News
Legal and legal technology news, distilled daily.
Tennessee Death Row Inmate Denied SCOTUS Review for Untested DNA Evidence
Tony Carruthers sought Supreme Court intervention for DNA testing ahead of his execution, highlighting debates on wrongful convictions and legal safeguards in capital cases.
Eighth Circuit: Ex-Inmates Can Sue Over Daily Iowa Jail Fees
Eighth Circuit revives suit letting ex-inmates challenge $95/day jail fees, impacting county compliance, litigation risks, and due process requirements for legal teams nationally.
California Court Consolidates OpenAI Product Liability Cases
A California court is consolidating multiple product liability lawsuits against OpenAI, signaling increased legal risks for AI vendors and new challenges for in-house legal teams.
Georgia Enacts Sweeping AI Companion Law Without Big-Tech Exemptions
Georgia passes SB 540 regulating AI chatbots, marking a new phase in state-level oversight and raising key compliance stakes for legal teams and tech companies.
Harvey AI launches Paris office, expands French legal partnerships
US legal AI firm Harvey opens Paris office, teaming with top French law firms and in-house counsel as EU privacy regulations shape legal tech deployment across Europe.
NY Judicial Retirement Age Under Fire as Court Hears Civil Rights Challenge
New York's top court is reviewing the legality of mandatory judicial retirement ages following lawsuits claiming age discrimination under the state's new Equal Rights Amendment.
New Guidance Clarifies Duty to Preserve AI-Generated Legal Data
Legal experts spotlight evolving duties to preserve AI-generated data for litigation, urging law firms and corporate legal teams to update e-discovery protocols.
Global Executions Reach 44-Year High, Amnesty Cites Iran and Saudi Surge
Amnesty International reports a 44-year high in global executions for 2025, driven by spikes in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Legal professionals face renewed scrutiny of capital punishment trends.
EU Finalizes Turnberry Trade Deal, Slashing U.S. Tariffs
The EU finalized a compromise on the Turnberry trade deal, proposing sweeping tariff reductions with the U.S. Legal teams must prepare for compliance and safeguard provisions.
Law Professors Face Scrutiny Over Role in Constitutional Crises
Debate grows on whether law professors should intervene or advise during constitutional emergencies, as recent academic events highlight questions on their influence and responsibilities.
Feds Urge Second Circuit to Reinstate Hate Crime Aggravators in Buffalo Shooting
Federal prosecutors are appealing to the Second Circuit to reinstate hate crime aggravators in the Buffalo mass shooter’s trial, a move that could reshape federal hate crime prosecution strategies.
ICE Crackdown on OPT Fraud Puts Employers on High Alert
ICE has identified over 10,000 OPT fraud cases, triggering stricter enforcement and a DHS review of the program. Employers must prepare for increased compliance scrutiny.
Utah Federal Judge Blocks Early Class Discovery in TCPA Case
A Utah federal court denied plaintiff's request for early class discovery via bifurcation in a TCPA lawsuit, clarifying discovery limits for class actions.
Soros Foundation Commits $300M to U.S. Democracy Amid Scrutiny
The Open Society Foundations, led by Alex Soros, pledge $300 million over five years to support U.S. democracy and civil rights as attacks on nonprofits increase.
iManage Unveils New Features to Boost Legal Workflow Efficiency
iManage rolls out new features including secure collaboration, AI-powered contract analysis, and improved folder management to enhance legal knowledge management.
Jan. 6 Officers Challenge Legality of Trump’s $1.8B Settlement Fund
Capitol Police and DC officers sue to block Trump’s $1.8B IRS settlement fund, arguing it could compensate convicted Jan. 6 rioters. Case probes presidential power and public fund use.
US Rejects UN Migration Declaration, Imposes New Visa Restrictions
The US abstained from the 2026 UN migration review, rejecting its declaration and indefinitely suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, signaling stricter immigration policy.
UK Fast-Tracks Data Centers, Limits Legal Challenges on Big Projects
The UK plans to restrict judicial reviews and speed up approvals for data centers and major energy projects. Legal teams must prepare for tighter windows to challenge decisions.
Barney Frank, Dodd-Frank Co-Author, Dies at 86
Barney Frank, co-author of the Dodd-Frank Act and longtime U.S. congressman, died at 86. His legacy continues to shape financial regulation and LGBTQ+ legal rights.
Harvey Unveils Command Center, Teams With DeepJudge for Legal AI
Harvey launches its Command Center and partners with DeepJudge to boost legal AI for knowledge management, aiming to streamline workflows for law firms and corporate legal teams.