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
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’ statements damaged his reputation and caused loss of work. The case pits Owens’ habit of challenging official narratives against legal standards for libel. The lawsuit moves the heated public debate into a courtroom setting, where evidence, not speculation, will decide the outcome.
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...
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...
Lawsuit Accuses Homeowner of Cutting Trees in Public Park To Improve View From His Mansion
Luxury real‑estate broker Vlad Popach and co‑defendants are being sued by King County for allegedly cutting 142 publicly owned trees in Grand Ridge Park to clear the view from his 4,500‑sq‑ft, $6.5 million Issaquah mansion. County attorneys estimate the environmental damage...
Taylor Frankie Paul, Dakota Mortensen Displayed ‘Violence Both Ways’ in ‘Very Toxic’ Relationship: Judge
A Salt Lake City judge issued 100‑foot mutual restraining orders lasting three years for reality‑TV star Taylor Frankie Paul and her former partner Dakota Mortensen, citing a "very toxic" relationship marked by reciprocal violence. The court commissioner has placed custody...
Analog Devices Moves to Dismiss in Massachusetts Federal Case
Analog Devices, Inc. has filed a Rule 12 motion to dismiss the federal case 1:25‑cv‑12314 in the District of Massachusetts. The filing seeks to eliminate the plaintiff’s claims before extensive discovery, arguing that even if the allegations are true, they fail...
The Humiliating Cross-Examination of Elon Musk
Elon Musk’s high‑stakes lawsuit against OpenAI opened in Oakland, where he seeks $134 billion in damages and a return to a nonprofit structure after contributing $38 million in its early days. His cross‑examination highlighted contradictory statements about Tesla’s AI ambitions and revealed...
Gig Workers Bear Workload, Full‑Timers Keep Benefits
The Gig Worker Does the Job. The Full-Time Employee Gets the Benefits. Flexible and gig workforce models are expanding as companies seek to limit fixed labor costs while maintaining output capacity, creating a two-tier workforce where contingent workers carry operational load...
US Judge Dismisses Antitrust Suit Against Law School Admission Council
U.S. District Judge John Murphy dismissed a proposed class action accusing the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) of conspiring with law schools to fix application fees and monopolize admissions. The complaint alleged LSAC charged a minimum $260 per applicant and...
Bombay HC Sets Aside ₹1,524-Crore GST Demand on Tata Sons in Docomo Case
The Bombay High Court has overturned a ₹1,524‑crore (≈$184 million) GST demand on Tata Sons, ruling that the damages paid to Japan’s NTT Docomo after a London arbitration award are compensatory, not a taxable supply. The court held that Integrated GST cannot be...
Virginia Governor Signs Rideshare Safety Bills Tightening Driver-Checks, In-App Protections
Governor Abigail Spanberger signed House Bills 1273 and 1469, tightening rideshare safety standards in Virginia. The measures require in‑app audio and video recording, continuous driver identity verification, and comprehensive background checks that cover a driver’s full history and all addresses...
New Notice in a Nutshell Briefing: FCA Prohibits Chief Executive of Online Trading Firm From Working in Financial Services Due...
The UK Financial Conduct Authority issued a Final Notice in March 2026 prohibiting Kasim Garipoglu, chief executive of an online trading firm, from working in any UK financial‑services role. The FCA concluded he was not fit and proper due to repeated...
U.S. Treasury Expands Hormuz ‘Toll’ Warning, Puts Maritime Industry on Notice
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a new alert expanding its warning on Iranian “safe passage” toll demands in the Strait of Hormuz. The guidance details how payments—whether cash, digital assets, swaps, or charitable donations—can trigger...
FTC Sues Match, OkCupid Over Alleged Unauthorized Sharing of Millions of Users’ Personal Data
The Federal Trade Commission has sued Match Group and its OkCupid platform, accusing them of secretly sharing millions of users' photos, geolocation and demographic data with a third‑party entity. The complaint says OkCupid transferred roughly three million user photos and...
MSRB Approves Amendments to Dealer Supervision Rule
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board approved amendments to Rule G‑27, extending the annual business‑day exclusion for non‑primary residences from 30 to 60 days and clarifying the definition of “structuring” for public offerings and private placements. It also issued a request for...
T&E Inner Circle: Expert Sessions
The T&E Inner Circle is launching a series of subscriber‑only webinars that dive deep into current estate‑planning challenges. Sessions run from June through November 2026 and cover portability of estate‑tax exemptions, dual spousal lifetime access trusts, asset‑protection strategies, AI’s role...
Bill Would Require Minimum Pay, Comp Cover for Uber, Lyft Drivers
Ohio lawmakers introduced H.B. 840, a bill that would treat Uber and Lyft drivers as employees for workers‑compensation purposes during passenger and dispatch platform time. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the legislation imposes minimum compensation rates—$5.17 per trip in cities over 600,000 residents...
Graham Linehan's Conviction for Damaging Trans Activist's Phone Overturned
Father Ted co‑creator Graham Linehan had his criminal‑damage conviction overturned after an appeal court found insufficient evidence that he damaged transgender activist Sophia Brooks' phone. The original November trial had concluded Linehan threw the device in anger, but video presented...
