MaryJoan McNamara, the longest-serving administrative law judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), is planning to step down, marking the end of a significant era for the commission. Her departure is expected to have a considerable impact on the ITC, where her decisions have influenced numerous high-profile trade cases. Appointed to the commission in…
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided to maintain the tenure of Shira Perlmutter as the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s attempts to remove her. This decision sustains a prior ruling from the D.C. Circuit, which allows Perlmutter to continue in her role while she challenges her dismissal in court….
The ongoing litigation between Coca-Cola and the IRS represents a critical examination of the principles established by the Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. decision. This case, which reshaped administrative law doctrines, is now being tested as courts grapple with complex tax disputes influenced by global profit allocation strategies. At the center…
The Federal Circuit’s decision to conduct an en banc review regarding the dismissal of two immigration judges has captured significant attention. The review stems from a previous ruling by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which classified these judges as inferior officers, allowing at-will removal by the President. This decision raises pivotal questions about the…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced its decision to review certain aspects of an administrative law judge’s ruling, which previously found that two companies had infringed upon Razor USA LLC’s patents related to self-balancing hoverboards. The review, reported on Law360, signifies the ITC’s ongoing commitment to scrutinizing patent disputes thoroughly, particularly in rapidly…
A group of Haitian citizens addressed the Supreme Court this week, requesting the dismissal of a dispute concerning the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. The citizens argue that newly discovered information directly affects their claims, warranting the case to be dropped via “dismiss as improvidently granted.” TPS, initiated through…
The Supreme Court’s docket for June 18, 2026, highlights a range of issues with significant implications for various legal and business practices. This session underscores the Court’s role in interpreting laws that affect corporate entities and individual rights alike. On the agenda are cases that delve into the intricacies of administrative law, environmental regulation, and…
In a notable development, the U.S. Senate has confirmed Justin Smith, a former personal attorney to Donald Trump, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Smith’s career at the James Otis Law Group included representing Trump in efforts to overturn a 2023 jury verdict that found Trump liable for sexually assaulting writer…
In a pivotal legal development, a Virginia federal judge has refused to grant Altria Group Inc.’s request for a preliminary injunction to pause the ongoing U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) vaping patent litigation initiated by Juul Labs Inc. Altria’s main contention was that the ITC proceedings infringed upon constitutional principles, yet the court found that…
An administrative law judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has turned down Everspin Technologies’ request to terminate a patent dispute initiated by Avalanche Technology Inc. The case centers around alleged infringements involving Avalanche’s memory chip patents. Everspin argued that the case should be dismissed, contending that Avalanche had improperly taken advantage of discounted…
Fifth Circuit Judge Kurt Engelhardt, known for his tenure on the federal bench, has announced plans to take senior status. In a recent letter, Engelhardt indicated his intention to retire from active service by December 31 or upon the confirmation of a successor. He joined the Fifth Circuit in 2018, having been appointed by President…
A recent ruling by a North Carolina federal judge has sustained the enforceability of three patents held by Shoals Technologies Group LLC in its ongoing infringement lawsuit against Voltage LLC and its Chinese affiliate, Ningbo Voltage Smart Production Co. The patents in question—U.S. Patent Nos. 12,015,375, 12,015,376, and 12,407,295—pertain to lead assemblies that connect solar…
In a recent development, President Donald Trump has put forward nominations to fill the last two open seats on the D.C. Court of Appeals. These appointments to the District of Columbia’s highest court mark a significant move in shaping the judiciary within the nation’s capital. The D.C. Court of Appeals plays a pivotal role as…
In a notable shift within the legal and political landscape, Speaker Johnson’s Chief of Staff is transitioning to K&L Gates, signaling a strategic move to K Street. This development reflects the ongoing trend of high-profile political figures moving into influential roles within major law firms, a practice that continues to reshape the intersection of governance…
A former attorney from the Department of Justice (DOJ), known for defending the Trump administration’s actions against major law firms, has secured a new position at a renowned legal practice. Jeffrey Bossert Clark, who played a pivotal role in shaping the legal strategies during the Trump era, has joined the ranks of the New Civil…
The controversy surrounding the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) approach to patent review has reached the U.S. Supreme Court, with various stakeholders urging a reversal of a policy they argue contradicts legal principles. The crux of the issue lies in the USPTO’s reliance on the age of patents as a determining factor to decline…
The U.S. Supreme Court has remanded a case concerning the immigration judges’ union and its challenge against restrictions on judges’ public speech. The high court found that the Fourth Circuit Court had overstepped by relying on arguments not presented by the involved parties when it revived the lawsuit. This decision sets the stage for further…
The legal landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs is drawing significant attention as affected parties brace for potential legal battles. The scope of these tariffs will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the arguments and strategies of upcoming legal challenges. With international trade, economic stability, and diplomatic relations at stake, understanding the…
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…