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Senate Armed Services Committee Advances Provision To Allow Contractor Cyber Operations
The post Senate Armed Services Committee Advances Provision To Allow Contractor Cyber Operations appeared first on Above the Law.WASHINGTON — Tucked in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s annual defense policy bill is a provision to partner the US government with...
Inside Kirkland’s Billion-Dollar Investment Fund
A Law.com investigation reveals how Kirkland & Ellis has quietly built a major in-house investment operation, channeling partner cash into private equity deals alongside its clients for decades. A Law.com investigation reveals how Kirkland & Ellis has...
Arguing In Front Of SCOTUS To The White House
Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! Who was the most recent President of the United States to have argued before the Supreme Court? Hint: The relevant case was a First Amendment case, and the Court held that absent a finding of malicious...
Morning Docket: 06.24.26
* Law school betting on Socratic method to combat AI “deskilling.” [ABA Journal] * Foley Hoag embracing role as anti-Trump Biglaw firm. [American Lawyer] * Stephen Miller drove new executive decision to allow states to institutionalize people with disabilities. No...
Abstract Extends Its Legislative Intelligence into Agentic Workflow Automation with Launch of ‘Abstract Workers’
When I wrote about Abstract in April, I reported on how the New York-based startup was making a push into the market for legislative and regulatory monitoring, alerting law firms and corporate legal teams to the bills and rules that matter to a client, even when they...
‘They Needed a Texas Lawyer’: Gibson Dunn’s Journey to Landing the SpaceX IPO
“Gibson Dunn was selected for the deal because we were unique in our ability to execute on it, said capital markets co-chair and Houston office co-leader Hillary Holmes. “Gibson Dunn was selected for the deal because we were unique in our ability to execute on...
Kirkland Taps Quinn Emanuel Appellate Co-Chair to Lead Supreme Court Practice
Christopher Michel, former co-chair of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan's national appellate practice, will lead Kirkland's Supreme Court and appellate practice. Christopher Michel, former co-chair of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan's national...
Demolish Your Opponent’s Argument With These Very Specific Adjectives
Teddy Snyder | Sometimes you just run out of ways to say somebody’s trying to peddle a lie, but a real advocate never runs out of the right vocabulary. The post Demolish Your Opponent’s Argument With These Very Specific Adjectives appeared first on Articles, Tips and...
‘Gotcha’ No More? NJ Fed Court Considers Early Test for Affidavit of Merit Disputes in Med Mal Suits
The proposed Local Civil Rule 16.1 amendment would eliminate the current language on affidavits of merit in negligence and malpractice litigation. The proposed Local Civil Rule 16.1 amendment would eliminate the current language on affidavits of merit in...
Doe Run Settles Long-Running Case Over Lead Exposure in Peru
A trial set to begin Tuesday in Missouri against Doe Run and Chairman Ira Rennert would have featured claims by five residents who alleged they suffered lead poisoning from its smelting complex in Peru. A trial set to begin Tuesday in Missouri against Doe Run...
Boutique Firm Pays More Than Where They Broke Off From — See Also
Dunn Isaacson Rhee Matches Milbank: Paul, Weiss needs to take notes! Glenn Agre Bergman & Fuentes Pays Out The Big Bucks: Boutiques are sharing the wealth! The Axinn Scale?: This boutique firm has been paying above the new Milbank rates since 2025! What Reuters,...
How To Make Equity Partner Without Waiting For Permission
For many lawyers, making equity partner still represents the brass ring. It means ownership. It means influence. It’s a seat at the table where the real decisions get made. After years of grinding through billable hours, client demands, internal politics, and firm...
The Firm That Walked Out On Paul, Weiss Is Now Paying Associates More Than Paul, Weiss
In a memo viewed by Above the Law, Dunn Isaacson Rhee, the litigation boutique founded by Karen Dunn, Bill Isaacson, Jessica Phillips, and Jeannie Rhee after they walked out of Paul Weiss rather than live under the terms of that firm’s Trump deal, is matching the new...
Thomson Reuters ‘Future Of Professionals’ Report Warns Of Widening Gap Between AI Adoption And AI Value
The post Thomson Reuters ‘Future Of Professionals’ Report Warns Of Widening Gap Between AI Adoption And AI Value appeared first on Above the Law.Most professionals are now using artificial intelligence at work, but far fewer are getting much value out of it, according...