Why the 60-Day War Powers Resolution Deadline Doesn’t Actually Constrain Presidents
The 60‑day War Powers Resolution clock marking May 1, 2026 for Operation Epic Fury in Iran is largely symbolic, as presidents have repeatedly sidestepped the deadline. The Trump administration openly ignored it, citing a cease‑fire pause, while Congress lacks a practical mechanism...
Trader Mercuria Sues Baltic Exchange Over Hormuz Freight Losses, Court Filing Shows
Swiss‑based commodity trader Mercuria has filed a lawsuit in England’s High Court against the Baltic Exchange, alleging the benchmark TD3C crude‑tanker index remained published despite the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Mercuria claims the unchanged index caused extreme...
Lessons From Maine’s Data Center Moratorium Debate for Construction
Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have imposed a statewide moratorium on data centers larger than 20 megawatts, marking the first such ban ever proposed in the United States. The legislation, which failed to override the veto, would...
Stacey Bastone Comments on Hiring Transparency and the "Next Phase" Of Job Advertisements
Stacey Bastone, a labor attorney at Jackson Lewis, highlighted New York’s pending legislation that would force employers to disclose an expected hiring timeline in job postings. The proposal follows a wave of state and local measures that have moved from...
House Members File Brief In Case Aiming To Remove Trump’s Face From Park Pass
U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman and Pramila Jayapal filed an amicus brief supporting plaintiffs in Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum, which challenges the Department of the Interior’s decision to place a portrait of former President Donald Trump on the 2026...
Agencies Issue Host State Loan-to-Deposit Ratios
On May 1, 2026 the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board and OCC released updated host‑state loan‑to‑deposit ratios, replacing the May 2025 figures. The ratios measure total loans versus total deposits for all banks operating in each state, a metric required by law to monitor...
The California Government Is Coming For Your E-Bikes
California lawmakers have introduced two bills targeting electric bicycles. AB 1942 would require certain e‑bikes to be registered with the DMV and display license plates, while AB 1557 seeks to lower the maximum speed for e‑bikes that children can operate....
Calif. Lawmaker: Paramount ‘Cannot Gaslight American Public’ on Foreign Investors in WBD Purchase
U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr demanding a denial of Paramount Skydance’s petition to allow up to 49.5% foreign equity in its Warner Brothers Discovery broadcast holdings. The proposal would let sovereign‑wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and...
Trump Exploits Crypto Loophole to Bypass Foreign Campaign Ban
Foreign contributions to political campaigns are banned. Trump found a loophole—crypto—allowing him to rake in hundreds of millions from foreign regimes buying influence. My @morningjoe Chart.
Spirit Faces Shutdown After Judge Blocks JetBlue Deal
Inspired: U.S. District Judge William Young famously wrote "To those dedicated customers of Spirit, this one's for you" in his January 2024 ruling blocking JetBlue’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. Now Spirit is preparing to cease operations.
Global Regulators Now Focused on Paving Clearer Pathway for FIs to Engage with Digital Assets : Analysis
Global regulators are moving from debating crypto participation to defining how financial institutions should manage digital‑asset risk. Recent US OCC interpretive letters, the GENIUS Act, the EU's MiCA regime, and Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance collectively provide clearer permission for crypto...
Proxy Advisers Sue Indiana, Kansas over Disclosure Mandates
Oh do I hope that they lose. "ISS and Glass, Lewis & Co. in April sued two more states, Indiana and Kansas, over laws compelling the firms to tell shareholders and update websites if their voting advice contradicts management’s wishes."
AI Compute Supplier Contracts Undergoing
More people need to pick up on this fundamental contract change highlighted on $SNDK earnings. Time to rethink everything you thought you knew about supplier contracts related to AI compute/infra. No paywall :) @DiligenceStack https://t.co/iagsiKBdOI
Coty's Perfume Business Takes Another Knock with David Beckham Fragrance Lawsuit
Coty Inc. is facing two lawsuits alleging it allowed David Beckham and Nautica fragrances to be sold through unapproved distributors, including gas stations. The legal challenges arrive as Coty's fragrance business contracts, with the loss of the lucrative Gucci license...
A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Decision
In this episode of Wake Up to Politics, host Gabe and redistricting expert Zachary Danini dissect the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Louisiana v. Calais, which narrows Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as it applies to racial gerrymandering. They...
More Data, Fewer Resources: What 100+ Legal Professionals Say Is Holding Ediscovery Back in 2026
A new survey of more than 100 legal professionals reveals that eDiscovery is being hampered by exploding data volumes and shrinking team resources. Respondents cite a 45% year‑over‑year increase in data to process, while many firms have cut staff by...
Big 12 Deal Could Redefine Athlete‑NCAA Legal Landscape
The Big 12’s multimillion dollar private equity deal with RedBird and Weatherford isn’t just new money—it could rewrite the legal relationship between athletes, schools, conferences, the NCAA & investors. I break down the stakes + risks for @Sportico.👇 https://t.co/uPrjJNUHFz.
Startups Are Pushing to Democratize Legal Research. Will They Succeed?
A wave of legal‑tech startups is attempting to democratize access to case‑law databases by offering AI‑driven research platforms at dramatically lower prices than traditional providers. These newcomers claim they can index millions of opinions faster and sell subscriptions for under...