The hottest Legal Substack posts right now

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NHTSA tells automakers not to comply with Massachusetts vehicle right to repair law

Fight to Repair • 98 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Legal Safety Automakers
  1. The NHTSA advised automakers to not comply with the Massachusetts vehicle right to repair law due to safety concerns and federal regulations.
  2. The Massachusetts law, approved by voters, requires automakers to provide vehicle owners with access to telematics data for car repairs.
  3. NHTSA expressed concerns about the safety risks associated with the Massachusetts law's open remote access to vehicle systems.

What We Can Know About This Winter

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Legal Climate Electricity Weather
  1. Government shutdowns are looming as the GOP hardliners are pushing for their own agenda, potentially leading to legislative hurdles.
  2. Trump's legal battles might significantly impact his future, with his civil fraud case being a key factor to watch out for.
  3. The winter forecast indicates a snowier season, which could pose challenges to the power grid, so it's important to be prepared.

Judge: Fani Willis can Stay on the Trump Case

The Reactionary • 88 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Government Ethics Prosecution
  1. An appearance of impropriety is now insufficient for disqualification in legal cases.
  2. The judge's ruling appears illogical as it allows one potential liar to prosecute the case but not both.
  3. The remedy suggested by the judge to 'cure' the appearance of impropriety does not fully address the issue and allows it to continue through the case.
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The Big Question: What Comes After Right-to-Repair?

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Legal Advocacy Repair Product Design
  1. Several states have been passing comprehensive right-to-repair laws, indicating that the movement is gaining traction and popularity.
  2. The concept of the Overton window helps understand how companies like Apple are adjusting their stance on repair due to legislative and consumer pressure.
  3. The focus is shifting towards challenges beyond just access to parts and information, with emerging concerns surrounding software restrictions and product design in the right-to-repair movement.

AI, Financial Crime, and the Dilemma of Responsibility

False Positive • 39 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Finance Ethics Regulation Legal
  1. In the world of AI and finance, the question of responsibility for AI committing financial crimes is a complex legal and ethical dilemma.
  2. AI technology like deep learning and reinforcement learning is being used in hedge funds to maximize returns and manage risks in financial markets, but this raises concerns about potential market manipulation and ethical implications.
  3. Regulators are starting to address the risks posed by AI in financial markets, but challenges such as establishing intent in AI programs and ensuring accountability without hindering innovation remain.

Potential Class Action Argues High APR "Rent-a-Bank" Scheme Violates RICO

Fintech Business Weekly • 96 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💰 Finance Banking Legal Regulation Fintech Lending
  1. A potential class action case argues against a "rent-a-bank" scheme for high APR loans, highlighting the importance of understanding financial regulations and usury laws in the lending industry.
  2. The case brings attention to the evolving landscape between fintech companies and traditional banks, showing the complexities and discussions around defining the true lender in partnerships.
  3. The case also underscores the need for transparency and clarity in financial partnerships, as demonstrated by the alleged lack of distinction between a fintech entity and bank in customer-facing materials.

Coinmint’s Mining Pivot Backfires with $14M Verdict

Miner Weekly • 39 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Mining Bitcoin Legal Investment Corporate
  1. Coinmint faced a $14 million verdict due to failures in a deal with chipmaker Katena, highlighting the risks in the bitcoin mining industry.
  2. The arbitration ruling detailed how Coinmint's plans to build up proprietary mining hardware backfired, leading to legal disputes and financial liabilities.
  3. The saga between Coinmint and Katena serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring bitcoin miners about the importance of meeting contractual obligations to avoid costly consequences.

Better call ChatGPT

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Artificial Intelligence Legal Contracts Technology Management
  1. The study compared human legal reviewers with large language models, showing that machines performed better overall.
  2. Experienced lawyers had the least agreement on what was important in contracts, showcasing the importance of human judgment in legal analysis.
  3. Utilizing large language models may lead to efficiency gains but also introduces complexities and potential risks in legal processes.

2023 Was the Year Cities Sued — And Won

The New Urban Order • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Urbanism Policies Litigation Environment
  1. Cities are increasingly using litigation to address problems that policies can't solve.
  2. City legal departments are evolving from being slow and conservative to actively participating in affirmative litigation.
  3. Cities are winning lawsuits against companies like Kia, Hyundai, Big Oil, and 3M for issues like car theft, climate change, and pollution.

