California’s Youth Protection Social Media Law Faces Partial Injunction, Judge Strikes Down Certain Provisions on First Amendment Concerns

San Jose, Calif. – A federal judge in California has partially blocked a new state law intended to protect minors from potential harms on social media. This action comes after a lawsuit from NetChoice, a tech industry lobbying group, asserting that the law threatens free speech rights. The litigation centers around Senate Bill 976, known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, which was approved in September last year. It aims to restrict social media platforms from delivering addictive content to young users without parental consent. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila … Read more

Big Law Bonus Fiasco: Perkins Coie and Hogan Lovells Retreat Amid Associate Uproar

In a bold move that reverberated through the corridors of high-powered law firms, Perkins Coie and Hogan Lovells initially decided to retract customary special bonuses, a decision met with stark backlash from their overworked associates. Typically ranging from $6,000 to $25,000, these bonuses are not just a financial boon but a marker of appreciation and recognition. The strategic misstep by both firms starkly underscores the climate of fierce competition for top legal talent. As the revelation of the scrapped bonuses spread, facilitated by rapid digital communications, the legal community responded with immediate and sharp criticism, … Read more

Tennessee Judge Halts New Age-Verification Law Citing First Amendment Concerns

Nashville, Tenn. – A Tennessee federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against a new law initially scheduled to come into force on January 1, which would have imposed stringent age-verification requirements on websites. The Protect Tennessee Minors Act aimed to grant parents greater oversight of their children’s internet use and to restrict access to adult content and social media for minors. However, it has now met legal pushback just days before its implementation. The injunction was granted by the Western District of Tennessee’s Western Division following a motion by the Free Speech Coalition (FSC). … Read more

Texas Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against Assistant AG Webster, Upholds Law License Amid Election Lawsuit Controversy

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster by dismissing a lawsuit that aimed to strip him of his law license. This lawsuit accused Webster and Attorney General Ken Paxton of misconduct related to their challenge of the 2020 presidential election results. In its decision, the court concurred with an earlier judgment by a Williamson County district judge, asserting that removing Webster’s license would infringe on the Texas Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine. The district court’s ruling was initially overturned by the Eighth Court of Appeals … Read more