Aerospace & Defense

  • June 02, 2026

    30-Year Foreign Service Leader Joins Squire Patton In DC

    Squire Patton Boggs LLP has hired the State Department's former acting assistant secretary for Near East Affairs, who was also the first U.S. special envoy for Yemen and throughout his more-than-30-year career with the agency held posts in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq and other countries.

  • June 01, 2026

    DC Circ. Says Military Trans Ban Flouts Constitutional Rights

    A divided D.C. Circuit panel Monday said the Trump administration illegally banned transgender individuals from military service, then narrowed a preliminary injunction to prevent the government's exclusion of transgender people presently serving in the military but not those desiring to enlist.

  • June 01, 2026

    Moderna Tells Fed. Circ. US Must Face COVID Vax Patent Case

    Moderna has urged the Federal Circuit to rule that Arbutus Biopharma must pursue its patent infringement claims over Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine against the U.S. government, saying a lower court ruling that Moderna must face the multibillion-dollar suit was "deeply flawed."

  • June 01, 2026

    2nd Circ. Backs Yacht Forfeiture Absent Proof Of Ownership

    A Second Circuit panel on Monday affirmed a district court decision that authorized the United States to sell a seized superyacht, finding the businessman contesting its sale could not prove he was the yacht's true owner.

  • June 01, 2026

    Boeing, Rolls-Royce Say Claims Still Fail In Osprey Suit

    The Boeing Co., Bell Textron Inc. and Rolls-Royce Corp. are again asking a California federal court to throw out breach of contract and fraudulent concealment claims in a suit over the deaths of five Marines in the June 2022 crash of a V-22 Osprey aircraft, saying the latest amended complaint does not save the claims.

  • June 01, 2026

    SES Wants Feds To Scrap Rule Restricting 12.75 GHz Uses

    Satellite company SES has asked the Federal Communications Commission to toss a restriction on high-speed uplinks in a prime swath of airwaves that the company argues has unnecessarily hindered the growth of domestic fixed satellite service.

  • June 01, 2026

    SpaceX Nabs $4.16B Space Force Deal

    The U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion Other Transaction Authority agreement for the agency's space-based airborne moving target indicator program, which aims to track and target airborne military threats from space. 

  • June 01, 2026

    States Back Air Force In High Court Munitions Disposal Fight

    Several states urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit ruling finding the U.S. Air Force had to conduct environmental review over its application to renew a munitions disposal permit, arguing it imposed needless procedural hurdles.

  • June 01, 2026

    Motorola Solutions Buying Drone Tech Firm D-Fend For $1.5B

    Motorola Solutions said Monday it has agreed to buy counter-drone technology company D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion, expanding its push into airspace security as governments and enterprises respond to rising drone-related threats.

  • May 29, 2026

    Lockheed Beats Families' Birth Defects Suit At Trial

    A Florida federal jury returned a defense verdict in favor of Lockheed Martin Corp. after finding the company's chemical handling practices at an Orlando weapons manufacturing facility did not cause birth defects.

  • May 29, 2026

    Suirui And Jupiter Systems Appeal Injunction, Receiver Order

    Suirui Group, Suirui International and Jupiter Systems have appealed a D.C. federal court order granting the government's motion for a preliminary injunction in an ongoing battle to force it to divest itself of Jupiter Systems.

  • May 29, 2026

    EchoStar, FCC Reach Deal To Settle Auction Defaults

    EchoStar inked a deal Friday with the Federal Communications Commission to settle debt claims from spectrum auction defaults for up to $2.9 billion, depending on how much money the FCC brings in from a new round of license sales.

  • May 29, 2026

    Wis. Says CFTC Lacks Standing To Block Its Betting Regs

    Wisconsin told a federal judge on Friday that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission failed to specify injuries in a lawsuit seeking to block the state from regulating prediction market platforms, while also arguing against platforms' bid to intervene in the case.

