Government
Pepper Hamilton Ordered to Turn Over Baylor Investigation Materials to Plaintiffs’ Attorneys
News
A U.S. district judge has ordered Pepper Hamilton LLP to turn over materials tied to the law firm’s 2015-16 investigation that led Baylor University regents to report the school had fundamentally failed in its Title IX implementation duties, reports the Waco Tribune-Herald.
Whistleblowing General Counsel Gets $1.87 Million Payday
News
A statement from the agency said an appeal is being considered, should the judge uphold the jury’s verdict.
Former Prosecutor: Mueller’s Hedging on Obstruction ‘Somewhat Surprising’
Insight
“It is perhaps somewhat surprising that Mr. Mueller didn’t provide a conclusion on the issue of obstruction of justice. Certainly, many Americans were expecting a clear-cut decision,” said Philip Hilder, a former U.S. prosecutor in Houston.
Energy Market Manipulation Remains a Hot Issue at FERC
Insight
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is continuing to aggressively investigate and bring enforcement action against companies that engage in energy market manipulation, reports WilmerHale in its 10-in-10 Hot Topics in Energy Series.
Hackers Shut Down Boston Legal System for Weeks, Seeking Payment in Bitcoin
News
A cyberattack on the agency overseeing Boston public defenders has caused a weekslong slowdown, disabling e-mail systems, delaying some hearings, and hanging up payments for the private attorneys who represent clients, reports The Boston Globe.
Lawsuit: Trump Family-Planning Rule ‘Politicizes’ Medicine
News
The new Department of Health and Human Services rule would prohibit family planning clinics funded by the federal Title X program from making abortion referrals.
Foley Adds Former US Congressman Michael Capuano in Boston
News
Foley & Lardner LLP announced former U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano has joined the firm’s Government Solutions Practice as a public affairs director.
Supreme Court Limits Police Powers to Seize Private Property
News
The court’s decision will open the door to new legal arguments when the value of the property seized was out of proportion to the crimes involved.
U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Review Zero Emissions Credit Schemes
Insight
if the Supreme Court accepts the zero emission credits cases, it could clarify the scope of FERC’s authority to preempt state policy goals that interfere with the operation of wholesale markets, according to Verrill Dana LLP.
Roberts Again Sides With Liberal Supreme Court Justices in Disagreeing With Lower Court Interpretations
News
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has sided with liberal Supreme Court justices in cases involving the death penalty and abortion access, reports The Washington Post.
Trump’s Emergency Declaration Echoes Harry Truman Failed Attempt
News
Trump’s emergency declaration is similar to President Harry Truman’s attempted takeover of the steel industry to avoid a strike during the Korean War by the United Steelworkers of America.
Amid Growing Scandal, MoFo Launches Investigation Into Partner Justin Fairfax
The Morrison & Foerster partner is taking a leave of absence, according to an internal memo obtained by CNN.
Record Multimillion-Dollar Settlement Reached for Susman Godfrey Partner’s Traumatic Brain Injury
News
Brooke Taylor was 38 at the time of the crash and in the early part of what was an already decorated career with the law firm Susman Godfrey as an intellectual property litigation attorney.
DOJ Hiring Attorneys to Handle Property Seizures for Border Wall
News
The attorneys likely will deal with eminent domain property seizures and quarrels with landowners over what their land is worth.
Border Wall Needs Private Property. But Some Texans Won’t Give Up Their Land Without a Fight.
News
Previous eminent domain attempts along the Texas border have led to more than a decade of court battles, according to The Washington Post.
Judge Rebukes DOJ, Says U.S. ‘Laughable’ for Using Shutdown to Delay Suit
News
The judge decried “an abdication by the president and the Congress” of the duty to govern responsibly.
General Counsel Named in Corruption Probe Subpoenas Resigns
News
Emily McNeeley was placed on unpaid leave in April after corruption investigators repeatedly named her, and her boss in subpoenas served on the county.
Federal Courts Run Out of Cash Next Friday. Here’s What Happens Then
News
During the shutdown, the system can spend money left over from fees and other sources to run through Jan. 11.
In 8-Month Tenure, Non-Elected NY AG Was Leading Trump Antagonist
News
Barbara Underwood was an apolitical force in New York, quietly serving as solicitor general before getting an unexpected promotion to become the state’s first female attorney general, writes the Associated Press.
Complaints Against Kavanaugh Dismissed Because He’s No Longer Covered By Misconduct Rules
News
The action closes out one more chapter of the confirmation hearings that consumed the nation’s capital for several weeks and reverberated in November’s midterm elections, reports CNN.
