National Law Journal

NYC's Ban on Stun Guns, Tasers Is Upheld by Federal Appeals Court

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:03:38 EST

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit kept alive New York City's decades-old prohibition on Tasers and stun guns, a restriction that has outlasted New York State's ban.

Dechert Deepens Trial Bench by Hiring 3 Litigators From White & Case in D.C.

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:24:07 EST

New arrival Tara Lee formerly served as the national trial practice lead at White & Case. Dechert has now brought on 35 lateral partners so far in 2026.

Intel Shareholder Litigation Removed to Federal Court

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:58:48 EST

April 10 filings from the federal government, which is a defendant in the shareholder action, said the litigation meets all four requirements required to give jurisdiction to a federal court in the Third Circuit.

SEC to Draft Exemption for Bail-In Securities, Atkins Says

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:30:44 EST

A bail-in is a regulatory instrument by which banks close to failure restructure their debt and mandate creditors to take losses. It is the opposite of a bailout, where the costs of saving a bank fall on governments and taxpayers.

Trump Nominates Sullivan & Cromwell Attorney to 2nd Circuit

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:14:12 EST

Matthew Schwartz was part Trump's legal team urging a New York state appellate court to overturn the president's conviction by a Manhattan jury in 2024.

GCs See Merits of Data-Driven Outside Counsel Selection but Also Its Limitations

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:11:40 EST

“Data is really useful and also sometimes not useful at the same time, said Stephen Mar, general counsel of Odeko.

DOJ Argues Certain Sections of Law Firm EOs Could Stand if Some Parts Get Invalidated

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:02:41 EST

"There can be no dispute here that the president wants some of the provisions to take effect even if others are enjoined," the DOJ says.

Confirmation Appears Likely Even Though ABA Rated Ex-Jones Day Associate 'Not Qualified'

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:34:06 EST

"The Committee's rating of Ms. [Kathleen] Lane is based on issues with her experience, which is an important component of competence, not her temperament or integrity," the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary wrote in a letter explaining why the ABA rated Lane "not qualified" to serve as President Donald Trump's pick for a Montana federal judgeship.

Former Skadden, Munger Tolles and MoloLamken Partners Launch Boutique

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:59:59 EST

The new firm, Liu Shur Kravis, will focus on representing businesses, organizations, executives and other individuals in high-stakes disputes, investigations and trials.

When Not on Bench, Justices Jet-Set Around Globe

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:29:17 EST

On this week's podcast edition of Supreme Court Brief, host Jimmy Hoover interviews Gabe Roth of Fix the Court about what a trove of U.S. State Department documents reveal about the justices' international travel activities.

4th Circuit Judges Clash Over SCOTUS Emergency Orders in DOGE Case

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:09:29 EST

"To treat interim orders as binding precedent abandons our long-held jurisprudence of deciding constitutional law through reasoned opinions, not emergency motions made under intense time pressure,” Judge James Wynn wrote.

Arnall Golden Gregory Adds Barnes & Thornburg Tariff, Compliance Experts to Lead International Trade Practice

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:03:04 EST

The Second Hundred firm also promoted four back-office leaders to new C-suite jobs focusing on AI resources, attorney recruiting and retention.

EPA Moves to Ease Coal Ash Regulations for Power Plants

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:27:43 EST

There are 300 regulated coal facilities that contain 775 coal ash surface impoundments and landfills across the country. At least 91% of those coal plants are polluting groundwater above federal safety standards, according to Earthjustice.

‘A Whole Different Universe Now': Judges Perplexed by Law Used for Trump's New Tariffs

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:20:28 EST

At two points in the three-hour hearing, Judge Timothy Stanceu reminded government counsel that he was an attorney, not an economist familiar with the term, “balance-of-payments deficit, an economic phenomenon that must occur for Trump to have lawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a 10% global tariff.

New FTC Task Force Adds to Evidence Agency Is Doubling Down on Health Care

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:07:11 EST

“The real story is that the agency has dismantled the internal wall between competition and consumer protection, which will likely mean that it will be a more coordinated enforcement approach, said Sean McConnell, a partner at Duane Morris.

Florida Attorney Who Was Charlie Kirk's Friend Retained by Widow in Utah Murder Trial

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:33:15 EST

"Charlie Kirk was my client and my friend. When Erika called, there was no question I would be there," Jeff A. Neiman told Law.com. "My only focus now is making sure her voice is heard and her rights are protected through every step of this process."

Trump Taps Former Ohio Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers for 6th Circuit

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:07:25 EST

"Ben successfully challenged dangerous and unlawful Policies of the Biden administration, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “I am confident that Ben will fight for the great people of Ohio, and strongly uphold the rule of law in his new role.

Ropes, Winston, Covington Among Latest to Make DC Partner Hires

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:19:50 EST

The attorneys are joining firms' privacy, white-collar defense, international trade, CFIUS and corporate groups.

