Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

Meta allegedly shut down internal research after findings showed Facebook deactivation reduced user anxiety, depression, and loneliness, according to unsealed court documents. A 2020 study called “Project Mercury” revealed causal links between Facebook use and negative mental health outcomes, but Meta reportedly dismissed the results and halted further study. The revelations are part of a broader lawsuit by U.S. school districts claiming Meta and other platforms hid product risks and targeted children. Meta denies wrongdoing, with spokesperson Andy Stone calling the allegations “misinformed opinions” and saying safety efforts are “broadly effective.”

 

Reuters

Elon Musk’s platform X has dropped its lawsuit against law firm Wachtell Lipton, which it accused of receiving an improper $90m fee during Twitter’s buyout litigation. The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled. Wachtell said there was “no settlement” and called the lawsuit “meritless.” The firm had helped secure Musk’s completion of the Twitter acquisition after intense litigation. A judge had previously ruled the dispute should proceed in private arbitration. Wachtell defended the fee as board-approved and critical to securing value for Twitter shareholders.

 

U.S. News

LawFuel

In Washington state, workers are challenging moonlighting bans imposed by employers which restrict their ability to take on additional jobs, especially with competitors. Recent lawsuits have been filed against major companies including Amazon, Alaska Airlines, and Costco, arguing that such restrictions limit economic mobility for low-wage workers. A recent ruling by the state Supreme Court deemed blanket bans on moonlighting unreasonable, allowing lower-wage workers to seek multiple jobs without fear of losing income. However, many employers still enforce these bans, leading to ongoing legal disputes. Attorney Timothy Emery observed: “Anyone making minimum wage in Washington's largest cities knows that without a second job, it's virtually impossible to make rent and pay rising food costs.” 

 

OregonLive.com

The U.S. State Department has issued new guidelines to all U.S. embassies and consulates involved in compiling its annual report on global human rights abuses. U.S. outposts will be told to categorize policies including subsidizing abortion, facilitating mass migration and performing gender-transition surgery for children as human rights infringements. Laws that infringe on free speech and racially discriminatory employment practices are also on the list. "In recent years, new destructive ideologies have given safe harbor to human rights violations. The Trump administration will not allow these human rights violations . . . to go unchecked," deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. Critics accuse the administration of redefining long-established universal human rights principles to pursue its own ideological goals.

 

Reuters

BBC News

Daily Mail

The Wall Street Journal reports that a series of censure and disciplinary attempts has created turmoil in the U.S. House, with lawmakers using privileged resolutions to force votes against colleagues across party lines. Clashes, including a heated dispute between GOP Reps. Nancy Mace and Cory Mills, highlight growing frustration over the frequent use of punitive measures. Leaders from both parties are now considering rule changes, such as raising the threshold for censure, to curb political weaponization and restore order as ethics investigations continue.

 

The Wall Street Journal

U.S. states are advancing bills to curb data-driven pricing practices they say raise consumer costs, even as the White House considers limiting state AI regulations. Building on Lina Khan’s antitrust efforts, states including New York and California have passed laws targeting algorithmic collusion in rental pricing. Nineteen states are weighing similar limits, amid concerns that companies use personal data to charge consumers different prices based on perceived willingness to pay.

 

Reuters

The National Treasury Employees Union has filed a motion in court urging a federal judge to mandate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB, which relies on Federal Reserve earnings, warned it could run out of cash by year-end. The union disputes the Trump administration's claim that it cannot legally fund the agency. The union said: "This interpretation cannot be squared with the text, purpose, or history of the statute." The U.S. Supreme Court previously upheld the CFPB's funding structure as constitutional.

 

US News and World Report

Hedge funds are disputing 3G Capital's $9.4bn acquisition of Skechers USA Inc., seeking a higher price than the $63 per share that was finalized in September. The Delaware courts allow shareholders to contest sale prices, leading to a significant appraisal case against the Greenberg family's negotiated deal amid market volatility caused by tariffs. While discussions for an early settlement failed, approximately 60 investment pools are challenging the deal's fairness, with the judge yet to determine a trial date. A previous trend of appraisal arbitrage is resurfacing as investors navigate recent high-value buyouts in Delaware.

 

Bloomberg

Four major U.K. legal education institutions - BPP, The University of Law, Oxford University, and King’s College London - have partnered with U.S. tech firm Harvey to integrate AI tools into their law courses. This marks Harvey’s first foray into the U.K. university sector, having already gained traction in over 25 top U.S. law schools. Harvey develops AI solutions for tasks including contract reviews and compliance checks, benefiting major City law firms and global corporations. Dean John Armour of Oxford University highlighted the transformative impact of generative AI in the legal sector and emphasised its role in enhancing research and pedagogy. BPP and ULaw will incorporate Harvey’s technology into their teaching, providing students early access to tools used by leading firms. At King’s College London, the initiative will enhance AI literacy among students through workshops and joint projects.

 

Bloomberg Law

EdTech Innovation Hub

Mike Rainey and Asal Saghari have joined Eversheds Sutherland as partners, enhancing the firm's presence in the Middle East. Rainey, with 20 years of experience in banking and restructuring, focuses on real estate finance and corporate lending. Saghari specializes in private credit and has expertise in both conventional and Shari’ah compliant financing. Their addition marks a record 27 lateral hires for Eversheds Sutherland (International) this year. Keith Froud, the international chief executive, said: “Our continued investment in exceptional talent of the likes of Mike and Asal is a core part of driving our global strategy.”

 

The Global Legal Post

A new analysis by former senior Federal Reserve researcher John Roberts finds that the Trump administration’s the One Big Beautiful Bill will give the U.S. economy a short-term boost next year, primarily through roughly $100bn in extra early-year tax refunds. This is expected to raise GDP growth by about 0.4 percentage points in the first half of the year, though the effect will fade quickly, resulting in only a 0.32-point lift for the full year. However, the legislation will also significantly widen the federal deficit by about 0.8 percentage points, due to tax cuts and increased defense and border-security spending. These dynamics highlight the issues Federal Reserve officials will weigh in their upcoming December meeting, as internal divisions remain over the need for further rate cuts while President Donald Trump continues to push for lower interest rates

 

Reuters