July 21, 2025

In a dramatic escalation of legal confrontations, former President Donald Trump has launched a staggering $10 billion lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch, accusing him of defamation. This legal move, characterized as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), targets Murdoch’s extensive media empire, highlighting an intensifying feud between the former president and one of the most influential figures in global media. Details of the suit, first reported by CNBC, suggest this could be one of the most watched legal battles in recent years.
In another surprising legal development, Ohio is currently considering a significant shift in its requirements for practicing lawyers. The state’s legal authorities are debating whether to remove the mandate for lawyers to graduate from American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law schools. This proposal, as reported by Reuters, stems from mounting political pressures and could fundamentally change the legal landscape in Ohio, opening doors for many aspiring lawyers and potentially altering the standards of legal education.
Meanwhile, the corporate structure of law firms is also undergoing transformation, evidenced by Kirkland's recent appointment of a Chief Operating Officer (COO). This move, highlighted by American Lawyer, suggests a trend towards more sophisticated and business-oriented operations within top law firms, signaling a maturation in how legal services are managed and delivered.
Adding to the legal tumult, a recent court decision has put the U.S. Supreme Court in a tight spot, demanding transparency regarding the administration's plans to downsize federal agencies. Bloomberg Law News covers this development, revealing a push from lower courts for greater accountability and clarity from the highest levels of judicial authority in the United States.
On a lighter note, a recent marketing slogan for Chevron has failed to impress, according to Law360. The attempt to rejuvenate the image of the Chevron truck with a new tagline has fallen flat, illustrating the challenges of rebranding traditional elements in modern corporate strategies.
Lastly, the state of professionalism within the legal sector is facing scrutiny in Canada, where lawyers are reportedly lamenting the erosion of civility in the profession. According to Canadian Lawyer Magazine, this cultural shift might seem minor — perhaps as negligible as neglecting to say "bless you" after a sneeze — but it underscores deeper concerns about the evolving nature of legal practices and interactions.
These diverse developments across North America not only underline the dynamic nature of legal and corporate governance but also forecast significant changes in how legal practices might evolve in the coming years. From high-stakes litigation to educational reforms and cultural shifts within the profession, the landscape of law continues to be an arena of high drama and profound change.