editor’s legal news picks

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‘Old-School’ Judge Tapped For Maduro Case

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! The federal case against Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was assigned to which Southern District of New York judge? Hint: The Clinton appointee took senior status in 2011 and is described as...

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Former Microsoft CLO Nowbar Joins ServiceNow C-Suite

Former Microsoft CLO Nowbar Joins ServiceNow C-Suite

Microsoft replaced Hossein Nowbar this fall without saying why. A press release issued by ServiceNow Monday included a glowing quote from Microsoft President Brad Smith, who'd been Nowbar's boss.       Microsoft replaced Hossein Nowbar this fall without saying why. A...

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Morning Docket: 01.02.26

* Elon Musk’s lawyer is a clown. Seriously (though no red nose). [The Independent] * Trump says he’s removing the National Guard units he illegally deployed before. [Reuters] * Law firms increasing billing rates. [Wall Street Journal] * State judges will now join...

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CES 2026: The Whole Wide AI World Along With Lots More

I’m on my way to Las Vegas for CES. Just like every year for the past seven, I’m starting my January by attending the preeminent global tech event where among a few other things, AI may be discussed. I’ll bring you my observations, thoughts, and usual skepticism. And...

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Year-End Bonuses Are Uncommon At Some Law Firms

Year-End Bonuses Are Uncommon At Some Law Firms

Many readers of Above the Law eagerly await news about annual bonuses around the end of the year. Most Biglaw law firms award those bonuses based on seniority and perhaps other performance-based metrics. Some smaller law firms also have institutionalized year-end...

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Doing Good Work Used To Pay Off — See Also

Doing Good Work Used To Pay Off — See Also

Trump Rule Made A Lot Of Public Service Work Ineligible For Loan Forgiveness: There goes helping your fellow man. Third Amendment Aficionados Perked Up For A Bit: The National Guard can’t sleep on your couch! Government Immigration Attorney Watch List Gets Leaked:...

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Law Schools Beyond the T14 Dominate ROI Rankings

Law Schools Beyond the T14 Dominate ROI Rankings

Law Crossing found the overall employment rate was 87.1%, the median starting salary for all graduates was $95,000, the average cost of a three-year program was $217,480, with a national average first-time bar passage rate of 78%.       Law Crossing found the overall...

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A Look Back At The 2025 Dumpster Fire

We’ve made it to the end of the year! And what do we have to show for it as a profession? Our most elite law firms signed deals rather than stand up for themselves in the face of illegal Trump bullying efforts. Others quietly tried to erase their history to avoid the...

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Stat(s) Of The Year: ATL 2025 Data Roundup

Stat(s) Of The Year: ATL 2025 Data Roundup

As we close out 2025, we’ve compiled some highlights from the data collected through our surveys and other research over the last year: No. of participants in ATL surveys: 7,591 No. of surveys conducted: 13 No. of times someone cursed at us in a survey response: 16...

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The High Cost Of Biglaw Equity Partnership

The High Cost Of Biglaw Equity Partnership

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! According to a survey by Am Law, the high end of equity partner contributions at one Am Law 100 firm is what percentage of a new equity partners’ annual compensation? Hint: There is a big range of...

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Even AI Knew Something Was Up — See Also

Even AI Knew Something Was Up — See Also

That Time ChatJAG Pointed Out The Obvious: Immediate egg on Hegseth’s face. Look At All That Prestige!: Vault’s Biglaw rating struck a little off for not factoring in the pro bono payola firms. Take That, Ed Martin: Georgetown Law had no qualms with fighting back. Now...

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Anti-White? Who’s in the EEOC Crosshairs After Pivot

Anti-White? Who’s in the EEOC Crosshairs After Pivot

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission invited white men who have experienced workplace discrimination based on race or sex to contact the agency.       The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission invited white men who have experienced workplace discrimination...

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Sneak Peek at July 2025 Bar Passage Rates

Sneak Peek at July 2025 Bar Passage Rates

In Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia, the top schools didn't fare as well compared to lower-ranked schools for July 2025 bar passage rates.       In Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia, the top schools didn't fare as well compared to lower-ranked schools for July...

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What’s Keeping GCs Up at Night? It’s a Lengthy List

What’s Keeping GCs Up at Night? It’s a Lengthy List

"My CEO is saying, 'How are you managing your budget? Can't you use AI? Let head count be flat next year,'" said Lisa Roberts, general counsel of Stax Payments.       "My CEO is saying, 'How are you managing your budget? Can't you use AI? Let head count be flat next...

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Challenging Truisms And Embracing A Cockroach Mentality

Challenging Truisms And Embracing A Cockroach Mentality

A tech entrepreneur’s 12-minute rant on a recent Law Punx podcast cuts through legal AI marketing nonsense. Antti Innanen, who founded Dot. after practicing law for several years, said what I have been thinking: the idea that AI will free us all up to do high-end...

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Biglaw’s In Its London Era

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! Over the last 10 years, by what percentage has the number of London lawyers at U.S.-led law firms increased? Hint: Kirkland, Latham, Goodwin and Paul Weiss are leading the London charge. See the answer...

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Recall A Biting Memory — See Also

Touchy With The Teeth: Sidley associate fired after (politely) gnawing on her co-workers. Keep The Congratulations On The Hush Hush: Kirkland opts out of advertising their newest partners. Prof. Files Fed Suit After Kirk-Related Censorship: Bold move, University of...

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How Law Schools Advanced Legal Tech in 2025

How Law Schools Advanced Legal Tech in 2025

Law schools are partnering with legal tech companies and tapping innovators to guide them in using rapidly developing technology.       Law schools are partnering with legal tech companies and tapping innovators to guide them in using rapidly developing...

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Best Of ’25 — See Also

Chief Justice Roberts Get Outed By A Handshake: Hard to play impartial after the buddy buddy display. Bye Bye, OCI: Latham dropped out of the time-tested recruitment method. You’re Arresting Me For What?: Former cop arrested over a Facebook meme. Words Have...

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Another National Security Concern!

Another National Security Concern!

President Donald Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House without going through any government approval process. The administration said that it didn’t need anyone’s approval to demolish the old building; it needed approval only for constructing, not...

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Morning Docket: 12.29.25

* The Supreme Court told the Trump administration it couldn’t deploy national guard troops to police cities. [One First] * But this probably won’t amount to more than a speed bump for the administration. [The Bulwark] * Meanwhile, Kavanaugh used this opinion as an...

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Are Gen Z Attorneys Jumping Law Firms Too Much? Likely Not

Are Gen Z Attorneys Jumping Law Firms Too Much? Likely Not

Gen Z attorneys appear to be staying at the firm they entered the industry with for longer than their predecessors at the tail-end of the Millennial generation.       Gen Z attorneys appear to be staying at the firm they entered the industry with for longer than their...

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