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23rd January 2026
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THE HOT STORY
Guidance that expanded workplace protections for LGBTQ workers is scrapped
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s newly-established Republican majority has rescinded legal guidance that had strengthened protections against unlawful harassment for LGBTQ workers and women who have abortions. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas emphasized that the commission’s decision “will not leave a void where employers are free to harass wherever they see fit, leaving a trail of victims in their wake.” Recently-installed Commissioner Brittany Panuccio added that private sector resources on anti-harassment law would fill any gaps. But critics said the move could discourage employers from preventing harassment and leave workers without recourse when they face it. "This action is likely to increase the amount of harassment that occurs in workplaces across the country," a dozen former EEOC and U.S. Department of Labor officials said in a joint statement.
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FIRMS
Personal injury law firm signs private equity deal
Louisiana personal injury firm Dudley DeBosier plans to build a national business after signing a private equity deal that uses an innovative financial structure to avoid breaking rules barring outside ownership of U.S. law firms.
LAWSUITS
Ex-Baker McKenzie lawyer alleges assault in new DC lawsuit
Brooke Radford, a former Baker McKenzie associate who was sued for defamation over a series of social media posts accusing Maurice Bellan, the firm's Washington, D.C., managing partner, of sexual assault has brought her own lawsuit accusing Bellan of making “unwanted sexual advances.” Baker McKenzie “knew of this sexually harassing conduct and failed to take prompt, effective, or reasonable steps to stop it, prevent it from reoccurring, or protect” Radford, according to the complaint. Baker McKenzie and Bellan did not immediately respond to comment requests, Bloomberg Law reports.
Trump says he’s expanding defamation suit against New York Times
President Donald Trump has reacted bitterly to a New York Times/Siena Poll which found that 57% of registered voters disapprove of him, including 47% who strongly disapprove. Trump criticized the poll as "tremendously negative" and claimed it would be included in his ongoing $15bn defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. He alleged that the poll results were "fake" and "heavily skewed toward Democrats," and demanded that the newspaper provide records of how the results were computed. The poll also found that 58% of voters disapprove of Trump's economic management, with 51% saying his policies have made life less affordable for most Americans. 
Trump sues JPMorgan for $5bn
President Donald Trump has filed a $5bn lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, accusing the bank and its chief executive, Jamie Dimon, of de-banking him for political reasons. Trump's attorney, Alejandro Brito, said the bank's "unilateral decision came about as a result of political and social motivations." JPMorgan said the lawsuit lacks merit and that account closures are due to legal or regulatory risks.
LAW
U.S. officially leaves World Health Organization
The U.S. has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO). All U.S. funding to the WHO has been terminated and U.S. participation in WHO-sponsored leadership bodies and working groups has ended. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it took the decision due to the WHO's alleged "mishandling" of the pandemic, an inability to reform, and political influence from member states. The U.S. leaves behind unpaid debt of roughly $260m. There’s no requirement in statute to settle the debt before exiting the agency, a senior HHS official said. “It’s a very messy divorce,” observed Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO collaborating center on national and global health law at Georgetown University.
Target store staff skip work over ICE crackdown
Target is grappling with internal disruption and external protests after U.S. immigration officials briefly detained two employees - both U.S. citizens - at a Minnesota store, prompting staff absences and postponed office returns. While the retailer has not publicly addressed the incident or wider ICE activity in the Twin Cities, internal memos reveal efforts to support staff and de-escalate tensions. It has told employees that it doesn’t have cooperative agreements with ICE. Federal agents have legal authority to be in parking lots and consumer-facing areas of stores without a warrant, but can’t enter backrooms or corporate buildings without one.
Trump to expand abortion rule to include D.E.I. and gender
The Trump administration is poised to broaden the Mexico City Policy, which restricts U.S. funding to organizations that provide or promote abortions, to include groups associated with "gender ideology" and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. An administration official said: "The State Department will release three final rules on Friday expanding the Mexico City Policy to protect foreign assistance from subsidizing not only abortion as a method of family planning, but also gender ideology (and) discriminatory equity ideology/DEI." The ‍Mexico City ⁠Policy, which was established by former President ​Ronald ‌Reagan in 1984, and which previously only applied to foreign NGOs, has been rescinded by each Democratic president since and reinstated when a Republican returns to the White House.
CASES
U.S. court allows Dominion's offshore wind project to continue
A federal judge has granted Dominion Energy the go-ahead to resume construction on its $11.2bn offshore wind project in Virginia, marking a setback for President Trump's opposition to such initiatives. Judge Jamar Walker ruled that the Interior Department's stop-work order was overly broad and did not pertain specifically to Dominion's operations.
RISK
U.S. companies expand protection services for top executives
Data from research group ISS-Corporate shows the number of S&P 500 companies providing security benefits to top corporate leadership rose to 22.5% of component companies in 2024, from 12% in 2020.
CORPORATE
SpaceX readies for major IPO with Wall Street backing
SpaceX is preparing for an initial public offering, enlisting the support of four major Wall Street banks - Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley - for senior roles in the potential listing. The IPO could raise over $25bn, making it one of the largest in market history, with a target valuation of around $800bn. The company's move comes amid broader market anticipation for mega listings, particularly from technology firms.
APPOINTMENTS
Perkins Coie hires former DOJ antitrust lawyer
Veronica Onyema has joined Perkins Coie as a partner in its litigation and antitrust practices in Washington, DC. With extensive experience from her tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice, Onyema has led significant enforcement actions in various sectors, including technology and financial services. She has overseen merger and conduct investigations and has personally directed inquiries in industries including satellite and automotive.
INTERNATIONAL
BHP refused permission to appeal U.K. judgment over dam collapse
BHP has been denied permission to appeal a ruling that holds it liable for the 2015 collapse of the Fundao dam in Brazil. The High Court in London confirmed BHP's legal responsibility for the disaster, which resulted in 19 fatalities and significant environmental damage. The lawsuit, valued at up to £36bn ($48.67bn), involves hundreds of thousands of claimants, including local governments and businesses. A further trial to determine damages is set to begin in October 2026, with a ruling expected by mid-2027. BHP can still apply directly to the Court of Appeal, despite this setback.

 

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