Today's Legal Pulse
UK pushes commonhold reform to boost housing supply
The Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill proposes abolishing leasehold and mandating new homes be sold as commonhold, tying the change to a target of delivering 1.5 million homes annually—the highest since 1968. The model remains untested, with fewer than 25 developments and unresolved issues around dispute resolution.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader clear final merger hurdles
Trump Admin. Doesn't Deem Education Degrees 'Professional' In Student Loan Rule
The U.S. Department of Education finalized a rule that strips education graduate programs from the list of “professional” degrees eligible for higher federal loan limits. Effective July 1, education students can borrow up to $20,500 annually, far less than the $50,000 allowed for fields like medicine and law. The regulation also prorates limits for part‑time learners, meaning many current education master’s students would exceed the new caps. The administration frames the change as a cost‑containment measure, while educators warn it could cripple teacher preparation pipelines.
Gov. Newsom's Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox News Over "Gavin Lied About Trump's Call" Claim Can Go Forward
A Delaware Superior Court judge ruled that Governor Gavin Newsom's defamation lawsuit against Fox News can proceed. The case centers on Fox's on‑air claim that Newsom "lied" about a phone call with President Trump, which the court says could be...
SCC Upholds Limits on Parliamentary Privilege, Gives Reasons for Allowing Quebec Electoral Map Changes
The Supreme Court of Canada issued two split rulings on Friday, upholding limits on parliamentary privilege and allowing Quebec’s Bill 59 to suspend electoral‑map changes until after the next election. In Alford v. Canada, a 7‑1 decision affirmed Parliament’s authority under...
Tenth Circuit Redeems Itself in ‘Tiger King’ Fair Use Case
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 79‑page replacement opinion that affirms Netflix’s fair‑use defense for the 66‑second funeral clip used in its documentary *Tiger King*. The court found that all four fair‑use factors favor Netflix, emphasizing the...
Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Enhance Vetting Of Senior Care Staff
Senators reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would allow nursing homes to tap the National Practitioner Data Bank for criminal background checks on prospective caregivers. The bill also loosens current CMS rules, enabling facilities to initiate staff training immediately after a deficiency...
Plaintiffs Appeal IRS ‘Transactions of Interest’ Ruling on 831(b) Captives
The plaintiffs in Drake Plastics Ltd. Co. v. IRS have appealed the district court’s finding that micro‑captive arrangements remain “transactions of interest” under Section 831(b). Earlier this month the court struck down the IRS’s “listed transactions” designation for certain 831(b)...
With First Choice Women’s Centers V. Davenport, The Supreme Court Managed To Do At Least One Helpful Thing: Further Protect...
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously allowed First Women’s Choice Resource Centers to proceed with its federal lawsuit challenging a New Jersey subpoena demanding donor identities. The Court held that the mere existence of the subpoena creates a concrete, imminent injury...
Proper Beneficiary Setup Saves Crypto Estate From Tax Bankruptcy
A client's father died in 2025 with over $100 million in Bitcoin bought in 2011. No keys, no access, but it was in the will. The estate owed 40% tax on $76 million above the gift threshold. They could not...
Second Housekeeper Sues Kylie Jenner, Claims She Left Her a Desperate Note Asking for Help
Kylie Jenner faces a second lawsuit from former housekeeper Juana Delgado Soto, who alleges severe workplace harassment and wage violations. Delgado Soto claims she was denied meal and rest breaks, saw her hourly rate cut from $41.66 to $35, and...
“Wealth Maximization,” Naturally
A wave of state legislation targeting proxy advisors and shareholder voting has sparked lawsuits from major advisory firms. Indiana and Kansas enacted proxy‑advisor transparency acts, prompting challenges by Glass Lewis and ISS. Meanwhile, Texas Capital Bancshares' attempt to reincorporate in Texas...