  • May 29, 2026

    GAO Says DOD Hasn't Analyzed Impact Of Workforce Cuts

    The U.S. Department of Defense shed about 10% of its civilian workforce in 2025 yet failed to consistently analyze the impact of those reductions on military readiness and operational effectiveness, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a report Friday.

  • May 29, 2026

    Joint Venture Can't Claim Small Biz Status, Judge Finds

    A U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge said a joint venture can't upend the U.S. Small Business Administration's determination that it didn't qualify as a small business for a defense contract solicitation because its mentor-protégé agreement fizzled before the final proposal deadline. 

  • May 29, 2026

    Consultant In Rivera FARA Trial Asks For Redo

    A political consultant convicted alongside ex-Florida Rep. David Rivera asked for a new trial Friday, arguing that the government "did not come close to proving" that she was guilty of willfully failing to register as a foreign agent for her work on a $50 million contract with a unit of Venezuela's state-owned oil company.

  • May 29, 2026

    Judge Won't Toss Afghan Ally Suit Over Family Entry Block

    The Trump administration must face a lawsuit brought by asylees from Afghanistan who claim it unlawfully cited a presidential travel ban to deny their spouses and children entry to the U.S., a Virginia federal judge ruled.

  • May 29, 2026

    Army Exits Family's Negligence Suit Over Scuba Diving Class

    The U.S. Army has escaped a negligence lawsuit brought by the family of a man who drowned during a scuba diving class, with a federal judge in Washington state ruling the plaintiffs failed to exhaust administrative remedies before filing their complaint.

  • May 29, 2026

    Russian Palladium Dodges Duties After ITC Finds No Harm

    Unwrought Russian palladium sold at ostensibly unfair prices won't be subject to triple-digit antidumping and countervailing duties after the U.S. International Trade Commission voted Friday to find the imports are not harming U.S. domestic industry. 

  • May 29, 2026

    House Panel To Consider Ideas For New Navigation Systems

    A U.S. House subcommittee will hold a hearing June 4 on proposals to deploy new Earth-based systems that would buttress the GPS in case of sabotage and signal disruptions.

  • May 28, 2026

    3M, DuPont Lose PFAS Forum-Shopping Sanctions Bid

    A Montana federal judge Thursday declined to sanction Connecticut municipalities for moving firefighter turnout gear PFAS claims to his jurisdiction after roughly two years of litigation on the East Coast, ruling that consolidation of the claims "regardless of district" is "beneficial to all parties."

  • May 28, 2026

    Shield AI Worker Alleges Data Fraud, 'Sexual Violence' By Exec

    An employee hit Shield AI Inc. with a suit in Texas federal court Thursday, alleging the defense technology company engaged in data fraud, allowed a company executive to perpetuate "egregious acts of sexual violence," and retaliated against him after he spoke up.

  • May 28, 2026

    Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over PE-Backed DOD Contractors

    Three Democratic lawmakers wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressing concern over the Pentagon's growing reliance on private equity-backed defense contractors, which they said could pose risks to taxpayers and national security.

  • May 28, 2026

    Army Contractor Seeks $1.8M For Unknown Well Conditions

    An environmental services contractor has filed a U.S. Court of Federal Claims lawsuit seeking $1.82 million from the U.S. Army for additional work required after crews encountered unexpected site conditions while shuttering two artesian wells in New Mexico.

  • May 28, 2026

    Senate Democrats Seek CBO Tally Of Iran War Costs

    A coalition of Democratic senators asked the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to weigh in on the cost of the Trump administration's war in Iran, expressing concern that it has not been transparent in its public accounting.

Expert Analysis

  • 5 Tips For Navigating Your Firm's All-Attorney Summit

    Excerpt from Practical Guidance
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    Law firm retreats should be approached strategically, as they present valuable opportunities to advance both the firm's objectives and attorneys' professional development through meaningful participation, building and strengthening internal relationships, and proactive follow-up, says James Argionis at Cozen O’Connor.

