Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse
12th March 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Live Nation and state AGs told to negotiate potential deal
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian has told Ticketmaster parent company Live Nation to negotiate with a group of ​U.S. states that have accused the live entertainment conglomerate of anticompetitive conduct, a ‌day after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) settled its claims. Reuters says states on the political left and right, including New York, California, Texas and Tennessee, are scrambling to ⁠prepare to take over the case following the mid-trial settlement by the DOJ. Live Nation executive Dan Wall had previously told the court that he does not think it would be possible to strike a deal with ​the states ​within a week. "The ⁠probability of us resolving this is about zero," Wall said. "Not with that attitude," replied the judge.
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LAW
Trump to invoke emergency law for California oil producer Sable
President Trump plans to invoke Cold War-era emergency powers for ​Sable Offshore as it looks to restart ‌production from a cluster of offshore platforms off the southern Californian coast. Trump is preparing ⁠to summon authorities under the Defense Production ​Act to preempt state laws and ease permitting ​for the California oil producer. The planned order would also pave the way for renewed oil production in a move that would allow Trump to ease the global crude supply ‌crunch precipitated by his war with Iran. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom called it a “lawless” move and threatened legal action.
U.S. launches trade probes into 16 economies
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer has announced new trade investigations into 16 economies, including the EU, Taiwan, Switzerland, India, Japan and Korea. The probes relate to “structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.” The investigations under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 will determine whether their acts, policies and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. "We need to protect American jobs, and we need to make sure we have fair trade with our trading partners," Greer said. The investigation could result in new tariffs as soon as this summer.
LAWSUITS
Costco sued by shopper seeking tariff-related refunds
Costco is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit from a shopper who claims the retailer should refund customers for price increases linked to tariffs that the Supreme Court recently ruled unlawful. The suit argues that if Costco receives tariff refunds from the government, it should pass those savings on to customers who paid higher prices. However, it remains unclear whether the government will refund the $166bn in tariff revenue collected, or how such payments would be distributed. Costco says it has not passed all tariff costs on to shoppers and has not committed to direct refunds, instead suggesting any recovered funds could be returned through lower prices and better value for members.
UBS to settle lawsuit with whistleblower
UBS has reached an agreement in principle ​with a ‌former bond strategist who accused the Swiss lender of ​firing him in ​retaliation for refusing to publish ⁠misleading research reports, according to U.S. ​court filings. The bank and whistleblower Trevor Murray expect to reach a final settlement within 30 days, ​bringing to an end  ‌legal ⁠proceedings that began after Murray's 2012 firing.
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Nevada will use AI for unemployment appeals
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) is to implement a Google AI tool to expedite unemployment appeal rulings, a move that has raised concerns among state lawmakers regarding potential issues of transparency and consent. State officials say AI is a way to simplify and expedite existing processes, but they also caution that it must not replace human oversight. As such, two state workers will be involved in the process. “AI is a great tool - but that's what it is. It's a tool,” DETR Director Christopher Sewell said, adding: “We have to have human review with everything that we do.” AI skeptic Sen. Skip Daly (D-Sparks) observed: “I don't think there should be a reliance on this, and this is where it starts . . . You get used to it, and then you get comfortable with it.”
REGULATION
FDA probed over rare-disease drug denials
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson has launched an investigation into denials of drugs for rare diseases by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Johnson said he plans to write letters to the agency asking why it denied certain treatments, and he’s also considering having top FDA officials, including Commissioner Marty Makary, testify before the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that he chairs. “The stories are so outrageous,” Johnson said. “It just appears that they’re looking for excuses to say no.” Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, responded: “The FDA stands by the scientists evaluating these applications and each rationale is explained in detail through CRLs, which for the first time, are made available to the public.” 
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Apple faces fresh scrutiny in Germany over app tracking rules
An association representing German publishers, advertisers and media agencies has rejected Apple’s proposed changes to its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) tool. The association said the revisions made by Apple fail to resolve antitrust concerns. In a joint statement, the group has asked Germany’s antitrust authority to impose a fine on Apple, saying the U.S. company continues to act as a "data gatekeeper."
APPOINTMENTS
Baker Botts hires King & Spalding partner to lead West Coast M&A
Joseph Halloum has joined Baker Botts as a partner and West Coast M&A Chair in its Palo Alto office, transitioning from King & Spalding. Halloum specializes in advising on public and private acquisitions, take-privates, and corporate governance, and he provides strategic counsel to boards of directors and private equity funds.
INTERNATIONAL
Estée Lauder sues perfumer Jo Malone for breach of contract
Estée Lauder has filed a lawsuit against perfumer Jo Malone, her fragrance brand Jo Loves, and Zara’s U.K. business, alleging breach of contract and trademark infringement over the use of Malone’s name in a perfume collaboration with Zara. Malone sold the Jo Malone brand and name rights to Estée Lauder in 1999, agreeing not to use her name commercially in certain contexts. The dispute centers on Zara perfume packaging that states “A creation by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves.” Estée Lauder argues this violates the original agreement and risks misleading consumers, while emphasizing its long-term investment in building the Jo Malone London brand.
OTHER
Immigration crackdown fails to boost jobs, data suggests
One year into President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, evidence suggests that closed borders are not improving employment opportunities for U.S.-born workers. Researchers from the American Enterprise Institute and Brookings Institution estimate that net migration may have been negative in 2025 for the first time in at least 50 years, a situation coinciding with rising joblessness among native-born individuals. “Look at what we're seeing: The U.S.-born unemployment rate has been going up. The U.S.-born labor force participation rate has dropped,” said Mark Regets, a senior fellow at non-partisan research organization the National Foundation for American Policy. “So if we've had a big withdrawal of immigrants from the labor force, we don't see any sign of the U.S.-born workers getting more employment because of that.”

 

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