This term, the U.S. Supreme Court will address a pivotal question in Wassily v. Blanche, a case focusing on whether asylum beneficiaries can seek lawful permanent residency following the termination of their asylum status. This decision carries substantial implications given recent policy shifts under the Trump administration that heightened the risk of asylum status termination…
In a notable decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), an administrative law judge has ruled that Asus, a prominent Taiwanese electronics firm, along with another Wi-Fi device seller, has infringed upon patents held by Netgear. This initial finding highlights ongoing tensions in the technology sector, particularly concerning patent rights and intellectual property disputes….
Altria Group Inc. faced a legal setback as the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) upheld a judge’s decision preventing the company from advancing its primary infringement theory against Juul Labs Inc. This ruling comes after the ITC determined that the matter had already been addressed in a previous case involving different vape-related patents, where Juul…
In the evolving landscape of legal careers, the journey from regulatory agencies to corporate in-house roles is becoming increasingly common. A prominent example is an attorney who transitioned from a position at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to a legal role within a university setting, highlighting the fluidity and adaptability required in today’s legal profession….
Justice Amy Coney Barrett has expressed a preference for being seen as “independent,” rather than a “swing vote,” which she feels suggests a lack of decisiveness. The concept of a swing justice traditionally referred to someone near the ideological center who often casts the deciding vote, such as Justices Lewis Powell, Sandra Day O’Connor, and…
“`html The recent Slaughter decision by the Supreme Court marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to reshape administrative law, fulfilling a longstanding goal rooted in the Reagan era. This decision comes as a culmination of decades-long conservative advocacy to limit the power of federal agencies. The ruling reflects the tenets of the Reagan…
The recent U.S. Supreme Court term offered a fascinating perspective on the dynamics among federal appeals courts. Each circuit’s relationship with the Supreme Court was marked by distinct patterns of success and struggle, reflecting different judicial philosophies and priorities. The Ninth Circuit, traditionally known for its reversals, saw a notable shift. This year, it experienced…
In a recent development, a Massachusetts federal judge has criticized the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for lacking substantial justification in its enforcement of a reimbursement limit on grant-funded research support costs. This case, which saw challenges from several research institutions, has reached a critical point as the judge considers whether to award legal fees…
In a significant development, recent legal changes under former President Donald Trump have expanded executive powers, enabling the president to remove members of certain federal boards. These changes could potentially undermine established due process safeguards. According to Bloomberg Law, the alterations notably affect agencies like the Federal Reserve and the Environmental Protection Agency by potentially…
In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has been characterized by a series of assertive decisions often overturning lower court rulings. However, a noticeable shift has been observed in the current term, where the justices appear to be more aligned with decisions made by circuit courts. This trend may suggest an increasing adaptation by the…
The recent term at the U.S. Supreme Court saw a notable shift in the landscape for law firms, as the volume of cases argued was spread over a smaller pool of participants than in previous years. This shift was underscored by the standout performance of a select boutique law firm, which emerged as a dominant…
The recent Supreme Court decision in the Slaughter case has catalyzed a shift in the balance of power concerning federal agencies. With this ruling, questions about the constitutional implications for these agencies grow more pertinent. According to Columbia University constitutional law professor Gillian Metzger, the decision may render these agencies more political and potentially easier…
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…