Verdict . News

•Leading originalist scholars reject legal traditionalism as incompatible with true constitutional interpretation

Originalist Scholars Split as Supreme Court Embraces Legal Traditionalism

A growing rift has emerged between leading originalist legal scholars and the Supreme Court's recent constitutional interpretation methods. While originalists traditionally focus on text and ratification-era meaning, the Court increasingly instructs lower courts to consider post-ratification practices and long-running historical traditions when applying constitutional provisions.

•Recent Supreme Court decisions increasingly instruct courts to consider post-ratification practices alongside constitutional text

•Supreme Court granted certiorari in Salazar v. Paramount Global involving 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act interpretation

Supreme Court Likely Completes 2025-26 Term Docket with 59 Cases

The Supreme Court granted certiorari in Salazar v. Paramount Global on Monday, involving federal video privacy protections, but without expedited briefing that would allow argument this term. The court appears to have finalized its current term docket at 59 oral arguments, the lowest number in three years.

•Case lacks expedited briefing schedule, indicating it will be heard next term rather than current 2025-26 term

•California Republicans seek emergency Supreme Court intervention to block new electoral maps

Supreme Court Weighs California Map Challenge, Gender Policy Case

California Republicans have petitioned the Supreme Court to block the state's new electoral maps for upcoming elections, while a separate case involving parental notification policies for transgender students awaits decision. Both cases highlight ongoing political and social tensions reaching the nation's highest court.

•State officials and advocacy groups have filed responses defending the redistricting process

•FTC submitted draft ANPRM on Negative Option Rule to OMB for mandatory federal review

FTC Advances Review of Negative Option Subscription Rules

The Federal Trade Commission submitted a draft notice to federal regulators signaling its intent to review rules governing negative option plans, including automatic subscription renewals and trial-to-paid conversions. The move represents a significant step in the FTC's efforts to strengthen consumer protections against deceptive billing practices.

•Review targets subscription services and auto-renewal practices affecting millions of consumers

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

FTC Chairman Ferguson Names Levi Swank Deputy Director of Consumer Protection

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson has appointed Levi Swank as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Swank brings extensive private sector litigation experience to the key enforcement role.

•Levi Swank appointed as Deputy Director of FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection by Chairman Ferguson

•Swank brings extensive experience in consumer protection litigation, enforcement matters, and class actions from private practice

•FTC Chairman sent warning letters to 42 major law firms participating in Mansfield Certification program

FTC Chairman Warns 42 Major Law Firms on Anticompetitive DEI Hiring

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson issued warning letters to 42 major law firms participating in the Mansfield Certification program, cautioning that coordinated diversity hiring practices may violate federal antitrust laws. The firms collectively employ over 50,000 attorneys and worked with Diversity Lab to implement standardized DEI criteria across the legal industry.

•Firms allegedly coordinated on DEI hiring standards through Diversity Lab consultancy

•FTC requires Sevita Health to divest 128 intermediate care facilities across Indiana, Louisiana, and Texas

FTC Orders Sevita to Divest 128 Care Facilities in $835M Merger

The Federal Trade Commission has required Sevita Health to divest 128 intermediate care facilities across Indiana, Louisiana, and Texas to resolve antitrust concerns over its proposed $835 million acquisition of BrightSpring Health Services' community living business. The action prevents the consolidation of the two largest national providers of residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

•Divestiture resolves antitrust concerns over $835 million acquisition of BrightSpring's community living business

Federal Circuit

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit Affirms Medical School Dismissal in Civil Rights Case

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court ruling in favor of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in a civil rights lawsuit filed by dismissed medical student Al Gilani. The appeals court upheld the dismissal of Gilani's claims under Section 1983 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

•Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of civil rights lawsuit by former UT Southwestern medical student Al Gilani

•Gilani claimed his academic dismissal violated Title VI and Fourteenth Amendment due process rights

State Court

•Delaware Supreme Court addressed appeal challenging Court of Chancery's personal jurisdiction ruling in acquisition dispute

Delaware Supreme Court

Delaware Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal in STI Group Jurisdiction Case

The Delaware Supreme Court issued an order January 30, 2026, addressing an appeal from defendants challenging a Court of Chancery ruling on personal jurisdiction. The case involves a dispute between STI Group entities and former owners over a 2023 acquisition of two Georgia insurance companies.

•Case involves 2023 purchase of two Georgia insurance companies by STI Group entities