Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse
28th August 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Trump targets Soros with RICO threat
President Donald Trump has called for federal racketeering charges to be brought against George Soros and his son, citing their alleged support for violent protests. Trump claimed on Truth Social that the Soros family should be prosecuted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The Open Society Foundations, representing the Soros family, denied the accusations, saying: "We do not support or fund violent protests." Trump's call follows reports that the Gates Foundation is quietly withdrawing support for Arabella Advisers, which funds a range of left-wing non-profits and manages several 'dark money' funds, sparking unease in the world of progressive philanthropy.
LAW
IRS agents join President Trump’s D.C. police push
The IRS Criminal Investigation Division is assisting President Donald Trump in his efforts to federalize the police force in Washington, D.C. Guy Ficco, the chief of IRS-CI, confirmed in an interview, “We're helping,” although he did not disclose the number of agents involved. The initiative follows Trump’s recent decision to deploy approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to address what he describes as escalating crime in the capital. The collaboration aims to bolster the administration's policing strategy amid ongoing concerns about public safety.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
FEMA employees put on leave after criticizing Trump administration
Some employees at the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. agency that responds to natural disasters, have been placed on administrative leave after signing an open letter expressing dissent about the agency's leadership. On Tuesday evening, FEMA's office of the administrator had sent several letters to people informing them that effective immediately, they were on an administrative leave, operating "in a non-duty status while continuing to receive pay and benefits." Dozens of current and former FEMA staff warned Congress in a letter on Monday that the inexperience of top appointees of President Donald Trump's administration could lead to a catastrophe on the level of Hurricane Katrina.
White House fires CDC director
Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is being ousted from the position less than a month after being sworn in. In a statement, the CDC said Monarez was "not aligned with the president's agenda." The U.S. health department earlier announced her departure, which prompted a statement from Monarez's lawyers who said she had not been told of her removal and she would not resign. They said Monarez was being targeted for refusing "to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts," and accused Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr of "weaponizing public health."
FIRMS
AI mega deals fuel law firm competition
Large law firms have an advantage in securing mega deals related to artificial intelligence, according to Alex Kelly, global co-chair of M&A and private equity at Latham & Watkins. The transactions are focused on AI data centres and infrastructure that supports them, Kelly explained, and as such require teams operating across industries and practice groups. Smaller firms typically struggle to assemble the diverse teams required for such complex deals, she said. "The intersection of technology, infrastructure, real estate, and regulation make a perfect deal for us because you need a firm that can speak all of those languages fluently."
LAWSUITS
Negligence claim again PacifiCorp wildfire lawsuit dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed a negligence claim in the U.S. government's lawsuit against Berkshire Hathaway's PacifiCorp, which is facing over $900m in damages related to the Archie Creek Fire in Oregon. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the government failed to adequately demonstrate how PacifiCorp's maintenance of its power lines contributed to the fire, which burned over 131,000 acres. While the negligence claim was dismissed, the government can attempt to refile it, and PacifiCorp continues to face multiple private lawsuits regarding its role in various wildfires.
Delta to pay $78.75m in fuel dump case
Delta Air Lines will pay $78.75m to settle a class-action lawsuit over a 2020 fuel dump that affected around 38,000 properties in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The incident involved Delta Flight 89, which jettisoned 15,000 pounds of fuel over densely populated areas during an emergency return to LAX. While the FAA cleared the pilots, residents claimed safer alternatives were ignored. Delta denied wrongdoing, citing adherence to federal protocols, but agreed to settle to avoid prolonged litigation. Net payouts are expected to reach $50.6m pending court approval.
Ex-Kroger CEO spared detailing ‘embarrassing’ exit
Former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has won a court order that bars questioning by lawyers about his sudden resignation this year after an internal investigation found ethical concerns. Judge Christian Jenkins in Cincinnati agreed with McMullen that discussing the details surrounding his departure would be “embarrassing” and isn’t relevant to a 2023 breach-of-contract lawsuit by Grammy-nominated singer Jewel and an events company hired by Kroger to put on a wellness festival.
LEGAL TECH
Thomson Reuters CEO: AI is reshaping legal work
Thomson Reuters President and CEO Steve Hasker says the legal profession is undergoing "the biggest disruption in its history" due to generative and agentic artificial intelligence. Speaking at ILTACON, a four-day educational conference that drew on the personal and collective strengths of professionals working in technology within law firms and legal departments, he highlighted that AI is fundamentally changing how legal work products are created. Hasker noted that while law firms are experimenting with AI, few have comprehensive strategies for transformation.
TAX
Appeals Court says Tax Court can hear late tax deficiency cases
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has reversed the U.S. Tax Court's dismissal of Naysha Oquendo's petition regarding tax penalties, emphasizing that the filing deadline under IRC Section 6213(a) is a nonjurisdictional claim-processing rule. The court stated that this rule is "subject to equitable tolling," which means that extenuating circumstances should be considered before dismissing a case. This ruling deepens the existing circuit split on the jurisdictional implications of tax code deadlines.
INTERNATIONAL
White House considers sanctions on officials implementing EU tech law, sources say
Reuters reports that the Trump administration is weighing sanctions on European Union or member state officials responsible for implementing the EU's landmark Digital Services Act, according to sources who say Senior State Department officials have yet to make a final decision on whether to proceed with punitive measures that would likely take the form of visa restrictions. A spokesperson for the department, while not confirming or denying Reuters' report, said: "We are monitoring increasing censorship in Europe with great concern but have no further information to provide at this time."
OTHER
Rev. Al Sharpton to lead Wall Street DEI protest
Rev. Al Sharpton will today lead a protest march on Wall Street, urging corporate America to resist the Trump administration's efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The march coincides with the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. Sharpton said that DEI represents the “civil rights fight of our generation.” In response to the administration's actions, his group, the National Action Network, is encouraging consumers to boycott retailers that have reduced DEI programs. Sharpton has also called for “buy-cotts” in support of companies like Costco that maintain their DEI commitments. The march will begin at Foley Square and is expected to attract various political figures, including New York City mayoral candidates.

 

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