Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse
9th January 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
U.N. says the U.S. has ‘legal obligation’ to fund agencies
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund U.N. agencies after the Trump administration said it will withdraw from dozens of international organizations operated by the world body, including the U.N.'s population agency and the U.N. treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. “As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the U.N. Charter for all Member States, including the United States,” Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres, said in a statement.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
DOJ civil rights chief uses social media to identify anti-DEI targets
Bloomberg Law reports that Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, is using social media to single out anti-DEI targets, including Knoxville Symphony Orchestra CEO Rachel Ford following a series of viral X posts by a musician alleging he was denied a role at the orchestra due to DEI initiatives. “Rachel, we have questions,” Dhillon wrote in a post she shared which listed Ford's email and phone number. “Suggesting a violation of the law has occurred - through social media or press - before a full investigation risks vilifying the target before all the facts are known,” and “undermines the credibility of the department,” said Regan Rush, former chief of the division’s special litigation section.
LAW
Vance announces new assistant attorney general to root out ‘fraud’
Vice President JD Vance has announced plans for a Senate-confirmed DOJ assistant attorney general with “nationwide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud” to be “run out of the White House.” Vance said the appointee will initially focus on alleged fraud in Minnesota - but that it will be a “nationwide effort, because unfortunately, the American people have been defrauded in a very nationwide way.”
LAWSUITS
Google and Character.AI agree to settle lawsuit linked to teen suicide
Google and Character.AI have reached a mediated settlement regarding lawsuits filed by families claiming AI chatbots harmed minors, including a case linked to the suicide of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III in 2024. The lawsuits span multiple states, including Florida and Texas, and await final court approval. Megan Garcia, Setzer's mother, alleged that her son became emotionally reliant on a Game of Thrones-themed chatbot. "Parties have agreed to a mediated settlement in principle," the Florida filing stated.
Court allows challenge to Michigan's marijuana tax
The lawsuit against Michigan's 24% wholesale marijuana tax, effective January 1st, may proceed, as ruled by Court of Claims Judge Sima G. Patel. The Michigan Cannabis Industry Association and businesses including PG Manufacturing argue the tax violates the intent of the 2018 Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. The tax aims to generate $420m for road projects, but opponents claim it could drive customers back to the black market. “It is not certain on this record whether the 24% wholesale excise tax will impact prices to the extent purchasers will be driven to the illicit marijuana market,” Patel stated. A scheduling conference is set for January 13th.
CORPORATE
U.S. VC fundraising drops 35%, as start-ups delay IPOs
Venture capital fundraising in the U.S. fell 35% in 2025 to $66bn, the weakest showing in at least six years, as start-ups remain private longer and capital concentrates in top-tier firms, according to PitchBook. Fundraising is down 70% from 2022’s record high, with large players like Lightspeed and Founders Fund securing billions, while new managers struggle. The trend is driving cash-heavy AI start-ups toward alternative backers like sovereign wealth funds and hedge funds, amid a record $222bn raised for U.S. AI firms last year. Upcoming IPOs from companies including SpaceX and OpenAI could help revive the VC ecosystem.
TECHNOLOGY
Trump says AI will create an abundance of jobs
President Trump has expressed confidence in the future of artificial intelligence, saying it would produce an abundance of jobs. He also dismissed the notion that the technology could fuel cyberattacks. “Whoever wins the artificial intelligence war is going to be really the leader of the world,” Trump said in an interview with The New York Times.
FIRMS
Sullivan & Cromwell prepares to open Houston office
Sullivan & Cromwell is launching an office in Houston, marking its entry into the Texas market. The firm has appointed Patrick Lingwall, a junior partner from Kirkland & Ellis, who will join the team later this month.
APPOINTMENTS
Holland & Knight boosts Dallas litigation
Camelia Lopez Shoemaker has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in the firm's litigation practice in Dallas. With extensive experience in complex investigations and prosecutions, she has handled cases involving white collar crime, national security, and cybercrime, among others. Shoemaker has tried over 90 cases in both state and federal courts. Previously, she served as the global attorney adviser for dark web and cryptocurrency matters at the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training within the U.S. Department of Justice.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Big Tech 'will be spared strict rules in EU digital regulations overhaul'
U.S. tech giants including Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Amazon will not face heavy-handed regulations in Europe's forthcoming rule revamp known as the Digital Networks Act, which aims to boost the region's competitiveness and investments in telecoms infrastructure, sources say. "They will be asked to cooperate and discuss voluntarily, moderated by EU telecoms regulators' group BEREC. There will be no new obligations. It will be a best practices regime," one of the people said. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen will present the rule overhaul on January 20.
INTERNATIONAL
McDonald's in U.K. faces harassment allegations from unions
Five trade unions have reported McDonald's to the National Contact Point (NCP) - an independent unit which sits with the Department for Business and Trade - for failing to address sexual harassment against young staff in its U.K. restaurants. The unions allege that junior workers, primarily teenagers, have faced persistent harassment since at least 2019. The complaint said there had been "evidence of persistent, deeply rooted gender-based discrimination" in McDonald's restaurants, in breach of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The NCP has determined that the complaint merits further investigation and will offer mediation. McDonald's has said it cannot be held accountable for incidents in its franchised locations, which comprise most of its 1,450 U.K. branches.
OTHER
Weight lost on medications 'likely to be regained in under two years'
People who stop taking anti-obesity drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro will within two years return to their original weight and forfeit benefits to the heart, cholesterol levels and blood pressure, a review of studies suggests. A research paper published in the British Medical Journal analyzed data from more than 9,000 people from 37 studies.

 

Legal Slice delivers the latest, most relevant, and useful legal intelligence each weekday morning with intelligence, designed specifically for legal professionals, including attorneys, practice owners, judges, legal scholars, and influencers.

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in Legal Slice, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Legal Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe