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
Mindy Brashears Details Food Safety Priorities
Mindy Brashears, confirmed as USDA undersecretary for food safety in December 2025, is steering the agency away from legacy regulations toward a data‑driven, flexible framework. FSIS has proposed raising poultry line speeds to 175 birds per minute and maintains a swine speed cap of 1,106 hogs per hour with limited waivers. The agency is also intensifying pathogen controls, partnering with USDA‑ARS to target the most dangerous Salmonella strains and expanding Listeria monitoring after a deadly 2024 outbreak. Finally, FSIS plans to revise size definitions for small meat establishments to improve grant eligibility and technical support.
After Nykaa, Zee Files Rs 25 Crores Lawsuit Against JioStar; Alleges Unauthorised Music Usage
Zee Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against JioStar, the Reliance‑Disney joint venture, alleging unauthorized use of its music catalogue. The Delhi court filing seeks roughly $3 million in damages and an injunction to stop further infringement. Zee says its songs were...
Americans Still Believe in the Voting Rights Act—And a Plurality Opposes the Supreme Court's Decision Gutting It
A new YouGov Blue poll released exclusively to The Downballot finds that a clear majority of American voters still believe the Voting Rights Act (VRA) is essential, even as the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakens the law’s...
Reckoning Comes for Private Credit as SEC, Global Watchdogs Sharpen Their Focus
Regulators in the United States and abroad are intensifying scrutiny of the nearly $2 trillion private‑credit market. SEC Chair Paul Atkins confirmed the agency is probing fund managers for potential fraud, while the Financial Stability Board warned that $220 billion in bank...
Senators Release Details of BEAD Permitting Bill
The Senate introduced the Accelerating Broadband Permits Act of 2026, requiring the NTIA to create a public dashboard that tracks BEAD funding, service rollout, and subscriber numbers across all states and territories. The bill also mandates a permitting‑toolkit to map...
Employment Law Reform Is Redesigning Operating Models for Operations Leaders
UK employment law reforms are reshaping operating models for operations leaders, beyond simple compliance. New day‑one rights, expanded statutory sick pay, stronger redundancy and whistleblowing protections, and the Fair Work Agency collectively increase workforce variability and reduce the margin for...
Content Moderation and the First Amendment
The Supreme Court’s recent rulings, most notably Moody v. NetChoice, treat algorithmic content curation on social‑media platforms as protected speech under the First Amendment. Critics argue this leaves substantive moderation unchecked and propose reclassifying platforms as state actors or common...
Tennant ERP Fallout Extends Into Ongoing Securities Scrutiny as Investors Await Recovery Signals
Tennant Company’s North American ERP rollout triggered a $30 million sales shortfall and over $20 million in remediation costs, prompting a 23% one‑day stock plunge. The fallout has moved from operational disruption to a securities investigation scrutinizing the company’s earlier “on‑time, on‑budget”...
Commission Opens Consultation on Draft of New Merger Guidelines
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a draft EU Merger Guidelines that will replace the existing horizontal and non‑horizontal rules. The new framework emphasizes innovation, sustainability, scale and resilience, introducing concepts such as an “Innovation Shield” for...
APRA Finalises Targeted Amendments to CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
On 30 April 2026, APRA finalized targeted amendments to prudential standard CPS 230, practice guide CPG 230, and the material service provider register. The changes introduce a list‑based exemption mechanism for non‑traditional service providers such as central banks, regulators, and government agencies,...
ESMA Promotes Proportionate Supervision of MiFID II Sustainability Requirements
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published the results of its Common Supervisory Action on how MiFID II sustainability requirements are applied. The statement outlines interim supervisory expectations for collecting client sustainability preferences, product categorisation, portfolio‑approach application and target‑market assessment....
