Legal Tech
Legal technology products, platforms, tools, and vendor/market developments
EPA Adds Microplastics to Drinking Water Watchlist
EPA names microplastics to its Contaminant Candidate List, opening the door for future regulation and new compliance risks for corporate legal teams and utilities.
California Sanctions Lawyers for Fake AI-Generated Case Citations
Three California attorneys face disciplinary action for submitting AI-generated fake case citations, marking a new chapter in legal ethics and AI governance.
Court: Spirit Must Pay TSA Fees on Canceled, Unused Tickets
The 11th Circuit ruled Spirit Airlines must remit TSA security fees even on tickets for flights that passengers canceled and did not fly, impacting airline fee practices.
BigLaw Cools Hiring Amid Deal Slump and Leans Into Tech Upskilling
BigLaw firms slow hiring as M&A and private equity deals decline, pivoting to litigation, compliance, and tech-driven associate training.
Hollywood Unites Against Paramount-Warner $111B Merger in Open Letter
More than 1,000 Hollywood professionals, including A-list stars and directors, have signed an open letter opposing the $111B Paramount-Warner merger, citing antitrust concerns.
AI Sanctions, ABA Recusal Rules Mark New Era in Legal Ethics
A roundup of 2026's key legal ethics updates: record-breaking AI sanctions, judges embracing AI, and ABA clarifying lawyer duties on judicial recusal.
D.C. Circuit Scrutinizes FTC’s Probe of Media Matters Nonprofit
D.C. Circuit judges challenge FTC’s authority in investigating Media Matters over X advertiser boycotts. The case may clarify limits on FTC actions and First Amendment protections.
IBM Pays $17M to Settle DOJ Claims Over 'Illegal' DEI Practices
IBM will pay $17 million to resolve DOJ allegations its DEI programs violated anti-discrimination laws. The settlement is the first under DOJ's new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative.
PFAS Litigation Expands: New Crowell & Moring Analysis Charts 2026 Trends
Crowell & Moring releases new PFAS litigation data and analysis, revealing continued growth, shifting claims, and rising risks for corporations and litigators in 2026.
DOJ Clarifies FOIA Exemptions for Contractor Confidential Data
The DOJ has clarified FOIA Exemption 4 rules, outlining steps agencies and contractors must take to protect confidential commercial information from public disclosure.
Court Considers Blocking ChatGPT User After Harassment Lawsuit Targets OpenAI
A California court may force OpenAI to restrict ChatGPT use after harassment claims, spotlighting legal obligations around AI safety and company liability.
Partner Billing Rates Top $1,000 as AFA Adoption Inches Up, Per CounselLink
New CounselLink data shows law firm billing rates continue rising in 2024, while corporate legal departments slowly increase use of alternative fee arrangements.
StubHub Settles FTC Fee Disclosure Case With $10M Refund to U.S. Consumers
StubHub will pay $10M to settle FTC charges over hidden ticket fees, marking the first enforcement under the FTC’s Fees Rule. Legal, compliance, and in-house teams face new risks.
FinCEN Proposes Overhaul of U.S. AML Rules
FinCEN proposes new rules to reform AML/CFT compliance, signaling upcoming regulatory changes for U.S. banks and financial institutions.
Anodot Breach Exposes Rockstar Games, 14 Others to Extortion by ShinyHunters
14 companies, including Rockstar Games, had data exposed in the Anodot breach. Legal teams face new litigation and compliance risks tied to third-party analytics vendors.
Lafarge Convicted in France for Financing Terrorist Groups in Syria
A French court convicted Lafarge SA and former execs for funding ISIS and al-Nusra to operate in Syria, setting a global precedent for corporate counterterrorism compliance.
Orbital launches UK real estate law firm Farringdon to integrate tech, legal service
Orbital has launched Farringdon, a UK law firm focused on real estate, aiming to blend AI tech and legal service for faster, more transparent transactions.
Italian Regulator Fines Bakeca for Exposing Phone Numbers in Sex Work Ads
Italy's Garante fined Bakeca S.r.l. for publishing sex work ads with personal phone numbers without consent, signaling stricter platform compliance expectations under EU data law.
Superior Court Voids Will Over Undue Influence in Elder Friendship Case
A Superior Court ruling invalidates an elderly widow's will due to undue influence by a close friend, offering guidance for elder law practitioners on assessing relationship dynamics.
Fifth Circuit Tosses 158-Year Federal Ban on Home Distilleries
The Fifth Circuit invalidated a 158-year-old federal ban on home alcohol distilling, citing limits on Congress’ taxation powers—a decision with broader regulatory implications.