Litigation
Major court decisions, class actions, landmark rulings, and significant procedural developments
Pump-and-Dump Securities Lawsuits Surge With Social Media’s Influence
A wave of class actions targets low-float IPOs and social media giants for enabling pump-and-dump schemes, signaling new risks for legal and compliance professionals.
LAPD Officer Testifies in Teen's Fatal Shooting Civil Trial
LAPD Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. testifies in the civil trial over Valentina Orellana-Peralta's 2021 death, focusing on liability and police use of force.
Federal Judge Lets OpenAI Face Suit Over ChatGPT-Linked Murder-Suicide
A federal judge allows a lawsuit against OpenAI over ChatGPT's alleged role in a Connecticut murder-suicide to advance, setting up a test case for AI developer liability.
California Judge Blocks ChatGPT User Over Stalking Allegations
A California court ordered OpenAI to suspend a user’s ChatGPT access after stalking claims, raising new legal questions for AI companies about user misuse and moderation.
D.C. Circuit Scrutinizes FTC’s Probe of Media Matters Nonprofit
D.C. Circuit judges challenge FTC’s authority in investigating Media Matters over X advertiser boycotts. The case may clarify limits on FTC actions and First Amendment protections.
Feds Challenge Minnesota's Lawsuit Over Trump Transgender Sports Policy
The federal government says Minnesota lacks standing in its suit against the 2025 Trump executive order restricting transgender athletes in school sports.
DC Court Denies Anonymity in Case Against Iranian Guard Corps
A DC federal court denied a plaintiff's request for anonymized litigation against Iran's Revolutionary Guard, stressing public interest in open proceedings. Opinion issued April 13, 2026.
PFAS Litigation Expands: New Crowell & Moring Analysis Charts 2026 Trends
Crowell & Moring releases new PFAS litigation data and analysis, revealing continued growth, shifting claims, and rising risks for corporations and litigators in 2026.
Supreme Court Hears Just 1% of Petitions Each Term
SCOTUS reviews 7,000–10,000 petitions annually but grants only 80–100 cases. We break down the 'Rule of Four' and what drives Supreme Court case selection for legal pros.
SCOTUSblog Dissects 'The People' in Second Amendment Debates
SCOTUSblog analyzes historical and doctrinal meaning of 'the people' in the Second Amendment—key context for Supreme Court watchers ahead of pivotal gun rights cases.
Supreme Court Leaves Third Circuit’s Hertz Solvent Debtor Ruling Intact
The Supreme Court declined to review Hertz's bankruptcy case, cementing solvent debtor obligations under § 502(b)(2) and clarifying make-whole premium liabilities.
Superior Court Voids Will Over Undue Influence in Elder Friendship Case
A Superior Court ruling invalidates an elderly widow's will due to undue influence by a close friend, offering guidance for elder law practitioners on assessing relationship dynamics.
Fifth Circuit Tosses 158-Year Federal Ban on Home Distilleries
The Fifth Circuit invalidated a 158-year-old federal ban on home alcohol distilling, citing limits on Congress’ taxation powers—a decision with broader regulatory implications.
Alabama Supreme Court Narrows Reporter Privilege in Defamation Cases
Alabama Supreme Court limits journalists' privilege in defamation lawsuits, making some source-related discovery mandatory. Ruling impacts media law and litigant rights.
Jury Weighs Phoenix Police Officer’s Fate in Malicious Prosecution Trial
A Phoenix jury deliberates whether a police officer’s alleged false statements led to a wrongful arrest, in a case intersecting with DOJ findings of police misconduct and prosecutorial ethics.
Federal Judge Halts Off-Roading at Oceano Dunes to Protect Snowy Plovers
A federal court has issued an injunction stopping off-road vehicle use at Oceano Dunes to protect the endangered western snowy plover, intensifying the debate over public land use and wildlife prot...
SDNY Judge Narrows Claims in Lively v. Baldoni Workplace Dispute
A federal judge dismissed most of Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni, citing Title VII standards and independent contractor status, in a high-profile workplace case.
Fifth Circuit Curtails FTC's In-House Adjudication on Deceptive Ads
A Fifth Circuit ruling finds FTC's administrative process unconstitutional, disrupting the agency’s ability to penalize deceptive advertising and reshaping enforcement strategies.
Eswatini Court Orders Legal Counsel Access for US Deportees
Eswatini’s Supreme Court ruled on April 9, 2026, that men deported from the US must have access to legal counsel—impacting future US-Africa migration partnerships.
Federal Judges Demand Concrete Trial Plans, Data Proof for Class Certification
Federal judges are pushing lawyers to provide detailed, data-backed trial plans for Rule 23 class certification. GCs must prepare with robust analytics and litigation strategies.