The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has advised the Federal Circuit that Verizon is not permitted to appeal a decision made by the agency’s former director. This decision effectively overturned the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s (PTAB) previous nullification of a patent that Verizon had contested. The USPTO’s stance is rooted in consistent judicial…
This term, former clerks of the late Justice Antonin Scalia played a significant role in shaping arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. According to a recent analysis, these clerks participated in arguments for half of the cases reviewed by the Court. The influence of Scalia’s former clerks continues to underline the lasting impact of his…
“`html The United States Supreme Court is set to deliberate on several intriguing cases, ranging from pension fund eligibility to issues of federal district court jurisdiction over pre-enforcement challenges, signaling potential shifts in significant areas of law. One of the cases under scrutiny examines whether a multiemployer pension plan, specifically involving the Bakery Drivers Local…
The ongoing litigation surrounding the IRS’s donor disclosure policy presents a significant examination of judicial deference to administrative agencies. The case, which questions the limits of the IRS’s authority to mandate nonprofit organizations to disclose substantial donor information, is poised to test the breadth of court deference as outlined in landmark decisions such as Chevron…
Google has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a controversial policy by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that relies on the age of patents when denying requests for review. This move by Google challenges what it describes as an “unprecedented and unsupported action” that oversteps the USPTO’s authority. The high stakes of this…
The Supreme Court has decided to review a case concerning the Department of Labor’s authority to conduct hearings for collecting penalties from employers violating visa conditions for seasonal farm workers. This stems from actions by Sun Valley Orchards, a New Jersey farm accused of improper worker treatment and other violations, which were initially upheld by…
The upcoming legal confrontation before the Supreme Court concerning the right to a jury trial within Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings could have lasting implications for administrative law and corporate accountability. As of April 21st, the justices will engage in oral arguments that bear substantial weight on both future FCC actions and broader interpretations of…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has given Apple the green light to import its redesigned Apple Watch, as it no longer infringes patents held by Masimo Corp. This decision marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle that began when an import ban was imposed on certain Apple Watch models in 2023 due to…
The panel selection for a key appeals case involving major law firms highlights a notable convergence of judicial appointments from different administrations. Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan, appointed by President Obama, along with Judge Cornelia Pillard, another Obama appointee, and Judge Neomi Rao, appointed by President Trump, will preside over the hearing of combined appeals cases…
In a notable development, a coalition of former U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) officials has voiced support for four prominent law firms in their legal battle against an appeal by the Trump administration. This appeal seeks to reinstate a series of executive orders targeting these firms. The former EEOC leaders contend that these directives…
“`html The balance between jury trials and administrative adjudication has been center stage as the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the enforcement methodologies of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The case of George Jarkesy, documented on SCOTUSblog, offers a critical examination of administrative tribunals versus the traditional jury structure, raising significant questions about the Seventh…
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently curtailed job protections for administrative law judges (ALJs), potentially increasing executive power—a move largely seen as advantageous to the former Trump administration’s policies. The decision hinges on a dispute involving ALJ oversight and appointment processes, amplifying presidential control over federal agency litigation outcomes. Legal experts view this development as…
The Supreme Court recently announced its intention to hear arguments on the Trump administration’s initiative to rescind Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Syrian and Haitian nationals. This decision is poised to impact not only these two cases but also several ongoing lawsuits challenging the administration’s revisions to the TPS program, a mechanism allowing eligible non-citizens…
Intuit’s recent victory in court marks a significant moment in its ongoing battle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegedly deceptive advertising practices. The case stems from a 2024 ruling by the FTC under then-Chair Lina Khan, which ordered Intuit to cease its claims that TurboTax was “free” without providing clearer disclaimers. The administrative…
A legal skirmish over the status of Syrian nationals in the United States has reached the country’s highest court as a group of these individuals have petitioned the Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling that allows them to remain. This stems from a decision made in November 2025, when U.S. District Judge Katherine…
The U.S. Department of Justice has moved to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an erstwhile DOJ official who claimed wrongful termination after being covertly recorded discussing Jeffrey Epstein, believing he was on a date. The DOJ filed a motion with a federal court in D.C., asserting that the district courts lack jurisdiction and that the…
Recent discussions in the legal community highlight concerns regarding the composition of federal agencies, particularly when they operate without a full complement of board members. Lawyers specializing in administrative law are being urged to scrutinize these potentially inquorate agencies as grounds for litigation. The prompt for such scrutiny comes from increased incidences where agencies have…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has reactivated patent infringement claims against a Chinese importer of fluoride resin products, overturning a prior ruling by an administrative law judge. The ruling concerns allegations by Syensqo, a chemical company, which argues that the Chinese firm is infringing on its patents by importing resin products into the United…
Epstein Becker Green (EBG) has announced the addition of Charlotte Luckstone, who previously served as Acting General Counsel for the U.S. Marshals Service, to their legal team. This strategic hire underscores EBG’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in government and regulatory affairs. During her tenure at the U.S. Marshals Service, Luckstone was responsible for overseeing…
As the U.S. Supreme Court continues to issue decisions that resonate on a national scale, the role of academic briefs in shaping these rulings becomes increasingly apparent. A recent analysis highlights this growing influence, punctuated by the landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. In this case, the Court’s decision to overturn the…
Squire Patton Boggs has made strategic moves to bolster its Washington, D.C. office by hiring two high-profile partners from competing firms. This decision underscores the firm’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the capital and tapping into seasoned expertise. The firm has welcomed Attorney Evan Pritchard from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Attorney Paige…
Sharon Goodie, serving as an administrative law judge in Washington, D.C., has been renominated by President Donald Trump to become an associate judge on the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. Her renomination underscores a continued effort to shape the judicial landscape within the capital, a move that could have implications for the court’s…
In a significant development for U.S. trade enforcement, the International Trade Commission (ITC) has chosen not to review penalties imposed on four grocery chains for breaching a ban against importing chocolate malt drink mix. The administrative law judge’s ruling penalizes these retailers for flouting trade restrictions, reflecting an ongoing commitment to uphold regulatory measures. The…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has initiated an investigation into whether imports of certain processed slabs infringe upon patents held by Cambria Company LLC, a Minnesota-based quartz surface manufacturer. This action follows a complaint filed by Cambria on December 19, 2025, alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 due to…
In 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued several decisions that underscored the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) broad discretion in managing inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, highlighting ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the patent office. In November 2025, the Federal Circuit denied Motorola Solutions’ petition for mandamus…