National Law Journal

EEOC Seeks Faster Process for Federal Worker Bias Claims, Critics Fear Fewer Protections

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:06:05 EST

The proposal would remove the ability of federal employees to request administrative hearings within the EEOC, forcing many claims into federal court.

Fed Governor Lisa Cook Responds to White House Demand

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:41:30 EST

"Governor Cook's actions demonstrate that there was no intentional misconduct and zero intent to defraud or mislead," the Federal Reserve official's lawyer wrote in response to a White House inquiry. "Contrary to the Letter's assertion, no jury would find otherwise."

As Litigation Practices Boom, MoloLamken Refines Law Student Boot Camp

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:35:20 EST

In its third year of operation, the boutique's Advocacy Academy focused on more manageable problems as well as feedback aimed at areas of improvement.

X Loses Free Speech Challenge to New York's Content Moderation Law

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:28:53 EST

U.S. District Judge John Cronan upheld a New York law forcing big social media companies to disclose their content moderation policies, saying the law only requires the disclosure of "purely factual and uncontroversial information."

With Eyes on SCOTUS' Emergency Docket, Appellate Equivalents Get Little Attention

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:10:56 EST

While the U.S. Supreme Court's interim or emergency docket has drawn outsized attention in the last decade, bids for stays pending appeal and other emergency relief requests make up a large share of work at the federal appeals courts too—albeit marked by far less scholarly attention and criticism.

EPA Set to Speed Up Environmental Reviews Following New Law, Court Decision

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:21:31 EST

The new rule would tighten the definition of “extraordinary circumstances to make it harder for opponents to challenge projects, and would make it easier for the EPA to rely on other agencies' determinations that a project falls under a categorical exclusion.

In Latest Slate of AI Partnerships, Law Firms Claim Benefits of Early Access and Collaboration

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:56:14 EST

Rather than keeping co-developed technology exclusive, firms are helping vendors develop tools that competitors will be able to purchase.

McDermott Shutters DC-Based Healthcare Consulting Business

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:07:12 EST

The closure comes after McDermott+ had been exploring a linkup with a similar company owned by private equity, according to a person familiar with the matter.

KKR Says Outside Law Firms Will 'Fully Reimburse' Its $250M DOJ Penalty

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:54:20 EST

Advising KKR in the investigation were Quinn Emanuel and Cleary Gottlieb.

Simpson and Milbank's Chicago Entrance 'Part of a Larger Pattern' in Big Law

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:34:29 EST

Especially with the latest entry of New York firms, Chicago may be “too big to not pay attention to, some legal industry observers say. Others say the moves are "part of a larger pattern" of growth across Big Law.

Former McGuireWoods Deputy MP Reveals $7.7M Partnership Share

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:51:56 EST

The figure was disclosed as part of Todd Steggerda's nomination to serve as U.S. ambassador and permanent representative of the U.S. to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

Meta's $17B Settlement: 'Momentous Step Forward,' but Concerns Arise About Amount, Privacy

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:28:31 EST

Meta's settlement, announced on Wednesday, is with 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington D.C., but legal experts and observers flagged initial concerns about age verification and releases in the deal.

Richard Hays' Leadership Turned Alston & Bird Into 'A True National Powerhouse'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:12:10 EST

Hays will end a 19-year run as managing partner in January 2027. During his tenure, the firm expanded nationally and into Europe, and its profitability metrics eclipsed peer firms.

'Kafkaesque Nightmare': Sotomayor and Kagan Don't Join Jackson's Blistering Emergency Docket Critique

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:57:19 EST

The majority "does a disservice to all concerned by distorting Article III standing and ripeness principles to issue a ruling that contributes to preelection chaos instead of quashing it, and by using its equitable authority to facilitate a patently inequitable result," Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her solo dissent.

SpaceX Took a Risk on Mandatory Arbitration, Other IPOs Staying Away

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:27:21 EST

Last September an SEC policy reversal cleared the path for IPOs with mandatory arbitration provisions. Nearly a year later, just one large company has taken advantage of the move: SpaceX, the largest IPO in history.

Denied: Court Rejects LaMonica McIver's Challenge to Federal Charges

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:25:14 EST

The appeals court said the Speech and Debate Clause immunizes legislative fact finding but does not provide a blanket protection over all things in any way related to the legislative process.

Meta Endorses $17B Deal to End Child Safety Suit Against Instagram, Facebook

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:07:38 EST

The settlement, announced one week into a federal trial underway in Oakland, California, resolves claims by 51 states and territories that the social media giant designed addictive features, knew it exposed young users to mental harms and intentionally misled the public about the risk of its platforms.

