Above the Law

Morning Docket: 09.11.25

* Trump administration appeals stay in bid to fire Federal Reserve governor in prelude to Supreme Court showdown. [Reuters]

* Former FBI agents allege they were subjected to loyalty tests. [NPR]

* Clients driving firms to use more generative AI. Knock it all you want, but hallucinations are cheap! [Bloomberg Law News]

* Bipartisan ABA task force calls for serious election reform to protect the rule of law. [Law.com]

* D.C. Circuit returns Copyright chief to job. [Law360]

* As authorities keep detaining and then releasing suspects in the Charlie Kirk case, the local newspaper notes that Utah allows open carry everywhere, making it harder to just nab everyone leaving the scene with a gun. [Salt Lake Tribune]

* Lynne Stewart, the defense lawyer that the Bush administration accused of aiding terrorists, has died. [ABA Journal]

Law Department Professionals: How Does Your Patent Management Stack Up?

Help us benchmark your organization in this (always) brief and anonymous survey.

Why A U.S. Judge Paused Several Provisions Of The Marketplace Rule

This marks a legal victory for Democrats and healthcare advocates who argued the rule would cause widespread coverage losses and violated federal law.

Morning Docket: 09.10.25

* Judge blocks effort to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, noting that pre-role misconduct -- in this case, a mere accusation of pre-role misconduct to boot -- doesn't meet the statutory definition of a "for cause" dismissal. [Politico]

* Federal judges are learning from each other's experiences. It's why Judge Sooknanan oversaw a grueling, round-the-clock oversight effort having watched the government exploit Judge Boasberg for treating them like good faith litigants. [Lawfare]

* Banksy piece depicting a UK judge using a gave to brutally beat a protester will be removed. [Legal Cheek]

* Supreme Court to fast track appeal of Trump's tariffs case. Big test for a Court that already tried to twist itself in knots to build a conception of presidential power that's unlimited right up until it impacts their stock portfolios. [CNBC]

* Former Biglaw associate accused in DC occupation receives the latest no bill from a grand jury [WUSA]

* Second Circuit to hear appeal in "Tylenol causes autism" suits. The Onion had the best take on this latest of RFK Jr.'s insane theories. [Law.com]

* LGBTQ rights lawyer indicted in Alabama for judge shopping. Meanwhile, in Amarillo, that's just called "a Tuesday." [Reuters]

* Just Ken... getting a DUI. [Lowering the Bar]

How 8am LawPay Takes The Sting Out Of Legal Billing

Getting paid can be an arduous task. You should make it as easy on yourself and your clients as possible. 

Once Again, The Media Gets Snookered

What was touted as an 'exclusive' boiled down to an infomercial for GOP lobbyist Brian Ballard. Why is the media so docile when it comes to Trump allies?

Healthcare Experts Slam Florida’s Plan To End Vaccine Mandates

Florida plans to end all vaccine mandates, drawing sharp criticism from health experts who warn it threatens public health and could lead to preventable disease outbreaks.

Morning Docket: 09.09.25

* Supreme Court authorizes Trump administration to begin racially profiling Latinos -- and anyone authorities think looks Latino -- in another shadow docket special. [The Nation]

* Review calls Amy Coney Barrett's new book "studiously bland," which perfectly captures the lane she's cynically trying to claim for herself. [NY Times]

* State judge who ruled that Trump could continue his suit against the Pulitzer Prize for giving the award to reporting that he didn't like now confirmed to the federal bench. [Reuters]

* The Biglaw firms who didn't surrender are embracing Trump Media work. At least they're getting paid for their time. [American Lawyer]

* Companies increasingly fear that federal worker cuts will end up compromising cybersecurity. [Bloomberg Law News]

* E. Jean Carroll award upheld on appeal. [Courthouse News Service]

* The end of an era as TaxProf Blog, a fixture of the legal blogging world for over 20 years, puts up his final post. [TaxProf Blog]

Turn Contract Friction To Flow

Looking for a model that treats contracting as one continuous path rather than a series of disconnected actions? This guide is for you.

Legal Ethics Roundup: Discipline For Judge’s Shooting Threats, AI-Tainted Briefs, Smith Faces Ethics Complaint Over Indictments & More

Ed. note: Please welcome Renee Knake Jefferson back to the pages of Above the Law. Subscribe to her Substack, Legal Ethics Roundup, here. August went too fast! In the time since we were last in touch, I’ve traveled to Chicago to attend my first meeting as a member of the Council for the ABA Section on Legal Education […]

What Did Lawmakers Discuss At The House Hearing On Health AI?

They highlighted the technology’s potential to reduce administrative burdens and boost care access in rural areas — while also warning about oversight gaps and the risks of AI-driven prior authorization.

Morning Docket: 09.08.25

* Are lawyers at heightened risk of developing a gambling addiction? I've got 2 bills on "no," who wants in on that action? [ABA Journal]

* SEC and CFTC look to crypto regulation, which will come to a halt once they learn what Trumpcoin is. [Law360]

* Trump's handling of federal workers puts him on collision course with limits of legal authority. [Bloomberg Law News]

* Latham files suit challenging wind farm stoppage. Maybe Trump can use another of the surrender firms to fight it. [National Law Journal]

* Rachel Cohen calling on folks to join the response to Trump's Chicago encroachment. [Block Club Chicago]

* Corporations can once again chain their employees and exploit the resulting lack of opportunity with non-compete agreements. [Reuters]

* A nice rundown on what the administration extracted from law firms and schools. [NY Times]

Federal Judges Getting Tired Of John Roberts Throwing Them Under The Bus — See Generally

Federal Judges Finally Say What Everyone’s Been Yelling At Their Screens: Trial judges share concern that SCOTUS is more interested in staying on the Chirstmas card list of the January 6 mob than protecting judges from threats.

Amy Coney Barrett’s “Aw Shucks” Routine Eligible For SAG Card: Anyone buying the self-serving "just an honest broker making tough choices" schtick Amy Coney Barrett is laying on should contact us about a bridge we're selling.

Trump’s Fantasy G.I. Joe Project Gets Court-Martialed: Judge reminds ex-president that deploying mall cops with rifles isn’t covered by Article II.

Compensation Moves Still Few And Far Between: Better than no news at all.

Future Lawyers Realize They Don’t Need $500K Debt To Be Miserable: Law school tuition bubble bursts as schools realize students have cheaper ways to cry in the shower.

Law School Cockroach Takeover: At least the new “adjuncts” don’t charge $40K a semester to lecture about Pennoyer.

Jury Reaches Donna Adelson Verdict, In Latest Turn In True Crime Saga: The wheels turn slowly, but they turn.

Embracing Transparency, FDA Will Make All Future Drug Rejection Letters Public

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said publishing complete response letters recognizes public interest in the transparency and credibility of agency decision-making about drugs.

How Appealing Weekly Roundup

The week in appellate news.