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Public Policy
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									October 30, 2025
									
Comey Wins Bid For Judge Oversight In Privilege Dispute
A Virginia federal judge has appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Fitzpatrick to preside over the privilege review of seized materials in the U.S. Department of Justice's case against former FBI Director James Comey, denying the DOJ's proposal for an outside "filter team" of government attorneys to conduct the review themselves.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Judge Unpauses 'Important' Suit Over Vax Guidelines
A Massachusetts federal judge agreed Thursday to lift a government shutdown-related stay of litigation challenging new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, calling the case a "matter of national importance" that warrants keeping the case moving over the U.S. Department of Justice's objection.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Tribal Business Owner Says Tariffs Violate 1855 Yakama Treaty
A Yakama Indian tribe member is asking an Oregon federal court to block a series of tariffs issued by President Donald Trump, arguing that the orders violate a 19th century treaty that gives her the right to free trade.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Green Groups Can't Intervene In Feds' NY Superfund Suit
A New York federal judge won't let environmental groups intervene in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's suit challenging a New York state Superfund law, saying the addition of five defendants would overcomplicate the litigation.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Ill. Bill Seeks Credit For Small-Biz Property Tax Payments
Illinois would allow eligible small businesses to claim an income tax credit for a portion of their property tax payments under a bill introduced in the state House of Representatives.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Wash. Justices Reinstate $185M Monsanto PCB Verdict
The Washington State Supreme Court has restored a $185 million jury verdict against Monsanto in the first of a series of chemical poisoning trials tied to a Washington state school site, finding a lower appellate court misapplied choice-of-law principles when overturning the win for three school teachers.
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									October 30, 2025
									
Pa. Justice Dougherty Took On Abortion, Gun Rights, Voting
As he faces a vote on Election Day over whether he should be retained for a second 10-year term on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Justice Kevin Dougherty is leaning on a record that includes key opinions over voting rights, abortion, gun control, and immunity for public officials.
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									October 29, 2025
									
FDIC's Hill To Cite Reform Focus, Experience At Senate Vetting
Acting Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Travis Hill plans to kick off his Thursday pitch for U.S. Senate confirmation by stressing priorities that have included sharpening the agency's focus on "material financial risks" and strengthening its readiness to handle major bank failures.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Bank Groups Press 5th Circ. To Rehear OCC In-House Case
Banking industry groups have urged the Fifth Circuit to revisit a panel decision allowing federal regulators to try banking enforcement cases in-house, arguing the ruling was wrong and risks stripping thousands of banks and millions of bankers of their right to a jury trial.
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									October 29, 2025
									
DOE's Data Center Proposal May Spark Grid Policy Turf War
The Trump administration's push to convince the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to enable the connection of data centers to the interstate transmission system may ignite a legal turf war with states over their authority to regulate retail electricity sales.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Character.AI Will Ban Underage Users From Using Chatbot
Amid multiple lawsuits over the suicides of at least four teenagers, Character.AI announced Wednesday that it is taking "extraordinary steps" to restrict minors' access to its flagship artificial intelligence chatbot.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Ill. Dem Candidate, Others Indicted Over Blocking ICE Vehicle
Federal prosecutors have hit a Democratic congressional candidate and five others with an indictment in Illinois federal court, alleging they violated federal laws by blocking a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent's vehicle during a September protest outside an ICE facility in suburban Chicago.
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									October 29, 2025
									
5th Circ. Backs Texas County's Redistricting Plan
The Fifth Circuit on Wednesday refused to block a redistricting plan in Texas that a group of voters alleges disenfranchises minority voters, ruling in a published opinion that the voters failed to show any intentional race discrimination by the Lone Star State's Tarrant County.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Ex-Chicago Alderman's Aide Pleads Guilty In Bribery Case
The chief of staff to former Chicago City council member Carrie Austin admitted Wednesday he misappropriated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds in a criminal case that also accused him and Austin of accepting benefits from contractors seeking city assistance for a development project in her ward.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Portland National Guard Deployment Bench Trial Begins In Ore.
President Donald Trump overstepped the constitutional bounds of his power when he ordered National Guard members to Portland to address a "manufactured crisis," the Pacific Northwest city told an Oregon federal judge on Wednesday at the start of a bench trial to determine whether the deployment passes legal muster.
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									October 29, 2025
									
