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
How Rental Disputes Can Disrupt Galleries and Studios and What Tenants Can Do
Creative spaces such as galleries and studios are vulnerable to commercial lease disputes. Rising rents, redevelopment pressure and short‑term leases can trigger eviction, loss of continuity, and financial strain for artists. The guide outlines common dispute triggers and practical steps tenants can take, including lease review, documentation, early renewal negotiations, and seeking specialist legal advice. Early action can protect both the business and the broader cultural ecosystem.
Lawmaker Blames AMA Billing Codes in Fraud Fight
Top lawmaker takes aim at doctor lobby, linking AMA’s billing codes to fraud fight https://t.co/cgDIvQHPti via @statnews
Zee Sues Nykaa over Alleged Copyright Misuse of Songs on Instagram Reels
Zee Entertainment has filed a Delhi High Court lawsuit against beauty retailer Nykaa, accusing the brand of using Zee‑owned songs in Instagram reels to market products. Zee claims its licensing agreement with Meta permits only non‑commercial use, while Nykaa allegedly...
EFF and 18 Organizations Urge UK Policymakers to Prioritize Addressing the Roots of Online Harm
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and 18 digital‑rights groups have sent a joint letter to UK policymakers urging a shift away from blanket age‑gating and access restrictions proposed under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. They argue that mandatory age‑assurance systems...
FinScan Expands AML Screening to Digital Wallets
FinScan has upgraded its Payments solution to screen stablecoin transactions and digital‑wallet addresses against global sanctions lists. The enhancement lets banks and fintechs run AML checks on both traditional rails and emerging digital assets through a single API. FinScan’s platform...
Choosing a Provider for USCIS-Accepted Translations: Precision Over Convenience
Immigration applicants must submit USCIS‑approved translations, and selecting a qualified provider is critical to avoid costly delays. The article explains USCIS’s strict certification requirements, the pitfalls of machine‑generated translations, and three evaluation buckets—certification quality, human expertise, and turnaround logistics. It...
FINRA's New Intraday Margin Rule Eliminates $25K Day‑Trader Minimum, Hits Options & Futures Traders
FINRA adopted new intraday margin requirements effective June 4, 2026, removing the $25,000 minimum equity rule for day traders and mandating a 25% maintenance margin throughout the trading day. The change, with an 18‑month transition, directly affects active options and futures traders,...
Starmer's Comments May Bias Trial, Defense Reacts
Arguably, Starmer is prejudicing the trial. I imagine the defence lawyers will be all over this.
Wolters Kluwer Unveils Libra AI Workspace Upgrade with Advanced Contract Review
Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory rolled out a new version of its Libra AI workspace, adding deeper contract‑review tools, tighter chat‑workflow integration and a Microsoft Word add‑in. The upgrade responds to user feedback and expands the platform’s all‑in‑one legal‑tech proposition...
Government to Create Task Force to Examine Labelling for AI-Generated Content
The UK government will establish a dedicated task force to examine whether AI‑generated content should be formally labelled. The move follows the EU AI Act’s 2024 transparency requirement and emerging US state laws, though Britain currently lacks such legislation. Ministers...
Draft Regulations Set Stage for Digital Identity in SA
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has released draft amendments to the Identification Act, proposing a voluntary digital identity system that coexists with existing physical IDs. The framework would let citizens store electronic versions of IDs, birth and marriage certificates...
Tariffs, OFAC and the DOJ (Part 2)
Companies facing increasing DOJ scrutiny must establish robust trade‑compliance programs. The article outlines six essential steps—leadership buy‑in, risk assessment, policy overhaul, internal controls, employee training, and ongoing audit—to mitigate export and import violations. It highlights OFAC’s annual training mandate and...
Imposter Investment Scams Surge, Threatening Retail Investors
Imposter investment scams are proliferating, with fraudsters hijacking the names of registered brokers to dupe retail investors. The schemes span social media, fake websites, forged documents and counterfeit apps, forcing fintech firms and regulators to tighten verification and education efforts.
HR Said She Was Just There for the Maternity Benefits. See You in Court.
An Illinois federal court granted summary judgment to a warehouse employer on the employee’s Title VII discrimination claim and her Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PWFA) failure‑to‑accommodate claim, but allowed the PWFA retaliation claim to go to trial. The worker, who started...
This Sponsor Rule Is About to Catch Founders Off-Guard
A UK Home Office rule that took effect on 8 April 2026 now requires sponsor salaries to meet the £41,700 (≈ $53,000) threshold every pay period, not just annually. Any dip below the threshold triggers an immediate compliance breach, even if the annual...
Law Firm Video Marketing: Why Your Videos Don’t Generate Cases (and How to Fix It)
Law firms spend thousands on polished videos but see no new clients because the content focuses on the firm rather than the prospect’s pain. The article explains that effective videos need tension, truth, and transformation, and must be embedded in...
