazilian Senate launched an artificial‑intelligence platform that automatically matches citizen proposals from the e‑Cidadania database with draft legislation. Unlike the previous system, the tool surfaces ideas even when they lack the traditional endorsement threshold, allowing consultants to embed public...
FMCSA Revokes Nine ELDs; Carriers Have 60 Days to Replace Noncompliant Devices
On February 12, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revoked nine electronic logging devices—GTS ELD, UTruckin, ELD365 ELOG, Ironman ELD, Factor ELD, and four AirELD versions—after they failed to meet Title 49 CFR technical standards. Motor carriers have a 60‑day...
The Art of the Circuit Split: An Explainer
The article explains how litigants highlight “circuit splits” in petitions for Supreme Court review. It defines clean versus messy splits and percolating versus persistent splits, showing which types attract the Court’s attention. The Court prefers clear, evolving disagreements that can...
Edwards Sued In Chancery Over $300M Heart Valve Earn-Out
Former shareholders of Valtech Cardio have sued its parent, Edwards Lifesciences, in the Delaware Chancery Court, alleging the medical‑device giant deliberately stalled development of a heart‑valve repair system. The lawsuit claims Edwards is avoiding payment of up to $300 million in...
Google Lost Two Antitrust Cases, But Stock Rose 65% – Here’s Why via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Alphabet overtook Apple as the world’s second‑largest company despite losing two federal antitrust cases—one on general search and another on ad‑tech. Judge Amit Mehta rejected structural break‑ups, imposing one‑year caps on default‑search deals and limited data‑sharing obligations, while Judge Leonie...
Why Legal AI Fails without Trusted Data: Key Takeaways From Our Denodo Webinar
Legal AI adoption is accelerating, but many firms see pilots stall in production. Errol Rodericks of Denodo explained that the root cause is untrusted, fragmented data rather than weak models. Law firms rely on disparate systems lacking enterprise‑wide governance, forcing...
DOJ Filing Looms in Pebble Veto Fight
Northern Dynasty Minerals updated the court schedule for its Pebble mining lawsuit, noting that the Department of Justice must file a response brief by Feb. 17, 2026. The EPA’s 2023 Clean Water Act veto halted the project’s wetlands permit, prompting the...
Choice of Law in the American Courts in 2025
The 39th annual survey on choice of law in American courts has been published on SSRN, cataloguing the most consequential 2025 decisions on choice of law, party autonomy, extraterritoriality, international human rights, sovereign immunity, jurisdiction, and foreign‑judgment enforcement. Highlights include...
JT/DL: ICE's Surveillance State; the Doorbell Cam Problem; Tracking Court AI
In this episode, the hosts examine ICE’s expanding surveillance apparatus, highlighting recent reports of AI-driven errors, school‑camera collaborations, and the revocation of a Global Entry after facial‑scan detection. They also discuss the broader privacy concerns surrounding doorbell cameras and Iran’s...
How a Tip Dispute Turned Into a $62K FLSA Payout
A Denver restaurant, Tommy’s Thai, agreed to pay $61,568 in back wages and a $990 civil penalty after the Department of Labor found it kept employee tips and failed to maintain proper payroll records. The investigation, sparked by a tip...
Publication and Webinar: ELI Report on the EU Parenthood Proposal
The European Law Institute (ELI) released its project report titled “Enhancing Child Protection,” offering constructive amendments to the European Commission’s 2022 Parenthood Proposal (COM/2022/695). The report aims to align the draft regulation more closely with the EU acquis, prioritize the...
Why Proof of Address Is Essential for KYC Compliance
Proof of address has become a cornerstone of Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance across banks, fintechs, and crypto platforms. Regulators such as the FATF and FCA require recent utility bills, bank statements, or government letters to verify a customer’s residence....
Tuesday Talk*: Who’s Behind Those Meta Ray Bans?
Meta’s Ray‑Ban smart glasses, equipped with a hidden camera, have sparked a viral TikTok sensation after a Manhattan restaurant patron was recorded without consent. The clip amassed over two million views, turning an ordinary dining experience into an unintended internet...
FDA's New Move Undermines mRNA Flu Vaccine
https://open.substack.com/pub/pauloffit/p/weaponizing-the-fda-against-vaccines?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web A closer look at the FDA's recent kill shot against an mRNA influenza vaccine.
States Encroach on Prediction Markets – WSJ
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has long regulated prediction markets, but a wave of state lawsuits is challenging its authority. Nearly 50 cases across the U.S. allege that event contracts offered by platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase and Crypto.com...
US Lawmaker Blasts SEC Crypto Overhaul—Bulls See Regulatory Reset Powering the Next Rally – Regulation Bitcoin News
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, publicly challenged SEC Chair Paul Atkins during a Feb. 11 hearing, accusing the agency of prioritizing Wall Street and billionaires over ordinary investors. She highlighted that the SEC currently has...
