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What Witnesses Need to Know About Congressional Investigations, Part 1
FEATURED
November 10, 2026
What Witnesses Need to Know About Congressional Investigations, Part 1
By: James Trusty
One of the consequences of the midterm blue wave is that Democrats ascending to committee chairs will bring a torrent of subpoenas and interviews, covering topics ranging from the handling of the Iranian war to presidential pardons to the regulation of AI, as well as all points in between. Election night comments like “Lawyer up,” “Subpoenas,” and “We’re going to bring accountability to those who have visited unprecedented corruption on this country,” indicate that Democratic leaders plan to call Trump administration officials and associates to testify beginning in January. Hearings are partisan by design, but witnesses should also expect detailed, well-researched questions. Congressional hearings follow looser rules than courts and are broadcast publicly, so inadequate preparation can carry serious legal…
Judging the Judges
October 2, 2026
Judging the Judges
By: Lauren Scribner
Judges are in the business of holding people accountable for crimes and misconduct—but how do we hold judges accountable for their own ethical lapses? Recently, in a moment of frustration, Florida Second Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith told three attorneys practicing in his courtroom that he “would like to tell the deputy to pull his gun and shoot all three of [them] as far as…
Dismissive of Dismissal
September 25, 2026
Dismissive of Dismissal
By: James Trusty
During the two Trump administrations, a trend has begun to emerge of federal judges challenging the once-unrestricted authority of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss indictments. The longstanding framework of separation of powers suggests this judicial pushback is unsupported activism, but the judges claim the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (“Rules”) do not relegate their role to rubber stamping. Ultimately, this trajectory may lead…
My, What Long Arms You Have, Uncle
April 4, 2014
My, What Long Arms You Have, Uncle
By: Nicole Kardell
Here’s a visual: Uncle Sam extending his arms around the world, reaching out for his citizens, wherever they may be. He may resemble a candy-striped Gumby, with disproportionately long rubbery arms spanning the globe. The visual is not an endearing one to many Americans abroad. They do not see Uncle Sam’s reach as an embrace, but rather as a stronghold. And a close-up of the…
Employers Seeking to Curb Employee Mobile Phone Use at Work? Don’t Use Illegal Signal Jammer – FCC is “Listening”
March 31, 2014
Employers Seeking to Curb Employee Mobile Phone Use at Work? Don’t Use Illegal Signal Jammer – FCC is “Listening”
By: Michelle Cohen
Some employers, particularly those in manufacturing, health care, and other situations where mobile phone use could interfere with employee safety, have come up with novel approaches to curbing employees’ uses of mobile phones. While a policy restricting personal phone calls and texting may be acceptable, installation of a signal jammer to prevent employees from accessing the network is unlawful and can subject the employer to…
Supreme Court Expands Whistleblower Protection
March 17, 2014
Supreme Court Expands Whistleblower Protection
By: Jeffrey Hamlin
The U.S. Supreme Court recently held that Sarbanes–Oxley extends whistleblower protection, not just to employees of public companies, but to employees of private contractors and subcontractors that serve public companies. In a 6-3 decision, the Court rejected the First Circuit’s narrow construction of the statute in favor of the Labor Department’s more expansive interpretation. Now more than ever, affected contractors and subcontractors need to ensure…
As the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act Takes Hold, U.S. Sees Expatriates at All-Time High
March 12, 2014
As the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act Takes Hold, U.S. Sees Expatriates at All-Time High
By: Nicole Kardell
Are you living the American dream … abroad? If so, you may be considering joining forces with Superman[1] and changing your nationality. You face some unique burdens if you earn a cent while soaking up the sun in Saint Tropez or make a rupee while navigating the marketplace in Mumbai. The most obvious, from a financial perspective, is double taxation. America is one of the…
$76 Million Distributed in Full Tilt Poker Restitution
March 1, 2014
$76 Million Distributed in Full Tilt Poker Restitution
By: Ifrah Law
We have previously reported on the arrangements being made by the Garden City Group for remittance of money to the former customers of Full Tilt Poker. Since that time, there has been a lengthy process for the submission of claims to the group for administration. It appears that players’ waiting has not been all for naught. The Garden City Group reports that, on February 28,…
