Washington, D.C. — In a significant legal twist, the Supreme Court is now considering a petition that could potentially absolve Ghislaine Maxwell of her charges, sparking a nationwide debate on the implications for the justice system. This development follows a series of high-profile legal battles and public scrutiny surrounding Maxwell's connections with Jeffrey Epstein. [MSNBC](https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/supreme-court-ghislaine-maxwell-petition-epstein-trump-rcna233941)

Portland, OR — The state of Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the controversial deployment of troops in Portland. The legal action comes after President Trump reportedly made decisions influenced by fringe social media claims that portrayed the city as engulfed in flames rather than its reality as a vibrant, artsy hub. The governor of Oregon is challenging what is seen as an unwarranted federal overreach. [Willamette Week](https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/09/28/trump-assumes-control-of-the-oregon-national-guard-oregon-sues/)

National News — The Department of Justice has reportedly shifted its priorities away from drug-related offenses to focus more on immigration enforcement. This pivot has resulted in the lowest level of federal drug prosecutions in decades, signaling a potential end to the long-standing war on drugs and reflecting the administration’s current policy focus. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/federal-drug-prosecutions-fall-lowest-level-decades-trump-shifts-focus-2025-09-29/)

New York, NY — New York’s oldest law firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, is facing a critical juncture after 33 partners have departed the firm this year. The exits are prompting a serious reevaluation of the firm’s future strategies and stability in the competitive legal market. [Bloomberg Law News](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/cadwaladers-33-exits-force-tough-choices-on-nys-oldest-firm)

Philadelphia, PA — Controversial law professor Amy Wax has announced her intention to appeal her discrimination lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania to the Third Circuit. This follows a lower court’s dismissal of her case, continuing a legal struggle that has attracted national attention over academic freedom and workplace discrimination. [Legal Intelligencer](https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2025/09/26/penn-law-professor-amy-wax-asks-third-circ-to-revive-discrimination-claims/)

Corporate Drama — Former President Trump is pressuring tech giant Microsoft to dismiss Lisa Monaco, the company's President of Global Affairs, due to her previous role under President Biden's Department of Justice. This demand highlights the ongoing tension between Trump’s political influence and corporate governance. [Law360](https://www.law360.com/articles/2393242/trump-demands-microsoft-fire-ex-biden-deputy-ag-monaco)

Judicial Milestone — The Roberts Court marks its twentieth anniversary, a tenure that has significantly reshaped American jurisprudence through landmark rulings and judicial philosophy. Legal experts and historians continue to analyze and debate the court’s impact on U.S. law and society. [One First](https://www.stevevladeck.com/p/180-the-roberts-court-turns-20)

For more details on these stories, visit [Above the Law](https://abovethelaw.com/2025/09/morning-docket-09-29-25/).