What The News Is Getting Wrong About Pauline Newman’s Shadow Impeachment
I’m going to share what should be an uncontroversial statement: titles matter. We’re inundated with information constantly and, probably more often than we’d like to admit, skim article titles to get the gist of what’s going on. Even when we go the extra mile to read...
Why You Should Choose Legal Ops Tools You Can Build On (Part 2)
Ed. note: Second in a series. Read the first installment here. The previous article in this series proposed that Legal Operations leaders should evaluate legal technology not on the polish of its embedded AI features but on whether the underlying platform allows the...
Apple Intelligence: A New Sheriff In Town For Legal AI?
There may soon be a new sheriff in town for legal AI needs, particularly for smaller and even midsize law firms. And it may be just as good as what’s out there, just as protective (if not more so) of confidential material, easier to use, and cheaper. Right now, a...
Biglaw Chair Gets Real With How AI Is Changing The Role Of Associate
AI is not going to replace associates. AI will replace associates who don’t know how to use AI. .. Are your associate classes proficient at AI in all levels? This will be a disruptor. Someone who is good at it [AI usage] early and shows promise to accelerate. Great...
How Foley Hoag Became the ‘Anti-Trump’ Big Law Firm
"When things started in January of 2025, we were already there, said the firm's managing partner. “It's just that the circumstances changed to help us take advantage of it." "When things started in January of 2025, we were already there, said the firm's managing...
Complaint Lodged with Attorney Grievance Committee Against Acting AG Todd Blanche
The 69-page complaint asks the Attorney Grievance Committee for a Manhattan-based appeals court that governs disciplinary matters to look into alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The 69-page complaint asks the Attorney Grievance Committee...
AI and Life After Death
“Who Wants to Live Forever” was a song written by Queen for the film Highlander (1986). Who knew that in 2025 Meta in obtaining U.S. Patent No. 12,513,102 would provide a method of a virtual life after death. What once sounded like science fiction, or perhaps a...
Winston Taylor’s Paris Head on Integrating with the Wider Firm Post-Merger
As Winston Taylor's Paris office looks to integrate its lawyers within the larger firm, the goal is to “mirror the larger London office. As Winston Taylor's Paris office looks to integrate its lawyers within the larger firm, the goal is to “mirror the larger...
Deadline Extended: New England Legal Awards for 2026
Law.com is accepting nominations for the fourth annual New England Legal Awards, celebrating legal professional excellence in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Law.com is accepting nominations for the fourth annual New...
LawNext Podcast: Amy Juers and Valerie Chan on Marketing Legal Tech in the Age of AI Search
Once upon a time, a legal tech vendor’s goal in getting seen by potential customers was to rank on the first page of Google search. But in the age of AI, that is no longer enough. Now, when a potential buyer asks ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to recommend a vendor, what...
Deal-Intelligence Platform Centari Adds Amendment Awareness and Deal Maps, Features that Deepen Its Multi-Document Analysis
Centari, an AI platform for managing complex transactions, today launched two capabilities, Amendment Awareness and Deal Maps, that help attorneys understand how transactions change over time and how documents relate to one another. Both features further extend...
How Are AI-Equipped Associates Spending Their Time?
Everyone seems to agree that AI gets rid of rote work. But what that means for recruitment, development, and the actual work being done seems to be up for debate. Everyone seems to agree that AI gets rid of rote work. But what that means for recruitment,...
The First 30 Seconds of a Cold Legal Intake Call: A Script Breakdown
You have about 30 seconds to prove callers reached the right lawyer before they hang up and call the next firm. Connor Gallic breaks down the intake script that gets callers to convert. The post The First 30 Seconds of a Cold Legal Intake Call: A Script Breakdown...
Ashurst Reports 11% Revenue Boost Just Weeks Ahead of Perkins Coie Merger
It is the firm's last financial results before its merger with U.S. firm Perkins Coie goes live. It is the firm's last financial results before its merger with U.S. firm Perkins Coie goes live.
Bill to Speed Up First Union Contracts Would Transform Labor Relations, Experts Say
Currently, first contracts often take as long as two years to negotiate. The new bill aims to accelerate that process drastically, giving unions greater leverage in the process. Currently, first contracts often take as long as two years to negotiate. The new...
