Litigation
Major court decisions, class actions, landmark rulings, and significant procedural developments
Judge Blocks California Blackjack Ban, Cardrooms Get Temporary Reprieve
A California judge halts new state regulations banning cardroom blackjack, temporarily protecting 18,000 jobs and $464M in revenue for the gaming industry.
NY Judge Bars Warrantless Evidence in Mangione Murder Case
A New York judge excludes evidence from a warrantless search in the Luigi Mangione murder trial, clarifying boundaries of evidence collection and media access in high-profile cases.
Fifth Circuit Affirms $4.7 Million Disgorgement in Trojan Trademark Case
The Fifth Circuit upheld a $4.7 million disgorgement against Golf Carts of Cypress and Trojan EV for willful trademark infringement, clarifying damages strategy for IP litigators.
NY Court of Appeals Lets Minors Appeal Custody Rulings Independently
New York's highest court now allows minors to appeal custody decisions without parental involvement, resolving legal inconsistencies and empowering young people in family law cases.
Meta Reaches Settlement With Kentucky School District Over Teen Mental Health
Meta settled with Kentucky's Breathitt County schools over claims social media harms students, marking a key moment in tech's legal risk on youth mental health.
Supreme Court Says Cruise Lines Can Be Sued Over Seized Cuba Docks
The Supreme Court allows lawsuits against cruise lines for using Havana docks seized from U.S. owners after the Cuban Revolution, reviving a major property rights case.
BLM, Oil Interests Face Conservation Lawsuit Over Sage Grouse Lease Sales
Federal and industry lawyers defend oil leases on sage grouse habitat in court as conservation groups challenge BLM's rollback of protections. Legal compliance stakes rise for energy sector.
Quinn Emanuel Fined $3M, Ordered to Create Ethics Training After Court Sanction
A federal court fined Quinn Emanuel $3M and ordered it to create an ethics class for attorneys after misleading conduct in a pharma lawsuit, spotlighting BigLaw ethics risks.
Tennessee man gets $835K after wrongful arrest over Facebook post on Charlie Kirk
Larry Bushart wins $835,000 settlement after being jailed for a Facebook meme about Charlie Kirk, raising new questions about First Amendment rights and law enforcement practices.
Tennessee Death Row Inmate Denied SCOTUS Review for Untested DNA Evidence
Tony Carruthers sought Supreme Court intervention for DNA testing ahead of his execution, highlighting debates on wrongful convictions and legal safeguards in capital cases.
Eighth Circuit: Ex-Inmates Can Sue Over Daily Iowa Jail Fees
Eighth Circuit revives suit letting ex-inmates challenge $95/day jail fees, impacting county compliance, litigation risks, and due process requirements for legal teams nationally.
California Court Consolidates OpenAI Product Liability Cases
A California court is consolidating multiple product liability lawsuits against OpenAI, signaling increased legal risks for AI vendors and new challenges for in-house legal teams.
NY Judicial Retirement Age Under Fire as Court Hears Civil Rights Challenge
New York's top court is reviewing the legality of mandatory judicial retirement ages following lawsuits claiming age discrimination under the state's new Equal Rights Amendment.
New Guidance Clarifies Duty to Preserve AI-Generated Legal Data
Legal experts spotlight evolving duties to preserve AI-generated data for litigation, urging law firms and corporate legal teams to update e-discovery protocols.
Feds Urge Second Circuit to Reinstate Hate Crime Aggravators in Buffalo Shooting
Federal prosecutors are appealing to the Second Circuit to reinstate hate crime aggravators in the Buffalo mass shooter’s trial, a move that could reshape federal hate crime prosecution strategies.
Utah Federal Judge Blocks Early Class Discovery in TCPA Case
A Utah federal court denied plaintiff's request for early class discovery via bifurcation in a TCPA lawsuit, clarifying discovery limits for class actions.
Jan. 6 Officers Challenge Legality of Trump’s $1.8B Settlement Fund
Capitol Police and DC officers sue to block Trump’s $1.8B IRS settlement fund, arguing it could compensate convicted Jan. 6 rioters. Case probes presidential power and public fund use.
TikTok influencer’s father charged in alleged $14K murder-for-hire plot
Los Angeles prosecutors charged TikTok star Gabriela Gonzalez, her father, and another man in a $14K murder-for-hire scheme tied to a heated custody dispute.
Federal Courts Refine When Chapter 93A Applies Over Out-of-State Laws
Massachusetts courts clarify how contract law provisions impact Chapter 93A's reach, offering in-house counsel new guidance on consumer protection and contract risk.
Minnesota Charges ICE Agent with Assault in Minneapolis Shooting
Hennepin County charges ICE agent Christian Castro with assault and false reporting after a Minneapolis shooting, spotlighting law enforcement accountability in immigration operations.