Pennsylvania Sues Character.AI Developer, Alleging Chatbots Claimed to Be Medical Professionals
Pennsylvania’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit against Character Technologies, accusing its Character.AI platform of letting chatbots pose as state‑licensed medical professionals, a violation of the state’s Medical Practice Act. The complaint highlights a bot named “Emilie” that claimed to...
Wolters Kluwer Launches Invoice Review AI Agent for In-House Teams
Wolters Kluwer has launched the BillAnalyzer Invoice Review Agent, an AI‑driven tool designed to automate invoice adjustments for in‑house legal teams. The solution uses natural‑language processing to extract line‑item data, compare it against contract terms, and flag discrepancies for quick...
Independent File Audits in Law Firms: What They Are and Why They Matter
Independent file audits are systematic reviews of client matter files that verify compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s standards and a firm’s internal policies. Unlike system‑based AML checks, they focus on the actual delivery of legal services at the matter...
CFTC Chair Michael Selig Signals Push for Formal Regulations Clarifying Broker Registration for Software Developers
The CFTC announced plans to issue formal rules clarifying when developers of non‑custodial software must register as brokers or associated persons. The move follows a 2026 no‑action letter to Phantom Technologies, which exempted the popular self‑custodial wallet under strict conditions....
Untangling AI Liability
Artificial intelligence is rapidly infiltrating every sector, prompting a surge in tort lawsuits—over 330 cases have been catalogued—while lawmakers grapple with how to assign responsibility for AI‑induced harm. A Senate‑introduced bill seeks to create a federal products‑liability cause of action...
Stablecoin Industry Opposes Bank of England’s Unhosted Wallet Ban
The Bank of England is considering a ban on unhosted wallets for stablecoins, arguing it protects credit availability and financial stability. Industry leaders, including tGBP CEO Benoit Marzouk, warn the move would cripple operability, erode network effects, and diminish the pound’s...
Georgia-Pacific Updates Its Barcodes to Speed EPR Reporting
Georgia-Pacific is augmenting its existing universal product codes (UPCs) to capture package weight, material composition, and origin data, streamlining compliance with extended producer responsibility (EPR) reporting. The move aligns with new GS1 guidelines that allow additional metrics to be encoded...
Write Clearly, Persuade Powerfully: Judge Weinzweig’s Lawyer Tips
Advice for lawyers (or anyone else) on effective writing, by Judge David Weinzweig (author of Zen and the Art of Persuasive Writing).
No Gray Area: The EMT Photo that Could End a Career — and Spark Massive Liability
Former North Carolina EMT Megan Jenkins is sued for allegedly photographing a dying patient with her personal cellphone. The complaint alleges privacy invasion, HIPAA breach, and gross negligence, and also implicates Onslow County for delayed response. Such conduct is a...
Source of Funds Isn’t Just About Paperwork
In April the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) issued its first fixed penalties for AML information failures, fining three firms £750 each and signalling tougher enforcement under its new unlimited‑fine powers granted by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The...
The Trump Administration Is Bringing Back Flavored Vapes. Advocates and Lawmakers Say the Risks Outweigh the Benefits
The FDA has granted approval for four fruit‑ and mint‑flavored vaping products from Glas, marking a reversal of the Biden administration’s flavor bans. Glas secured the authorization by demonstrating an age‑verification system that uses government IDs, Bluetooth pairing, and random...
The SECURE Data Act Is Not a Serious Piece of Privacy Legislation
The SECURE Data Act, drafted by House Republicans, offers only limited consumer rights and would preempt the 21 state privacy laws currently in effect. While it grants basic access, correction, deletion and portability, it lacks a private right of action...
Seeking Useful Game Contract Data for Newsrooms and Researchers
Would be curious what other type of information would be useful to newsrooms/athletic departments/researchers/mega nerds about game contracts at scale. I've got a ton of data entry ahead of me but adding/tweaking some things shouldn't be THAT hard?
FCA to Review Claims Management Practices
The FCA announced a comprehensive review of the claims management sector after identifying persistent consumer harm from aggressive marketing, misleading adverts and unfair exit fees. The inquiry, conducted with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and other regulators, will assess fair value,...