Bayer Taps Litigation Head Max Thu mmel as Group General Counsel
The Longtime Bayer lawyer and global litigation head steps into top legal role after predecessor's departure. The Longtime Bayer lawyer and global litigation head steps into top legal role after predecessor's departure.
Mass. Top Court Allows All-Party Primary System Proposal on November Ballot
The lawsuit challenged an initiative petition that would eliminate separate party primaries and instead place all candidates on a single primary ballot; it would allow the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election, regardless of party...
Community Leaders, Alumni Urge UNM Not to Renew Law Dean’s Contract
Community leaders, alumni and students have been publicly urging that the University of New Mexico not renew UNM Law Dean Camille Carey's contract. Community leaders, alumni and students have been publicly urging that the University of New Mexico not renew UNM...
AI Error Nearly Gave Defendant His Constitutional Right To Counsel — Don’t Worry, A Human Judge Fixed That!
We spend a lot of energy worrying that artificial intelligence will hallucinate fake cases, or conjure quotes that the real cases cannot support, or lie about the facts in a way that even this Supreme Court would be unwilling to rubberstamp. The Damien Charlotin AI...
Biglaw’s Partner Pay Revolution Has A Losers’ Bracket
We’ve written a lot about the Biglaw partner compensation gold rush, and for good reason, because the numbers keep getting more absurd. The top of the market has climbed from between $25 and $30 million to up to $40 million for the most coveted rainmakers. The hot...
If Your AI Agent Sends An Email To A Regulator Tomorrow, Who Is Responsible?
I’ve been in enough conversations with in-house teams lately to know this is no longer abstract. AI agents are moving out of demos and into real workflows. They are drafting, deciding, and triggering actions across systems. And at some point, one of those actions will...
How The Onion Made Alex Jones Cry
Last week, The Onion announced that it wasn’t going to wait for courts in Texas to unlock the Infowars IP. “The new InfoWars will livestream every Thursday at 8 p.m. this summer across any platform you watch video,” the company’s CEO Ben Collins said on social media....
Quinn Emanuel Gives Pro Bono Its Own Bonus Credit
Quinn Emanuel has long had a complicated relationship with associate compensation and the levers attached to it. The firm’s 2,100-hour floor to access market-rate bonuses is above average, and through the years, the firm has played with the requirements for associates...
Legal Ethics Roundup: When Lawyers Protest, SCOTX Says Self-Rep Lawyer Can Contact Opposing Party, And More!
Ed. note: Please welcome Renee Knake Jefferson back to the pages of Above the Law. Subscribe to her Substack, Legal Ethics Roundup, here. Welcome to what captivates, haunts, inspires, and surprises me every week in the world of legal ethics. Happy Monday! Last week...
Trump’s Persecution Of His Political Enemies Takes A Hit
The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President’s political opponents. This case was just one example of that, but we are seeing daily reminders of this administration’s lawlessness — in Minnesota and around the country. We all must...
Attorney Turns In License After Lazy AI Lawyering
“Lawyer Gets Caught Using AI” stories usually have a point and laugh, “How could they be so stupid?!” vibe to them, but this one feels more like a an unexpected retirement nobody bothered to plan a party for. After decades of lawyering, it isn’t uncommon for lawyers...
Federal Judge’s Fitness Journey Is Everyone’s Problem
Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! Which conservative federal judge launched a substack about their “Health and Wellness Journey” (on the day of Donald Trump’s second inauguration) that details their diet, sleep, and workout regime?...
The Other Side Of The Partner Pay Gap — See Also
Mid-Year Check Ins Are Coming: Time for some partners to double down or expect a pay cut. Mistaken AI Stenographer Almost Got A Suspect An Attorney: He came close to invoking the right to an attorney, yet landed so far. Attorney Turns In License After AI Errors: Kind...
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Sanctioned in 2 MDLs for Violating Protective Orders: ‘For Me, Professionally, This Was a Big Deal’
U.S. District Court Senior Judge Denite Cote, in the Southern District of New York, sanctioned Ashley Keller last month in the multidistrict litigation alleging prenatal acetaminophen use causes autism and ADHD. Keller told Law.com, "Pointing to the existence of...
