The Department of Justice has petitioned the D.C. Circuit for a rehearing concerning its earlier decision to temporarily reinstate the former head of the U.S. Copyright Office, who was dismissed by President Trump. The administration asserts that the president’s authority to remove the copyright chief stems from the office’s status within the executive branch (Law360)….
A recent development involving one of Donald Trump’s circuit court appointments has sparked discussion within legal circles. Judge Lawrence VanDyke, a Trump appointee to the Ninth Circuit, has emerged as a figure of interest due to his recent judicial opinions that have drawn criticism from some conservative commentators. Judge VanDyke’s decisions have primarily focused on…
Brooke Poole Clark, who recently served as General Counsel for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), has joined Morgan Lewis as a partner in their energy and project development practice in Washington, D.C. Clark’s tenure at the NRC spanned nearly 25 years, during which she held positions including General Counsel, Secretary, and Director of the…
The U.S. Copyright Office has been thrust into the spotlight following a decision by the D.C. Circuit to temporarily reinstate its former head. This development comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s controversial dismissal of the official. The appellate court criticized a lower court’s oversight regarding the potential harm to the ousted head if…
A recent decision by a divided panel of the Fourth Circuit has determined that a coalition of states lacks standing to sue the Trump administration over the dismissal of numerous probationary government employees. This ruling, issued on Monday, established that the primary impact of the layoffs was on the employees themselves, rather than the states…
Jackson Lewis, a prominent labor and employment law firm, has announced the addition of former National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Chairman John F. Kaplan to its labor practice in New York City. Kaplan, who served as NLRB chairman from 2017 to 2021, brings extensive experience in labor relations and administrative law to the firm’s team….
In a significant legal maneuver, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts has allowed former President Donald Trump to remove an FTC commissioner temporarily. This development could have implications for the Federal Trade Commission’s functioning and independence. The decision stems from ongoing legal contentions involving the boundaries of presidential power over independent agencies. For further details on…
In a recent legal skirmish that has significant implications for federal funding and university autonomy, Harvard University emerged victorious in a lawsuit contesting the Trump administration’s move to block $2.2 billion in grant funding. The outcome, however, has set the stage for a complex appeal that underscores a nuanced jurisdictional issue which may come under…
In a recent legal decision, a Massachusetts federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration’s decision to freeze over $2 billion in grants intended for Harvard University, stating that the action was taken without clear justification. This unprecedented move was originally part of a broader initiative aimed at combating antisemitism on campuses. However, the court…
In a recent legal development, the union representing workers at the Office of the Commissioner for Patents, part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This action challenges an executive order that effectively removed collective bargaining rights for federal workers. The legal community is closely monitoring this…
In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that a lawsuit concerning the termination of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants was filed in an inappropriate court. The 2-1 ruling determined that the claims should have been filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, as they are…
Mayer Brown, a prominent global law firm, has made a noteworthy addition to its Washington D.C. office by recruiting former Department of Justice appellate attorney Joseph Overvold. This strategic hire is anticipated to bolster the firm’s appellate capabilities significantly, aligning with its objective to enhance its presence in federal courts. Overvold previously served in the…
The recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has introduced significant uncertainty into the enforcement of labor laws within its jurisdiction, encompassing Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The court determined that the structure of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) likely violates the U.S. Constitution, particularly concerning the protections that insulate…
An Illinois appellate court recently dismissed a class action lawsuit challenging the legality of speed enforcement cameras, ruling the plaintiffs failed to exhaust administrative remedies. Justice David W. Ellis underscored that, “subject to certain exceptions, an aggrieved individual must first exhaust any remedies within the administrative tribunal before seeking judicial relief, and the failure to…
In a significant ruling, SpaceX has successfully defended its stance against an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The case has drawn attention due to its potential implications for labor movements within the tech and aerospace industries. The complaint, originally reported by Bloomberg Law, centered on allegations that SpaceX…
The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the termination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has stirred significant debate among legal analysts and public health professionals. This decision, reached with a close 5-4 vote, effectively pauses a lower court’s mandate that required the NIH to continue…
A District of Columbia federal judge has reaffirmed her decision not to reinstate the former head of the U.S. Copyright Office, who was removed from her position. The decision comes as the former official continues her legal battle, appealing to the D.C. Circuit to challenge her dismissal. Despite her claims that she would endure irreparable…
In an unfolding legal standoff, the only Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressed readiness to challenge her potential removal by President Donald Trump through legal action. The member has made it clear that she views any attempt at her removal as unlawful, a stance that could ignite a constitutional debate. Given the…
The recent decision by the Fifth Circuit Court that has thrown the structural integrity of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) into question is making waves in the legal community. The court upheld injunctions preventing the NLRB from prosecuting unfair labor practice cases against companies like SpaceX. The crux of the ruling lies in the…
In a recent decision that could have significant implications for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a split decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has allowed mass firings at the agency to continue. This ruling lifts a preliminary injunction that was initially put in place by U.S. District Judge Amy…
In a notable shift within the legal landscape, former education lawyers who were dismissed during the Trump administration have taken steps to establish their own law firm. The move comes amid what some describe as a “chaotic” era for education policy in the United States. These legal professionals, previously part of the Department of Education,…
In a significant development within the U.S. legal community, the former Director of the U.S. Copyright Office has escalated her battle to the D.C. Circuit. The action comes after President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to terminate her employment, a move she describes as a “patently unlawful removal.” Her request for an emergency injunction seeks reinstatement…
In a compelling legal development, a former examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is seeking the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention in a case concerning his exclusion from practicing before the agency. The former examiner argues that the justices should address both his suspension and broader federal civil rights protections. This case could…
Greenberg Traurig has enhanced its public law practice by welcoming a new partner from Hogan Lovells in Berlin. Dr. Gernot Fritz, a seasoned professional in public and regulatory affairs, will be joining the firm’s robust team. This strategic move is expected to bolster Greenberg Traurig’s capabilities in handling complex public law cases and regulatory matters…
In a significant development within the realm of intellectual property law, the former head of the U.S. Copyright Office is contesting a recent judicial decision. A D.C. federal judge rejected her bid for immediate reinstatement following her termination by then-President Donald Trump. This legal maneuver unfolds while her broader lawsuit over the dismissal is still…