Threats Without Borders - Issue 168

Threats Without Borders • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity AI Legal Finance Crime
  1. The New York State Attorney General is taking legal action against Citibank regarding fraud and cybersecurity issues.
  2. Financial institutions might be required to reimburse customers for funds lost to electronic fraud under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act.
  3. There are concerns about the use of deepfake technology in cybercrime, highlighting the importance of security controls and validation procedures.

How DeFi Will Disrupt The Legal Profession

DeFi Education • 399 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🔮 Crypto DeFi Legal Finance Blockchain Technology
  1. DeFi, or decentralized finance, offers a way for people to handle banking and financial tasks without needing traditional institutions. You can manage your money all by yourself with just a few clicks.
  2. This could change the legal profession by making financial and legal processes more accessible to everyone. It means people might not need lawyers for certain tasks anymore.
  3. With DeFi, many services that typically require a middleman might be automated, saving time and money for users. This could lead to less demand for some legal services.

#MeToo Plus

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 20 Jan 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Justice Social movements Legal Crime Public Policy
  1. Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction for aiding Jeffrey Epstein is a big step in the #MeToo movement.
  2. This case is important because it's the first time someone who helped a perpetrator has been held accountable in this way.
  3. It shows that the justice system is starting to recognize and charge enablers of abuse, which could change how similar cases are handled in the future.

#27 Episode - Venture Fund Legal Checklist ✅

Law of VC • 246 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Legal Compliance Tax
  1. The article provides a basic understanding of key decisions and material terms for forming and closing a venture capital fund.
  2. Forming a traditional VC fund typically involves creating three entities: the General Partner (LLC), the Management Company, and the Venture Fund.
  3. Compliance with key laws such as the Securities Act, Investment Company Act, and Advisers Act is crucial for post-closing obligations in venture fund formation.

Safe round or priced round? That is the question.

The Founder Memo • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💼 Business Fundraising Startups Investing Finance Legal
  1. If you're raising less than $1 million and need money quickly, a Safe round is usually the best choice because it’s simple and fast.
  2. For larger amounts, like $1 million or more, especially with a lead investor, a priced round makes more sense despite taking longer and being more complicated.
  3. In the end, think carefully about which option works best for your situation instead of just going with the common choice of Safes.

Citing Danger of “Ink Spills” Epson Programs End of Life for Some Printers

Fight to Repair • 157 implied HN points • 27 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Hardware Legal Environment Consumer Rights Repair
  1. Epson printers have a pre-determined 'end of life' programmed into their software without clear disclosure at purchase, pushing customers to replace or service their printers.
  2. Users encountering the 'end of life' message can temporarily reset it using an Epson utility for Windows, but Mac users must seek service or replace the printer.
  3. Epson designed their printers to stop working to prevent potential property damage from ink spills or safety issues, leading to concerns about electronic waste and right-to-repair practices.

Fani Willis Admits Affair

The Reactionary • 76 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📰 News Legal Scandal Politics
  1. Fani Willis admitted to having a romantic relationship with a subordinate prosecutor while prosecuting high-profile cases.
  2. There are questions raised about the nature of the relationship and potential deception in the court filings.
  3. The controversy surrounding the affair has not been settled, and more details continue to emerge.

The LIBOR scandal, part 2

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
💰 Finance Scandal Banking Legal Ethics Regulation
  1. The concept of interest rates as a tradable financial instrument emerged in the 1980s, thanks to the development of interest rate swaps, marking a significant shift in the financial landscape.
  2. The manipulation of the LIBOR rate involved complex financial processes that led to criminal proceedings against several traders, highlighting ethical and legal dilemmas in the financial industry.
  3. The legal interpretation of the LIBOR Definition in the context of criminal law versus contractual interpretation raised debates around conflicts of interest, contractual obligations, and the application of criminal charges in financial settings.

The Supreme Court ends Affirmative Action

The Reactionary • 157 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Affirmative Action Supreme Court
  1. The Supreme Court has ended Affirmative Action in college admissions due to violations of the Equal Protection Clause.
  2. Justice Roberts argued that the purported benefits of affirmative action were vague and not sufficiently coherent.
  3. Colleges can still consider an applicant's discussion of how race affected their life, but not use it to circumvent the ban on race-based admissions.

Apple Corporate Crime Update

Big Tech Politics • 58 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Government Legal Corruption Whistleblowers
  1. Ashley Gjøvik filed a RICO Act lawsuit against Apple with claims of whistleblower retaliation and environmental complaints.
  2. Apple's Chief Compliance Officer, Tom Moyer, was re-indicted for criminal bribery involving permits and political donations.
  3. Apple's corporate secretaries, Nancy Heinen and Gene Levoff, faced charges of fraud and insider trading violations.