Dutch Regulator Plans Grid Fee for Large Solar Producers
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) plans to introduce a grid fee for large electricity producers, including solar farms, no earlier than January 2032. The fee is designed to fund grid maintenance and encourage more efficient use of the...
Prenups Aren't Just For the Wealthy: Why Couples Are Signing
Prenuptial agreements are shedding their wealthy‑only image as younger couples adopt them for practical financial planning. Rising student‑loan debt, freelance entrepreneurship, and future earning potential motivate partners to allocate assets, liabilities, and spousal support before marriage. In Rhode Island and...
'Ridiculous Loophole': European Commission Proposes Exempting Leather Industry From Flagship Deforestation Rules
The European Commission has released a draft proposal to exempt the leather sector from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aiming to slash compliance costs by about 75 percent. The move would simplify reporting requirements for leather manufacturers but has drawn...
CFTC’s Selig Sets Out Agenda for Leaner Rules and Faster Markets
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig used his ISDA keynote to push for a slimmer, more proportionate derivatives rulebook, ending reliance on temporary no‑action relief and tightening SEC‑CFTC coordination. He highlighted the need for clear, final rules on swap reporting, materiality thresholds,...
Beyond Point Solutions: The Future of AML Compliance
Financial crime compliance is shifting from fragmented point solutions to holistic platforms that combine detection, workflow automation, and scalable architecture. IMTF argues that true effectiveness requires performance across three layers—detection accuracy, operational efficiency, and platform foundation. Its Siron®One solution exemplifies...
America’s AI Rules Are Being Written in Courtrooms
U.S. courts are emerging as the primary arena for shaping AI governance, filling the gap left by limited federal and state legislation. Judges are applying existing legal doctrines to AI, holding humans and companies accountable in cases ranging from employment...
AI and the End of Level 1 Compliance Roles
AI is fundamentally reshaping financial‑crime compliance, replacing the traditional Level 1 analyst base with automated digital workers. The technology can gather data, review transactions, draft narratives and apply consistent logic, flattening the pyramid‑style organization. As routine alerts become machine‑handled, banks must...
Is Justice Coming at Last?
David Morens, a longtime aide to Dr. Anthony Fauci and co‑author at NIAID, was indicted this week on charges of concealing official business in private emails and conspiring to obstruct discovery. The indictment is the first in a series of...
Spotting Sanctions Evasion Before It Costs Your Business
Sanctions evasion is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using opaque corporate structures, shell companies, and name‑manipulation to skirt expanding global restrictions. Compliance teams now face a fragmented landscape of U.S., EU, UK and UN sanctions lists that change frequently, raising...
Employment Rights Act 2025 – What’s Keeping Businesses Awake at Night?
The UK Employment Rights Act 2025 slashes the qualifying period for ordinary unfair‑dismissal claims from two years to six months and eliminates the compensatory award cap, forcing firms to tighten recruitment and performance‑management processes. It also imposes stricter duties to...
DOJ Revives Fight Against Minnesota’s In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
The U.S. Department of Justice has appealed a federal judge’s March dismissal of its lawsuit against Minnesota, sending the case to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Minnesota’s law grants in‑state tuition rates and the North Star Promise Scholarship...
1st Circuit Says Discrimination Claim Can’t Be Based on a PIP
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a performance improvement plan (PIP) that merely warns an employee about performance issues does not constitute an adverse employment action under the Supreme Court’s Muldrow "some harm" standard. The court held that Walsh’s...
US House Passes Farm Bill With Provisions That Would Override State Animal Welfare Laws
On April 30, the U.S. House approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 by a 224‑200 vote, largely along party lines. The bill’s most controversial element would preempt animal confinement laws in at least 15 states, effectively nullifying...
Corgi Launches AI Liability Insurance
Corgi, a Y Combinator‑backed insurer that recently raised $108 million, has launched AI liability insurance for both AI providers and the businesses – including law firms – that use those tools. The offering centers on a modular endorsement (CORG‑TECH‑0038) that lets...
Efimis
Efimis has launched an AI‑enabled legal accounting platform that unifies finance, reporting, and compliance in a single cloud‑based system. The solution features Eve, a natural‑language AI assistant that delivers real‑time profitability and performance insights without manual spreadsheets. Built with an...
‘Should I Do a Law Degree, or Should I Just Convert Later?’
The Legal Cheek podcast examines whether an undergraduate law degree still matters now that the SQE permits conversion routes. Host Ryan Scott, a Cambridge LLB graduate, contrasts his traditional path with Julia Szaniszlo’s language degree and firm‑sponsored conversion. They discuss...
Outsourcing Reform: Protection with Two-Tier Responsibility
Indonesia’s Manpower Ministry issued Regulation No. 7/2026, reinstating limits on outsourcing to supporting activities such as cleaning, security and logistics. The rule introduces a two‑tier responsibility model where the outsourcing firm bears all worker‑protection obligations while the principal company must ensure...
