Supreme Court Sidesteps Alabama Death Penalty IQ Case in 5-4 DIGMay 21, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's 5-4 DIG in Hamm v. Smith bars Alabama from executing Joseph Smith but leaves Atkins v. Virginia exposed to future challenge.
Supreme Court Rewrites VRA Section 2, Requires Proof of Intentional DiscriminationMay 19, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais replaces the VRA's results-based standard with an intent requirement, rewriting 40 years of voting-rights precedent.
Lawfare Database Catalogs 400-Plus Immigration Habeas Noncompliance CasesMay 19, 2026Legal NewsLawfare's new searchable database catalogs 400-plus federal immigration habeas cases flagging government noncompliance with court orders, offering a critical tool for contempt and oversight proceedings.
Supreme Court Opens Freight Brokers to Negligent-Hiring Suits NationwideMay 19, 2026Legal NewsA 9-0 Supreme Court ruling in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II holds that FAAAA preemption does not bar state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers, ending a four-circuit split.
Supreme Court Enters Final Opinion Stretch With 33 Decisions PendingMay 18, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's May 18 orders list sets the stage for 33 remaining decisions, including birthright citizenship, Roundup preemption, and campaign finance rulings due by July.
Supreme Court Locks In Louisiana VRA Redistricting Map for 2026 ElectionsMay 17, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court refused to reverse its expedited VRA ruling in Callais v. Louisiana, locking in a redistricting deadline as Justice Jackson renewed her dissent.
Supreme Court Limits VRA Section 2 in Louisiana Redistricting RulingMay 17, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais narrows VRA Section 2, striking down Louisiana's majority-Black district and reshaping redistricting law across the South.
Supreme Court Opens Freight Brokers to State Negligent-Hiring SuitsMay 17, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the FAAAA does not preempt state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers, opening the industry to multistate tort liability.
Federal Judge Unseals Epstein Suicide Note Hidden for Seven YearsMay 16, 2026Legal NewsA Manhattan federal judge unsealed a handwritten note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein, a document kept from investigators for seven years inside a co-defendant's sealed case file.
Supreme Court Holds Donor-List Subpoena Confers Standing on NonprofitMay 16, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court held April 29 that a subpoena demanding a nonprofit's donor list causes a present First Amendment injury, resolving a key standing dispute.