A gay icon is living in fear because of a Twitter meme

Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds • 58 implied HN points • 17 May 23
📰 News Crime Social Issues Legal Media Coverage Public Figures
  1. A Twitter meme led to a lawsuit against a harm reduction advocate, sparking controversy and legal battles.
  2. The lawsuit against the meme-maker, 'Doe 1,' resulted in attempts to uncover their identity, drawing attention to the meme.
  3. The anonymous meme maker used satire to criticize harm reduction efforts, leading to a legal battle over free speech rights.

The Last of Us: Part II

Adam's Legal Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Judges Presidents History
  1. In the 19th century, there were actively-serving appointees of 12 different presidents at two different times.
  2. Franklin Pierce played a significant role in the number of judges appointed and serving during his presidency.
  3. Senior judges can play a unique role in the judiciary system, contributing to the historical context of concurrently serving judges from different administrations.

About that ISDA Pt 5: Section 1: Interpretation

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance Legal History Technology
  1. Section 1 of the ISDA Master Agreement introduces key concepts and rules, important to understand but should not be tampered with.
  2. The hierarchy clause in Section 1(b) establishes a clear order for precedence of documents within the ISDA Master Agreement, preventing inconsistencies.
  3. The 'Single Agreement' concept in Section 1(c) lays the foundation for efficient capital management in master trading agreements, ensuring smooth termination and settlement of transactions.

BREAKING NEWS: Trump v. Anderson Ostensibly Saved Trump’s Presidential Campaign. In Fact It Ended It—As a New Federal Lawsuit That Could Be Filed At Any Moment Would Quickly Establish.

Proof • 48 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Impeachment Constitution Legislation Presidential campaign
  1. The _Trump v. Anderson_ decision clarified that only Congress, not the States, has the authority to disqualify individuals from federal office, with legislation or impeachment as potential mechanisms.
  2. The ruling emphasized a majority vote of Congress as sufficient to establish a disqualification, rather than a super-majority vote.
  3. The Supreme Court did not explicitly state that legislation is the exclusive means for enforcing Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, leaving room for impeachment as a valid mechanism.

URGENT: The Supreme Court rules 9-0 that states must allow Donald Trump on the presidential ballot

Unreported Truths • 74 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Supreme Court Election Insurrection Voting Rights
  1. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously, 9-0, that states must allow Donald Trump on the presidential ballot.
  2. States cannot disqualify candidates for federal office as insurrectionists, according to the Supreme Court decision.
  3. The unanimous decision was a rebuke to leftist lawyers who argued for disqualifying Trump, emphasizing that voters deserve the final say.

NYT: Donald Trump has been indicted

The Reactionary • 144 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Election Prosecution Political strategy Criminal charges
  1. Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury for his role in paying hush money to a porn star.
  2. The indictment is seen as a historic development that could impact the 2024 presidential race and mark Trump as the first former president to face criminal charges.
  3. The timing of the indictment raises questions about political motivations and potential effects on the 2024 election, with concerns about prosecution tactics and potential impact on Trump's chances during trial and appeal.

Trump Hit by Sweeping Gag Order

The Reactionary • 75 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Presidential campaign First Amendment Biden administration
  1. A District of Columbia federal judge has restricted Trump's ability to speak during his Presidential campaign.
  2. The judge considered a gag order proposed by Special Counsel Jack Smith to prevent Trump from criticizing the Court and others involved in the case.
  3. Trump's attorneys argued that the gag order was an attempt by the Biden Administration to silence a political opponent.

Remembering Ray's War Chest

The Chargeback • 39 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Tax Property
  1. Legal battles in Michigan are fighting to make retroactive claims on tax auction profits, potentially leading to large claims against counties.
  2. Challenges to the tax foreclosure system often overlook the high-interest rates on delinquent taxes as the true source of financial imbalance.
  3. Former Wayne County Treasurer Ray Wojtowicz amassed a large war chest from tax profits, helping the county avoid bankruptcy.

LexDAO July 2023 Recap

⚔️ LexNews+ ⚖️ • 39 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto Governance Legal Event Membership Blockchain
  1. Federal prosecutors dropped a campaign finance charge against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
  2. Rook DAO faced governance issues, highlighting challenges in decentralized governance and legal uncertainties.
  3. LexDAO introduced an Enterprise Membership for collaboration with SuperRare DAO, focusing on legal guidance and peer-to-peer learning in the blockchain art market.