Legal Tech
Legal technology products, platforms, tools, and vendor/market developments
FTC Clears Elon Musk's $50M Mesh Startup Acquisition
The FTC approved Elon Musk's purchase of Mesh, a SpaceX alumni optical tech startup with $50M funding, highlighting key aerospace-tech consolidation.
CFTC Proposes New Rules for Event Contracts on Prediction Markets
CFTC unveiled proposed amendments to Rule 40.11 to regulate event contracts on prediction markets, impacting financial services and trading firms.
China to Overhaul Trademark Law with Key Changes from Jan 2027
China’s trademark law will tighten rules on registration and enforcement starting January 1, 2027, impacting IP strategy for businesses.
Davis Polk, Cravath Match Milbank’s $225K Associate Salaries in 2026
Major U.S. law firms, led by Milbank, have increased first-year associate salaries to $225K as of July 2026, intensifying compensation competition.
Stop Killing Games Shifts to Amending EU Digital Fairness Act After Setback
Following a parliamentary defeat, Stop Killing Games pivots to amend the EU Digital Fairness Act, leveraging strong public support to protect digital consumer rights.
Most Lawyers Use AI, But Few Firms Leverage It Strategically
While 79% of legal pros use AI tools, only 34% of law firms have formal AI policies, limiting productivity and revenue growth.
Judge Orders DOJ to Clarify Epstein Files Redactions by July 2
Judge Sullivan mandates the DOJ to justify or lift redactions on key Epstein case files, impacting legal transparency and privilege claims.
Stanford’s Ulysses AI predicts US antitrust case outcomes with new model
Stanford's Ulysses AI model forecasts outcomes in US antitrust litigation, aiding legal professionals with predictive analytics amid increased scrutiny.
USPTO Denies Discretionary Rejections in Seven IPR Petitions
USPTO declines to deny institution of seven inter partes review petitions, clarifying discretionary denial rules and impacting patent litigation strategies.
Biotech IPOs in 2026 Raise Billions Amid Selective Market Recovery
Biotech IPOs raised $5B in 2026 as firms with late-stage assets attract investors. Legal advisors should note selective market for client IPO prep.
Supreme Court Blocks State Failure-to-Warn Lawsuits on Chemicals
The Supreme Court bars consumers from suing chemical manufacturers in state courts over failure-to-warn claims, reshaping product liability risks.
OpenAI’s Codex AI Agents Boost Legal Automation Amid Security Concerns
OpenAI’s Codex AI agents automate legal workflows for over 5 million users, including legal pros, but raise new cybersecurity risks.
Water Use Emerges as Major Issue for AI Data Center Growth
AI data centers are driving water demand, raising legal and regulatory challenges on environmental compliance.
Kalshi Sues Illinois Over 15% Tax on Prediction Markets Revenue
Kalshi challenges Illinois' new 15% tax on sports prediction markets, citing federal regulatory preemption and supremacy clause conflicts.
Winston & Strawn Sees Partner Exodus in Texas Amid Merger Plans
More than a dozen partners have left Winston & Strawn's Texas offices amid its 2026 merger with Taylor Wessing, signaling internal disruption.
California Trial Begins Over Abortion Pill Reversal Advertising Claims
California AG sues nonprofits for false advertising abortion pill reversal; trial began in June 2024 in San Francisco. Legal implications for medical claims advertising.
AAA and Integra Ledger Launch Legal Protocol for AI Transactions
The Legal Context Protocol launches to standardize legal terms and dispute resolution for AI-driven contracts, aiding legal teams in AI commerce.
Boutique Firms Lead BigLaw in Speedy Associate Pay Raises
Boutique law firms in the US are outpacing BigLaw with faster, higher associate salary raises, reshaping talent management.
Google to Allow Outside Payments in Play Store Worldwide
Google will let Android app developers use alternative payments globally after antitrust settlement, impacting developer contracts and compliance.
Perplexity AI Launches Computer for Counsel, Legal AI Platform
On June 24, 2026, Perplexity AI launched Computer for Counsel, an AI platform designed to integrate legal research and workflow tools with enterprise-level security.