Aerospace & Defense

  • July 17, 2026

    Russia Can't Pause $5B Crimean Award Suit, Judge Says

    A D.C. federal judge Friday refused to reimpose a pause on litigation filed by Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas company to enforce a $5 billion arbitral award against Russia, calling it "mere speculation" that an ongoing appeal in the Netherlands would affect the proceedings.

  • July 17, 2026

    Top Gov't Contracting Decisions Of 2026: Midyear Report

    The U.S. Supreme Court and federal circuit courts decided several consequential cases impacting contractors this year, including weighing whether contractors can immediately appeal district court denials of their immunity claims and clarifying what a successful protester needs to challenge an agency's decision to continue a contract during a bid protest.

  • July 16, 2026

    Northrop's $75M LA Contamination Deal Gets Preliminary OK

    A California federal judge Thursday preliminarily approved a $75 million class deal struck mid-trial by Northrop Grumman and residents of a Los Angeles suburb who accused the aerospace company of contaminating their properties, a day after hundreds of the neighborhood's residents filed a similar lawsuit in state court.

  • July 16, 2026

    SAE Says Standards Fight Must Be Arbitrated In Belgium

    A standards-development association for the automotive and aerospace industries urged a D.C. federal court Wednesday to send a copyright feud over publishing rights for certain critical aerospace quality-management standards to arbitration in Belgium, accusing a global aerospace quality consortium of "gamesmanship."

  • July 16, 2026

    Fed. Circ. Asked Not To Shift Moderna Vax Patent Case To Gov't

    Drugmakers like Novartis, former federal judges, a startup group and others have urged the Federal Circuit to reject calls to shift liability in a COVID-19 vaccine patent suit against Moderna to the federal government, saying that doing so would undermine patent rights.

  • July 16, 2026

    Navy Airman Seeks Honorable Discharge After Marijuana Use

    A U.S. Navy sailor removed from the military for marijuana use has urged a Connecticut federal court to review his petition seeking to upgrade his discharge to honorable, arguing that a prior secretary of defense order requires "liberal consideration" for veterans with PTSD-related misconduct.

  • July 16, 2026

    Board Says Army Didn't Show Contract Ax Was Justified

    The U.S. Army failed to show that its termination of a roof-repair contract for default was justified, despite proving serious deficiencies in Jaxon Construction Inc.'s administration of the contract, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals said.

  • July 16, 2026

    Air Force Lt. Col. Says Housing Sickened Him, Family

    U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Allen and his wife are suing companies that provide privatized housing to military service members in Texas federal court, saying that despite being assured the housing was safe and properly maintained, their home had a host of problems that harmed Allen and his daughter's health.

  • July 16, 2026

    Wyden Urges Admin To Protect US From Canadian Spy Law

    Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., urged the Trump administration Thursday to protect national security and American citizens from a proposed backdoor surveillance bill from Canada.

  • July 16, 2026

    Fed. Circ. Vacates $12.7M Copyright Award Against Gov't

    The Federal Circuit on Thursday vacated a $12.7 million copyright award against the federal government over unauthorized copies of software for a project on military health records, holding that the trial judge improperly relied on the project's later cancellation and awarded enhanced damages for willful infringement against the government.

  • July 16, 2026

    Come Back Down To Earth, Tower Builders Tell D2D Fans

    While it's clear that direct-to-device satellite service can fill some gaps in wireless coverage, the growing technology cannot fully replace Earth-based systems that ensure connectivity on the ground, a pair of new industry reports say.

  • July 16, 2026

    More Than 200 MHz Could Open For Unlicensed Satellite Use

    The Federal Communications Commission's chief wants to make more than 200 megahertz of unlicensed spectrum available for satellites by opening frequencies across three spectrum bands, according to a proposal released Thursday.

  • July 16, 2026

    Lockheed Wins $10B Special Ops Contract, $1.6B Navy Order

    Lockheed Martin secured a $10.5 billion contract to provide global logistics support services for U.S. Special Operations Command for the next 12 years, in addition to a $1.6 billion Navy order to procure spare parts for F-35 aircraft. 

  • July 16, 2026

    USTR Broadens Exemptions Ahead Of 25% Brazil Tariff

    A 25% tariff on Brazilian goods will begin next week with an expanded exemption list following public comments on the action, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced.