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Sanctioned in Two MDLs For Violating Protective Orders: ‘For Me, Professionally, This Was a Big Deal’
U.S. District Court Senior Judge Denise Cote, in the Southern District of New York, sanctioned Ashley Keller last month in the multidistrict litigation alleging prenatal acetaminophen use cause autism and ADHD. Keller told Law.com, 'Pointing to the existence of...
Handshake Deal to Lawsuit: The Risks of Informal Agreements
Not every deal starts with a contract. Sometimes, people assume that a shared understanding is enough, that a written agreement isn’t necessary, or that they’ll document it later. Sometimes that works. Informal arrangements are fine when things are going well. But...
New Legal Chief at Jack Daniel’s Parent Gets Double Shot of Pay
Brown-Forman Corp. General Counsel Michael Carr earned $5 million in fiscal 2026, twice that of its predecessor, thanks partly to a bonus for evaluating two bids to acquire the company. Brown-Forman Corp. General Counsel Michael Carr earned $5 million in fiscal...
Supreme Court Wants Trump Administration’s View on New Jersey State Bar Association’s DEI Program
The U.S. Supreme Court has called for the views of the solicitor general about whether private groups, such as the New Jersey State Bar Association, have a First Amendment right to set aside seats for members of underrepresented groups to promote diversity. The...
Work-for-Hire Issue in Litigation Over ‘Goosebumps’ Musical
A current work-for-hire dispute over rights to the musical adaptation, cast album compositions and sheet music based on the children's horror novel Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium explores the inter-relationship of work-for-hire and copyright-ownership language...
Thomson Reuters Opens Early Access to the ‘Next Generation’ of CoCounsel Legal, Saying Beta Users ‘F#@%ing Loved’ the Product
Thomson Reuters is opening early access this week to what it calls the next generation of CoCounsel Legal, the most substantial reworking of its flagship legal AI assistant since the company acquired the product as part of its 2023 purchase of Casetext — and, just as...
How I Made Partner: ‘Figure Out What Your Strengths Are and Capitalize on Them,’ Says Wendy LaManque of Pryor Cashman
"Your personality and your unique strengths are your superpowers. Figure out what they are and capitalize on them. Any lawyer can read and analyze a case. Any lawyer can write a motion to dismiss. Only you can bring your particular set of skills and abilities to the...
Lackluster AI Performance Tests Talent Retention, Client Satisfaction
Mid-career lawyers and other professionals are considering leaving their organizations in the next two years out of disillusionment with AI, potentially impacting the trajectory of junior professionals and their learning, according to Thomson Reuters' 2026 Future of...
BARBRI Acquires Lega, Completing the Startup’s Pivot From AI Governance to Experiential AI Training
BARBRI, the legal education company best known for bar exam preparation, has acquired Lega, the AI startup that launched in 2023 with a focus on large language model governance but which has been evolving into helping legal professionals develop AI fluency through...
From Bonus Committees to Black Box Pay, How Law Firms Are Easing Comp Concerns
Law firms are evaluating changes that could alleviate concerns from pay cuts, including reduced pay-system transparency and separate “bonus committees to further distinguish base wages and those tied to annual performance. Law firms are evaluating changes that...
Did You Know Being a Terrible Guitar Player Could Make You a Better Lawyer?
Your brain doesn’t care if you are any good at your creative hobbies. Karen Skinner explains why being terrible may actually make you a better lawyer. The post Did You Know Being a Terrible Guitar Player Could Make You a Better Lawyer? appeared first on Articles, Tips...
The DOJ’s Slush Fund Fallout — See Generally
Ain’t No Government Service Like Self-Service: The Senate-confirmed DOJ official tasked with selling the slush fund to Congress, quietly tried to recuse himself from that work so he could file his own personal claim against the fund. Bar Tab Comes Due: Associate...
Chinese Firms Enter New Expansion Cycle Driven by Industrial Shifts and Global Compliance Demand
From Hefei to Hanoi, firms are expanding into China's emerging economic centers and key overseas markets as client demand shifts toward cross-border regulatory and compliance advisory work. From Hefei to Hanoi, firms are expanding into China's emerging economic...
