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
What the Supreme Court Just Did to Louisiana—And Why It Matters *Far* Beyond the State 💣
The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s 2026 congressional map, ruling that its two majority‑Black districts were drawn primarily on race, violating the Constitution. The decision fell along partisan lines, with the six justices appointed by Republican presidents voting to invalidate the map and the three Democratic‑appointed justices dissenting. Conservatives framed the ruling as a narrow technical judgment, insisting the 1965 Voting Rights Act remains intact, while liberals argued it signals a broader erosion of the Act’s protections. The case sets a precedent that could reshape congressional redistricting across the nation for the next decade.
Loosening Bank Capital Rules Won’t Bring Banks Back to Mortgage Lending
Bank participation in U.S. mortgage origination has fallen from roughly 60% in 2008 to 35% in 2023, while non‑bank lenders have surged. Proposals to ease Basel III capital requirements, championed by Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, assume tighter capital rules...
Insights From Recent 1:1 Profile-Building Calls
Jason is expanding his 1:1 profile‑building calls for EB‑1A, EB‑2 NIW, and O‑1 visa applicants, offering a paid subscription that unlocks a database of 400+ curated opportunities. He shares practical insights—such as leveraging conference speaking slots and targeting high‑quality peer‑review...
Journal of Free Speech Law: "A New Frontier for an International Right with No Frontiers: Freedom of Expression & Generative...
The Journal of Free Speech Law article by Evelyn Mary Aswad examines how the U.S. First Amendment and the emerging global freedom of expression standard apply to generative AI outputs. It argues that individuals have a right to seek and...
Radio FCC Fees to Go Up 5% Under Proposal
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a 5% increase in regulatory fees for commercial AM and FM radio stations for fiscal year 2026, raising the annual collection target to roughly $416 million. Fees would rise from $395 for the smallest Class D...
D.C. Circuit Review – Reviewed: Presidential Powers, Iranian Oil, and Implied Equitable Relief
The D.C. Circuit held that President Trump’s 2022 proclamation barring asylum seekers exceeded the authority granted by the Immigration and Nationality Act, affirming that Congress retains plenary power over admission and upholding a Rule 23(b)(2) class certification for affected migrants. The...
Biometrics vs Privacy: Why Palm Payments Like Amazon One or Tencent & Visa Projects Would Face EU Legal Risks After...
Palm‑based payment systems such as Amazon One, Tencent's biometric checkout and Visa's pilot are drawing scrutiny from EU regulators. Under the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive, palm scans are classified as sensitive biometric data, requiring explicit consent and robust safeguards. While...
Isle of Man Passes World-First Legislation to Establish Data as an Asset
The Isle of Man has enacted world‑first legislation that creates Data Asset Foundations, a statutory framework that legally recognises data as an asset. Built on the 2011 Foundations Act, the new regime lets companies treat data like property, enabling valuation,...
Twinkies, Tribunals, and Tainted Statements
The Supreme Court’s latest certiorari docket shows a marked slowdown, granting review only in Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards, a case probing whether the Labor Department can impose civil penalties through administrative adjudication under the H‑2A visa program....
Leasehold Ban in England and Wales Unlikely Before Next General Election, Minister Says
The UK government has legislated a ban on new leasehold homes, but Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says it will not be activated before the next general election. While the 2024 law blocks new leasehold houses, a similar restriction for flats...
Three Thoughts on the Musk-OpenAI Lawsuit
Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of breaching its original nonprofit promise by transitioning to a for‑profit model. The author expresses distrust of both parties, noting Musk could benefit financially if OpenAI loses, while also acknowledging Musk’s substantive...
Cancel Unused EINs by Saying the Business Never Opened
#TaxTwitter In July 2025 I wrote to the IRS at the Cincinnati address on the SS-4 letter to cancel 2 unused EINs. I specifically said "cancel" and that the numbers would not be used for any purpose. I recommend using...
EU Expands Big Tech Crackdown to Cloud and AI Markets
The European Commission announced plans to broaden the Digital Markets Act beyond consumer platforms, targeting cloud computing and artificial‑intelligence services. Regulators will assess whether major cloud providers and AI offerings such as virtual assistants should be classified as gatekeepers under...
Appeals Court Rules Against Evergreen in Savannah Detention Fee Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., ruled that Evergreen Marine improperly levied three days of detention fees on a Savannah drayage provider when the port was closed for a holiday weekend. The decision resolves a six‑year dispute that...
Keyless Car Theft Devices Outlawed at Last, as Police Get New Powers to Track Stolen Vehicles
The UK’s Crime and Policing Act 2026 has made it a criminal offence to make, possess, import, adapt, supply or offer to supply electronic devices such as signal relays, jammers and CAN‑bus injectors that facilitate keyless car theft. The legislation...
The Waiver Was the Policy. Thursday Is the Paperwork.
On April 30, 2026 the FCC will vote to retire the 1990s Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD) framework and replace it with a performance‑based coordination regime for non‑geostationary satellite operators. The agency projects a $2 billion economic benefit and up to...