  • July 16, 2026

    Chancery Lets Discovery Proceed In Bikini Atoll Trust Suit

    The Delaware Chancery Court has ruled that Fifth Third Bank must participate in discovery in litigation accusing Arden Trust Co. of mismanaging two congressionally created trust funds for displaced Bikini Atoll residents, while putting on hold Arden's separate claim seeking indemnification from the bank until the underlying case is resolved.

  • July 15, 2026

    Ex-Fed Adviser Gets 38 Months For Lying To Investigators

    A former senior adviser to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors was sentenced Wednesday to more than three years in federal prison for lying to investigators about sharing confidential information outside the agency, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

  • July 15, 2026

    Circuit-By-Circuit Guide To The US Supreme Court's Term

    Federal appeals courts had wide-ranging successes and struggles during the U.S. Supreme Court's recently completed term: One had its best showing in years following its worst showing in years; one felt déjà vu after recently starting to find favor with the justices; and one saw its reputation for independence occupy a rare role in the Supreme Court spotlight.

  • July 15, 2026

    DOD's Cybersecurity Program Halt Reveals Compliance Gaps

    The Pentagon's decision to halt the next phase of its cybersecurity compliance program for defense contractors is likely motivated in part by businesses' difficulties to meet the already existing standards.

  • July 15, 2026

    Dems Probe Clayton's Independence, 2020 Election Views

    During a Wednesday confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's pick for national intelligence director, Democratic lawmakers pressed Jay Clayton to explain whether predecessor Tulsi Gabbard should have traveled to Georgia to oversee a search warrant executed at a Fulton County election facility, which she testified the president asked for.

  • July 15, 2026

    Wireless Carriers Want FCC Changes To Space Reg Update

    Wireless trade group CTIA told the Federal Communications Commission it supports the agency's plans to slash satellite licensing regulations, but wants to ensure the rules protecting earth stations in shared bands are not cut in the process.

  • July 15, 2026

    11KBW Atty Says South China Sea Ruling Still Carries Weight

    Ten years after leading an effort that secured a historic win for the Philippines in a highly contentious dispute with China over maritime rights and entitlements in the South China Sea, 11 King's Bench Walk attorney Paul Reichler told Law360 that he believes international law remains as important as ever.

  • July 15, 2026

    Inventors, USPTO Agree On Scope Of Patent Program Suit

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and a pair of inventors have agreed that a review program referenced by Trump administration official Edward Martin was outside the scope of a proposed class action over the office's now-defunct program for flagging "sensitive" patent applications for extra review.

  • July 15, 2026

    Northrop Grumman Denied Calif. Workers Full Pay, Suit Says

    Northrop Grumman shorted California workers by rounding recorded time, automatically deducting 30-minute meal periods and requiring off-the-clock work, according to a proposed class action and California's Private Attorneys General Act suit lodged against the aerospace and defense contractor in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

  • July 15, 2026

    Biz, Benefits Groups Tell 4th Circ. To Nix 401(k) Forfeiture Suit

    A trio of business and benefits groups asked the Fourth Circuit to uphold the dismissal of a suit claiming Northrop Grumman improperly used forfeited 401(k) cash to fund its plan contributions, stating it would be "exceedingly odd" for the case to proceed against federal regulations allowing the practice.

  • July 15, 2026

    Russia Sanctions Bill Goes Too Far On Tariff Power, Dems Say

    A reworked version of a bipartisan bill aimed at sanctioning Russia over the war in Ukraine wrongly places too much tariff power in the hands of President Donald Trump, some leading congressional Democrats said.

Expert Analysis

  • What's At Stake In High Court's Venue Dispute Case

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    The U.S. Supreme Court’s eventual ruling in Abouammo v. U.S. could fundamentally reshape venue rules for federal criminal prosecutions, highlighting why defense counsel should ensure preservation of colorable venue challenges, particularly where the government's chosen forum lacks a direct connection to the defendant's physical acts, say attorneys at ArentFox Schiff.

  • 5 Gov't Contractor Tips Following Anthropic Risk Designation

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    The Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk is an unprecedented action that raises significant legal questions, and with government contractors already receiving directives and inquiries concerning their use of Anthropic products and services, there are several strategies contractors can use to manage risk, say attorneys at Mayer Brown.

