# Morning Docket: 06.30.26
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Wickersham and Taft officially merge tomorrow, marking the combined firm's debut. The enlarged firm plans aggressive expansion in New York, building on Hogan Lovells' existing global platform and Cadwalader's storied Manhattan presence.
The Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump's bid to escape the E. Jean Carroll sexual assault civil case. The rejection came quietly among the Court's final rulings of the term, eliminating Trump's last avenue to overturn the lower court judgment. The case proceeds toward trial or settlement without presidential shield.
Federal prosecutors secured additional indictments against NBA players in a gambling investigation. Malik Beasley and other former league players face charges tied to an illegal gambling scheme. The charges expand an ongoing Department of Justice crackdown on professional athletes participating in unauthorized wagering operations.
The Hogan Lovells-Cadwalader combination creates a powerhouse competitor in elite corporate law. Cadwalader, founded in 1792, brings deep roots in M&A, financial regulation, and bankruptcy work. Hogan Lovells contributes global reach and institutional strength. The merger reflects consolidation trends in Big Law, where scale and geography increasingly dictate competitive positioning.
Trump's Supreme Court loss closes judicial options in the Carroll litigation. The former president faced a jury verdict and remains exposed to enforcement of any judgment without further appellate relief. The decision reflects the Court's reluctance to intervene in routine civil disputes absent extraordinary circumstances.
The NBA gambling prosecutions signal intensified federal enforcement against athlete betting violations. The charges target circumvention of state and federal gaming laws. Professional sports leagues maintain strict anti-gambling policies to protect competitive integrity. These indictments establish that federal authorities will prosecute players who violate those boundaries, regardless of fame or wealth.