Claimants in Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Case Rise to 7,000
A High Court hearing in the United Kingdom has expanded the Johnson & Johnson talc litigation to 7,111 claimants, making it the nation’s largest product‑liability case. Plaintiffs allege the company knowingly sold asbestos‑contaminated baby powder from the 1960s onward, linking...
“Supreme Court Deals Crushing Blow to the Voting Rights Act”
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6‑3 ruling that invalidated Louisiana's congressional map, finding it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The decision narrows the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, limiting how states can use race to draw majority‑minority...
Mexico Tax Update: Nearshoring, Audits, and Treaty Twists
In this episode of Cross‑Border Tax Talks, PwC International Tax Partner Adriana Rodriguez provides a deep dive into Mexico’s corporate tax landscape, covering the 30% federal corporate rate, withholding taxes, the new 2024 MLI rules, inflation‑adjusted interest deductions, CFC (REFIPRE)...
Cooley Partner Honored As Commercial Lawyer of the Year
Guadalupe Sampedro, a partner at Cooley, was named Commercial Lawyer of the Year by the Women and Diversity in Law Awards. The honor recognizes her expertise in cyber, data and privacy law, including AI and online‑safety regulations in the UK...
ESMA Statement on the End of Transitional Periods Under MiCA
On 17 April 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a statement clarifying supervisory expectations as the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) transitional period ends on 1 July 2026. After that date, any crypto‑asset service provider operating without a MiCA licence...
ESMA Consults on Guidelines on Endorsement Under the ESG Ratings Regulation
On 29 April 2026 ESMA launched a public consultation on draft guidelines governing the endorsement of ESG ratings under the EU’s ESG Ratings Regulation. The guidelines clarify expectations for Article 11(1) and specify the data ESG rating providers must submit in Annex IV of...
Woking on Jan Vishwas Bill 3 to Further Improve Business Environment: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India is drafting a third Jan Vishwas bill aimed at simplifying regulations, cutting compliance burdens, and reducing intimidating forms for businesses. The move follows the 2026 amendment that de‑criminalised over 1,000 minor offences...
The Supreme Court Made the Vote Smaller. Now We Make the Election Bigger.
The U.S. Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais struck down the state’s second majority‑Black congressional district, issuing a 6‑3 decision that narrows the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. By demanding proof of intentional discrimination rather than focusing...
Stephen Fry Sues Tech Conference for up to £100,000 After Falling Off Stage
Sir Stephen Fry, 68, has filed a personal‑injury claim against CogX Festival Ltd and creative agency Blonstein Events Ltd, seeking up to £100,000 (about $125,000) after a two‑metre fall from the stage at the O2 Arena in September 2023. The accident...
Littler Edge Training - May 2026
Littler Mendelson is hosting a one‑hour webinar on May 20, 2026 to showcase Littler Edge, its new employment‑law compliance platform. The session runs from 10:00 AM PDT (1:00 PM ET) and is led by Katherine R. Hinde, Director of Knowledge Management Client Services. Attendees will see...
Iowa House Advances Right to Repair Bill for Farmers
Iowa's House passed a Right to Repair bill for farm equipment with a 70‑18 vote, requiring manufacturers to provide parts, software, and tools at reasonable terms. The legislation aims to reduce downtime and repair costs for farmers who face software...
Market Watch 85 – Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority released its latest Market Watch, outlining a series of regulatory updates aimed at strengthening oversight of crypto‑asset firms and crowdfunding platforms. New licensing requirements will force crypto businesses to meet higher capital and governance standards, while...
Oil Traders Lawyer Up as Hormuz Disruptions Trigger Billions of Dollars in Disputes
Oil traders are entangled in multi‑billion‑dollar disputes after the Iran‑Israel war shut the Strait of Hormuz, leaving contracted Murban crude shipments undelivered. Shell is suing PetroChina's unit for roughly $35 million over a 500,000‑barrel cargo that arrived at only 62,000 barrels,...
Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act Forces Lenders to Upgrade Data Tools
The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, signed into law in September 2025 and effective March 5, 2026, bars credit bureaus from sharing mortgage trigger leads without explicit borrower consent. Lenders are scrambling to replace the lost channel with predictive‑analytics platforms, a...
Solicitor General Asks Supreme Court to Eighty-Six Energy Conservation Rule
The U.S. Solicitor General filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to grant, vacate and remand the D.C. Circuit’s decision that upheld the Department of Energy’s 2021 energy‑efficiency rule banning non‑condensing furnaces and commercial water heaters. The brief now aligns...
FCC Accelerates ABC License Review, Demanding Early Renewal by May 28
The Federal Communications Commission announced on April 28 that it will fast‑track the renewal review of Disney’s eight ABC local TV stations, citing concerns over the network’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices. ABC must file for renewal by May 28,...
Kash Patel’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week
The Atlantic reports low morale at the FBI, citing director Kash Patel’s frequent absences and alleged drinking. Patel responded with a $250 million defamation lawsuit and, alongside Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center,...
Tribe and Environmentalists to Sue Feds Over Arizona Mine’s Impacts to Threatened Owls
The San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance have filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alleging that the approved Copper Creek exploration project violates...
FBI Extradites China‑Linked Hacker, Spotlighting LegalTech’s Role in Cyber Forensics
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the extradition of Chinese national Xu Zewei from Italy to face U.S. charges for a 2020‑21 cyber campaign that targeted COVID‑19 research. The operation, coordinated with Italian authorities, highlights the growing reliance on digital forensics and...
US Bill Would Extend State-Controlled Waters of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
Lawmakers from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama have introduced the Offshore Parity Act to expand state‑controlled waters from the current three nautical miles to nine miles offshore, matching Texas and Florida. The bill would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act...
In Major Voting Rights Act Case, Supreme Court Strikes Down Redistricting Map Challenged as Racially Discriminatory
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6‑3 decision, affirmed a lower‑court order blocking Louisiana's 2024 congressional map, which created a second majority‑Black district. The Court held that the map violated the Constitution’s equal‑protection clause because the state used race without...
DOJ Sues Cloudera for Excluding U.S. Workers From $180K‑$294K Tech Jobs
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Cloudera Inc., accusing the data‑software firm of engineering a hiring process that barred U.S. workers from at least seven high‑paying technology positions worth $180,000 to $294,000 annually. The case highlights growing enforcement...
Appeals Court Backs FMC in Landmark Detention Charges Ruling Against Evergreen
A D.C. Circuit appeals court upheld the Federal Maritime Commission’s decision that Evergreen Marine’s $510 truck‑er detention charge during a three‑day Savannah port closure was unreasonable. The court affirmed the FMC’s “freight fluidity” standard, ruling that detention fees must serve...
Early Network Shapes Your 50-Year Career Path
Got a DM from a 2L last night, deciding between BigLaw and in-house. Spent 20 minutes writing back the answer I wish someone had given me when I was her: the stipend is good, the ceiling is real, the network you...
Bills Are Solid; Contract‑for‑America Comparison Misses the Mark
The bills are generally good but the Contract for America analogy doesn’t work. It’s a list of useful things, not an agenda.
Flo App Found to Have Sold Reproductive Health Data to Meta, Sparking Privacy Backlash
A federal jury concluded that Flo, the period‑tracking app with 75 million users, illegally shared sensitive reproductive health information with Meta. The verdict backs a class‑action suit representing 13 million users and raises fresh questions about data practices in consumer health tech.
Elon’s Lawsuit May Have Merit Despite Questionable Motives
Elon’s lawsuit might have merit even his motivations are questionable, as I just explained on @cnni https://t.co/RbzbSV6IRn
HelloNation Warns of Common Mistakes That Undermine Personal Injury Claims in New York
HelloNation released a PR‑driven guide, featuring New York personal‑injury attorney Joe Stanley, that details how paperwork lapses, premature insurer talks, poor evidence collection, undervaluing damages, and missed filing deadlines can cripple personal‑injury claims. The advice targets insurers, adjusters, and policyholders...
Upwards-Only Rent Reviews Ban Looms as Devolution Bill Becomes Law
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill received royal assent, granting the government authority to prohibit upwards‑only rent review clauses in commercial leases. The legislation also introduces a Community Right to Buy, mandates local growth plans, and expands mayoral powers...
India Opens Automatic FDI Route for Chinese Investors Up to 10% Stake
On March 10, 2026, India’s Union Cabinet amended Press Note 3 to permit investors from land‑border countries, chiefly China, to hold non‑controlling stakes of up to 10% through an automatic route. The change aims to boost start‑up and deep‑tech funding...
Jury Awards $7.65 Million After Fatal Heart‑Surgery Infection Linked to Contaminated Device
A Kansas jury awarded $7.65 million to the family of a Navy veteran who died from a Mycobacterium chimaera infection tied to a contaminated heater‑cooler device used in his 2019 heart surgery. The verdict assigns 88% fault to The University of...
Apple Loses Bid; Fee Fight Moves
Apple loses bid to pause App Store fee changes as case heads to Supreme Court https://t.co/N91mwmm4V4
Anthropic's 512K-Line AI Code Leak Triggers Ownership Debate for Employers
Anthropic unintentionally published 512,000 lines of Claude‑generated code, prompting a flood of GitHub stars and DMCA takedowns. The incident forces HR leaders to confront unsettled U.S. copyright rules on AI‑created works and the work‑for‑hire doctrine that assigns ownership to employers.
Lynk Global Seeks FCC Approval for 2026 Spectrum Tests
"Lynk Global filed this application with the FCC seeking permission to use Anterix’s spectrum to conduct tests in seven U.S. markets for 12 months starting May 31, 2026." https://t.co/3XUOg1thDl via @malleven33