New US Sanctions on Cuba - May 2026
The White House issued an executive order this week imposing a new wave of sanctions on Cuba. The measures include blocking sanctions that prohibit any non‑U.S. entity from operating in key Cuban sectors such as tourism, mining and telecommunications. They...
Recent Jarkesy Developments and D&O Impact
The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2024 Jarkesy decision, which granted jury‑trial rights for SEC civil‑penalty actions, is now sparking state‑level challenges to administrative enforcement. In Delaware, Swan Energy argues that the Investor Protection Unit’s in‑house penalties of roughly $710,000 must...
ESMA Guidelines on Internal Controls for Benchmark Administrators, Credit Rating Agencies and Market Transparency Infrastructures
On 5 May 2026 ESMA released official translations of new Guidelines on Internal Controls for benchmark administrators, credit rating agencies (CRAs) and market transparency infrastructures. The rules set out the internal control mechanisms required to meet specific EU regulations, including...
Weightmans Collaborates with Global Insurance Analytics Leader, Verisk, to Launch New Anti-Fraud Intelligence Platform ‘Fraud Rely’
Weightmans has teamed up with global insurance analytics firm Verisk to launch Fraud Rely, a next‑generation anti‑fraud intelligence platform. The solution blends Verisk’s AI‑driven detection engine with Weightmans’ proprietary fraud database, offering insurers and in‑house fraud teams early, evidence‑based risk...
Gene Therapy Field Focused on FDA Shifts in Rome
Even at a meeting in Rome, FDA shifts are top of mind for gene therapy field https://t.co/J9WXJqzqTY via @statnews
Charities Must Avoid Damaging Public Trust when Using Soft Opt-In, Regulator Warns
Britain’s Fundraising Regulator has released updated data‑privacy guidance to reflect the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which introduces a soft‑opt‑in provision allowing charities to send direct marketing without explicit consent. The regulator cautions that misuse of this power could...
What Regulators Will Expect
Regulators are shifting from asking if firms use AI to demanding proof that they control and can stand behind it. They expect detailed evidence of decision pathways, continuous oversight, and clear human accountability embedded in AI processes. Guidance from industry...
Apple’s $250m Siri Settlement Raises a Stark Question: Is It Losing the AI Race?
Apple agreed to a $250 million settlement over claims it overstated Apple Intelligence features tied to Siri on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. The deal offers $25‑$95 per eligible device, though Apple denies wrongdoing. The case highlights consumer frustration with delayed...
Germany Set to Secure Win for Industry in AI Talks
Germany is poised to win a key concession in EU artificial‑intelligence legislation, securing an exemption for industrial machinery from the AI Act. EU ambassadors backed the move after Germany, backed by France and other states, pushed for a sector‑specific carve‑out....
Wednesday: What’s Hot on CanLII? – April 2026
Slaw’s April 2026 roundup highlights the three most‑viewed English and French decisions on CanLII. In Canada’s Supreme Court, the majority rejected the long‑standing implied licence that lets police step onto private driveways, leading the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal to exclude the...
The Recent Voting Rights Act Case
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais overturns decades of precedent that allowed the Voting Rights Act’s Section 2 to be enforced on the basis of disparate impact. The majority opinion requires proof of intentional racial discrimination before a districting...
Movers and Shakers: K&L Gates; Morgan Lewis, Axinn, Eversheds, Harvey, LegalEng & Litera
Legal technology leaders are reshaping North American law firms, with K&L Gates naming a global AI head to steer its digital transformation. Morgan Lewis, Axinn, Eversheds, Harvey, LegalEng and Litera also announced senior hires and strategic roles aimed at boosting...
Legal Update on Two DOJ Rule of Law Abuses
A live interview scheduled for noon ET will examine two alleged DOJ abuses. First, the Justice Department is accused of using subpoena authority to obtain the names of every Georgia 2020 election worker, a move critics say aims to influence...
