The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case asserting that mandatory state bar memberships violate the First Amendment’s free-speech guarantees. For more information:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/supreme-court-rejects-mandatory-wisconsin-bar-membership-case

The Supreme Court’s prohibition of affirmative action in college admissions has spurred a fresh wave of initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion at law firms. For more information:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/wall-street-firms-build-diversity-practices-after-court-decision

The Supreme Court introduced a self-authored code of conduct, which, in essence, renders it optional for any justice to adhere to. For more information:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/supreme-courts-new-ethics-code-wont-actually-change-a-thing

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a coalition of 22 Democratic senators are joining forces to request a federal investigation into the substantial multibillion-dollar acquisitions made by oil industry leaders ExxonMobil and Chevron. They express concerns that these acquisitions may potentially result in increased gasoline prices for consumers.

https://apnews.com/article/exxonmobil-chevron-oil-merger-schumer-gas-prices-af7296d39ee4b1c64592770cf9ddf2b6

Approximately 5,000 migrants hailing from Central America, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti embarked on a northward journey from Mexico’s southern border on Monday, headed towards the United States.
These migrants expressed their frustration with the extended processing times for refugee or exit visas at Mexico’s primary migrant processing center located in Tapachula, near the Guatemalan border. Mexico’s overwhelmed migration system often results in people seeking these visas enduring weeks or even months of waiting, unable to engage in gainful employment.

https://apnews.com/article/mexico-migrant-caravan-us-border-tapachula-visas-e2bd75d87981508b494fe691b6890d06

Effective November 1, employers in the United States are mandated to adopt a new, more concise I-9 form. The I-9 form is a crucial document used by employers to verify an employee’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. While the updated form has been accessible from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since August, it is now a requirement for employers as of November 1, as noted by the HR association.

https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/11/new-shorter-i-9-form-required-beginning-nov-1-what-it-means-for-you.html

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) appears likely to withstand a challenge to its funding structure, as indicated by recent oral arguments before the US Supreme Court. Legal experts observed that even conservative justices showed reluctance to conclude that the CFPB’s funding via the Federal Reserve violated the Constitution’s appropriations clause.

CFPB’s Survival Odds Improve After Supreme Court Hears Challenge (bloomberglaw.com)

A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit accusing McDonald’s and Wendy’s of deceptive advertising by showcasing larger, juicier burgers in their ads than what is actually served in their restaurants.

https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-wendys-false-advertising-lawsuit-9b60d8ff04b52635a14dcdef5a44d68f

In a significant move for Germany’s climate policy, lawmakers in Berlin approved a contentious bill on Friday aimed at phasing out fossil-fuel heating systems. This decision follows extended internal debates within the governing coalition, impacting the coalition’s approval ratings and sparking widespread discussions.

https://apnews.com/article/germany-climate-heating-scholz-coalition-legislation-6c811fc41def83ae36e29a29de49bdaf

A Facebook job seeker alleges the company gives preference to H-1B visa holders, raising questions about the protection of citizens under the 1866 Civil Rights Act. For more information:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/immigration/metas-h-1b-hiring-spurs-ninth-circuit-look-at-citizenship-bias