SEC Polices Affinity Fraudsters Despite Enforcement Sea Change
The SEC has filed at least ten complaints in the past year accusing defendants of running Ponzi‑style affinity fraud schemes that target religious, cultural or ethnic groups. This volume mirrors the enforcement activity seen during the final year of Chairman...
EU Companies Face Double Workload on AML Before 2027 Harmonization Arrives
The EU will introduce a unified anti‑money‑laundering regulation (AMLR) and the sixth AML directive on July 10 2027, replacing the patchwork of national transpositions of the fifth directive. Until then, companies must continue to meet divergent local UBO reporting and due‑diligence rules...
From First-Mover To Full-Stack Partner
Safe Harbor Financial, led by new CEO Terry Mendez, is transitioning from a niche cannabis‑banking pioneer to a full‑stack solutions partner for the industry. The fintech has already moved tens of billions of dollars through regulated cannabis channels and now...
Elbowing In
The episode examines a lawsuit filed by three right‑wing media figures—podcaster Brandi Kruse, talk‑radio host Ari Hoffman, and Discovery Institute fellow Jonathan Choe—seeking permanent press passes and a revamp of Washington’s statehouse credentialing rules. It outlines how the Capitol Correspondents Association ceded credentialing...
Ambiguous CPT Codes Threaten Physicians with Criminal Charges
I interviewed a dual-boarded psychiatrist and internist who warns that the ambiguity of CPT codes is being used to criminalize physicians. Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai joined me to discuss the chilling case of Dr. Ron Elfenbein. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Elfenbein...
Legal Turmoil Hits Trump DOJ, Cooley Makes Strategic Play
Judicial Notice (02.16.26): An Embarrassing Distraction The resignation of Kathy Ruemmler, a grand-jury rejection for the Trump DOJ, a judge’s acknowledgment of an ‘abusive’ workplace, and a smart move by Cooley. LINK: https://t.co/X8bQgPNjOb https://t.co/msTs5LcupA
South West UK Firm Barcan+Kirby Rolls Out Legl Firmwide
Barcan+Kirby, a South West UK law firm, has rolled out Legl’s client intelligence and lifecycle management platform across the entire organization. The solution delivers firm‑branded, client‑facing workflows for identity verification, form submission and e‑signatures, while automating AML and regulatory compliance...
CFTC's Crypto Framework Aims to Boost Struggling Economy
The CFTC is pushing to get CRYPTO market structure done. The American economy is hurting and this will allow a new sector to contribute. https://t.co/mjyG0H8Ln0
CFTC Claims Sole Authority over Prediction Markets, Defends Jurisdiction
NEW: CFTC chair Selig says the agency has exclusive authority over prediction markets and will defend its jurisdiction against state challenges. https://t.co/lOKfXA8tzw
Welltower / Multiple Care Homes Merger Inquiries
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a phase‑1 merger inquiry into Welltower Inc.’s recent acquisition of more than 600 care homes from Barchester, HC‑One, Aria Care and Danforth Care. The regulator has already served initial enforcement orders...
Join Bangalore's Web3 Legal Team as AVP/Director
[Hiring alert] AVP/Director – Regulatory (Legal) 📍 Bangalore | Work from Office India’s Web3 story is being written right now and this role puts you at the table where it's being shaped. Here is what the role includes and what we...
Pay Transparency Is a Cultural Shift, Not a Reporting Exercise
Pay transparency is evolving from a policy debate to a cultural imperative worldwide, with 16 U.S. states, several countries and EU members already enforcing or drafting legislation. Early adopters reveal that defining "equal work," cleaning legacy pay data, and establishing...
Reform UK Would ‘Repeal Equality Act’
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage and fronted by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, announced it would repeal the Equality Act on its first day in office. The party also pledged to dissolve the equalities department, scrap the equalities minister,...
Guidance: Defence Maritime Regulations: Regulatory Notices
The Defence Maritime Regulator (DMR) has refreshed its regulatory notice suite, adding a 2026 Regulation Source Record, ATAMS and ISM Code guidance, and updated IMO registration requirements. Recent 2025 amendments address diving safety verification and wreck management, while a 2025...
UAE Clarifies Annual Leave Rules; Sets Limits on Carrying Forward Unused Days
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued new guidance clarifying annual leave entitlements and carry‑forward limits. Employees earn a minimum of 30 days paid leave after one year, with accrual at two days per month before that. Unused leave...
Policy Paper: Applying the FSMA 2000 Model of Regulation to the Capital Requirements Regulation
HM Treasury’s 2025 policy update outlines a shift from the EU‑derived Capital Requirements Regulation to a UK‑specific framework built on the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Treasury will revoke parts of the CRR and replace them with rules...
New US Senate Proposed Legislation “Will Speed FAA Certification of US eVTOLs”
A bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators will introduce the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act to streamline the FAA's type‑certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft, including eVTOLs. The bill mandates transparent timelines, updated delegation guidance for novel technologies,...
