Legal Tech
Legal technology products, platforms, tools, and vendor/market developments
DOJ, Colony Ridge Strike $68M Deal Without Judge’s OK
The DOJ invokes administrative authority to settle with Colony Ridge for $68M, bypassing judicial oversight and raising compliance implications for corporate legal teams.
Ashurst, Perkins Coie Partners Approve $2.8B Transatlantic Merger
Partners at Ashurst and Perkins Coie have approved a $2.8 billion merger set to create a top-20 global law firm by revenue and geographic reach.
Ex-Brown Rudnick lawyers debut MSO-based IP boutique in Washington, D.C.
Miletus Intellectual Property Management, led by former Brown Rudnick attorneys, launches in D.C. with an MSO structure to offer integrated IP legal and advisory services.
Vault Reveals 2027 BigLaw Rankings for California Firms
Vault's 2027 law firm rankings spotlight Latham & Watkins and Cooley as California's most prestigious BigLaw firms, with notable shifts in national standing.
SEC Grants Conditional Five-Year Safe Harbor to Crypto UI Providers
The SEC has issued guidance granting a conditional five-year broker-dealer exemption to crypto user interface providers, creating a path for compliance amid unsettled regulation.
Relativity, Wickard AI Launch Law School AI Training Program
Relativity and Wickard.ai partner to provide U.S. law schools with free access to RelativityOne and AI legal education, aiming to prepare future lawyers for AI-driven practice.
SEC Clarifies Broker-Dealer Rules for Non-Custodial Crypto Wallet Providers
SEC issues April 13, 2026 guidance on broker-dealer registration for crypto wallet interfaces, clarifying regulatory obligations for legal teams in digital assets.
Lawsuits Surge Over Faulty Cookie Banners and Wiretapping Claims
Over 1,000 lawsuits allege wiretapping violations from faulty cookie consent banners. Legal teams must watch for pitfalls as regulators target opt-out compliance.
Elite unveils AI-powered billing risk detection, eyes wider AI integration
Elite launches Elite Validate, an AI-powered billing compliance tool, and reveals plans to embed agentic AI across legal financial workflows, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
Harvey’s Pereyra Details Legal AI Agents’ Growth and Challenges
Harvey president Gabe Pereyra outlines the rapid adoption of legal AI agents and firm world models, spotlighting both opportunities and emerging challenges in law firm automation.
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.