Getting Yelled at by Supreme Court Justice Scalia Made Me a Better Lawyer

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:59:59 EST

Scalia looked down at his feet, then up, with furrowed brow. He became flushed, then said, “You know, something is really bothering me about this group. When I walked in, you were sitting like bumps on a log. You didn't rise to meet an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. In my day, when a woman entered the room, I automatically stood up. I just don't know what's the matter with your generation.

These Am Law Firms Lead the Way on AFAs. Here's How AI and Data Collection Are Pushing More to Explore

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:20:28 EST

Several big firms are significantly above the Am Law 200 average of 16-17% of revenue coming from alternative fee arrangements, according to Law.com survey data.

$29M Verdict: With No 'Pizzazz,' Miami Lawyers Defeat Boeing

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:55:50 EST

"You're dealing with a sterile case," plaintiff counsel said, but the verdict marks one of the only public payouts Boeing has faced since admitting liability in a pair of 737 MAX jet crashes that killed 346 people.

Post-'Chevron' Pivot: 4th Circuit Sets Aside Immigration Board's Vacated Convictions Rule

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:28:41 EST

“For decades, Chevron deference restricted courts from exercising their duty to say what the law is,'" the appellate court said. "Newly freed from that restraint, courts now exercise their independent judgment about the best meaning of statutes."

Judge Rejects Ghislaine Maxwell's 'Frivolous' Bid to Vacate Conviction

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:16:29 EST

Manhattan U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's pro se effort to overturn her sex trafficking conviction and 20-year prison sentence, finding that newly released materials did not support her arguments.

ABA Says Trump Admin Must Disclose Advisers Involved in Drafting Law Firm EOs

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:19:00 EST

As part of its suit against the Trump administration over its alleged law firm intimidation policy, the ABA says presidential communications privilege does not shield the Trump administration from disclosing the names of Trump advisers who were involved in drafting EOs against law firms.

Cleary, Weil, Freshfields and Williams & Connolly Among Those in on Google's Gemini Enterprise for Legal Launch

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:23:56 EST

With Gemini Enterprise for Legal, Google joins a slew of other Big Tech companies building specialized tools for legal industry professionals.

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Preserve His Asylum Shutdown

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:36:10 EST

"The D.C. Circuit should not have the last judicial word on this cornerstone of the president's immigration policy," the Trump administration wrote in its high court petition.

How Big Law Firms Are Quietly Paying Associates Different Salaries

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:21:13 EST

Lockstep associate pay is less in vogue, as some big firms offer customized bonuses, sign-on incentives for laterals, and forgivable loans.

Supreme Court Says Trump May Implement Mail Ballot Overhaul

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:32:29 EST

"[T[he injunction meddles in 'the workings of ' the executive branch, preventing it from even trying to lawfully implement the order," the court said in a per curiam decision.

Announcing The D.C. Legal Awards 2026 Finalists and Honorees

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:58:30 EST

The National Law Journal and Law.com announce the shortlist for this year's legal awards.

Big Law's Summer C-Suite Hiring Focuses on New Skills for Changing Legal Market

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:43:31 EST

Firms such as Simpson Thacher, Paul Hastings, Vinson & Elkins and Mayer Brown have all added new c-suite and directors this summer, amid the need to navigate more attorney lateral movement and to spearhead technology.

FTC Settles with Zillow and Redfin on Eve of Trial

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:29:49 EST

The FTC sued Zillow and Redfin last year over claims their $100 million agreement violated the Sherman and Clayton Acts by eliminating Redfin as a competitor in the ILS market. The commission alleged the agreement increased costs for property managers and reduced the quality of tools used by renters to locate properties.

No Immunity for Judge Who Allegedly Detained Teen During Field Trip, 6th Circuit Says

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:51:59 EST

“[N]ot all actions taken by a judge in his courtroom are protected by judicial immunity, the appellate court stated. “All reasonable jurists would presumably agree, for example, that a judge cannot shield himself from suit if he draws a firearm and shoots an observer who has dozed off in his courtroom. Or if he sexually assaults a litigant.

Lawsuits Over Army Corps Permitting Highlight Uncertainty for Projects

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:51:31 EST

Three lawsuits, picked up by Law.com Radar, come as the Trump administration has vowed to cut red tape for projects. Two of them target a planned road in Alaska, while one takes aim at a broad permit relied on by oil and gas pipeline developers nationwide.