Supreme Court Term Limits Went From Punchline To Platform For Progressives
Back in 2015, at a Netroots Nation panel discussion about how to “change” the Supreme Court, I asked if progressives should embrace term limits for the justices. The panel blew off the proposal as unimportant. Eleven years later, a sitting U.S. Senator — poised to...
The Lost Art of Having Fun: 5 Ways to Have More Fun This Summer
Jamie Spannhake | When was the last time someone asked you what you do for fun? Not what you do for work. Not what you do to stay healthy. If you can’t remember, read on for five ways to add a little fun to your life this summer. The post The Lost Art of Having Fun: 5...
Uber and Plaintiffs Bar Cut Deal to Keep Dueling Initiatives Off November Ballot
Uber and the Consumer Attorneys of California say their deal "framework" will target medical lien practices in car accidents and safety enhancements for ride-hailing operators. Uber and the Consumer Attorneys of California say their deal "framework" will target...
Happy Juneteenth! — See Also
Is Your Firm Observing The Holiday?: Be sure to let us know! Trump Nominates His Own Lawyer To Be A Top Federal Prosecutor: The Sullivan & Cromwell partner’s cozying up with Trump is paying off. SCOTUS Term Limit Discourse Goes Mainstream?: Progressives favor...
Reputation Repair: What To Do When A Bad Review Hits Google
Reputational damage can derail a business in the blink of an eye. When that damage comes in the form of an online review, content moderation policies can make it difficult to remove even deeply unfair reviews. For law firms, meanwhile, professional ethics can make it...
Arbitration Might Not Make Sense For Small Businesses
(Image via Getty)Most lawyers instinctively suggest that clients insert arbitration clauses into all kinds of contracts. This is usually because arbitration is much more private than litigation, and, depending on a number of factors, arbitration can take a lot less...
The Federal Clerkship Market Is Broken, And The Judges Know It
A new academic study confirms what anyone paying attention has suspected for years: the federal judicial clerkship has quietly transformed from a one-year professional launchpad into a multi-year credential arms race, and the people running it know exactly what’s...
Learning After Law School: How Do You Keep Your Skills Fresh?
Above the Law recently announced its 2026 ranking of the Top 50 Law Schools. But law school is really only the start of a legal education. Graduates then have to study for the bar exam. Once on the job, new attorneys will likely get informal guidance as well as more...
Random Neural Firings And Cage Fighting On The South Lawn
Jordan Rothman’s recent piece about the preference that some courts have for local counsel as opposed to out of towners should surprise exactly no one. Why the preference for local counsel? Easy. Local counsel are (or should be) familiar with local rules (whether...
Sullivan & Cromwell’s Cozy Relationship With The Trump Administration Got Even Cozier
Sullivan & Cromwell has been doing very well for itself under the second Trump administration. The white-shoe firm has Donald Trump as a client, co-chair Bob Giuffra leads a team representing Trump personally in his criminal appeal of the Manhattan hush money...
Could Associates Be Waiting Until Labor Day For Biglaw Firms To Match Milbank?
Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day. Labor Day is when firms traditionally get back down to business. Right now, everyone is getting distracted with high school and college graduations, vacations, stuff like that. Once Labor Day rolls around,...
BlackBoiler Launches Veris, Pairing Its Deterministic Redlining With Generative AI In Microsoft Word
The post BlackBoiler Launches Veris, Pairing Its Deterministic Redlining With Generative AI In Microsoft Word appeared first on Above the Law.BlackBoiler, a company that has spent over a decade building automated redlining technology, this week launched Veris, a new...
Supreme Court Takes Center Stage In Midterm Election
Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! A new Democratic attack ad targeting Senator Susan Collins goes after her support of which judicial nominee? Hint: The ad spot focuses on a recent statement by Collins noting that she does not regret...
New York’s New ‘Synthetic Performer’ Law Could Have Wide Reach, Lawyers Say
The law covers advertisements that include a computer-created, reproduced or modified “digital asset meant to look like a human engaged in a performance. The law covers advertisements that include a computer-created, reproduced or modified “digital asset meant...
Mass. Top Court Strikes Tax Income Initiative From November Ballot
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously said the proposed initiative's summary could mislead and influence voters since it does not disclose that the law would also reduce the long-term capital gain tax rate. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court...
