Verdict . News

Regulatory

•FTC approved $35 billion Synopsys-Ansys merger with required asset divestitures to Keysight Technologies

FTC Approves $35B Synopsys-Ansys Merger with Required Asset Sales

The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a consent order allowing Synopsys and Ansys to proceed with their $35 billion merger after requiring both companies to divest critical software assets to preserve competition in semiconductor design markets.

•Companies must sell optical, photonic, and power analysis software tools to preserve market competition

Regulatory

•Federal court temporarily halted American Tax Service and operators Terrance Selb and Tyler Bennett for impersonating government agencies including the IRS

FTC Shuts Down Tax Relief Scam That Impersonated IRS, Stole Millions

The Federal Trade Commission and Nevada obtained a federal court order to temporarily halt American Tax Service and its operators for running a multi-million dollar tax debt relief scam. The defendants allegedly impersonated government agencies including the IRS and defrauded consumers by falsely promising to settle tax debts for pennies on the dollar.

•Company allegedly defrauded consumers of tens of millions by falsely promising to settle tax debts for 'pennies on the dollar'

•Utah Supreme Court issued unanimous decision in two-decade insurance coverage dispute

Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Rules on Complex Insurance Coverage Dispute

The Utah Supreme Court issued a decision in Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. v. Weston, resolving a complex insurance coverage dispute involving multiple carriers that has been litigated for two decades following an automobile accident.

•Multiple insurance carriers involved as petitioners and cross-respondents in complex litigation

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

NH Supreme Court Affirms Tuition Order Against Pittsfield School District

The New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed a State Board of Education ruling requiring the Pittsfield School District to pay tuition for a local student to attend Prospect Mountain School. The October 2025 decision resolves a dispute over school choice and district payment obligations.

•Supreme Court affirmed State Board ruling requiring Pittsfield to pay student tuition at Prospect Mountain School

•District argued RSA chapter 194-D doesn't apply since they hadn't adopted the open enrollment statute

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Affirms Attorney Disbarment for Ethics Violations

The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the disbarment of Bradley Glenn Pollack, a Woodstock attorney who violated multiple professional conduct rules while representing client Kathleen Kearney. The court affirmed findings that Pollack violated rules governing candor toward tribunals and truthfulness in statements.

•Virginia Supreme Court unanimously affirmed disbarment of attorney Bradley Glenn Pollack for professional conduct violations

•Pollack violated multiple rules including duties of candor toward tribunals and truthfulness in statements to others

•Indiana Supreme Court applies equitable estoppel to prevent mother from challenging previously stipulated paternity

Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court Rules on Grandparent Visitation Rights

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled October 16, 2025, that a mother cannot challenge paternity after previously stipulating to it in court proceedings. The unanimous decision in *O'Connell v. Clay* clarifies grandparent visitation rights under Indiana's Grandparent Visitation Act.

•Ruling allows paternal grandmother to pursue visitation rights under state Grandparent Visitation Act

•Seven juvenile procedure rules were amended, covering process, discovery, motions, jurisdiction waiver, hearings, and appeals

Florida Supreme Court

Florida Supreme Court Approves Major Amendments to Juvenile Court Rules

The Florida Supreme Court has approved comprehensive amendments to seven Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, including changes to discovery, process service, and adjudicatory hearings. The amendments, unanimously recommended by The Florida Bar's Board of Governors, were modified after public comment from the Florida Public Defender Association led to the withdrawal of proposed changes to remote testimony rules.

•The Florida Bar's Board of Governors unanimously recommended the changes after committee review

Supreme Court of Virginia

Virginia Supreme Court Rejects School Board Officials' Immunity Claims

The Virginia Supreme Court unanimously rejected immunity claims by Suffolk City School Board officials in a defamation lawsuit filed by educator Deborah Wahlstrom. The court affirmed a lower court's decision allowing defamation claims to proceed against school board member Judith Brooks-Buck and official Tyron Riddick.

•Virginia Supreme Court unanimously rejected immunity defense by Suffolk school board officials

•Case stems from 2021 incident where educator was escorted from school board meeting

Supreme Court of New Hampshire

Oct 15, 2025•4 min read

NH Supreme Court Rules on Sexual Abuse Claim Against Catholic Diocese

The New Hampshire Supreme Court addressed whether a 2020 law removing statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims can be applied retroactively to revive time-barred cases against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester.

•Randy Ball sued the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester over 1970s sexual abuse at summer camp, but his claim was dismissed as time-barred

•The case centered on whether New Hampshire's 2020 law eliminating statute of limitations for sexual abuse can be applied retroactively