CFTC Penalties Collapse: $17B to $10M, Crime Unchanged
CFTC penalties dropped from $17 billion to $10 million in a single year. Hint: It’s not because crime went down. More in my latest newsletter, "Refund The Police": bit.ly/RefundThePolice
Sponsors Are the New Mentors, Especially for Women Lawyers
Despite a steady influx of women into law firms, their ascent to senior leadership remains stagnant. The article argues that mentorship alone is insufficient; sponsorship—active advocacy by senior partners—is the key driver of promotions. Men typically enjoy sponsorship, gaining high‑visibility...
Fintech Patents: Allowance Trends At The Canadian Patent Appeal Board
The Federal Court’s Dusome v. Canada decision and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s new guidance have reshaped how fintech patents are evaluated in Canada. The guidance requires claims to be construed purposively and to satisfy the “something more” physicality test,...
Insights From Case Reviews with an Immigration Lawyer (Part 2)
The blog details a second‑stage case‑review session with immigration attorney Gabriela Urizar of Manifest Law, focusing on a founder seeking an EB‑1 or O‑1 visa. Key discussion points include the necessity of robust media coverage, a clear definition of “top...
Did You Know You Can’t Steal a Charity? Don’t Worry. Elon Musk Will Remind You.
Elon Musk spent three days on the witness stand in his lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing Sam Altman of betraying the nonprofit mission he helped fund by converting the company to a for‑profit model. Court filings have introduced emails, text messages...
UBS Falls Short in Bid to Overturn $95.3M Arb Award
UBS’s attempt to vacate a $95.3 million FINRA arbitration award was rejected by a federal judge, who affirmed the panel’s finding that the broker’s short‑selling recommendation on Tesla violated firm policy and securities rules. The court emphasized the narrow scope of...
FCC Limits an AM’s License Renewal to One Year
The FCC has limited the license renewal for Mississippi AM station WABG to just one year after the station missed a required quarterly issues and programs list, despite previously signing a consent decree and paying a $1,000 contribution. The bureau...
Minnesota Passes Ban on Fake AI Nudes; App Makers Risk $500K Fines
Minnesota became the first U.S. state to ban AI‑nudification apps, allowing fines of up to $500,000 per non‑consensual fake nude. The law, passed unanimously by the Senate and pending Governor Tim Walz's signature, will take effect in August and permits...
Federal Circuit Patent Watch: Omission of a Coinventor Renders a Patent Invalid When That Error Cannot Be Corrected
The Federal Circuit affirmed a district court’s summary‑judgment invalidation of Fortress Iron’s patents because the applications omitted a coinventor, Huang, whose contribution could not be corrected under 35 U.S.C. §256(b). The court held that correction of inventorship requires notice and a hearing...
SMEDs Are Working: What the USPTO’s Updated § 101 Patent Eligibility Guidance Means for Innovators
On April 30, 2026, USPTO Director John A. Squires issued an updated memorandum urging patent applicants to submit separate Rule 132 Subject‑Matter Eligibility Declarations (SMEDs) when responding to § 101 rejections. The guidance builds on the December 2025 policy and cites early...
Bouncing Clients? 5 Quick Steps to Check Your Law Firm Website’s Accessibility
Law firms are unintentionally losing up to one‑quarter of potential clients because their intake tools lack basic accessibility features such as labeled form fields and keyboard‑friendly navigation. Recent data shows web‑accessibility lawsuits have roughly doubled since 2020, making compliance a...
Republican Senator Again Compares Financial Regulation to Racism, This Time to Shield Private Equity From Child Care Bill
Connecticut’s Senate passed Senate Bill 266, a 24‑12 vote that forces private‑equity‑backed child‑care programs to receive state early‑education endowment funds only after all other eligible providers are funded. The measure, championed by Democratic Senator Ceci Maher, aims to prioritize smaller,...
“Investigation of Supreme Court Justice Should Be Independent, Utah Gov. Cox Says — Not a ‘Witch Hunt’; Utah Gov. Spencer...
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said the inquiry into allegations against a U.S. Supreme Court justice must be conducted by an independent body, rejecting claims it is a political "witch hunt." He emphasized that the state constitution gives the governor no authority...
