News
Legal and legal technology news, distilled daily.
Hawaii Advances Bill to Let Nieces, Nephews Inherit Native Homestead Leases
A Hawaii committee advances a bill allowing nieces and nephews to inherit Hawaiian home leases, addressing a century-old issue in Native Hawaiian land succession laws.
Missing Bullets Cloud Investigation Into D.C. Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting
Bullets from the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting in D.C. have vanished, raising chain-of-custody and legal challenges for prosecutors as trial approaches.
Mexico Vows Full Probe Into CIA Agent Deaths Amid Top Resignation
Mexico pledges a thorough investigation into the deaths of CIA agents and Mexican officers, despite the state attorney general's resignation in Chihuahua.
California Court Advances Special Needs School Restraint Death Lawsuit
A California court allows civil claims to proceed against a special needs school over a student's restraint-related death, highlighting school liability and risk for legal counsel.
USA Powerlifting Settles Transgender Athlete Discrimination Lawsuit
USA Powerlifting settled a transgender discrimination lawsuit with JayCee Cooper, following a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights in sports.
Congress Unveils SECURE and GUARD Privacy Bills, Eyes National Data Standard
House Republicans introduce SECURE and GUARD privacy bills, aiming for a uniform federal standard—impacting compliance strategies for companies nationwide.
Federal Circuit Clarifies Patent Eligibility for Telecom Non-Uniform Constellation Tech
Federal Circuit's mixed ruling in Constellation Designs v. LG Electronics refines patent eligibility standards for non-uniform constellation technology in telecom IP litigation.
King & Spalding Prioritizes AI Training Amid Client Pressures
Law firm leaders at King & Spalding roll out attorney training to reduce AI mistakes as client demand for responsible AI use and efficiency grows across the legal industry.
Judge Reprimands Ex-DOJ Attorney Over AI-Generated Brief
A federal judge has reprimanded an ex-DOJ attorney for submitting an AI-generated legal brief with bogus citations, highlighting ethical and compliance risks of AI in the legal field.
California Coastal Commission Settles Retaliation Suit with SpaceX
SpaceX and the California Coastal Commission have settled a lawsuit over rocket launch approvals, spotlighting regulatory impartiality issues for aerospace companies.
Second Circuit nixes NBCUniversal VPPA pixel lawsuit
The Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a VPPA tracking pixel class action against NBCUniversal, joining prior rulings that limit media companies' privacy litigation exposure.
DOJ Brief Challenged for Partisan Tone in $400M White House Ballroom Case
DOJ's April 27, 2026 brief seeking to dissolve White House ballroom injunction faces criticism for partisan rhetoric, raising concerns about legal professionalism and litigation standards.
Virginia Bans Sale of Precise Geolocation Data Under New Privacy Law
Virginia becomes the third state to ban the sale of precise geolocation data with SB338, expanding the VCDPA. The move impacts compliance for businesses and privacy counsel.
DOJ Sues Cloudera for Alleged Discriminatory PERM Practices
The DOJ has sued Cloudera, alleging it blocked U.S. workers from tech jobs under the PERM program, raising compliance risks for tech companies.
D.C. Circuit Revives Pentagon Journalist Escort Rule During Appeal
A D.C. Circuit panel reinstates the Pentagon’s journalist escort policy amid appeal, raising stakes for legal counsel managing media access and compliance.
EU EmpCo Rules Set Tougher Standard for Green Claims and Packaging
The EU Empowering Consumers Directive tightens rules for environmental claims and packaging, raising compliance stakes for legal and IP teams in Europe.
Ken Abraham’s SSRN Essay: Tort Law’s Role in Shaping Regulation
Ken Abraham’s new SSRN essay explores how tort law and regulation interact, offering actionable insights for legal professionals on liability and regulatory strategy.
Tennessee Bans AI From Impersonating Mental Health Professionals
Tennessee enacts a first-of-its-kind law banning AI from presenting as mental health professionals, effective July 2026, setting a legal precedent for AI use in sensitive sectors.
Supreme Court Debates SEC Disgorgement Standards in Sripetch Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the SEC must prove investor harm to reclaim profits in securities enforcement, with potential impact on future SEC actions.
IRS 280E Loophole Closes for Medical Marijuana After Schedule Shift
A single sentence in tax code—Section 280E—had outsized impact on cannabis taxation. Marijuana’s rescheduling removes its bite, potentially saving the industry $2.3B annually.