Federal Circuit Grants Mandamus, Moves USC v. Google Out of Albright's Court
The ruling shifts a patent case from the Western District of Texas to Northern California, weeks after Judge Albright's departure.
Law & Policy
AI regulation, litigation, copyright and IP, and privacy law.
Tang: AI Citizens' Assemblies Must Be Tied to Real Power
In a Lawfare interview, Audrey Tang argues that participatory AI governance only works when assemblies inform—not replace—legislative bodies.
Federal Court: Warrant Required for Flock ALPR Database Searches
A federal court has ruled that warrantless searches of Flock's automated license plate reader database violate the Fourth Amendment, though the decision lacks precedential force.
Supreme Court to Hear Asylum-Green Card Dispute in Wassily v. Blanche
The case tests whether the 1980 Refugee Act lets people who lost asylum status still become permanent residents despite criminal convictions.
Supreme Court skeptical of ERISA claims without apples-to-apples benchmark
The Supreme Court seems likely to affirm dismissal of an ERISA suit against Intel fiduciaries, demanding that plaintiffs compare similar investment strategies.
Yates to Probe Cornell; DOJ Seeks Secrecy on Diversity Probe
A morning docket highlights three legal policy developments: a Cornell investigation, a DOJ secrecy fight, and a move in Judge Newman's case.
Judge Grants Extension, Chides 'Bikeshedding' in Lask v. Sorid
A federal magistrate judge approves a filing extension while rebuking the parties for squandering time on trivial disputes.
Court Pauses Minnesota's Deepfake Nudity Ban Over Legal Flaws
A state appeals court halted enforcement of Minnesota's law against nudification apps, underscoring that even harmful speech requires carefully tailored regulation.
Biglaw's Accelerated Recruiting Creates New Pressures for 1Ls
A new critique argues that Biglaw's push to recruit first-year law students before they learn core legal concepts is a self-inflicted problem with real costs for students.
Chief Justice Transfers Judge Newman's Misconduct Case to Eleventh Circuit
The long-running dispute over the 98-year-old judge's fitness moves to a new judicial council, but the record does not show who requested the transfer.
Trump Order Prioritizes White South African Migrants, Techdirt Reports
A new Techdirt report says the Trump administration is formally prioritizing white South Africans for entry while continuing broad deportation efforts.
DOJ Told to Replace 'AI' With 'SI' in Reported Terminology Order
A reported Department of Justice directive would require lawyers to call artificial intelligence 'SI,' a change critics see as pandering to President Trump.
Judge James Ho’s Opinion Complaints Draw Streisand Effect
A Fifth Circuit judge’s published gripe about promotion speculation may amplify the criticism it sought to rebut.
Podcast Episode Explores Foundational Legal Operations
An Above the Law podcast episode offers guidance on how companies can establish foundational legal operations.
Deliberative Democracy for AI Governance: Landemore's Proposal
Hélène Landemore argues that ordinary citizens, not just officials and experts, should help set AI's purpose and limits through deliberative assemblies.
Salesforce Exam Bundle Has No Law or Policy Content
The sole source is a promotional deal for Salesforce certification prep, offering no legal or regulatory analysis.
AI Deal With China: Trade Throttling for Mutual Pacing
Lawfare analysts argue that US chip export controls and proposed AI safety deals with China conflict, and suggest removing throttling to secure a pacing agreement.
Alito Signals His Supreme Court Seat Is at Stake in 2026
Justice Samuel Alito is not retiring, but his remarks frame the next election as a referendum on the Court's conservative majority.