Labour Will Regret the Renters’ Rights Act
The UK Renters’ Rights Act came into force, eliminating Section 21 “no‑fault” evictions and making all tenancies effectively indefinite. It also bars landlords from accepting rent above the asking price, prohibits advance‑payment rent, and gives tenants the right to challenge any...
Blackstone's QTS Files Appeal To Save Massive Virginia Data Center Campus
Blackstone's data‑center arm QTS filed a last‑minute appeal to overturn a Virginia Court of Appeals ruling that blocked the rezoning of its 2,100‑acre PW Digital Gateway project in Prince William County. The appeal, lodged just under three hours before the...
Senators Introduce Bill to Enforce Buy America Compliance
Senators Tammy Baldwin (D‑Wis.) and Jim Banks (R‑Ind.) introduced the Build America, Buy America Compliance Act, mandating federal agencies to file annual reports on their adherence to the Build America, Buy America (BABA) provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act....
Asper Centre Names Justin Safayeni as 2026 Constitutional Litigator in Residence
The David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights announced that partner Justin Safayeni of Stockwoods LLP will serve as its 2026 constitutional litigator in residence. Safayeni will co‑teach the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law’s constitutional litigation clinic in the fall,...
Court Bars Non‑Party Contract
Judge Conway dismissed @veevasystems v. @HeyEpic with prejudice on standing grounds, ruling that non-parties to a contract can't challenge its validity under Wisconsin law. Both the declaratory judgment claim and the tortious interference claim are dead. Conway also...
Human‑performed Credited Roles only After Kilmer Likeness Controversy
Only acting roles credited in the film’s legal billing and demonstrably performed by humans with their consent will be considered eligible. This has been a major source of tension following the use of Val Kilmer’s likeness in #AsDeepastheGrave. https://t.co/hf0G9cy0Do @variety https://t.co/RhSA6s9Two
READ THE DOCUMENT: The Lawsuit That Puts Candace Owens’ Charlie Kirk Claims on Trial
A federal defamation lawsuit has been filed by security contractor Brian Harpole against political commentator Candace Owens, alleging she falsely accused him of participating in a conspiracy behind the February 2024 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Harpole claims Owens’...
US Sanctions Joseph Kabila After 80‑company Exposure
Joseph Kabila was sanctioned today by the US government. In 2016 Michael, Franz and I linked he and his family members to more 80 companies, most in Congo but some outside. Check out the list below and the original story...
Avoid Fake Entities—Bank Fraud Laws Are Broad
A word to the wise. Don't invent a fictitious entity and attempt to open a bank account for it. The laws for bank fraud are drafted *broadly.*
TMC Seabed Mining Application Meets US Federal Requirements
The Metals Co (TMC) received confirmation from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that its consolidated deep‑sea‑bed mineral exploration and commercial recovery application complies with the Deep Sea Bed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The agency said the filing meets all...
Cory Booker's CLEAN Act Needed to Halt Music Mergers
Another day, another giant merger, this one in the music industry. Cory Booker's CLEAN Mergers Act that would undo these monstrosities is more important than ever. https://t.co/mwd0YFJNEl
Delta Jet Fire Injures Passenger; Lawsuit Follows
Delta Jet Caught Fire After Landing In Seattle — Passenger Injured On Evacuation Slide Now Sues - View from the Wing https://t.co/lVnb6vnWcq
New SLAPP Guidance and Advice Hub for Journalists Facing Legal Intimidation
The University of Sheffield’s Centre for Freedom of the Media has launched SLAPPstraining.org, a dedicated website that equips journalists with tools to fight Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). The hub provides practical advice, case studies—including insights from Bellingcat’s Eliot...
European Court Denies Stratasys Injunction Request Against Bambu Lab
Stratasys sued Bambu Lab in Europe over EP2964450, a patent covering prime‑tower printing, and sought a preliminary injunction to stop sales of Bambu's H2C printer. The Hague panel interpreted the patent wording in Bambu Lab's favor, denying the injunction. As...
