USA Archive - Law Commentary

A person reviewing insurance plans on a laptop while filling out paperwork at a table with a bowl and calculator.

Medicare Advantage Insurers Face DOJ Lawsuit for Broker Incentive Schemes

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against major Medicare insurers—Aetna, Elevance Health, and Humana—accusing them of paying kickbacks to brokers in exchange for steering enrollments into their Medicare Advantage plans. According to the complaint, filed in federal court, these insurers paid hundreds of millions of dollars to... Read More about Medicare Advantage Insurers Face DOJ Lawsuit for Broker Incentive Schemes

Image of Sam Smith at the 2019 Brit Awards.

Judges Rule Song Similarities Deserve Jury Review in Sam Smith Copyright Case

A federal appeals court has revived a copyright infringement lawsuit against artists Sam Smith and Normani over their 2019 hit “Dancing with a Stranger,” overturning a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case and setting the stage for a jury to consider the merits of the claim. In a ruling... Read More about Judges Rule Song Similarities Deserve Jury Review in Sam Smith Copyright Case

A federal judge delivering a statement during a court session regarding the use of the Alien Enemies Act.

Texas Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Alien Enemies Act for Migrant Deportations

A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the Trump administration overstepped its authority by using the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, dealing a significant setback to the administration's immigration crackdown. In a 36-page decision issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez granted a... Read More about Texas Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Alien Enemies Act for Migrant Deportations

Security footage showing an assault incident in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles, March 2016.

Judge Rejects Motion to Exclude 2016 Video Footage of P Diddy Hotel Assault

A federal judge ruled Friday that at least some footage showing Sean Combs assaulting his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016 will be admissible at his upcoming racketeering and sex trafficking trial. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian rejected Combs’ effort to exclude all video... Read More about Judge Rejects Motion to Exclude 2016 Video Footage of P Diddy Hotel Assault

A young woman sitting on a couch appears distressed while looking at her phone.

House Passes Take It Down Act to Combat Revenge Porn and Deepfakes

The House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation Monday to criminalize the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explicit images and videos, including AI-generated deepfakes, and to require online platforms to remove such content. Known as the Take It Down Act, the bill passed by a vote of 409 to 2 and now... Read More about House Passes Take It Down Act to Combat Revenge Porn and Deepfakes

A gavel and a stethoscope on an American flag background, symbolizing a legal decision related to healthcare.

Supreme Court Upholds Narrow Definition of ‘Entitled to Benefits’ in Medicare Reimbursement Case

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in favor of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), narrowing the scope of who qualifies a hospital for enhanced Medicare reimbursement payments tied to treating low-income patients. In a 7-2 decision in Advocate Christ Medical Center v. Kennedy, the justices sided with... Read More about Supreme Court Upholds Narrow Definition of ‘Entitled to Benefits’ in Medicare Reimbursement Case

A border enforcement officer monitors a group of migrants lined up behind a fence in a detention facility.

ACLU Challenges Short Appeal Window for Migrants Under Wartime Act

Migrants targeted for removal from the United States under the controversial Alien Enemies Act now have approximately 12 hours to decide whether to contest their deportation, according to recently unsealed court documents. The brief timeframe, disclosed on Thursday, has intensified legal challenges, with advocates arguing it violates the Supreme Court’s... Read More about ACLU Challenges Short Appeal Window for Migrants Under Wartime Act

Firefighters watch as a helicopter drops water on a wildfire burning on a hillside.

California Homeowners Say Insurance Companies Colluded To Limit Coverage in Wildfire Prone Areas

Two new lawsuits filed in Los Angeles accuse major home insurance providers in the state of colluding to limit the coverage they offer homeowners in regions of California where there is an elevated risk of wildfires. As a result, this has forced homeowners to turn to the state's FAIR Plan,... Read More about California Homeowners Say Insurance Companies Colluded To Limit Coverage in Wildfire Prone Areas

Image featuring Australian designer Katie Perry on the left and American pop star Katy Perry on the right.

Trademark Clash: Australian Designer Katie Perry vs. American Superstar Katy Perry

It's an attorney's worst nightmare: an internationally renowned American pop star with millions of fans is sued by an established fashion designer from Australia. Both women share an almost identical name, leading to a complex and closely watched international trademark lawsuit. Australian clothing designer Katie Perry filed suit against American... Read More about Trademark Clash: Australian Designer Katie Perry vs. American Superstar Katy Perry

A woman speaking at a podium with a microphone, gesturing with her hands during a discussion, surrounded by glasses of water and plants.

Milwaukee Judge Arrested for Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Enforcement

Federal authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday morning, accusing her of assisting a man in evading immigration enforcement agents. Judge Dugan was taken into federal custody, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the U.S. Marshals Service and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi underscored the seriousness... Read More about Milwaukee Judge Arrested for Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Enforcement

Close-up of a judge's gavel resting on a wooden desk with legal books nearby and a blurred figure in a suit in the background.

Talent Agency President Mark Measures Arraigned in $1.8 Million Fraud Case

Mark Measures, owner and president of the talent agency KMR, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday on allegations of stealing approximately $1.8 million from actors he represented and additional funds from employees. Measures faces a comprehensive 40-count indictment, including charges of grand larceny, petit larceny, and scheme to... Read More about Talent Agency President Mark Measures Arraigned in $1.8 Million Fraud Case

Ozempic semaglutide injection pens and packaging.

Judge Upholds FDA Deadline Ending Production of Compounded Ozempic and Wegovy

A U.S. federal judge ruled on Thursday against compounding pharmacies seeking permission to continue producing copies of Novo Nordisk's widely popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, while a legal battle over drug shortages continues. Judge Mark Pittman of the U.S. District Court in Texas rejected a request from... Read More about Judge Upholds FDA Deadline Ending Production of Compounded Ozempic and Wegovy

A crowd of protesters outside the U.S. Department of Education, holding signs advocating for education funding and diversity programs.

Federal Judges Block Trump Administration’s Effort to Cut Funding Over Diversity Programs in Schools

On Thursday, federal judges in Maryland, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C. blocked an Education Department policy threatening to withhold federal funding from public schools and universities that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The rulings came in lawsuits filed by teachers’ unions and civil rights organizations challenging a February... Read More about Federal Judges Block Trump Administration’s Effort to Cut Funding Over Diversity Programs in Schools

A boat named Chota Princess II with a banner for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, near the water.

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Joins Alabama in Federal Lawsuit over Raw Sewage Contamination From Public Utility

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, a river watchdog nonprofit, is joining a lawsuit that was brought forward by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management against the Phenix City Department of Public Utilities. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper joined the lawsuit in an effort to make meaningful change, something they argue may not happen if the state... Read More about Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Joins Alabama in Federal Lawsuit over Raw Sewage Contamination From Public Utility

Demonstrators holding signs in support of Planned Parenthood outside the Supreme Court during a protest.

A Divided Supreme court hears South Carolinas suit to defund Medicaid for Planned Parenthood, based on Governor’s order

In a decision that will have a sweeping impact upon a person’s right to choose their health provider while using Medicaid, the Supreme Court Justices are not in alignment as they consider whether or not the law protects individuals in their right to choose. The issue on the table is... Read More about A Divided Supreme court hears South Carolinas suit to defund Medicaid for Planned Parenthood, based on Governor’s order