News
Legal and legal technology news, distilled daily.
Virginia Tightens Noncompete Rules With New Law Effective July 2026
Virginia enacts SB 170, adding stricter limitations on noncompete agreements and new enforcement penalties. Legal teams must update compliance by July 1, 2026.
Federal Data Privacy Bill Eyes Nationwide Standard, Faces Uphill Path
A new federal data privacy bill introduced in Congress on April 14 could preempt state laws, but legislative hurdles mean its future remains uncertain.
Anthropic's Mythos AI Exposes 1,500+ Software Zero-Days in Weeks
Anthropic's Mythos AI uncovered over 1,500 zero-day vulnerabilities across major operating systems and browsers, escalating legal and compliance risks for enterprises.
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.
OpenAI Launches GPT-5.4-Cyber With Limited Access for Cybersecurity Teams
OpenAI released GPT-5.4-Cyber for vetted cybersecurity professionals, tightening access and shaping how legal teams approach AI in risk management.
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.
Courts Mandate New AI Disclosure and Certification for Litigation
Courts in the US and abroad are issuing new rules on AI use in litigation, requiring disclosure, certification, and confidentiality provisions as AI transforms legal practice.
OFAC Expands Sanctions Scrutiny Beyond 50% Ownership for Indian Firms
New OFAC guidance urges Indian businesses to assess sanctions compliance beyond 50% ownership, focusing on control and influence to avoid regulatory penalties.
Pump-and-Dump Securities Lawsuits Surge With Social Media’s Influence
A wave of class actions targets low-float IPOs and social media giants for enabling pump-and-dump schemes, signaling new risks for legal and compliance professionals.
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.
Virginia Tightens Noncompete Rules, Adds Severance and Healthcare Worker Protections
Virginia enacts new laws barring noncompetes for healthcare professionals and requiring severance for enforceable agreements, signaling stricter employment contract rules.
LAPD Officer Testifies in Teen's Fatal Shooting Civil Trial
LAPD Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. testifies in the civil trial over Valentina Orellana-Peralta's 2021 death, focusing on liability and police use of force.
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.