EU Tightens Fraud Rules and Fintech Licensing in Open Banking Overhaul
The European Union is close to finalising the Third Payment Services Directive (PSD3) and the accompanying Payment Services Regulation (PSR), the most extensive overhaul of open‑banking rules since PSD2. The proposals tighten fraud prevention by mandating real‑time transaction monitoring, recipient...
Don't Wait: Why Early Copyright Registration Is Essential for Filmmakers and Creators
Copyright protection attaches automatically when a work is fixed, but enforceable rights hinge on timely registration. Registering before any infringement allows creators to pursue statutory damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 and recover attorney’s fees, whereas late registration limits recovery...
Veeva V. Epic: Dismissed With Prejudice
A Wisconsin judge dismissed Veeva Systems’ lawsuit against Epic Systems with prejudice, ruling Veeva lacks standing to challenge a restrictive covenant between a prospective employee and its former employer. The decision also bars Veeva’s tortious interference claim. The ruling comes...
Appeals Court Hands Roy Moore Another Loss In Yet Another Bogus Libel Lawsuit
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a jury verdict that awarded former Alabama judge Roy Moore $8.2 million in a defamation case against the Senate Majority PAC. The court held that the political ad’s consecutive quotes were accurate and did...
Statement on Complaints About Wellesley & Co Ltd
The FCA has responded to a wave of complaints concerning Wellesley & Co Ltd (WCL), the sole FCA‑regulated firm within the broader Wellesley Group. After reviewing the cases, the regulator upheld a single complaint about how part of WCL’s authorisation...
FCA Charges Shaun Lawrence for Unauthorised Mortgage Broking
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has charged Shaun Lawrence, also known as Shaun Lawrence-Bright, with operating as an unauthorised mortgage broker. Lawrence previously held authorisation to give mortgage advice but lost his permissions in 2008 and was barred from regulated...
Cryptoasset Firms Can Request Pre-Application Meetings From 11 May 2026
Starting 11 May 2026, crypto‑asset firms can request free pre‑application meetings through the FCA’s Pre‑Application Support Service (PASS). The meetings, scheduled on a rolling basis from July 2026, let firms discuss their plans before filing for authorisation or permission changes. The FCA’s new...
Three Arrested in FCA Investigation Into Suspected Unlawful Financial Promotions
The Financial Conduct Authority, together with the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit, arrested three individuals in a coordinated crackdown on illegal financial promotions. Police searched two properties in Chelmsford and Romford as part of the operation. The suspects are alleged...
FCA Statement on Legal Challenges to Motor Finance Scheme
The FCA says its industry‑wide motor‑finance compensation scheme is the quickest, simplest way to resolve long‑standing claims in the UK’s £39bn (≈$50bn) market, and it has secured broad lender support. However, four legal challenges have been lodged – one by...
A Refresh of the Annotated ESI Protocol
Legal tech veteran Craig Ball has released a comprehensive refresh of his Annotated ESI Protocol, first published in January 2023. The updated guide integrates the latest Federal Rule amendments, AI‑driven data identification methods, and cloud‑storage considerations. It also adds practical...
SEC Eyes New Derivative Market with Structured Warrant Rules
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission released a draft memorandum circular proposing a regulatory framework for structured warrants, a new derivative product. The rules limit issuance to licensed broker‑dealers, require a minimum paid‑up capital of ₱400 million (≈$7.3 million), and set caps...
ICE Leveraged Digital Tools to Spy on Trump Critics, Civil Liberties Groups Say
Lawmakers and privacy advocates say ICE used obscure administrative subpoenas and a secret grand jury to harvest personal data on Trump opponents, targeting at least six cases in 2025. The revelations have prompted lawsuits from the EFF and motions to...
Musk’s Day‑4 Testimony Highlights AI Rivalry and $38 M Donation Dispute
Elon Musk resumed witness testimony on Thursday, describing his xAI venture as "about a tenth" the size of OpenAI and confronting allegations that his $38 million donations were misused. Former money manager Jared Birchall’s testimony added detail on the donations, rent...