  • What's At Stake In High Court's Venue Dispute Case

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    The U.S. Supreme Court’s eventual ruling in Abouammo v. U.S. could fundamentally reshape venue rules for federal criminal prosecutions, highlighting why defense counsel should ensure preservation of colorable venue challenges, particularly where the government's chosen forum lacks a direct connection to the defendant's physical acts, say attorneys at ArentFox Schiff.

  • 5 Gov't Contractor Tips Following Anthropic Risk Designation

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    The Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk is an unprecedented action that raises significant legal questions, and with government contractors already receiving directives and inquiries concerning their use of Anthropic products and services, there are several strategies contractors can use to manage risk, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

  • How Data Centers Can Prep For Legal Challenges Amid War

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    Amid conflict in the Middle East, data centers may now be exposed to state-level kinetic threats, creating significant legal, regulatory and contractual implications, so operators should update their legal and operational frameworks in order to withstand future disruptions and meet the regulator expectations, say attorneys at Baker Botts.

  • Series

    Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.

  • Bid Protest Spotlight: Commerciality, Amendments, Evidence

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    Recent decisions from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Small Business Administration illustrate the statutory and regulatory preference for acquiring commercial solutions, how failing to acknowledge a solicitation amendment can be fatal to a bid, and a protester's duty to support its allegations with evidence, says James Tucker at MoFo.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: The Human Element

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    Law school teaches you to quickly apply intellect and logic when handling a legal issue, but every fact pattern also involves a person, making the ability to balance expertise with empathy critical to the growth of relationships with clients, colleagues and adversaries, says Rachel Adcox at Adcox Strategies.

  • 4 Ways To Help CBP Curb Shell Co. Import Schemes

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    Shifting to a proactive rather than reactive enforcement posture in addressing shell companies set up to skirt tariffs requires equipping U.S. Customs and Border Protection with enhanced investigative authorities, better intelligence support, and mechanisms to identify and hold accountable the ultimate illicit actors, say attorneys at Kelley Drye.

  • 7 Steps For Gov't Contractors In Post-IEEPA Tariff Landscape

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    In response to U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down tariffs issued by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, there are several actions federal contractors should take to preserve their place in any refund waterfall, and to manage audit, overpayment and False Claims Act risk, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.

  • A Reliable Liability Shield For Government-Sponsored R&D

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    The Federal Circuit's decision in Arlton v. AeroVironment last month confirms that the Section 1498 liability-shifting framework applies well beyond production contracts, providing powerful assurance that contractors performing government-directed work are shielded from patent infringement liability, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • What We Know About DOJ's New FCA Enforcement Priorities

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    Recent remarks from the leader of the Justice Department’s commercial litigation branch provide key insights on how False Claims Act cases — especially healthcare fraud, trade fraud, antidiscrimination and cybersecurity claims — will be evaluated, prioritized and pursued as heightened enforcement becomes the new normal, say attorneys at Latham.

  • The Benefits Of Choosing A Niche Practice In The AI Age

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    As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, lawyers with a niche practice may stand out as clients seek specialized judgment that automation cannot replicate, but it is important to choose a niche that is durable, engaging and a good personal fit, says Daniel Borneman at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • Section 122 Tariffs Show Shift In Strategy, Not Trade Policy

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    By imposing temporary tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act as a stopgap measure while it pivots to less transitory statutory authorities, the Trump administration sent a clear message that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources v. Trump, invalidating duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, will not precipitate a change in policy direction, say attorneys at Snell & Wilmer.

  • Series

    Podcasting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Podcasting has changed how I ask questions and connect with people, sharpening my ability to listen without interrupting or prejudging, and bringing me closer to what law is meant to be: a human profession grounded in understanding, judgment and trust, says Donna DiMaggio Berger at Becker.

  • Lessons From Justices' Split On Major Questions Doctrine

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    The justices' varied opinions in Learning Resources v. Trump, which held the International Emergency Economy Powers Act did not confer the power to impose tariffs, offer a meaningful window into the U.S. Supreme Court's perspective on the major questions doctrine that will likely shape lower courts' approach to executive action challenges, say attorneys at Venable.

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