BP Unit Sued Over Wash. Refinery's 'Noxious Odor' Emissions
BP Products North America was hit with a proposed negligence class action in Washington federal court on Tuesday, alleging it emitted noxious odors from its oil refinery that damaged nearby properties, forcing some residents to retreat to Airbnb homes for temporary relief from the foul smells.
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									October 29, 2025
									
'NJWeedman' Asks To Add State To Suit Over City Hall Protest
A Garden State cannabis advocate known as "NJWeedman" is asking a federal court to allow him to add the state of New Jersey and its Cannabis Regulatory Commission as defendants in his existing First Amendment lawsuits against the city of Trenton, which he says retaliated against him after he projected a "Batman-like" protest message on City Hall.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Squires To Issue Brief 'Up Or Down' Calls On Patent Reviews
When U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires begins issuing decisions on whether to institute America Invents Act reviews of patents, he will not provide any details of his reasoning in most cases, USPTO officials said Wednesday.
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									October 29, 2025
									
5th Circ. Backs FERC's Approval Of Pacific NW Pipeline
The Fifth Circuit has affirmed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of a TC Energy Corp. natural gas pipeline, rejecting states' claims that FERC didn't fully consider costs to consumers and green groups' claims that an environmental review was inadequate.
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									October 29, 2025
									
sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½'s Biden-Era Open Banking Rule Put On Hold
A Kentucky federal judge on Wednesday barred the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from enforcing its open banking rule until the regulator completes its reconsideration of the controversial data-sharing mandate.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Lockheed Investing $50M In Lethal, Unmanned Sea Vehicles
Lockheed Martin said it's investing $50 million into California-based maritime drone company Saildrone for a collaboration aimed at delivering armed, unmanned surface vehicles for the U.S. Navy.
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									October 29, 2025
									
DOJ Says State AGs Can't 'Second-Guess' HPE Merger Deal
The U.S. Department of Justice and Hewlett Packard Enterprise separately urged a California federal judge Tuesday not to let a dozen state attorneys general peek behind the controversial settlement clearing HPE's $14 billion purchase of Juniper Networks, arguing public comment, not direct intervention, is their appropriate role.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Dallas Mavericks Sue To Eject Dallas Stars From Arena
The NBA's Dallas Mavericks launched a suit in the Texas Business Court aimed at wresting control of the American Airlines Center away from the NHL's Dallas Stars, saying the Stars forfeited their right to co-lease the stadium when they moved their headquarters.
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									October 29, 2025
									
Climate Change Heat Death Suit Returns To Wash. State Court
A Washington federal judge on Tuesday sided with the Seattle-area family of a woman who died during a 2021 heat wave, sending their first-of-its-kind wrongful death suit against oil and gas giants like Exxon back to state court.
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									October 29, 2025
									
NYC Sued Over 'Voyeuristic' Police Surveillance System
A Brooklyn couple has filed a federal lawsuit alleging New York City uses a "voyeuristic" police surveillance system on all visitors and residents, which includes two police cameras that are aimed at the couple's bedroom and living room windows.
 