Restoring the Gatekeepers: Why Courts Must Stand Firm Against Junk Science

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:59:59 EST

If appellate courts uphold rigorous standards, they will provide much-needed clarity and consistency, reinforcing the principle that legal outcomes should start from sound science. If they do not, there is a risk that some judges may again step back from their important gatekeeping role, swinging the courthouse door open wide to unjustified claims.

Justice Sotomayor Says AI Can Be 'Very Dangerous' But Tells Law Students to Master It

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:22:35 EST

"It has the potential to perpetuate the very best in us and the very worst of us," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said of artificial intelligence during a law school appearance Thursday. "For every student ... do not graduate this institution without learning how to master AI as a tool."

'Difficult Case': 2nd Circuit Weighs Question of 1st Impression in Sean 'Diddy' Combs Appeal

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:49:03 EST

“This is an exceptionally difficult case," said Second Circuit Judge William Nardini. "This is a question of first impression, not only for this court, but apparently for any federal court of appeals in the country.

StubHub to Pay $10 Million to Settle FTC Deceptive-Fee Probe

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:27:14 EST

The agency accused the ticket-resale giant of slow-walking compliance with the FTC's new junk fees rule last summer because it wanted to maximize the boost it received from the NFL's release of the upcoming season's schedule.

Treasury Proposes AML, Sanctions Rules for Stablecoin Issuers

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:54:14 EST

The proposal would define stablecoin issuers as financial institutions subject to Bank Secrecy Act anti-money laundering obligations and require issuers to adopt and maintain an effective sanctions compliance program.

Law School Under Pressure to Allow Chapter of Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:30:45 EST

"Good sense should dictate the correct decision here," Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote in a letter to Barry University School of Law Dean Leticia Diaz.

'Surging in the Shadows': Lawsuit Challenges ICE Arrest Tactics in NY as Unconstitutional

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:27:44 EST

A class action lawsuit filed in Brooklyn claims DHS and ICE conducted secretive, unconstitutional arrest campaigns in New York that disproportionately targeted Latino residents. The suit, which argues the agencies relied on racial profiling and lacked reasonable suspicion or warrants, is the first of its kind in New York State.

After Quick Exit by Last Enforcement Chief, SEC Turns to Deeply Experienced Gibson Dunn Partner

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:31:21 EST

David Woodcock led the agency's Fort Worth office for four years and went on to serve as a partner at two Am Law 50 firms and as an assistant general counsel at Exxon Mobil.

DC Circuit Won't Pause Anthropic's Supply-Chain Risk Label, Fast Tracks Appeal

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:11:36 EST

“On one side is a relatively contained risk of financial harm to a single private company," the D.C. Circuit stated. "On the other side is judicial management of how, and through whom, the Department of War secures vital AI technology during an active military conflict. For that reason, we deny Anthropic's motion for a stay pending review on the merits.

Treasury Proposes AML Overhaul to Ease Burden on Banks

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:25:39 EST

“For too long, Washington has asked financial institutions to measure success by the volume of paperwork rather than their ability to stop illicit finance threats, said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Samsung Takes Lithium Battery Case to Supreme Court

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:42:34 EST

The South Korean electronics giant is urging the Supreme Court to clarify its recent ruling on personal jurisdiction.

Chancellor Approves $190M Settlement, $53M Fee Award in Facebook User Privacy Case

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:48:35 EST

The case, which alleged Meta failed to properly protect Facebook user data that was collected by Cambridge Analytica, was the first in Delaware history to bring a Caremark oversight claim to trial.

Businesses Face More Than a Litigation Risk if They Leave Shareholder Proposals Off the Proxy, Experts Say

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:34:13 EST

Litigation over shareholder proposals hit a high after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced it would temporarily step aside from overseeing the process. But as public companies finalize their proxy materials, attorneys who represent investors are warning that executives are risking more than a lawsuit if they leave shareholder proposals off the final ballot.

The Growing Risk of Risk Factor Disclosures

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:59:59 EST

Companies are best positioned to identify the principal challenges their businesses may face, and investors benefit from candid and informed risk disclosures that reflect that judgment. Companies should not be required to bear a litigation penalty for providing investors with this valuable information.

Venue Spat: 5th Circuit Sides With Google in Moving Antitrust Case to California

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:04:48 EST

Judge James Ho, joined by Judge Catharina Haynes, wrote that the speed consideration should not have single-handedly overridden factors supporting transfer, such as Google's contention that most witnesses and physical evidence are in California.

Ex-Troutman Pepper Associate Agrees to Settle Discrimination Claims With Firm

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:53:11 EST

Former associate Gita Sankano sued Troutman Pepper in January 2024, accusing the firm of firing her after she flagged racist behavior by several partners.

