Federal Government

After US argues 5th Circuit ‘countermanded’ SCOTUS, Alito allows ‘ghost gun’ regulations, for now

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily allowed the Biden administration to enforce "ghost gun" regulations after the federal government that argued the lower courts had “effectively countermanded” a prior determination by the Supreme Court.

Oct 9, 2023 11:16 AM CDT

Biden plans to build part of border wall, says he was unable to redirect appropriated funds

President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday that he doesn’t think that a border wall is effective, but he is planning to build one anyway in Starr County, Texas.

Oct 5, 2023 2:59 PM CDT

Special counsel investigates Giuliani’s drinking habits, possibly to counter Trump defense

Special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly asking witnesses whether lawyer Rudy Giuliani was drinking when he advised then-President Donald Trump on election night in 2020 and whether Trump was aware of the lawyer’s alcohol issues.

Oct 5, 2023 12:16 PM CDT

A code of ethics is necessary to restore trust in the Supreme Court

“Trust in our institutions of government is a central tenet of our democracy. As lawyers, we are acutely aware that our democracy depends on faith in our court systems. … As members of the American Bar Association, it is our duty to safeguard and further our nearly century-long commitment as national leaders in defining the parameters of legal and judicial ethics,” writes ABA President Mary Smith.

Oct 1, 2023 3:50 AM CDT

US will hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine, AG says in stirring speech

War criminals will find no refuge in America,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland told the ABA House of Delegates on Aug. 7. Garland spoke in person at the 2023 ABA Annual Meeting, calling upon the association to support victims of the Russian war on Ukraine.

Oct 1, 2023 1:40 AM CDT

Nov. 28, 1953: LSD and the death of a CIA scientist

The mystery began in the early morning hours of Nov. 28, 1953, soon after Frank Olson plunged onto the pavement in front of New York City’s Hotel Statler. Two decades later, the mystery surrounding Olson’s death would result in a lawsuit, a presidential apology and a six-figure settlement.

Oct 1, 2023 12:10 AM CDT

ABA president announces Martin Scorsese, Dolores Huerta to join new speaker series

Beginning in October, ABA members will hear directly from Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese, labor rights icon Dolores Huerta and other influential thinkers and trailblazers.

Sep 26, 2023 10:17 AM CDT

Federal prosecutor’s office in rural Oklahoma struggles to hire attorneys for spiking caseloads

The U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is struggling to hire lawyers after obtaining funding to ramp up from eight criminal prosecutors to 159 employees.

Sep 21, 2023 12:42 PM CDT

Texas AG Paxton warns Biden administration to ‘buckle up’ after acquittal at impeachment trial

After his acquittal at an impeachment trial Saturday, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleged that the “sham” proceeding was coordinated by the Biden administration along with the “liberal” speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Republican Dade Phelan.

Sep 18, 2023 10:03 AM CDT

Justice Alito temporarily blocks curbs on Biden administration’s communications with social media

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Thursday temporarily blocked an injunction that curbed the Biden administration’s communications with social media.

Sep 15, 2023 9:45 AM CDT

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar embraces tough task at conservative-leaning Supreme Court

“I often get asked a version of this question: ‘What happens when you know you’re going to lose?’” U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said this week in an appearance at the University of Wisconsin Law School. “I’m an incorrigible optimist.”

Sep 14, 2023 1:01 PM CDT

US pressure on social media over misinformation likely unconstitutional, 5th Circuit says

Updated: The U.S. government likely violated the First Amendment by pressuring social media companies to block COVID-19 misinformation and other content, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.

Sep 11, 2023 10:42 AM CDT

Does federal law prevent employers from making you wear a bra at work?

Can your employer make you wear a bra at work? The New York Times addressed the issue in an “Ask Vanessa” column.

Sep 6, 2023 8:12 AM CDT

FDA’s ‘tweet-sized doses’ of ivermectin advice can be challenged in lawsuit, 5th Circuit says

Doctors who prescribed the human version of a drug called ivermectin to thousands of their COVID-19 patients can sue the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Sep 5, 2023 11:09 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Top firms named for female equity partners; Trump inflated net worth by $2.2B, motion says

These law firms ranked best for female equity partners Three large law firms are reporting that more than 33% of their equity partners are women, according to Law360 Pulse’s 2023 Women in Law Report. They are Littler Mendelson (36.8%), Jackson Lewis (33.8%) and Ropes & Gray (33.1%). Two midsize firms…

Sep 1, 2023 1:56 PM CDT