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U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending security clearances for employees of Seattle-founded law firm Perkins Coie, citing its diversity practices and political activities. The order against the firm, which undertook work for Democrats during the 2016 campaign, represents an escalation of efforts to punish groups the president sees as aiding his enemies, the New York Times reports. Perkins Coie attorneys have in recent weeks joined other lawyers who are opposing the Trump administration’s actions publicly in court. The executive order denounces what it calls “dishonest and dangerous activity” at the firm, noting its hiring of a research firm that precipitated the compilation of a dossier of unsubstantiated allegations against Mr. Trump related to possible ties between his campaign and Russia. The order accused the firm of “undermining democratic elections, the integrity of our courts and honest law enforcement.” A Perkins Coie spokesperson said in a statement to CNN: “We have reviewed the Executive Order. It is patently unlawful, and we intend to challenge it.” 

 

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New York Times

Reuters

Hogan Lovells has announced record financial results for FY24, with net revenue increasing by 8.7% to $2.97bn and profits per equity partner (PEP) rising by 12.1% to $3.07m. CEO Miguel Zaldivar said: "Our continued strong financial performance is a testament to the success of our strategy and clients’ confidence." The firm attributes its success to balanced growth across practices, a robust balance sheet, and effective expense management. The Americas contributed 49% of total billings, with corporate and finance making up 41% of global revenue. Notable achievements include representing the Republic of Ghana in its $13bn Eurobond debt restructuring and Walmart in its $2.3bn acquisition of Vizio. Despite closing offices in Johannesburg, Sydney, and Warsaw, Hogan Lovells continues to expand its talent pool, adding over 55 lawyers in Italy and five partners in Singapore.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Global Legal Post

Donald Trump has instructed his Cabinet to work with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but clarified that Cabinet members should be the ones making staffing decisions. In a meeting at the White House yesterday attended by secretaries of state and Musk, the president hinted that DOGE may have been too indiscriminate in its mass firings of federal employees. Trump posted on Truth Social soon after the meeting ended: “As the secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet’ . . . It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people . . . We’re going to have these meetings every two weeks until that aspect of this very necessary job is done.” At the same time, Trump also praised Musk and DOGE after the meeting. "I think they've done an amazing job," he told reporters.

 

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The Guardian

U.S. government employees dismissed during the Trump administration's recent purge are launching class action-style complaints, asserting that the mass firings are unlawful and demanding their reinstatement. Lawyers Christopher Bonk and Daniel Rosenthal have filed six appeals with the federal Merit Systems Protection Board and plan to submit about 15 more. Bonk observed: "There are regulations in place to make sure that layoffs . . . are done with intentionality," claiming that the administration has disregarded these laws. The appeals target various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

U.S. News

Paramount Global has requested a federal judge to dismiss President Trump's $20bn lawsuit regarding edits made to a “60 Minutes” interview. The company argues that Trump's legal action aims to “punish” CBS for its editorial choices, infringing on free speech rights. In its motion, Paramount said: “The 1st Amendment stands resolutely against these demands.” Experts believe Paramount has a strong defense as news organizations have the right to determine what content to broadcast. The Federal Communications Commission is also investigating claims of alleged news distortion related to the broadcast. Trump's amended complaint now includes Paramount as a defendant and attempts to shift the focus away from First Amendment issues.

 

Los Angeles Times

California, Oregon, Illinois and five other U.S. states have asked a U.S. judge to award them legal fees for winning an order in federal court blocking Kroger’s now-abandoned $25bn deal for grocery rival Albertsons. The companies had defended the deal as beneficial to consumers and workers. Albertsons has since sued Kroger, alleging its termination of the deal was a breach of contract. Kroger has filed counterclaims against Albertsons. In their fee bid, the states said they “substantially” prevailed after winning an order against the merger that scuttled the deal. The case is Federal Trade Commission et al v. The Kroger Co and Albertsons Companies, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, No. 3:24-cv-00347-AN.

 

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Wall Street Journal

Intel investors have not sufficiently demonstrated that the company made misleading statements regarding its internal reorganisation, according to a ruling by Judge Trina L. Thompson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The court dismissed the securities fraud lawsuit, saying that the investors failed to prove that Intel and its executives provided false information about the manufacturing services segment. The investors had claimed that Intel's reorganisation was falsely presented as a means to create efficiencies while omitting crucial details in financial statements. However, they will have the opportunity to re-plead their claims.

 

Bloomberg Tax

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma has announced that the province will receive approximately $3.7bn from a landmark settlement with major tobacco companies, part of a total $32.5bn Canadian settlement. The agreement, approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, is the largest in Canadian history and the third-largest globally. Sharma emphasized that the funds will be allocated to enhance the health care system and alleviate government spending on smoking-related illnesses. B.C. is expected to receive around $900m in the first year, followed by 14.47% of the total settlement annually. “This is about ensuring that there are real consequences for corporate wrongdoing,” Sharma said.

 

The Globe and Mail

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee has voted 13 to 11 to advance the nomination of Jonathan McKernan as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The party-line decision allows Mr. McKernan's nomination to proceed to the full Senate for consideration. The Trump administration has been actively working to limit the agency's powers, making the nomination significant. Meanwhile, the CFPB is allowing some offices to resume their functions, after an order last month from acting director Russell Vought to cease “all supervision and examination activity” and “shareholder engagement." 

 

USA Today

The Hill

Reuters

Michael F. Easley Jr., former U.S. Attorney for North Carolina, is rejoining McGuireWoods as a partner in its Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation practice. Easley, who previously led a surge in white collar prosecutions, will advise clients on compliance and enforcement risks. He said: “At McGuireWoods, that mission will continue,” as he highlighted the firm’s commitment to navigating complex legal landscapes. Easley’s experience includes leading initiatives against securities fraud and cyber threats, and he is expected to enhance the firm’s capabilities in government investigations and compliance matters. Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods' deputy managing partner, praised Easley as a “gifted lawyer and collaborative leader.” His return is part of a trend of top federal prosecutors joining the firm, further solidifying its reputation in corporate investigations.

 

LawFuel

Anjali Motgi has joined Jenner & Block as a partner in its litigation department in Washington. With extensive experience in legal areas including Administrative Procedures Act litigation and constitutional challenges, she previously served as chief of staff for the civil division at the Justice Department. The firm highlighted Motgi's involvement in issues such as national security, consumer protection, and reproductive rights, observing that she has worked on "cases involving separation-of-powers issues and immigration matters."

 

Bloomberg Law

White & Case has announced the addition of three new partners to its litigation practice in New York: Jonathan Polkes, Stacy Nettleton, and Adam Banks. Polkes will co-lead the global litigation practice, focusing on securities, corporate, and white-collar disputes, as well as regulatory investigations; Nettleton brings expertise in complex securities and mergers and acquisitions litigation; while Banks concentrates on business, antitrust, intellectual property, and securities matters.

 

Bloomberg Law