Legal Operations
Process improvement, spend management, vendor selection, legal project management, and efficiency tools
Actionstep Debuts AI Tool to Streamline Midsize Law Firm Workflows
Actionstep launched Actionstep Intelligence, an AI tool designed to automate workflows and billing for midsize law firms, reflecting rising AI adoption in legal tech.
California’s minimum wage to reach $16.90/hr in 2026, impacting legal compliance
California’s minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour in 2026, raising exemption salary thresholds and affecting employer wage compliance.
GC AI Acquires Jetify to Expand AI Tools for In-House Legal Teams
On August 10, 2026, GC AI acquired Jetify to enhance its AI contract analysis tools for corporate legal departments, signaling growth in legal AI competition.
Congressional Town Halls Plummet as Only 11 Scheduled for August 2026
Congressional town halls have sharply declined in 2026, reducing direct constituent-lawmaker dialogue and transparency in policymaking.
NLRB Now Has 3-1 Republican Majority After Recent Confirmations
The National Labor Relations Board gains a 3-1 Republican majority, shifting labor law enforcement and interpretation for in-house counsel and labor litigators.
Illinois Expands Paid Leave and Protects Volunteer Emergency Workers
Illinois' new laws expand paid leave to 40 hours annually and protect volunteer emergency workers from job penalties, effective Jan 2024.
Illinois Federal Court Advances Trade Secret Claims in Big League Chew Case
Illinois federal court allows trade secret claims against former Ford Gum execs over Big League Chew confidential data, impacting IP risk management.
US Bankruptcy Filings Rose 12% in First Half of 2026
Bankruptcy filings in the US increased 12% through mid-2026, including big rises in business and small business cases.
Spring 2026 Supreme Court rulings reshape agency power and trade law
Key Spring 2026 Supreme Court decisions redefine executive authority, regulatory agency leadership, and data privacy enforcement, impacting corporate compliance and litigation.
Roberts’ judicial approach shapes Supreme Court trajectory amid challenges
Analysis of Chief Justice Roberts’ strategy and philosophy highlights potential impacts on Supreme Court decisions and legal precedents.
Delaware Chancery Clarifies LLCs Aren't Just Contractual Entities
Delaware Chancery Court delineates 21 reasons why LLCs possess state-conferred powers beyond private contracts, impacting governance and litigation.
Senate Extends Government Funding Through Dec. 11, 2026, to Avoid Shutdown
Senate passes stopgap bill extending government funding through Dec. 11, 2026, ensuring regulatory and legal system continuity before midterm elections.
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General in 50-49 Vote
Todd Blanche confirmed as U.S. Attorney General in a narrow 50-49 Senate vote on August 8, 2026, amid controversy over DOJ independence.
U.S. Synagogues Train Volunteers as Security Amid Rising Attacks
In response to record antisemitic assaults in 2025, U.S. synagogues are training congregants as volunteer security to enhance safety and coordinate with law enforcement.
Hawaii Supreme Court Restores $2M Fraud Award Against Philip Morris
Hawaii Supreme Court reinstates $2M fraud award against Philip Morris, affirming plaintiff negligence cannot reduce damages in intentional fraud cases.
Texas Court Invalidates Key Tax Provisions on Suppressors and Short-Barreled Firearms
A Texas federal court struck down tax rules on suppressors and short-barreled firearms under the National Firearms Act, altering compliance obligations.
Student Ends Case Against UCCS After Dormmate Murder Negligence Claim
Plaintiff rests case in lawsuit against University of Colorado Colorado Springs over staff negligence after 2024 dormitory shooting deaths.
SEC Launches Accounting Fraud Unit on August 7 to Strengthen Enforcement
The SEC launched a specialized accounting fraud unit on August 7, 2026, to intensify enforcement against financial reporting misconduct, impacting legal compliance.
CMS Unveils ABA Toolkit Amid Growing Autism Therapy Scrutiny
CMS releases new Autism Behavior Analysis toolkit as Congress investigates therapy billing, increasing compliance risks for healthcare providers.
Trump Administration Renewedly Moves to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook
In August 2026, the Trump administration restarted removal proceedings against Fed Governor Lisa Cook over residence fraud allegations, raising legal questions on Fed independence.