DOJ Reaches $400M Settlement With TikTok in Children's Privacy Claims

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:07:45 EST

The U.S. Department of Justice called the settlement "one of the largest recoveries ever obtained" in a case alleging violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

Paul Weiss Taps Goodwin Partner to Head Supreme Court Practice

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:59:59 EST

“Willy is a standout appellate advocate and one of the most respected lawyers in the appellate bar, Paul Weiss chairman Scott Barshay said.

'Very Pared Down': SEC Exemptions for Crypto a Boon for the Industry, Lawyers Say

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:05:57 EST

The SEC's first formal crypto rule would give companies easier ways to raise money while creating a path for some tokens to eventually exit securities regulation.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Disqualification of Northern District NY Prosecutor John Sarcone

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:03:42 EST

A divided federal appeals panel says Sarcone was not lawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney when he obtained subpoenas targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James' office; DOJ plans U.S. Supreme Court appeal.

Veteran San Diego Prosecutor Found Dead in Federal Office Building

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:49:43 EST

Andrew Haden, an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law and the former chair of the Stanford Alumni Association Board of Directors, served two stints as acting U.S. attorney in California's Southern District,

Comedians Eric André and Clayton English Settle Lawsuit Over Drug Search Program at Atlanta Airport

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:10:49 EST

It's a major victory that Clayton County has confirmed that it has ended this program and is now taking steps to prevent this type of abuse from happening in the future, André said in a press release.

‘Asking for a Do-Over': 1st Circuit Says Amex Waived Arbitration in ‘Swipe Fee' Case

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:42:18 EST

American Express' "refusal to pay the filing fees set by the arbitrator resulted in the foreseeable (and forewarned) outcome of closure of those arbitrations,” the appellate court held.

Price Fixing, Properly Understood: Lessons From the Cattle Bid-Rigging Case

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:59:59 EST

Antitrust commentary is often preoccupied with hard, contestable line-drawing exercises. The U.S. Department of Justice's newest guilty plea in the bovine artificial insemination industry is a useful reminder that not every antitrust case is like that. Some conduct is just obvious price fixing.

ABA Law School Accreditation Under Attack by Trump Administration

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:41:10 EST

"After reviewing ABA's accreditation standards, department staff found the accreditor out of compliance with the agency's accreditation regulations and recognition standards," said an Education Department spokesperson.

Proposed Food Additive Reporting Would Upend Decades of Voluntary Disclosure

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:59:32 EST

The proposed rule, unveiled this month, aims to make good on the Health and Human Services secretary's promise to close what he described as a “loophole that allowed companies to add substances to food they determined were GRAS without the FDA's knowledge.

As First Federal Formula Trial Begins Against Mead Johnson, Abbott Announces $670M Settlement

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:12:46 EST

Abbott, on Thursday, announced a settlement that resolves 2,000 infants in cases brought by three plaintiffs' firms: Chicago's TorHoerman; Holland Law Firm in St. Louis; and Stranch, Jennings & Garvey in Nashville, Tennessee.

Judge Bibas on Opinion Writing: Skip the '$5 Words,' Read More Fiction

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:44:59 EST

"A lot of [lawyers] have stopped reading enough good fiction and journalism, and need to unlearn the habits of using fancy Latinate legalisms. Why do we say ‘forthwith' rather than ‘at once'? Why do we talk about the perpetrator exiting the vehicle and being apprehended, like we are cops trying to sound important?"

Smoother Path to Partnership, Less Onerous Hours. How Firms That Don't Match Milbank are Competing for Talent

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:59:59 EST

"The vast majority of law school graduates aren't going to go into one of those firms so there has to be a different deal," said Lisa Smith of Fairfax Associates

Amid a Rise in Personal Injury Filings, Florida's 2 Largest Trial Firms Are Staffing Up

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:50:36 EST

South Florida's three circuit court systems have seen growing negligence dockets since a 2023 tort reform. This increase has been accompanied by rising head counts at the state's largest plaintiffs firm and its largest insurance defense firm.

128 Ex-Judges Say This General Counsel Is Exposing Jurists to Violence

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:20:13 EST

The complaint centers a post by the high-profile lawyer who purports to name the "worst of the worst" federal judges, and who continues to critize jurists.

Trump Nominates Florida Judge to Federal Bench

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:52:35 EST

If confirmed, Robert "Bobby" E. Long Jr. would be the ninth judge President Donald Trump has named to that federal bench.

New Market for Compounded Peptides Comes With Opportunity and Risk

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:25:24 EST

Attorneys say that, despite the objection of FDA staff, the recommendations' political support suggests that they will likely be adopted.