Expert Analysis
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Colo. Law Brings Some Equilibrium To Condo Defect Reform
									Colorado's American Dream Act, effective next year, does not eliminate litigation risk for developers entirely, but it does introduce a process, some predictability and a more holistic means for parties to resolve condominium construction defect claims, and may improve the state's housing shortage, says Bob Burton at Winstead.
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A Primer For Lenders On NY's New Mortgage Disclosure Regs
									A recent New York regulation requiring licensed lenders and mortgage bankers to distribute a significant new disclosure pamphlet, essentially a borrower bill of rights, to applicants serves as a reminder to the industry to follow existing best practices, says Scott Samlin at Blank Rome.
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Mass. Ruling May Pave New Avenue To Target Subpoenas
									A Massachusetts federal court’s recent decision to quash a subpoena seeking information on gender-affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital is a significant departure from courts' deferential approach to subpoena enforcement, and may open a new pathway for practitioners challenging investigative tools in the future, say attorneys at Gibson Dunn.
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How Trump Admin. Is Shifting Biden's Antitrust Merger Enforcement
									Antitrust enforcement trends under the Trump administration have included a moderation in the agencies' approach to merger enforcement as compared to enforcers compared to the prior administration, but dealmakers should still expect aggressive enforcement when the agencies believe consumers will be harmed and they expect to win in court, say attorneys at Rule Garza.
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Why Justices Seem Inclined To Curtail Del. Affidavit Statute
									After recent oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in Berk v. Choy — asking whether Delaware's affidavit-of-merit statute applies in federal diversity actions, or whether the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure displace the state requirement — it appears the court is poised to simplify the standard approach, says Eric Weitz of The Weitz Law Firm.
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How Financial Cos. Can Prep As NYDFS Cyber Changes Loom
									Financial institutions supervised by the New York State Department of Financial Services can prepare for two critical cybersecurity requirements relating to multifactor authentication and asset inventories, effective Nov. 1, by conducting gap analyses and allocating resources to high-risk assets, among other steps, say attorneys at Pillsbury.
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Shutdown May Stall Hearings, But Gov't Probes Quietly Go On
									Thanks to staff assurances under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, the core work of congressional investigations continues during the shutdown that began Oct. 1 — and so does the investigative work that is performed behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.
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Opinion
Ending Quarterly Reporting Would Erode Investor Protection
									President Donald Trump recently called for an end to the long-standing practice of corporate quarterly reporting, but doing so would reduce transparency, create information asymmetries, provide more opportunities for corporate fraud and risk increased stock price volatility, while not meaningfully increasing long-term investments, say attorneys at Bleichmar Fonti.
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Series
Adapting To Private Practice: 3 Tips On Finding The Right Job
									After 23 years as a state and federal prosecutor, when I contemplated moving to a law firm, practicing solo or going in-house, I found there's a critical first step — deep self-reflection on what you truly want to do and where your strengths lie, says Rachael Jones at McKool Smith.
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Strategies For Defending Banks In Elder Abuse Cases
									Several recent cases demonstrate that banks have plenty of tools to defend against claims they were complicit in financial abuse of older adults, but financial institutions should also continue to educate customers about third-party scams before they happen, say attorneys at Troutman.
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AG Watch: Va. Race Spotlights Consumer Protection Priorities
									Ahead of the state's attorney general election, Virginia companies should assess how either candidate's approach could affect their compliance posture, with incumbent Jason Miyares promising a business-friendly atmosphere that prioritizes public safety and challenger Jay Jones pledging to focus on economic justice and corporate accountability, says Chuck Slemp at Cozen O’Connor.
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Preparing For What DOD Cybersecurity Audits May Uncover
									Defense contractors seeking certification under the U.S. Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program that begins implementation on Nov. 10 may discover previously unknown violations, but there are steps they can take to address any issues before they come to the attention of enforcement authorities, say attorneys at Troutman.
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A Look At Project Crypto's Plans For Digital Asset Regulation
									U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins' recent announcement of Project Crypto, an agencywide initiative to modernize federal securities regulations, signals a significant shift toward a more flexible regulatory framework that would shape the future of the U.S. digital asset market, say attorneys at WilmerHale.
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Breaking Down The Intersection Of Right-Of-Publicity Law, AI
									Jillian Taylor at Blank Rome examines how existing right-of-publicity law governs artificial intelligence-generated voice-overs, deepfakes and deadbots; highlights a recent New York federal court ruling involving AI-generated voice clones; and offers practical guardrails for using AI without violating the right of publicity.
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Civil Maritime Nuclear Sector Poised For Growth, Challenges
									The maritime industry now stands on the verge of a nuclear-powered renaissance, with the need for clean energy, resilient power generation and decarbonized logistics driving demand for commercial maritime nuclear technology — but these developments will raise significant new legal, regulatory and technical questions, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.