  • How Data Centers Can Prep For Legal Challenges Amid War

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    Amid conflict in the Middle East, data centers may now be exposed to state-level kinetic threats, creating significant legal, regulatory and contractual implications, so operators should update their legal and operational frameworks in order to withstand future disruptions and meet the regulator expectations, say attorneys at Baker Botts.

  • Series

    Coaching Soccer Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Coaching youth soccer for my 7-year-old son's team has sharpened how I communicate with clients, prepare witnesses, work within teams and think about leadership, making me a more thoughtful and effective lawyer in many ways, says Joshua Holt at Smith Currie.

  • Bid Protest Spotlight: Commerciality, Amendments, Evidence

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    Recent decisions from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Small Business Administration illustrate the statutory and regulatory preference for acquiring commercial solutions, how failing to acknowledge a solicitation amendment can be fatal to a bid, and a protester's duty to support its allegations with evidence, says James Tucker at MoFo.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: The Human Element

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    Law school teaches you to quickly apply intellect and logic when handling a legal issue, but every fact pattern also involves a person, making the ability to balance expertise with empathy critical to the growth of relationships with clients, colleagues and adversaries, says Rachel Adcox at Adcox Strategies.

  • 4 Ways To Help CBP Curb Shell Co. Import Schemes

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    Shifting to a proactive rather than reactive enforcement posture in addressing shell companies set up to skirt tariffs requires equipping U.S. Customs and Border Protection with enhanced investigative authorities, better intelligence support, and mechanisms to identify and hold accountable the ultimate illicit actors, say attorneys at Kelley Drye.

  • 7 Steps For Gov't Contractors In Post-IEEPA Tariff Landscape

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    In response to U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down tariffs issued by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, there are several actions federal contractors should take to preserve their place in any refund waterfall, and to manage audit, overpayment and False Claims Act risk, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.

  • A Reliable Liability Shield For Government-Sponsored R&D

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    The Federal Circuit's decision in Arlton v. AeroVironment last month confirms that the Section 1498 liability-shifting framework applies well beyond production contracts, providing powerful assurance that contractors performing government-directed work are shielded from patent infringement liability, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • What We Know About DOJ's New FCA Enforcement Priorities

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    Recent remarks from the leader of the Justice Department’s commercial litigation branch provide key insights on how False Claims Act cases — especially healthcare fraud, trade fraud, antidiscrimination and cybersecurity claims — will be evaluated, prioritized and pursued as heightened enforcement becomes the new normal, say attorneys at Latham.

  • The Benefits Of Choosing A Niche Practice In The AI Age

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    As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, lawyers with a niche practice may stand out as clients seek specialized judgment that automation cannot replicate, but it is important to choose a niche that is durable, engaging and a good personal fit, says Daniel Borneman at Lowenstein Sandler.

  • Section 122 Tariffs Show Shift In Strategy, Not Trade Policy

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    By imposing temporary tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act as a stopgap measure while it pivots to less transitory statutory authorities, the Trump administration sent a clear message that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources v. Trump, invalidating duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, will not precipitate a change in policy direction, say attorneys at Snell & Wilmer.

  • Series

    Podcasting Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    Podcasting has changed how I ask questions and connect with people, sharpening my ability to listen without interrupting or prejudging, and bringing me closer to what law is meant to be: a human profession grounded in understanding, judgment and trust, says Donna DiMaggio Berger at Becker.

  • Lessons From Justices' Split On Major Questions Doctrine

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    The justices' varied opinions in Learning Resources v. Trump, which held the International Emergency Economy Powers Act did not confer the power to impose tariffs, offer a meaningful window into the U.S. Supreme Court's perspective on the major questions doctrine that will likely shape lower courts' approach to executive action challenges, say attorneys at Venable.

  • Resilience Planning As Nat'l Security Shifts Tech Import Policy

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    In response to a sustained reorientation of U.S. trade policy around national security considerations, businesses reliant on processed critical minerals must closely monitor diplomatic negotiations and the potential expansion of trade measures, incorporating contingency planning into procurement and long-term investment strategies, says attorney Sohan Dasgupta.

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