Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stark warning on Tuesday about rising threats to the judiciary’s independence. He highlighted increasing violence, intimidation, and troubling rhetoric from elected officials, which he argued jeopardize the rule of law. Growing Threats to Judges and the Judiciary Roberts revealed a sharp increase in violent threats and online…
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings in Lubbock, Texas, struck down a Biden administration rule aimed at expanding mandatory overtime pay to 4 million salaried workers. This decision mirrors a similar ruling by U.S. District Judge Sean Jordan in Sherman, Texas, who permanently blocked the rule in November. Both judges, appointed by Republican presidents,…
For the first time in over two years, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will resume hearing cases, this time as a visiting judge on the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. The court’s recently released calendar confirmed that Breyer, now 86, will join three-judge panels to preside over appeals from New England…
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, revolutionized the federal judiciary during his single term by appointing an unprecedented number of women and people of color to the bench. Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, reshaped a judiciary historically dominated by white men, leaving an enduring legacy of…
The new year is set to bring a wave of significant law firm mergers across the United States, driving further consolidation in the legal industry. These strategic combinations reflect shifting client demands, market pressures, and a push for broader capabilities. High-Profile U.S. Mergers On January 1, several major law firm mergers will take effect, creating…
After President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is poised to quickly undo several key labor policies of the Biden administration. Trump’s appointees are expected to target regulations on independent contractors, overtime pay, immigrant labor, and workplace safety, potentially reshaping labor practices across various industries. Repealing Independent Contractor Rule One of…
Two Democratic lawmakers in Congress, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Hank Johnson, are pushing for more transparency in the U.S. judiciary’s rules on disclosing travel-related gifts. They have raised concerns about the recently implemented financial disclosure policy, which they believe falls short in addressing past omissions. Lawmakers Question Limited Scope of New Policy In a…
The upcoming year promises pivotal developments in copyright lawsuits that may reshape the business landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). Authors, news outlets, visual artists, musicians, and other copyright owners have filed lawsuits against major tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta Platforms, accusing them of using copyrighted materials without permission or payment to train AI…
In a significant legal development, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has halted enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which requires companies to disclose their real beneficial owners to the U.S. Treasury Department. This decision comes ahead of the initial January 13 deadline for compliance, creating uncertainty for businesses nationwide. Appeals…
New York State will impose $75 billion in fines on fossil fuel companies over the next 25 years to fund climate damage mitigation. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the landmark bill into law on Thursday, marking a significant step in holding oil, gas, and coal companies accountable for their role in climate change. Law Targets Polluters…