editor’s legal news picks

stay current with all the latest legal topics 

Finding the Best Defense Base Act Lawyer in Texas

Finding the right Defense Base Act lawyer in Texas can make the difference between a denied claim and the compensation you’ve earned. If you’ve been injured while working overseas for a U.S. contractor, you’re facing a complex federal system with strict deadlines and...

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Big Law Looks to Cash In on Crypto Push

Big Law Looks to Cash In on Crypto Push

A friendly government under Trump, market familiarity and steps toward regulatory clarity have spurred more legal work in the crypto space, which now has a market cap of over $4 trillion.       A friendly government under Trump, market familiarity and steps toward...

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The DOJ Isn’t Getting Their Way — See Also

The DOJ Isn’t Getting Their Way — See Also

If You Fail Once, Try Failing A Second Time: Good luck getting a local statute to bind the federal judiciary! Trump Admitted To Taking The Right To Free Speech Away: Hard to get more anti-American than that. Is Your Firm Outsourcing Recruitment To Law Students?: This...

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How Appealing Weekly Roundup

How Appealing Weekly Roundup

Ed. Note: A weekly roundup of just a few items from Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog, the Web’s first blog devoted to appellate litigation. Check out these stories and more at How Appealing. “Hantz Marconi to return to the bench, capping whirlwind week for...

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Another Legal Norm Shattered

Another Legal Norm Shattered

Delaware is a special place, a special bar, and this nomination is norm shattering. —Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on the elevation of White House lawyer Jennifer Mascott to the Third Circuit, Donald Trump’s third appellate judge appointed in his second term. Mascott did...

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The Biglaw ‘Perk’ That Really Isn’t One

The Biglaw ‘Perk’ That Really Isn’t One

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! According to the most recent ALM midlevel associate survey, what Biglaw “perk” was described by associates as a “trap,” “misleading,” and “shooting myself in the foot”? Hint: 27% of firms said they...

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Shutdown Causes Headaches for Regulatory Attorneys

Shutdown Causes Headaches for Regulatory Attorneys

“We're almost at year-end. People want to accomplish things before the year ends. If we're shut down all of October, that slows things down and hurts companies, noted Aaron Cutler of Hogan Lovells.       “We're almost at year-end. People want to accomplish things...

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Senate Confirms Jennifer Mascott to 3rd Circuit

Senate Confirms Jennifer Mascott to 3rd Circuit

Confirmed in a 50-47 vote, Mascott is Trump's second appointee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in his second term. The Senate confirmed the president's former personal lawyer and Justice Department official Emil Bove in July.       Confirmed in a...

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Insurer Had Duty to Defend in $78 Million Case

Insurer Had Duty to Defend in $78 Million Case

"Because the information available to Evanston when it refused to defend showed at least a possibility of coverage, and because there is no dispute that Evanston declined to defend the Named Insureds, the Court grants the Borjas's motion for summary judgment that...

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Live from WIPL with Erin Abrams

Live from WIPL with Erin Abrams

Guess what it's back! WIPL is back and back where it started. In this episode, Legal Speak host Cedra Mayfield interviews Erin Abrams, chief legal officer at Via Transportation.       Guess what it's back! WIPL is back and back where it started. In this episode, Legal...

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From Biglaw To In-House At The House Of Mouse

From Biglaw To In-House At The House Of Mouse

Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day. Rose has been a trusted adviser and a driving force in some of our most important matters. Her judgment, dedication, and strategic insight have left a lasting mark on the firm and on our clients. We are proud...

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Kim Kardashian Is Going To Be A Lawyer

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! Amid Kim Kardashian’s ongoing quest to be a real lawyer (she’s waiting on her bar exam results), she’ll be portraying one on what upcoming Hulu TV show? Hint: Kardashian will star as a divorce lawyer...

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Thanks So Much To Our Advertisers

Thanks So Much To Our Advertisers

We’d like to express gratitude to our fantastic sponsors here at Above the Law: 8am™ AffiniPay 8am™ CasePeer 8am™ LawPay 8am™ MyCase Aon Axiom Brightflag Caret Legal Clio CobbleStone Software CosmoLex Definely Draftable  Filevine FlexOffers.com iManage InfoTrack...