Law Firm Disrupted: It’s Not All About the Money Anymore. What Really Drives Lateral Movement
While compensation offers get much of the spotlight, what really drives lateral movement goes beyond the paycheck. While compensation offers get much of the spotlight, what really drives lateral movement goes beyond the paycheck.
Corporate Director Use of Public- or Consumer-Facing AI Latest Risk for Legal Departments
A Corporate Board Member and Diligent survey found 30% of directors have used generative AI to summarize board books or meeting materials, "which are often among the most sensitive documents in a public company." A Corporate Board Member and Diligent survey...
Judge Picks 3rd Sexual Assault Trial Against Uber: ‘Get the Message, We’re Going Ahead’
The Sept. 14 trial would be in a case called Jane Doe QLF 001 v. Uber, in which a woman from Fort Worth, Texas, alleges her Uber driver forced her to perform oral sex on him during her 2020 ride from Arlington, Texas. The Sept. 14 trial would be in a case called...
Big Law AI Makes a Big Splash, But Real Transformation Happens Below the Surface
"I welcome it," said one tech leader, about the run of Big Law AI news, "because I think it will give every other firm a reference point." "I welcome it," said one tech leader, about the run of Big Law AI news, "because I think it will give every other firm...
Legal Tech & Marketing Issue COMING SOON
Coming October 2026 Legal Tech & Marketing Special Issue Attorney at Law Magazine has opened submissions for its all-digital issue featuring the leaders of the legal marketing and legal tech industries. Want to Participate? Complete the form below or contact us at...
Clio Launches Two AI Initiatives: Free Tools for Florida Lawyers and a Pledge to Train 25,000 Professionals
In two separate announcements this week, Clio rolled out two initiatives aimed at the same problem — getting practicing lawyers comfortable with AI. One puts AI software directly into lawyers’ hands at no cost; the other tries to teach the profession how to use it. On...
Tracking US Law Firms’ Tightening Grip on Big Ticket UK M&A
Data collated by Law.com shows how U.S. firms are sweeping up public M&A buy-side mandates. Data collated by Law.com shows how U.S. firms are sweeping up public M&A buy-side mandates.
From Billboard Lawyer to Billion-Dollar Brand: John Morgan Reflects
In this week's episode, Legal Speak examines the notable career of renowned plaintiffs' attorney and Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan through the lens of his new book, "Life Is Luck: John Morgan on Lawyering, Risk and Recognizing Opportunity." In this...
Preparing For Witness Preparation
How do you prepare a witness to testify? Sam Davidoff says there's one seemingly obvious but critical thing you need to do before prep day. Here's how he prepares to prep. The post Preparing For Witness Preparation appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law...
How To Build An AI Prompt Library For Your Legal Team
A prompt can only be as powerful as the system it runs on. Connected to your contracts, playbooks, and workflows, a precise prompt does something a general-purpose tool cannot — it doesn’t just generate text, it triggers action. The prompt and the platform multiply...
When Partners Make Record Money, Associate Raises Usually Follow
Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day. The salary increase for associates isn’t because the price of eggs or gas has gone up. Partners are saying to themselves, ‘We’re doing really well—and we should pass some of that along to the people who are...
Does AI Give Male Lawyers Better Resumes?
Yesterday, a fascinating thread by Jen Horsburgh described her recent experience using AI to update her resume. After asking Google’s Gemini to clean up her resume, she ran it again under her a man’s name, and watched the model mechanically rewrite the same career...
How The Tax Agencies In The US, Canada, And Mexico Simplified Tax Rules For World Cup Participants
The World Cup is currently underway in three countries in North America: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is only the second multicountry World Cup since 2002, when Japan and South Korea co-hosted. The matches will be held in 16 cities throughout the three...
Federal Judges Gone Wild
Above the Law’s Top 50 Law School rankings are out and a new school tops the list. But a number of other high prestige law schools have slipped out of the top 10… and it’s mostly a matter of cost. Meanwhile, we have two federal judges out of control. Judge Ryan Nelson...
Diddy On Track For Even Less Prison Time
The freakiest thing about Sean Combs’s sentencing is that his projected time in prison keeps going down. At one point there was speculation that he’d be spending the rest of his life behind bars. His high-profile legal team managed to get that time down to about a...
