Big Law’s Back to the Office Push and Allegations of Multimillion-Dollar Coverups

DLA Piper, a major player in the corporate law arena, is making headlines as it shifts its U.S. corporate lawyers towards a more traditional office routine, mandating a four-day in-office workweek. The law firm believes this move will enhance collaboration and productivity among its team members. However, this leaves attorneys with one less day for potential interviews or remote work flexibility. [Read more at American Lawyer](https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2025/08/18/dla-piper-increases-in-office-requirement-for-us-corporate-lawyers/)

In another legal whirlwind, prominent firms Paul Weiss and Reed Smith are under fire, accused by an SEC whistleblower of being involved in a multimillion-dollar coverup, raising serious ethical and legal questions within the legal community. The details of the case are still unfolding. [Read more at Bloomberg Law News](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/paul-weiss-reed-smith-accused-of-coverup-by-sec-whistleblower)

White House Teams Up with FBI and Election Misinformation Consequences

In an unprecedented move, the White House has begun dispatching its social media teams to accompany FBI agents on certain arrests, aiming to provide real-time, transparent communication from the scenes of significant law enforcement actions. This initiative seeks to blend legal proceedings with modern digital communication. [Read more at Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/white-house-sending-social-media-teams-with-fbi-some-arrests-dc-sources-say-2025-08-18/)

Meanwhile, Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to settle defamation claims related to its coverage of the 2020 presidential election. This settlement marks a significant financial repercussion for spreading false information during a critically important time. [Read more at NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/08/18/nx-s1-5506062/newsmax-pays-67-million-to-settle-defamation-case-linked-to-2020-election-coverage)

Court Decisions Stir Public and Legal Debates

The Fifth Circuit Court has revived a lawsuit by a student group against a college that had banned a drag show, citing First Amendment rights. This decision overturns a previous opinion and underscores ongoing debates about freedom of expression in educational settings. [Read more at Courthouse News Service](https://www.courthousenews.com/fifth-circuit-revives-faceoff-over-west-texas-am-drag-show/)

In health and medicine legal news, a judge has narrowed down the scope of a lawsuit involving the diabetes drug Ozempic, striking some plaintiff claims and experts from the case. This ruling could influence how similar cases are handled in the future. [Read more at Legal Intelligencer](https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2025/08/18/judge-strikes-some-claims-plaintiffs-experts-in-ozempic-lawsuits/)

Controversial Claims in New Jersey’s Legal Landscape

In a controversial self-declaration, Alina Habba claims to be the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, a statement that has stirred confusion and debate among legal professionals and the public alike. The legitimacy and implications of this claim are currently under scrutiny. [Read more at Law360](https://www.law360.com/articles/2378445)

Today's legal landscape shows a dynamic interplay between traditional law practice and modern societal issues, reflecting a complex weave of litigation, policy, and public perception.