News
Legal and legal technology news, distilled daily.
Harvey AI Raises $550M, Valued at $15.5B, Acquires Guardrails AI
Harvey secures $550M Series D round, boosting valuation to $15.5 billion and acquiring Guardrails AI, signaling growth in legal AI.
FDA and SEC Formalize Data Sharing to Boost Oversight
The FDA and SEC signed an MOU to share nonpublic information, enhancing regulatory enforcement for healthcare and securities sectors.
Vanderbilt Law School Adopts AI-Powered Deposition Simulator
Vanderbilt partners with AltaClaro to use DepoSim, an AI deposition simulation, enhancing legal education and practical training from Fall 2026.
Anthropic Insiders Warn AI Could End Humanity This Decade
Three Anthropic researchers warn AI poses existential risk within 10 years, raising urgent ethical and regulatory concerns for legal professionals.
OpenAI Urges AI Leaders to Slow Rapid Development Amid Risks
OpenAI calls for slowing AI development to address control and ethical risks, signaling urgent legal and regulatory challenges for corporations and policymakers.
Healthcare, Life Sciences Deals Hit $134B in H1 2026, Driving Legal Shifts
Healthcare and life sciences sectors see $134B in deals in H1 2026, reshaping legal work with regulatory and M&A trends.
ABA Repeals DEI Accreditation Standard Amid Federal Scrutiny
The ABA repealed its diversity accreditation standard as the Dept. of Education challenges its recognition, creating uncertainty for law schools.
Federal Judge Upholds Iowa Gambling Laws Over Prediction Market Claims
A federal judge ruled that Iowa's gambling laws regulate prediction markets, rejecting Kalshi's preemption claim under federal law.
Federal employees sue USDA over forced relocations and attrition
Federal employee unions sue USDA challenging forced relocations violating Administrative Procedure Act, impacting agency workforce and programs like SNAP and WIC.
Judge Blocks BLM Grazing Plan Cutting Sage Grouse Habitat
A federal judge invalidated the BLM's 2025 land use plan changes reducing protected sage grouse habitat in Oregon.
Federal Court Blocks USPS Mail-in Ballot Rule Ahead of 2026 Midterms
A Massachusetts federal court halted USPS's new mail-in ballot rule for the 2026 midterms, citing likely unlawful regulation and voter disenfranchisement risks.
FBI, FinCEN Warn of Rising AI-Driven Sextortion Targeting Employees
FBI and FinCEN warn about increased AI-driven sextortion attacks on employees and minors, urging legal and compliance teams to boost prevention efforts.
Third Circuit Halts NESE Pipeline Over Flawed Environmental Review
The Third Circuit vacates New Jersey water permit for NESE pipeline, highlighting lapses in environmental review and regulatory oversight.
Meta Publicly Rejects ICE Subpoenas Seeking Immigration Critics’ Data
Meta publicly refused ICE subpoenas demanding user data on immigration critics, highlighting legal risks for counsel amid rising DHS data requests.
Parents Sue D4vd for Role in Daughter's Death and Alleged Abuse
Parents of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez sue musician D4vd, alleging manipulation, sexual abuse, and wrongful death related to their daughter's tragic demise.
Colorado Sues EarnIn, Calls Wage Access Product Illegal High-Cost Loan
Colorado sues EarnIn, alleging its earned wage access app violates payday lending laws with high fees and deceptive tipping practices.
DC Circuit Rules IRS-ICE Tax Data Sharing Unlawful
The DC Circuit bars IRS from sharing taxpayer data with ICE, reinforcing privacy protections under Internal Revenue Code §6103 and limiting government data sharing.
Generative AI Patents Surge, Shifting Focus to Physical and Autonomous Systems
Generative AI patent filings exceeded 56,000 worldwide in 2024-25, impacting IP strategies for autonomous tech and legal risk management.
NYT v. OpenAI Hits Key Phase with Summary Judgments Filed
The NYT copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft intensifies as all parties submit motions, with potential to reshape AI training data law.
Judge Seibel Rules West Point’s Speech Approval Policy Unconstitutional
Federal Judge Cathy Seibel struck down West Point’s faculty speech pre-approval rule, reinforcing academic freedom and First Amendment rights at military academies.