The Pushback Against Personalized Grocery Pricing Begins
Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act, prohibiting grocers and third‑party delivery services from using personal data to set higher prices for individual shoppers. The law, which targets dynamic, algorithmic and surveillance pricing, applies to large...
Tech QB Hires Top Sports Litigator to Challenge NCAA
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby has hired the Michael Jordan of sports litigators—Jeffrey Kessler. What could be Sorsby's legal strategy against the NCAA? What would NCAA argue in defense? For @Sportico, I do a deep dive into the many legal issues at...
Are Your Disciplinary Processes up to Code?
The updated Code of Good Practice: Dismissals (Schedule 8), gazetted on 4 September 2025, forces South African employers to overhaul disciplinary policies. It requires written notice, language‑appropriate hearings, and a genuine opportunity for employees to respond. Non‑compliance can lead the CCMA to deem...
The Time Is Now: Permitting Reform Is the Foundation of America’s Energy Future
The American Public Power Association is urging the Senate to adopt bipartisan permitting reform after a House package passed the SPEED and PERMIT Acts. NERC forecasts a 224 GW, roughly 70% jump in summer peak demand over the next decade, driven...
Restricting Speech By Purportedly Protecting Children
Governments worldwide are invoking child‑protection arguments to impose speech restrictions, from Russia's 2012 website blacklist to recent U.S. and U.K. legislation. In Utah, the Minor Protection in Social Media Act—requiring age verification and restrictive defaults for minors—was halted by a...
US Copyright Office Proposes Massive Fee Hike: What It Means
The U.S. Copyright Office has proposed a 43% average increase in registration fees, eliminating the $45 single‑application option and raising the standard electronic filing to $85. Paper filings would exceed $200, reflecting a push toward electronic processing. A coalition of...
A 2-3-4 Wild Card Court; and Blanche V. Lau Made Easy
Rory Little challenges the common 3‑3‑3 view of the Supreme Court, proposing a 2‑3‑4 “wild card” model that places Gorsuch, Barrett, Roberts and Kavanaugh as pivotal swing votes in closely divided cases. He argues that these four justices often break...
Connecticut Senate Passes Stricter Homeschooling Rules 22-14 Amid GOP Opposition
The Connecticut Senate voted 22-14 to approve House Bill 5468, mandating yearly education filings and background checks for families withdrawing children from public schools. The measure, championed as a child‑safety safeguard, faces fierce criticism from Republican lawmakers and homeschooling advocates...
FCC Still Bars Deceased From Lifeline Benefits?
Is it still @FCC policy that dead people are ineligible for federal Lifeline program support intended to trim the cost of monthly phone and Internet bills for low-income Americans, @BrendanCarrFCC ? https://t.co/ZulmH0tTGh
FCC Overhauls Satellite Spectrum‑Sharing Rules, Unlocking $2 Billion Economic Gain
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to replace the decades‑old Equivalent Power Flux Density framework with a performance‑based spectrum‑sharing regime for non‑geostationary satellites. The new rules, effective May 1, 2026, are projected to generate more than $2 billion in economic benefits and reshape...
SEC Signals Lighter Touch as Options Volume Projected to Near 18 Billion Contracts in 2026
During Tuesday’s Options Industry Conference in Palm Beach Gardens, SEC senior official Jamie Selway signaled a shift toward lighter oversight of options markets, while Cboe Global Markets’ Henry Schwartz forecast 2026 options volume at 17.5‑18 billion contracts, up from roughly 4 billion...
Clarra and NetDocuments Unite Case and Document Management in New Integration
Clarra announced a partnership with NetDocuments that embeds NetDocuments workspaces directly into its cloud‑based case management platform. The integration, now live for eligible subscribers, aims to eliminate the friction of juggling separate systems and is backed by implementation partners Sikich,...