How Portfolio Diversification Builds Stronger Plaintiff Firms
Plaintiff law firms are adopting modern portfolio theory to treat their dockets like investment portfolios, using AI‑driven analytics to diversify case mix across timing, value, practice area, and confidence levels. By leveraging predictive cash‑flow models and large data sets, firms...
Data-Driven Digital Health Businesses Challenged with Balancing AI Advances and Tighter Regulation in 2026
Digital health firms in 2026 face a sharp tension between accelerating AI capabilities and tightening data regulations across the UK and EU. Hyper‑personalised care, driven by wearables and AI‑powered NHS apps, promises better outcomes but raises compliance challenges. New frameworks...
Implied Choice of Law for Arbitration Agreements: Modify or Abandon Completely?
The newly revised English Arbitration Act 2025 eliminates the implied choice of law for arbitration agreements, mandating an explicit choice or defaulting to the seat’s law. This marks a departure from the established three‑step test—express choice, implied choice, then closest...
Export Controls on Artificial Intelligence and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems
The report examines how the United States and China are racing to dominate artificial intelligence (AI) and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), highlighting a widening technology gap in the U.S. defense industrial base. It finds that current export‑control regimes—EAR, ITAR, and...
Modernising Brazilian Private International Law: Party Autonomy and Court Support for International Arbitration
Brazil’s Executive Branch has submitted a Draft General Law on Private International Law, aiming to modernize the country’s conflict‑of‑laws rules. The bill harmonises court and arbitration regimes by explicitly allowing parties to select the governing law of international contracts and...
Trainee Solicitors Among Record Number Seeking Mental Health Support
LawCare’s 2025 Impact Report shows the charity supported a record 753 legal professionals, surpassing pandemic levels. Trainee solicitors accounted for 13% of contacts, second only to private‑practice solicitors at 42%. Stress, career concerns and anxiety were the top reasons callers...
Ams OSRAM and Meizhi Settle Patent Disputes over LEDs Used in Spider Farmer Luminaires
ams OSRAM and Shenzhen Meizhi Optoelectronics have reached a settlement ending pending LED‑related patent disputes in the United States and Germany. The agreement resolves litigation concerning ams OSRAM's patents used in Spider Farmer horticultural lighting systems. Under the deal, Meizhi...
UK Crypto Rules Too Slow to Support Global Hub Ambitions, Says Agant CEO
Andrew MacKenzie, CEO of stablecoin developer Agant, warned that the United Kingdom’s crypto regulatory timetable is too slow to support its ambition of becoming a global digital‑asset hub. While the government plans to pass comprehensive stablecoin legislation later this year,...
Commission Launches Investigation Into Shein Under the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against fast‑fashion giant Shein under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The probe targets Shein’s addictive design features, opaque recommender‑system algorithms, and the sale of illegal items, including child sexual abuse material. Regulators will...
Two Years of Digital Services Act Allows 50 Million Content Moderation Decisions by Platforms to Be Reversed
The EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) has enabled users to overturn nearly 50 million content‑moderation decisions in its first two years. About 30% of the 165 million appeals filed through platform internal mechanisms have been reversed, showing the law’s enforcement strength. In...
New London Tribunal Centre to Open as Backlog Exceeds 66,000 Cases
The UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre in London will begin hearing cases in March, adding 30 hearing rooms and capacity for up to 60 judges. The move responds to a growing backlog of more than 66,000 tribunal cases across employment,...
How Should Publishers Respond to AI Models ‘Hoovering up’ Copyrighted Content?
Publishers face mounting pressure as AI developers scrape copyrighted material to train large language models. At the Definitive AI Forum in London, leaders from The Guardian, Alvarez & Marsal, and the PPA argued that no single solution exists, but collective action,...
DSS Files Charges Against El-Rufai Over Alleged NSA Phone Interception
The Department of State Services has filed a three‑count criminal charge against former Kaduna governor Nasir El‑Rufai for allegedly intercepting the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Prosecutors say El‑Rufai admitted the illegal interception during a televised interview on 13 February 2026,...
British Airways Passenger Reveals The Clever Way He Won Compensation Despite An ‘Extraordinary Circumstance’
A British Airways passenger successfully claimed £520 compensation after the airline cited a tropical storm in Nassau as an “extraordinary circumstance” to deny liability. The passenger appealed to an independent arbitrator, who ruled that BA had not demonstrated that it...
Sources: US Healthcare Manufacturer Danaher Is Nearing a Deal to Buy Medtech Company Masimo for ~$10B; Masimo Is in an...
Danaher, a US healthcare conglomerate, is close to finalizing a roughly $10 billion acquisition of Masimo, the maker of pulse‑oximetry and other medical monitoring devices. The deal, still subject to antitrust clearance, would add Masimo’s sensor technology to Danaher’s Life Sciences...