USA Archive - Law Commentary

A person walking past the logos of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) on a wall.

OCC Finalizes ‘Fair Access to Financial Services Rule,’ Forcing Banks to Lend to Gun and Oil Industries

Last week, The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) finalized a rule that would make it illegal for any financial institution regulated by the OCC with over $100 billion in assets to reject potential customers for any reason other than financial risk. In essence, the new rule would... Read More about OCC Finalizes ‘Fair Access to Financial Services Rule,’ Forcing Banks to Lend to Gun and Oil Industries

Image of a blister pack containing Mifepristone and Misoprostol tablets, commonly used for medical abortions.

Despite Surging Pandemic, Supreme Court Says Women Must Pick up Abortion Meds in Person

The Supreme Court has supported a Trump mandate that all women seeking medical abortions must pick up their medications in person. However, many other medicines are now allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be mailed to patients due to the dangers of contracting COVID-19. The order, split... Read More about Despite Surging Pandemic, Supreme Court Says Women Must Pick up Abortion Meds in Person

Image showing a vial of fentanyl alongside other drug-related items, highlighting the issue of fentanyl misuse and trafficking.

Two Quebec Men Extradited to North Dakota from Canada, thought to be alleged members of an international fentanyl trafficking organization

Jason Joey Berry and Xuan Cahn Nguyen were extradited from Canada to stand first trial and arraignment in North Dakota in early January 2021. The two are alleged to be part of an international fentanyl trafficking organization responsible for moving more than 500 grams of Schedule I and Schedule II... Read More about Two Quebec Men Extradited to North Dakota from Canada, thought to be alleged members of an international fentanyl trafficking organization

Former President Trump waves as he departs in a helicopter, marking the transition of power.

Is an impeachment trial of Trump constitutional after he leaves office?

In the wake of the blitzkrieg second impeachment of President Trump, Congress is now faced with the question of how to move forward. The Senate is in recess until January 19, meaning that the earliest possible time it could receive the Article of Impeachment from the House would be 1:00... Read More about Is an impeachment trial of Trump constitutional after he leaves office?

Rudy Giuliani speaking at a press conference with a "Trump Pence" backdrop, discussing election-related claims, while two women stand behind him.

Rudy Giuliani in Hot Seat as New York State Bar Association Considers his Expulsion

Rudy Giuliani, Trump attorney and former Mayor of New York City, is being considered by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) for expulsion. The organization has received hundreds of complaints due to Giuliani’s numerous efforts leading up to the Capitol riots, including his comments at the now infamous rally... Read More about Rudy Giuliani in Hot Seat as New York State Bar Association Considers his Expulsion

An industrial facility with pipes and smokestacks illuminated against a dramatic cloudy sky.

Supreme Court to Hear Statutory Interpretation Case on Renewable Fuel Standard Program

Did the EPA exceed its authority by exempting refineries from statutory obligations? The Renewable Fuel Standard requires “refiners, blenders, and importers of transportation fuel to blend increasing amounts of renewable fuels into their products each year.” The requirement is for refiners to blend billions of gallons of corn-based ethanol and... Read More about Supreme Court to Hear Statutory Interpretation Case on Renewable Fuel Standard Program

Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney speaking at a congressional hearing, with an American flag in the background.

New Law Cracks Down on Shell Companies

The Corporate Transparency Act now requires shell companies to disclose ownership within a Federal database. Going forward, federal agencies will store proprietary information and share it with investors and banks. Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney of New York first introduced the bill in 2010 as a means to combat money laundering.... Read More about New Law Cracks Down on Shell Companies

The U.S. Supreme Court building with its iconic columns and steps.

Justices to review assignor estoppel in patent cases

Minerva Surgical, Inc., filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the court to clarify questions around the doctrine of assignor estoppel. Their petition asks “Whether a defendant in a patent infringement action who assigned the patent, or is in privity with an assignor of the patent,... Read More about Justices to review assignor estoppel in patent cases

A meeting setting in a United Nations conference room, with delegates wearing masks, engaged in discussion.

Legal Nonprofits Establish Commission of Inquiry into Police Violence against African Americans

Several legal non-profit organizations have come together to establish an International Commission of Inquiry on Systemic Racist Police Violence against People of African Descent in the United States. The Commission will take a closer look at police violence against African Americans after a growing number of cases made national headlines... Read More about Legal Nonprofits Establish Commission of Inquiry into Police Violence against African Americans

A worker in safety gear performs maintenance on the Brooklyn Bridge with the city skyline in the background.

Developers and Contractors Attack New York’s Scaffold Law as Outdated and Burdensome

New York’s scaffold law is under attack. A coalition of business and industry groups have banded together and are urging Governor Cuomo to ask for a repeal of the law in his budget proposal to the legislature. Meanwhile, bills to overturn the law have already been introduced in the New... Read More about Developers and Contractors Attack New York’s Scaffold Law as Outdated and Burdensome

Donald Trump seated at a meeting table, addressing attendees.

A Trump self-pardon could make criminal charges more likely

The possibility of President Trump issuing a self-pardon has been under discussion since the beginning of his presidency. In the wake of the riots at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, that possibility once again flirts with becoming a reality. Any discussion of the president’s power to pardon has to... Read More about A Trump self-pardon could make criminal charges more likely

Image of Sidney Powell, former attorney for the Trump campaign, during a public appearance.

Voting Machine Company Files $1.3 Billion Defamation Suit Against Trump Campaign Attorney

In a 124-page complaint filled with photos of Tweets and transcripts of broadcast interviews, Dominion Voting Systems has sued former Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell for defamation due to her frequent and lengthy diatribes against the company for allegedly rigging the November election in favor of President-Elect Joe Biden. Dominion... Read More about Voting Machine Company Files $1.3 Billion Defamation Suit Against Trump Campaign Attorney

Two men embrace in a courthouse, symbolizing support and solidarity, against the backdrop of a legal setting.

Trump HHS finalizes rule rolling back nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals

With just days left in the White House, the Trump administration continues to push through changes that many fear will have lasting implications for the nation. The latest change is the rollback in protections that were meant to support the LGTBQ community. The new ruling that was finalized by the... Read More about Trump HHS finalizes rule rolling back nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals

A man in glasses speaking at a microphone with a California flag in the background.

Supreme Court Takes up California Donor Privacy Cases

California has a requirement that tax-exempt charities disclose the identity of their top financial donors to the state. On Friday, January 8, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to that requirement. (The Attorney General of California, Xavier Becerra, has been nominated to run the Department of... Read More about Supreme Court Takes up California Donor Privacy Cases

A protester holding signs against the death penalty outside a federal prison during the execution of Lisa Montgomery.

First Woman Federally Executed Since 1953

Lisa Montgomery was the only woman on federal death row. She was originally supposed to be put to death on December 8, but the execution was delayed since two of her lawyers tested positive for the novel coronavirus after visiting her in a federal prison in Texas back in November.... Read More about First Woman Federally Executed Since 1953