U.S. Courts Are Once Again Litigating Abortion Pill’s Distribution By Mail
U.S. courts are once again debating the mail distribution of the abortion pill mifepristone. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the drug can only be dispensed in person at clinics, overturning the FDA’s 2021 rule that allowed mail...
How Landmark Ruling in Orsted Tax Dispute Will Affect Future UK Offshore Wind Projects
The UK Supreme Court ruled that pre‑construction surveys and studies for offshore wind farms do not qualify for capital allowances under the Capital Allowances Act 2001. The decision, arising from Ørsted’s dispute with HMRC, narrows the definition of expenditure “on”...
SEBI Proposes Allowing Online Bond Platforms to Provide Access to Overseas-Listed Debt
SEBI has issued a consultation paper proposing that online bond platforms be permitted to sell debt securities listed overseas and regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The change would bring bond platforms in line with stock brokers...
Mexico's Telcel and AT&T Disconnect 1 Mln Mobile Lines in Year to Date
Mexico's two largest mobile carriers, Telcel and AT&T, have disconnected more than 1 million prepaid lines in the first quarter of 2026. AT&T alone deactivated 577,000 numbers, while Telcel cut 483,000. The mass disconnections stem from a new regulatory mandate that...
Using E-Mediation and Online Mediation Techniques for Conflict Resolution
Online mediation, first offered by start‑ups in the late 1990s, has become a global service used for e‑commerce, workplace and family disputes. Most platforms rely on email and telephone, with video and real‑time chat still uncommon. Research shows the slower...
‘Forever Chemicals’ Probe in Activewear Lays Bare Fashion’s Greenwashing Problem
The Texas Attorney General has opened a formal probe into Lululemon to determine whether its activewear contains per‑and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so‑called “forever chemicals.” Lululemon asserts it eliminated PFAS in 2023 and that any remaining use was confined to...
£234k Payout | Health & Safety Chief on Star Wars Show Unfairly Dismissed After Clash over Role & Authority
A health and safety manager on the Star Wars series *The Acolyte* was awarded more than £234,000 (about $298,000) after an employment tribunal ruled her dismissal unlawful. Miss Sadi Khan MBE, who started as a Production Safety Co‑Ordinator in June 2022...
Instant Coffee Now Included in EUDR
The European Commission’s review of the European Deforestation Regulation now adds soluble, or instant, coffee to the list of covered products, closing a longstanding compliance gap. Instant coffee’s customs code will trigger mandatory EUDR due‑diligence checks at the border, aligning...
Product Walk Through: ThoughtRiver – AI Contract Review
ThoughtRiver showcased its AI‑driven contract review platform in an AL TV walkthrough, highlighting how generative AI and machine learning pinpoint legal details at a granular level. The demo demonstrated a one‑click redline tool, automated triage of multiple document versions, and...
US DOJ: Member of Prolific Russian Ransomware Group Sentenced to Prison
A Latvian national, Deniss Zolotarjovs, was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for his role in a Russian ransomware syndicate that targeted more than 54 companies between 2021 and 2023. The group, linked to former Conti operators, extorted over...
Jurisphere Raises $2.2 Mn Led by InfoEdge Ventures
Jurisphere, a legal‑AI startup founded in 2024, announced a $2.2 million financing round. The round was led by InfoEdge Ventures with participation from Flourish Ventures, Antler and 8i Ventures. The capital will support global expansion and the development of an AI‑native...
DOJ Weighs In on California Wildfire Coverage Fight Against State Farm
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest in the California case Ferrier v. State Farm, where 60 homeowners are suing over wildfire insurance coverage. The filing does not decide the merits but signals that the federal government...
Employment Rights | A Defining Moment for HR in the UK
The UK’s Employment Rights Act 2025, hailed as the most sweeping employment‑law reform in a generation, takes effect in 2026, reshaping statutory sick pay, harassment safeguards and employee rights from day one. HR departments now face heightened compliance obligations, requiring...
CRUSHing Lab Fraud: Three Myths that Derail Real Reform
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Request for Information under the CRUSH initiative to confront fraud, waste, and abuse in laboratory testing, especially genetic and molecular diagnostics. The authors argue that three persistent myths—fraud being limited...
Cardiff, Sheffield and Ulster Law Students Championed for Pro Bono Efforts
Law schools across the UK were honoured at the 2026 LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards. Cardiff University’s Fresh Claims Project won Best New Pro Bono Activity, delivering a 100% success rate on 14 asylum‑seeker cases. Sheffield Hallam...
Bank Holiday Round-Up
Legal Cheek’s Bank Holiday round‑up bundles the week’s most‑read legal stories, from Black lawyers confronting name‑based bias to Cleary Gottlieb’s pushback against soaring big‑law salaries. The piece highlights the U.S. Department of Justice shedding roughly a quarter of its attorney...
The Front Door Your Legal Team Already Has
Enterprise legal teams are bogged down by a manual email intake process that forces senior lawyers to sort, classify, and route dozens of messages each morning. Flank proposes an AI‑driven “Legal Front Door” that sits in the existing inbox, automatically...