Federal Judge Orders Discovery Into Potential TCPA Fraud: 'Don't Take Me For an Idiot Up Here'

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:39:32 EST

At a Wednesday hearing, Oregon Chief U.S. District Judge Michael McShane told Andrew Perrong, the lawyer for Chet Wilson, a plaintiff in 14 class actions alleging TCPA violations, "I'm quite frankly concerned about whether criminal fraud is taking place."

'No One Wants to Go First': The Waiting Game in Big Law

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:59:59 EST

Many Big Law firms have explored PE investment, weighing the pros and cons of creating a managed service organization for back-office work. What will it take for one to pull the trigger?

Tom Goldstein Asks 4th Circuit for Release From Prison During Tax Crime Appeal

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:35:33 EST

The appellate attorney and SCOTUSblog founder says, through counsel, that erroneous jury instructions amounted to a violation of his due process rights and that imprisonment during appeal "would effectuate a grave injustice."

DOJ Says Dismissed Sanctuary City Suit Has No Bearing on New York Case

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:07:29 EST

Federal prosecutors argue a New Jersey judge's dismissal of a challenge to Newark's immigration cooperation policies turned on state-specific restrictions that are absent in New York.

DLA Piper Adds Ex-Federal Prosecutor From Freshfields in DC as Clients Face Rising Global Compliance Challenges

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:14:59 EST

Eric Bruce—a former counselor to the U.S. attorney general—joins the firm at a critical juncture, as companies are increasingly facing compliance and risk management challenges including new Foreign Terrorist Organization designations and related sanctions and enforcement developments.

Chipping Away at Big Law's Market Share

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:59:59 EST

Without pursuing bet-the-company work, Blackstone-backed Norm Law is targeting a significant portion of Big Law's diet.

Moore & Van Allen Expands to D.C. With Seyfarth Shaw National Security Specialist

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:59:59 EST

"Our strategic plan ... really has called for expansion beyond the Carolinas. D.C. is the next logical step for us," said Thomas Mitchell of Moore & Van Allen.

Oregon Judge Set to Decide Future of 14 TCPA Class Actions Amid Fraud Accusations

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 20:35:14 EST

The 14 class actions are all filed by a plaintiff who isn't a suitable class representative, according to the defense firm Watstein Terepka, because of his use of "violent racist rhetoric" on social media, among many other reasons.

Florida Bar Sued by Morgan & Morgan

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:44:07 EST

Morgan & Morgan's lawsuit alleges that The Florida Bar's rule barring any non-client celebrity's image or voice in firm marketing is the most restrictive in the nation.

SEC Proposes First Rules to Regulate Crypto Assets, Create Exemptions

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:28:31 EST

The move comes as the Digital Market Clarity Act, a comprehensive market structure bill backed by the crypto industry, has stalled in the Senate.

Steptoe, Greenberg Traurig, O'Melveny Among Big Law Firms Making DC Hires

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:12:58 EST

Big Law firms announced a flurry of hires in their real estate, financial services, white-collar, IP and litigation practices in D.C.

Baker & Hostetler Doubles Down on Digital Assets With New Crypto Disputes Team

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:43:27 EST

The unit is led by seasoned New York-based litigator Joanna Wasick, whose work in digital assets dates to 2014, when she first began advising clients on securities law issues arising from Bitcoin transactions.

4th Circuit Blocks Policy Allowing ICE Arrests at Houses of Worship

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:56:19 EST

“The evidence showed that this increased threat of immigration enforcement at the plaintiffs' houses of worship has resulted in substantial pressure on the plaintiffs to violate numerous beliefs, the appellate court stated.

Wilkinson Stekloff and Clement & Murphy Team Up in ABC Suit Against FCC

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:01:20 EST

The two litigation boutiques filed the lawsuit on Tuesday on behalf of the broadcast network, alleging that the FCC violated its First Amendment rights.

2026 GC Pay Report: Stock Awards Reshape the Ranks of the Highest-Paid Female GCs

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:59:59 EST

A nearly $10 million cash payday wasn't enough to make Goldman Sachs' legal chief the highest-paid woman in this year's Corporate Counsel compensation rankings, underscoring how equity awards have become the defining factor in executive pay packages.

Quinn Emanuel Expects to Reach $3B Revenue Goal, as Leaders Reshape Management Strategy

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:59:59 EST

The firm's co-managing partners shed light on AI and private equity considerations, talent strategy, and ambitious financial targets, as firm founder John Quinn steps into a non-executive role.

As White-Collar Prosecutions Fall, AG Blanche Expected to Follow Trump Status Quo

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 04:59:59 EST

"They've all but abandoned white-collar enforcement to focus on street crime and lawfare; I don't expect that to change," noted one practitioner.