Virginia High Court Opinion Ends Delta Air Lines' Immunity Defense in $10M Lawsuit

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:07:45 EST

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is expected to revive a plaintiff's lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in damages from defendant Delta Air Lines after the Virginia Supreme Court provided the Fourth Circuit with newly binding guidance regarding a Virginia state law immunizing some good-faith complaints of child abuse not applicable to the facts in the Delta case.

Trump's EEOC Applying Its Enforcement Powers in Unconventional Ways

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:07:10 EST

The agency has brought a blitz of religious-discrimination cases, and it's investigating allegations that Nike systematically discriminated against white employees.

Spencer Fane to Merge With Southwest Law Firm, As Part of Broader Talent Strategy

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:59:59 EST

Pat Whalen said this merger, and the combinations his firm has done previously, are a result of what's going on across the industry: clients and talent looking for larger firms that can handle a higher volume of increasingly complex work across more locations.

SEC Scales Back Market Surveillance Tool, Raises Oversight Concerns

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:18:18 EST

The Consolidated Audit Trail is a database that tracks all activity in U.S. equity and options markets. Firms say the size and breadth of the data the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission collected has led to very high costs—about $250 million annually for broker-dealers.

'Witness Tampering'?: Live Nation Demands Sanctions Against State Plaintiffs in Jury Trial

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:24:07 EST

"This blatant attempt to dissuade a witness from providing truthful testimony through intimidation is intolerable," counsel for defendants Live Nation and Ticketmaster alleged in a motion requesting sanctions against state plaintiffs after a Live Nation fact witness testified at the antitrust jury trial in Manhattan federal court.

Consumers Angle for Bite Out of Companies' Tariff Refunds

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:43:39 EST

“Any time you see a pot of money that big, plaintiffs' lawyers get very interested, said J. Matthew Goodin, a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke.

Epstein Survivor's Attorney Breaks Silence at Last: 'It Was Honestly Too Emotional for Me'

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:41:24 EST

Brittany Henderson's representation of Epstein survivors highlights evolving civil liability and strategy, while revealing the profession's emotional toll.

8th Circuit Judge Ralph Erickson to Take Senior Status

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:44:33 EST

President Donald Trump elevated Erickson in 2017 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from a federal trial court in North Dakota.

Encrypted GC Survey Offers Rare Window Into How Trump EOs Have Warped Outside Counsel Selection

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:09:28 EST

"The government says the harms are speculative because the orders haven't been fully enforced, but our members didn't need enforcement to change their behavior, because the risk alone was enough, and that's the key issue here," said 10x Genomics chief legal officer Eric Whitaker, one of the founders of General Counsels United.

Yale Falls From First, UC Berkeley Drops Out of T14 in US News Law School Rankings

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:45:24 EST

This year's law school rankings saw a handful of notable changes, drawing criticism from some industry observers.

Live Nation Calls Expert Witness in Antitrust Trial a Liar, Asks Judge to Strike Testimony

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:46:56 EST

State attorneys general defended their witness, economist Rosa Abrantes-Metz, and said that if her trial testimony was ambiguous, confusing or misleading it was because Live Nation's attorneys asked her unclear questions.

3rd Circuit Breaks New Ground in Shielding Kalshi Sports Contracts From NJ Gambling Laws

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:14:01 EST

"Because Kalshi's sports-related event contracts are traded on a [Commodity Futures Trading Commission-licensed designated contract market] and depend on event outcomes associated with economic consequences, they fit within the [Commodity Exchange] Act's definition of 'swaps' subject to the CFTC's jurisdiction,” the appeals court held in its 2-1 decision.

Justices to Consider Opening Courthouse Doors for Veteran Disability Claims

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:41:00 EST

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a case over whether veterans can go to federal district court to challenge the constitutionality of disability benefit laws.

Supreme Court Grants DOJ Request to Throw Out Ruling Against Steve Bannon

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:10:44 EST

President Donald Trump's top Supreme Court lawyer, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer, had told the justices that the dismissal of Bannon's criminal case is "in the interests of justice."

'Figuring Out How to Deal With This': How Are Courts Grappling With Disciplining AI Hallucinations?

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:42:56 EST

Some judges have issued sharp reprimands, while others are still weighing how to balance accountability with evolving technology and modern practice.

Read the Doc: 800-Member GC Group Supports Law Firms Hit by EOs

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:39:04 EST

General Counsels United, which formed last year in revolt against President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting Big Law firms, wrote in an amicus brief Friday that the orders have had a chilling effect on what members of the legal community say and do and have created an "ethical and legal minefield for general counsels."

Arguing Class Actions: Time as Leverage—How Duration Risk Is Reshaping Big Ticket Litigation

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:59:59 EST

Arguing Class Actions is a monthly column for the National Law Journal.