Boston Bomber Asks Full 1st Circ. To Weigh Judge DQ Bid

By Chris Villani

The convicted Boston Marathon bomber on Thursday asked the full First Circuit to consider disqualifying his trial judge from leading an investigation into potential juror bias, arguing an appellate court panel failed to assess whether post-trial public comments tainted his impartiality.

Petition attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

NBA Signs Off On $6B Sale Of Celtics

By Elaine Briseño

The National Basketball Association board of governors approved the sale of the controlling interests in the Boston Celtics to an investor group led by private equity firm co-founder Bill Chisholm, with the valuation of the club estimated at $6.1 billion.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Ex-Market Basket Execs Banned From Co. Sites Amid Feud

By Julie Manganis

A Massachusetts judge on Thursday barred two former Market Basket executives from returning to any of its stores or headquarters amid a fight for control over the regional supermarket chain, three days after the company went to court to enforce no-trespassing orders.

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Boston Firm Says Personal Injury Rival Stole 'Secret Sauce'

By Julie Manganis

A Boston personal injury firm that pioneered the use of television ads in legal marketing in the 1980s is seeking $11 million from a newer Massachusetts competitor that allegedly copied and repeatedly used its "secret sauce" digital operating playbook and other materials.

Complaint attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

20 States Win Injunction Against ICE's Use Of Medicaid Data

By Rachel Riley

A California federal judge has blocked the federal government from using Medicaid information from 20 states for immigration enforcement purposes, marking a partial victory for the coalition of states challenging a new data-sharing arrangement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security.   

Order attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Brief

Wyden, Warren Ask Lutnick's Son About Firm's Tariff Bets

By Dylan Moroses

Senate Democratic ranking members sent a letter published Thursday to Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. CEO Brandon Lutnick raising concerns about potential insider trading and conflicts of interest associated with a financial product hedging the legality of tariffs that his father, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, has been involved in.

Letter attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Eli Lilly To Put $1.3B Into Obesity-Focused Medicine Biz

By Jade Martinez-Pogue

Venture and private equity-backed drug discovery company Superluminal Medicines announced a partnership Thursday with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co., which will see Superluminal receiving up to $1.3 billion to help advance cardiometabolic and obesity-related medicines.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Aerospace Tech Biz Valued At $800M Following SPAC Merger

By Jade Martinez-Pogue

Merlin, an autonomous flight technology company for the defense industry, on Thursday announced plans to go public via a merger with special purpose acquisition company Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. I in a deal that was built by three law firms and would value the aerospace company at $800 million.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Troutman Adds 3 More CMBS Attys From K&L Gates

By Andrea Keckley

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP has announced three more additions to its commercial mortgage-backed securities team from K&L Gates LLP, saying their hires will "further fortify the firm's competitive edge in the special servicing and litigation sectors."

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Notable Q2 Updates In Insurance Class Actions

Vehicle valuation challenges regarding the use of projected sale adjustments continued apace in insurance class actions this quarter, where insurers have been scoring victories on class certification decisions in federal circuit courts, says Mathew Drocton at BakerHostetler.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Series

Hiking Makes Me A Better Lawyer

On the trail, I have thought often about the parallels between hiking and high-stakes patent litigation, and why strategizing, preparation, perseverance and joy are important skills for success in both endeavors, says Barbara Fiacco at Foley Hoag.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Willkie Lays Off Staff After San Francisco Group Departs

By Aebra Coe

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has laid off five staff members in San Francisco following the departure of a group of 20 lawyers from the office amid discord over the law firm's decision to ink a deal with the Trump administration to avoid an executive order, sources say.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

DOJ Employee Fired After Alleged Sandwich Assault On Agent

By Craig Clough

A man charged with felony assault for allegedly throwing a sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was a member of the U.S. Department of Justice and has been fired, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday.

2 documents attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Trump Picks Ex-Scalia, Kavanaugh Clerk For 7th Circ.

By Courtney Bublé

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday evening he would be nominating Rebecca Taibleson, an assistant U.S. attorney in Wisconsin, to the Seventh Circuit.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Analysis

Who Owns A Beat? The Dispute Over Reggaeton's Core Sound

By Ivan Moreno

The origin of the rhythm that underpins much of reggaeton music is at the center of a copyright lawsuit from Jamaican artists who claim a loop from an instrumental song they released in 1989 has become foundational to reggaeton, which thousands of songs have copied without permission.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Bipartisan Lawmaker Groups Lambaste Habba's Reappointment

By Adrian Cruz

A bipartisan group of current and former members of Congress on Wednesday criticized the Trump administration's appointment of acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, saying doing it without congressional approval is unconstitutional.

1 document attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Fla. Bar Fights Demand For Bondi Ethics Probe

By Ryan Boysen

The Florida Bar has again pushed back on a request to investigate U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi for alleged unethical conduct, telling the Supreme Court of Florida that a group of complainants can't bulldoze past its policy of not investigating sitting government officials.

Response attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Feds Urge Court Not To Toss Rep. Cuellar's Bribery Case

By Catherine Marfin

Allowing U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, to escape bribery charges under the Constitution's speech and debate clause would "eviscerate" several precedents set under the provision, prosecutors told a federal judge on Thursday.

Read full article » | Save to favorites »

Senate Democrats Urge 'Robust' Funding For US Defenders

By Courtney Bublé

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday implored congressional appropriators to ensure that the federal public defender program has adequate funding for fiscal year 2026 after budget shortfalls. 

Letter attached | Read full article » | Save to favorites »