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New Merger Alert! — See Also

New Merger Alert! — See Also

Welcome To The Fold, FBT Gibbons!: They are set to go live on January 1st, 2026. Crime May Actually Pay: Sullivan & Cromwell got scammed for half a million dollars. Here Is The Letitia James Indictment: Who needs evidence, really? Can You Argue A Murder Charge In...

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Law Firms Embrace Hackathons to Stay Ahead of AI Innovation

Law Firms Embrace Hackathons to Stay Ahead of AI Innovation

A growing number of firms have realized they can spur AI innovation—and ensure their current and prospective attorneys are trained to meet the moment— by launching internal innovation competitions.       A growing number of firms have realized they can spur AI...

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Ex-CFTC Digital Asset Task Force Head Rejoins Akin

Ex-CFTC Digital Asset Task Force Head Rejoins Akin

Jack Murphy warned general and outside counsel of digital asset companies seeking to avoid risk that it would be a mistake for them to be complacent, notwithstanding the current administration's industry-friendly approach.       Jack Murphy warned general and outside...

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Anatomy of a Prompt: Real Training for Using AI

Anatomy of a Prompt: Real Training for Using AI

With generative AI, research time has collapsed and review time has expanded. The model can draft in minutes, which means you now spend more time asking whether the draft is accurate, defensible, and on brand. Prompting skill is not about magic words. A good prompt...

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3 Ways Lawyers Are Finding New Efficiencies With AI 

More and more lawyers are using artificial intelligence to save time and improve their workflow, and individuals are outpacing their firms in bringing on the technology. The reasons why are clear: 65% of those who use AI report saving 1-5 hours weekly, and some save...

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Is This The Beginning Of The End For The Bar Exam?

For a long time, the bar exam seemed like the nasty habit that the legal profession just couldn’t quit. But there’s finally some progress on that front, with Utah unveiling a new alternative pathway to licensure that values experience and the skills that an actual...

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Williams & Connolly Hit By Foreign Hackers

Williams & Connolly Hit By Foreign Hackers

One of the biggest consequences of success is the target that magically appears on your back. Running a firm involves more than delivering legal results for your clients — you also have to protect whatever vital information that falls in your lap in the process of...

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Biglaw’s Litigation Growth Strategy

Biglaw’s Litigation Growth Strategy

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! Which top Biglaw firm made a mass investment in mass torts defense this year, adding ~100 litigators and opening a Philadelphia office (stacked with lateral partners from Skadden)? Hint: Mass torts is...

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Live from WIPL with Anne Bliek

Live from WIPL with Anne Bliek

Guess what it's back! WIPL is back and back where it started!! This episode features Anne Bliek, the Head of Commercial Legal for TomTom International B.V.       Guess what it's back! WIPL is back and back where it started!! This episode features Anne Bliek, the Head...

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Williams & Connolly Targeted by Hackers

Williams & Connolly Targeted by Hackers

The firm confirmed that a “small number of attorney email accounts were accessed, but there was "no evidence" that confidential client data was extracted.       The firm confirmed that a “small number of attorney email accounts were accessed, but there was "no...

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AI As A Law Firm Revenue Stream

AI As A Law Firm Revenue Stream

Ed. Note: Welcome to our daily feature Trivia Question of the Day! According to a recent Axiom survey of over 600 senior legal leaders, what percentage of law firms are currently using AI tools? Hint: According to the report, that doesn’t mean savings for clients, as...

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Mind Your Cell Phones — See Also

Mind Your Cell Phones — See Also

Immigration Attorney Gets His Phone Nabbed By ICE: He successfully got a TRO, but the damage may have already been done. Will The Original Originalists Please Stand Up?: Alito accuses other jurists of not being hardcore enough in the Originalism department. The...

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The Best Law Schools For Business Law (2025)

The Best Law Schools For Business Law (2025)

Business law today sits at the intersection of shifting political and regulatory forces, as governments worldwide respond to evolving issues like antitrust scrutiny, ESG compliance, and global trade tensions. These changes are reshaping how companies operate — and in...

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The AI Arbitrator Is Here: What’s Next?

When the American Arbitration Association (AAA) recently announced that it would be launching an AI-powered arbitrator in November, it raised the question of the future role of AI in litigation. Indeed, it could suggest a possible future that many...

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