The United States Supreme Court is set to review a significant case that could potentially weaken one of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) most effective enforcement tools. Historically, the SEC has utilized disgorgement as a means to compel wrongdoers to relinquish ill-gotten gains, restoring funds to affected investors. However, the case now before the…
Federal class action filings surged in 2025, with consumer protection lawsuits leading the charge, according to a recent analysis by Lex Machina. After a period of stability, this increase has been primarily driven by cases associated with data breaches, digital commerce, and online accessibility issues. These types of consumer cases have become increasingly prominent in…
In the upcoming week, the U.S. Supreme Court will revisit the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) authority to employ “disgorgement” in securities-related enforcement. This consideration forms part of the legal saga encapsulated in Sripetch v. SEC. The core issue the justices will examine is whether the SEC can mandate a wrongdoer to forfeit profits derived…
As various appeals courts across the United States prepare to deliberate on the regulation of state prediction markets, the legal landscape remains complex and uncertain. Central to these cases is the determination of whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) holds exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets that deal with sports-related events. These markets enable traders…
Seward & Kissel, a prominent law firm known for its expertise in financial services, has recently expanded its New York office by adding two partners specializing in securities and litigation. This strategic move signals the firm’s commitment to bolstering its capabilities in complex financial and regulatory matters. The new partners joining Seward & Kissel include…
In a closely watched case, the U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear arguments in FCC v. AT&T, focusing on whether the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) imposition of fines for violations of communications laws violates the Seventh Amendment’s right to a jury trial. This follows the 2024 decision in SEC v. Jarkesy, where the court deemed…
The growing scrutiny of social media platforms has extended into the realm of securities fraud, with recent cases involving Meta Platforms Inc. highlighting potential legal challenges. As the industry navigates an evolving landscape, it faces heightened risks of litigation alleging misleading statements and omissions related to user data and platform operations. These developments come amidst…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing to draft an exemption for bail-in securities, according to Commissioner Paul Atkins’ recent statement. This move is poised to alter the regulatory landscape for financial institutions grappling with insolvency risks. In the bail-in process, banks nearing collapse reorganize their obligations, compelling creditors to absorb losses rather…
In a strategic expansion of its structured finance team, Orrick has brought onboard partners David Quirolo and Jeremiah Wagner from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. The two legal professionals join Orrick’s London office, boosting the firm’s capacity in structured finance and related legal services. Learn more. Both Quirolo and Wagner possess significant expertise in the…
The European Law Masters Alumni Association (ELMAA) is set to host its eighth annual Summer School on European Union Law from July 27 to 31, 2026, on Corfu Island, Greece. This year’s program, titled “The EU as a Global Actor: Legal Foundations and Challenges,” aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the European Union’s role…
In a significant move, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has appointed David Woodcock, a partner from Gibson Dunn, to lead its Fort Worth regional office. This decision comes after the departure of the previous enforcement chief, marking a swift transition in leadership. Woodcock brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously…
Recent developments have highlighted the need for legal professionals to focus on the emerging compliance risks associated with insider trading in prediction markets. While prediction markets have been touted for creating efficient forecasting methods, their rising popularity is sparking concerns about potential vulnerabilities to insider trading practices, which corporate compliance officers cannot afford to overlook….
As corporations prepare their annual proxy statements, they face growing scrutiny over the inclusion of shareholder proposals. Recent developments have heightened the stakes, not just legally but also reputationally. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a temporary halt to its involvement in supervising these proposals, prompting a notable rise in related litigation. This…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the appointment of a new top official for its enforcement division. Alex Oh, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, has been named the director of the division, marking a significant transition from her private sector role to overseeing regulatory compliance and enforcement within the nation’s…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a significant leadership change with the appointment of a partner from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP as the new director of its Division of Enforcement. This decision comes in the wake of the sudden resignation of the most recent director. The new appointee, a former senior…
Haynes and Boone, LLP has expanded its presence in Boston by hiring a litigation duo from DLA Piper, further intensifying the competitive legal landscape in the region. The firm’s addition of David S. Levin and Victoria A. Wallace aims to bolster its litigation capabilities, a strategic decision as legal firms continue to navigate the intricate…
Spencer Fane LLP, a Missouri-headquartered law firm, announced its largest expansion to date by merging with Conner & Winters LLP, a Southwest-based firm. This strategic integration, set to finalize on July 1, will add 75 attorneys to Spencer Fane’s roster, significantly bolstering its presence and legal capabilities in the region. This move reflects a growing…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a scale-back of the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), a significant market surveillance tool. Originally designed to track all activity in the U.S. equity and options markets, the CAT has been a cornerstone of regulatory infrastructure. However, escalating costs have pressured the SEC to reassess its approach….
In a recent legal confrontation, Gautam Adani has petitioned a judge to dismiss a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fraud lawsuit levied against him. The case hinges on allegations that Adani misled investors through potential financial misstatements and omitted critical information. Adani’s defense team contends that the SEC lacks sufficient evidence to substantiate their…
In a significant move in the legal sector, Latham & Watkins has announced that Anne Marie Lightdale will rejoin the firm’s New York office as a securities partner. Lightdale returns to the firm where she previously honed her expertise in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Her return marks a strategic reinforcement of…
Elon Musk’s strategy for SpaceX’s much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) includes a unique condition that has sparked discussions across Wall Street. According to a report by The New York Times, banks and other firms looking to play a role in the IPO must purchase subscriptions to Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, a…
McGuireWoods has expanded its capital markets practice by adding two new partners in its New York office, marking a strategic investment in its financial services capabilities. The recruitment of John M. Engel and Robert A. Friedland brings significant expertise to the firm, particularly in advising private equity firms and corporate issuers on complex securities transactions….
Elon Musk’s ongoing legal battles have taken another intriguing turn as experts predict that alleged jury bias will be central to his securities appeals. This development emerges following a mixed verdict in a highly publicized trial concerning Musk’s 2018 tweets about potentially taking Tesla private. Before the case can reach the U.S. Court of Appeals…
OpenAI, a prominent player in artificial intelligence research and development, has engaged the prestigious law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to steer its latest fundraising efforts. This strategic collaboration is aimed at bolstering OpenAI’s financial base as it seeks to expand its operations and influence within the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The decision to…
In a strategic move to bolster its legal team, eCapital Corp. has appointed John W. Morrow Jr. as its new General Counsel. Morrow transitions from NV5 Global Inc., where he served in a similar capacity, bringing extensive experience in corporate and securities law to his new role. This appointment exemplifies eCapital’s intention to navigate the…