Lessons From Interstate Highways: AI’s Impact On Legal Is A Known Unknown
We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run. — Amara’s Law Lots of predictions and prognostications are going around these days about how AI will impact legal. But if our experience with, of all...
DOJ Says Threat To Outdoor UFC Fights Proves They Need A Ballroom
In April, the Justice Department wrote the court, arguing that Donald Trump needed to have the unilateral authority to destroy national monuments and build a new vanity ballroom project without any congressional oversight because attending events “on the White House...
There Are A Bunch More Kirkland & Ellis Associates Than There Used To Be
Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! How much did Kirkland & Ellis increase its associate ranks in 2025, outstripping the Am Law 100 average of 3%? Hint: The strategy for increasing the associate ranks is built on lateral hires as...
More Raises! — See Also
Warren LLP Matches The Milbank Salary Scale: The firm is rewarding their associates handsomely! Yetter Coleman Milbank Matches And Is Looking For Clerks: The judicial clerkship bonus is up to $145,000! Using AI To Work On Your Biglaw Resume?: LLM black boxes may spit...
BC Law Appoints AI Initiatives Leader to Shape Policy, Academic Response to AI
Following on the heels of Boston College's newly established Krantz Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Humanity, Boston College Law School appointed Maureen Van Neste as its first faculty director of AI initiatives. Following on the heels of...
Heat Is On for Employers as Regulatory Climate Shifts for Workplace Temperature Safety
Under President Donald Trump's administration, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is continuing with development of rules for addressing hazards from extreme heat in the workplace, a project started during the administration of Joe Biden. The...
States Increasingly Consider ‘Alternative Pathways’ to the Legal Field, but Not Everyone Wants to Break Ties With the ABA
A growing majority of states have adopted "alternative pathways" to the legal profession, such as innovative pathways to licensure or allowing graduates of non-American Bar Association-accredited schools to sit for the bar, though only a few have opted to take over...
In a Win for Bayer, Federal Judge Remands $7.25B Roundup Settlement
In a Wednesday order, U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey, in the Eastern District of Missouri, said objectors were not authorized to remove the Roundup settlement to federal court. In a Wednesday order, U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey, in the Eastern District of...
New England Patriots, Owner Robert Kraft Sue Town of Foxborough Over Gillette Stadium Licensing Fees
The plaintiffs claim the town charged nearly $1 million in new administrative fees despite Massachusetts law mandating that an entertainment license fee, or its renewal, cannot cost more than $100. The plaintiffs claim the town charged nearly $1 million in new...
Matthew McConaughey Trademarked ‘Alright, Alright, Alright.’ What He Actually Registered Was a Brand
As AI makes a voice or face easy to copy, celebrities are reaching for trademark protection. The harder question is whether the law can defend what the brand is actually worth. Matthew McConaughey recently secured eight trademarks on the pieces of himself that people...
Consumer Legal Funding Moves Out of the Gray Area Into Mainstream Regulation
A plaintiff can understand the value of her case and still feel forced to take less than it is worth. Every plaintiff’s attorney has seen some version of that moment. The case has merit. Liability is clear enough to keep moving. The problem is, medical bills have...
How I Made Office Managing Partner: ‘Do Not Stop Trying to Distinguish Yourself,’ Says Michael Schmidt of Cozen O’Connor
"Whether you are out of law school for two days or 50 years, do not stop trying to distinguish yourself to your clients and firm colleagues, and always remember how many lawyers are out there who also feel they can do what you do. The moment you believe you are the...
Critical Mass With Law.com’s Amanda Bronstad: Judge in $4B Sex Abuse Settlement Probes Lawyers Over Possible Fraud, LA Juries Hit J&J With $32M Talc Verdict and a Mistrial
This week: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman was in court on Monday asking a judge to halt payments from a $4 billion sex abuse settlement. Johnson & Johnson lost a $32 million talc verdict in a mesothelioma trial in Los Angeles Superior Court,...
Luigi Mangione Will Mount Psychiatric Defense, Judge Reveals
Mangione's defense team served a notice of intent back in September, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro said. Carro said he was unsealing the record relating to that litigation. Mangione's defense team served a notice of intent back in September,...