Keep your finger on the legal world's pulse

Apple is to pay $250m to settle a false advertising lawsuit over the launch of new AI features in 2024, when the iPhone-maker advertised a still yet-to-be-released  “personalized” Siri voice assistant. The proposed settlement filed in California federal court would apply to people in the U.S. who purchased all models of the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 15 Pro between June 10th, 2024 and March 29th, 2025. Apple did not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to a deal that will resolve claims in a large consolidated class action lawsuit filed last year. "Apple promoted AI capabilities that did not exist at the time, do not exist now, and will not exist for two or more years, if ever, all while marketing them as the breakthrough innovation," lawyers wrote.

 

Financial Times

The Verge

BBC News

The Justice Department is offering signing bonuses of up to $25,000 for “well-qualified candidates” who will be in an office focused on investigating youth transgender treatments and litigating the Trump administration's immigration agenda. The head of the DOJ's Civil Division also informed all his attorneys that they will begin receiving a “retention incentive allowance” ranging from around $60 to $220 every pay period through Thanksgiving.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times, alleging that a white male employee was overlooked for a promotion in favor of a less qualified woman to fulfill diversity goals. The agency said the decision to exclude the male applicant was influenced by the organization's commitment to increasing representation of women and people of color in leadership roles. “No one is above the law - including ‘elite' institutions. There is no such thing as ‘reverse discrimination,'" Lucas said. "No matter the size or power of the employer, the EEOC under my leadership will not pull punches in ensuring evenhanded, colorblind enforcement of Title VII to protect America's workers, including white males.” The New York Times has denied the allegations, claiming that the most qualified candidate was chosen and that race and gender did not influence the decision.

 

U.S. News

Five major publishers including Elsevier, Hachette, McGraw Hill and MacMillan have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms in Manhattan federal court. They allege that Meta unlawfully used millions of their works, including textbooks and novels, to train its Llama AI models. Meta has denied wrongdoing, claiming that training AI on copyrighted material can qualify as fair use.

 

Bloomberg Law

The Guardian

Robert M. McCloughy, a 43-year-old former IRS revenue agent from Carlstadt, NJ, has been charged with wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property. The U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Jersey reported that McCloughy allegedly embezzled over $12m while serving as CFO and controller of a fuel company from March 2017 to March 2025. He misappropriated funds through unauthorized reimbursements and bank transfers, while falsifying company records to conceal his actions. Federal prosecutors noted that he engaged in money laundering by gambling large sums at online sportsbooks and casinos. No attorney has been listed for McCloughy.

 

CPA Practice Advisor

The Trump administration is considering the introduction of government oversight for new AI models. The U.S. government is discussing an executive order to create an AI working group that would bring together tech executives and government officials to examine potential oversight procedures. The New York Times notes that the mooted discussions signal a stark reversal in the administration’s approach to the technology; Donald Trump has been a major booster of the technology since returning to office last year, saying it is vital to winning the geopolitical contest against China. “Right now it’s a beautiful baby that’s born,” Mr. Trump said of AI at an event in July. “We have to grow that baby and let that baby thrive. We can’t stop it . . . We can’t stop it with foolish rules and even stupid rules.”

 

New York Times

Hogan Lovells has joined The Global Legal Tech Alliance, a network of more than 15 firms formed last month that hopes to shape the future of AI and legal technology. Other law firm members include Tilleke & Gibbins, Havel & Partners, Gercke Wollschläger, MLL Legal and Jiménez Peña Abogados.

 

The Global Legal Post

Ken Sanocki has joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as a partner in its Energy and Climate Solutions practice in San Francisco. He specializes in advising companies, sponsors, and investors on structured and project finance related to renewable energy, storage, and climate infrastructure. Sanocki will assist clients with capital formation and strategic transactions, including developing portfolios of revenue-generating assets and preparing for IPOs or M&A activities. He previously worked at Sunrun.

 

Bloomberg Law

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to nominate a new candidate for the Supreme Court after his initial choice, Solicitor General Jorge Messias, was rejected by Congress. Lula is the first Brazilian leader in 132 years to ‌have a nominee rejected, in a move that is indicative of increasing tension as the general election scheduled for October approaches. Lula is expected to run for ⁠his fourth non-consecutive ⁠term.

 

U.S. News

The U.S. Trade Representative's office has said Vietnam is a top concern or "Priority Foreign Country" ​on intellectual property rights. The identification is reserved by statute for countries with "the most egregious IP-related acts, policies, ​and practices with the greatest adverse impact on relevant ​U.S. products," and means ⁠that the listed country had not been entering into "good faith ​negotiations or making significant progress in negotiations" to provide adequate and effective ​IP rights protection, the USTR office explained.

 

Reuters

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized menthol, mango and blueberry-flavored vape products from Los Angeles-based manufacturer Glas after President Donald Trump reportedly pressured FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to accelerate approvals for flavored nicotine products. The decision marks a shift in the FDA’s previous stance against approving fruit-flavored vaping products due to concerns over youth use, with the agency saying that the Glas devices included features designed to prevent underage access. Reports said President Trump viewed flavored vaping as an important issue for younger MAGA voters and had discussed Mr Makary’s opposition to the approvals with advisers. The development comes amid wider scrutiny of Mr Makary’s leadership following criticism over drug approval decisions and internal staffing disputes at the FDA.

 

The Hill

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal