Sandra Ikuta, Influential Jurist and Conservative Voice on the Ninth Circuit, Dies at 71

Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta of the Ninth Circuit passed away on December 7, 2025, at the age of 71, exactly one month after assuming senior status. ([dailyjournal.com](https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/389011-sandra-s-ikuta-1954-2025?utm_source=openai)) Born on June 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, Ikuta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1976. She…

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Second Circuit Affirms NCAA’s NIL Practices Amid Legacy Grievance Dismissal

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed an appeal brought by former college basketball players. This case involved allegations that the NCAA improperly profited from using their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) long after their athletic careers had concluded. The court’s decision, rendered on Monday, noted that the “continuing violation doctrine” was not applicable…

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Wisconsin Judge’s Immigration Case Highlights Complex Intersection of Judicial Discretion and Federal Enforcement

In a striking courtroom revelation, a Wisconsin judge demonstrated a willingness to face criticism for facilitating the exit of an unauthorized immigrant from her courtroom. During a recent federal trial, the jury learned about the judge’s decision to allow the individual to leave using a private staff hallway. The defense counsel contended that merely because…

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Georgia Judge Upholds Arbitration in Morgan & Morgan Malpractice Suit, Reinforcing Trend Toward Alternative Dispute Resolution

A recent decision from a Georgia federal judge underscores the pivotal role arbitration agreements play in legal proceedings involving major firms. The court ruled not to revise its prior judgment, directing that a malpractice lawsuit against Morgan & Morgan PA proceed to arbitration. This decision stems from a former client’s allegations that the firm’s handling…

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Tech Giants Face Legal Scrutiny Over Alleged Fall Detection Patent Infringement

Leading smartwatch manufacturers Apple, Samsung, Google, and Garmin are facing legal challenges in both the federal court and the U.S. International Trade Commission. An accusation has been leveled against them by a company known for its medical alert watches, specifically catering to the elderly, regarding the fall detection technology implemented in their devices. The allegation…

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Law School Enrollment Sees Significant Growth as Education Landscape Evolves in 2025

The landscape of legal education in the United States is witnessing a noteworthy shift as first-year law school enrollees have surged by 13% since 2023. This increase reflects changing dynamics in higher education and professional aspirations. The American Bar Association (ABA) reports that total enrollment for J.D. students at ABA-accredited law schools in 2025 has…

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Irish Patent Holders Seek Dismissal of Starbucks Lawsuit Amid Allegations of Bad-Faith Claims

Two Irish technology patent-holding companies have petitioned a Seattle federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Starbucks. The lawsuit accuses them of making unfounded intellectual property claims that allegedly violate Washington state law. The companies argue that they never threatened litigation against the coffee giant. This legal maneuvering comes amidst ongoing debates about the…

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Puerto Rico Enacts New Law to Enhance Government Transparency Amid Rising Demand for Public Access

In a significant development for government transparency in Puerto Rico, Governor Jenniffer González Colón has enacted Senate Bill 63 (SB 63), marking a substantial alteration to the public records request procedures within the territory. This legislative change directly impacts the 2019 Transparency and Expedited Procedure for Access to Public Information Act, aligning it with standards…

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Trump Files $5 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC, Alleging Edited Footage of January 6 Speech

In a high-profile legal battle, President Donald J. Trump has filed a $5 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation in a Miami federal court. The suit alleges defamation, claiming that the U.K. broadcaster edited footage to falsely depict Trump as inciting violence during his speech to supporters on January 6, 2021. According to reports,…

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U.S. Supreme Court Opts Out, Leaves Federal Marijuana Laws Intact Amid State Legalization Challenges

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of Canna Provisions v. Bondi, leaving the federal legality of marijuana unchanged. The plaintiffs, four Massachusetts-based marijuana growers, contended that the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) overreaches Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause and infringes upon Fifth Amendment due process rights. Despite backed efforts by the…

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Colorado Woman Sues Georgia Law Firm for $40,000 Over Ineffective Debt Settlement Services

A Colorado woman has filed a complaint against a Georgia-based law firm, alleging it charged her over $40,000 for debt settlement and credit repair services without effectively resolving her financial issues. The law firm reportedly ceased representing her before achieving any substantial debt relief or credit improvement. This development adds to the legal scrutiny surrounding…

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Norway’s Deep-Sea Mining License Pause Praised by UN, Highlights Tension Between Conservation and Exploitation

Norway’s recent decision to halt the issuance of deep-sea mining licenses until at least the end of 2029 has garnered praise from a group of UN Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts. The move, described as a “precautionary pause” on deep-sea mineral exploitation, is seen as a substantial step towards ocean protection and environmental integrity. This…

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Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon’s Rebuilding Efforts Violate War Laws, Human Rights Watch Reports

Human Rights Watch has reported that the Israeli military’s repeated attacks on reconstruction-related equipment and other civilian facilities in southern Lebanon throughout 2025 violate the laws of war and constitute apparent war crimes. ([hrw.org](https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/15/lebanon-israel-unlawfully-destroying-reconstruction-equipment?utm_source=openai)) The report documents four specific strikes between August and October that resulted in the deaths of three civilians and the destruction…

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Federal Circuit Upholds USPTO’s Patent Review Process, Challenges Google’s Appeal Strategies

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently informed the Federal Circuit that Google’s case challenging the denial of patent reviews stands on tenuous ground. This development comes in the wake of several rulings where the court rejected similar petitions regarding the USPTO’s policy on “settled expectations.” In these cases, patent holders claim a reasonable…

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Altria and NJOY Challenge ITC’s Role in Patent Disputes, Advocate for Federal Court Jurisdiction

Altria Group and its NJOY subsidiary have taken a definitive stance against an infringement action before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), arguing that federal courts serve as the appropriate venue for patent disputes. This legal maneuver seeks to block an ongoing probe at the ITC, challenging the jurisdiction’s role in such matters. The companies…

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Cryptocurrencies at the Crossroads: Balancing Innovation and Privacy in a Surveillance Era

The evolving landscape of cryptocurrency has raised significant concerns among regulators, with the potential for digital currencies to enable comprehensive financial surveillance. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair recently emphasized this issue, stating that if misdirected, cryptocurrency could transform into an unparalleled tool for monitoring financial transactions. This concern stems from the inherent…

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D.C. Circuit Court Weighs Legality of Trump-Era Order on Federal Workers’ Bargaining Rights

In a significant courtroom examination, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit deliberated over the legality of an executive order aiming to curtail federal workers’ bargaining rights, initially set forth during the Trump administration. This executive directive, which has been a point of contention, seeks to redefine the scope of federal labor negotiations…

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Navigating Complex Networks: How Brad Karp’s Professional Ties Linked Him to Jeffrey Epstein

The intricate web of professional associations often brings unexpected alliances. This has been notable in the case of Brad Karp, the chair of prestigious law firm Paul Weiss, and his connection with Jeffrey Epstein, the controversial financier. Karp’s representation of Apollo Global Management’s Leon Black appears to have introduced him into Epstein’s realm. Emails released…

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Lawsuit Against Kasowitz Benson by Former Partner Sheds Light on Law Firm Governance Issues

A former partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, the law firm known for its aggressive litigation style and high-profile clientele, has filed a lawsuit seeking millions in compensation, alleging mismanagement and claiming it failed to honor compensation commitments. This legal dispute has surfaced at a time of unrest in the legal sector, with increasing scrutiny…

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