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Timothy Dowling: Reshaping Mediation in America
Timothy Dowling: Reshaping Mediation in America By Susan Cushing When Timothy Dowling describes the origins of Resolvium Mediation Group, he does not begin with its official 2022 launch. Instead, he talks about friction — not the abstract kind that shows up in a law...
Timothy Dowling: Reshaping Mediation in America
Timothy Dowling: Reshaping Mediation in America By Susan Cushing When Timothy Dowling describes the origins of Resolvium Mediation Group, he does not begin with its official 2022 launch. Instead, he talks about friction — not the abstract kind that shows up in a law...
Beyond the Table: How Mae Villanueva is Redefining Mediation
Mae Villanueva, the founder of Mae Villanueva Mediation in San Ramon, has worked with hundreds of litigants in civil disputes involving employment, wage and hour disputes, landlord-tenant and family matters. AALM: You began your career as a paralegal. How did that...
Messner Reeves’ Top Mediators: Guiding Parties from Conflict to Resolution
Messner Reeves’ Top Mediators: Guiding Parties from Conflict to Resolution By Susan Cushing At Messner Reeves LLP, litigation expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have long defined the firm, but the art of mediation has become a proactive—and now defining—hallmark of...
Messner Reeves’ Top Mediators: Guiding Parties from Conflict to Resolution
Messner Reeves’ Top Mediators: Guiding Parties from Conflict to Resolution By Susan Cushing At Messner Reeves LLP, litigation expertise and entrepreneurial spirit have long defined the firm, but the art of mediation has become a proactive—and now defining—hallmark of...
Paul Eza: Finding His Place in Mediation
Paul Eza’s story began as a young graphic artist making a living designing greeting cards. “It was fine,” he says. “But I was bored. I was at a point in my life when it was a good time to make a change, so I considered my options. I was interested in education but...
Rethinking the Joint Session
If you’ve mediated a case in recent years, you’ve probably noticed a trend that parties are increasingly stating they want to skip the joint session and proceed straight to caucus. For many mediators, this raises a concern. The mediator is responsible for safeguarding...
Karen Roberts Washington: Looking Forward
Mediation is an opportunity that should not be missed. It gives parties a time, a place, and a guide to talk in a constructive way about how to move through a dispute,” says Karen Roberts Washington. Her considerable experience as a litigator gives her an advantage as...
Joy Hernandez: The True Power of the Process
AALM: Joy, you started out in the field of mediation over 15 years ago. What drew you to this field? What do you enjoy most about it? JH: I have been incredibly blessed. I am one of those individuals who can honestly say I love what I do and would not want to be doing...
Jeff Rose: A Front Row Seat
After more than 12 years of service on the bench, Jeff Rose made the decision to hang up his robe and take a seat at the mediation table. We sat down with him to discuss his transition and the benefits his years of experience both as a litigator and as a judge bring...
Jennifer M. Segura, JD, CDFA: Mirroring the Cheyenne Way
During an undergraduate anthropology course, Jennifer M. Segura was introduced to “The Cheyenne Way” by Karl Llewellyn, which explored how the Cheyenne tribe resolved conflict. Their relational, collaborative approach mirrored modern mediation and inspired Segura to...
Maximizing the Potential for Resolution in Online Mediation’s New Normal
For decades, mediation meant traveling to a conference room to view bullet points on a whiteboard, attend breakouts down the hall, and listen to a mediator shuttling between rooms. The mediator could gauge the atmosphere in each room through the personalities and...
What Looms for Legal Ops? More Responsibility—and More Complexity
In-house attorneys are “advantaged ... because they have greater context and situational awareness than outside counsel when it comes to operationalizing AI and other emerging technologies, Brightflag Chief Customer Officer Kevin Cohn said in his 2026...
Ardelyx Pharma Wins Dismissal of Securities Action in Mass. Federal Court
U.S District Judge Leo T. Sorokin dismissed both securities fraud and insider trading claims against the pharmaceutical firm, which was represented by Latham & Watkins. U.S District Judge Leo T. Sorokin dismissed both securities fraud and insider trading...
Nearly 25% of Law Schools Had New Deans in 2025
A total of 45 law schools appointed 47 law deans—23 were interim appointments—during the calendar year 2025 A total of 45 law schools appointed 47 law deans—23 were interim appointments—during the calendar year 2025
Mamdani Announces First Judicial Picks of His Mayoralty
Judicial appointees Cary Fischer, Natalie Barros and Andrés Casas all have backgrounds as prosecutors. The trio have also various worked as pro bono counsel, a professor, a litigator and court attorneys. Judicial appointees Cary Fischer, Natalie Barros and...
‘Eyes Wide Open’: Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith’s Deposition Testimony Engenders Risk, Experts Say
"I have no doubt that the President wants to seek retribution against me," former Special Counsel Jack Smith said during a closed-door congressional deposition defending his former prosecutions of President Donald Trump. "I have no doubt that the President wants...
Handwritten Notes Help Build Real Relationships
Analog Attorney: Handwritten notes and fine stationery are valuable tools for piercing through the white noise of constant electronic communication. Bull Garlington has quick tips for dashing off a manual memo. The post Handwritten Notes Help Build Real Relationships...
University of Idaho Law Dean Named First Woman President of the National Judicial College
“Being raised by a criminal law professor and an administrative law judge, I have tremendous respect for the judiciary and the valuable service they provide to our country and their communities each day, Aviva Abramovsky said in a statement. “Being raised by a...
Ex-Kirkland & Ellis Litigator Takes Legal Reins of Storied Civil Rights Organization
Laura Kadetsky's arrival at the Legal Defense Fund bolsters its leadership firepower at a time the Trump administration is rolling back legal protections for marginalized communities. Laura Kadetsky's arrival at the Legal Defense Fund bolsters its leadership...
You Can Say Whatever You Want When You’re The Chief Justice — See Also
Chief Justice Roberts Invents Thomas Paine Legacy From New Cloth: If only he were here to defend himself. Steven Banks Takes Helm As Corporate Counsel: New York is in good hands! Law Students Call On ABA To Tell Biglaw To Chill Out On Recruitment Speeds: As it stands,...
ATL Holiday Card Contest: The Winner! (2025)
Nearly 2,000 votes were cast, so it’s fair to say our 2025 holiday card contest was a great success. This year’s competitors were incredibly strong, and with 37% of the vote, our top contender was separated from the second-place finisher by 15 percentage points. Our...
A Tariff Prediction For 2026
This is the time of year to make predictions. Who am I to buck a trend? I have one very specific (and extended) prediction. My prediction begins with the Supreme Court seeing an opportunity in the pending litigation involving President Donald Trump’s tariffs....
He Left Paul, Weiss On Principle. Now He’s In Charge Of New York City’s Legal Future.
New York City’s Law Department is about to get a serious (and overdue) reboot. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced last week that Steven Banks will take the helm as Corporation Counsel, pairing the appointment with an ambitious plan to expand the department...
Chief Justice Roberts Explains Why Thomas Paine Would LOVE Presidential Immunity And Troops Patrolling Streets, Actually
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)If there’s one figure in American history who would not stand for any of the present nonsense, it’d be Thomas Paine. The revolutionary pamphleteer hated the idea of monarchs trampling on people behind the veil of absolute immunity so...
Paul, Weiss ‘Betrayed Its Own Values’ When Capitulating To Trump
Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day. I suspect that we have already seen most of the direct effects that we are going to see in terms of departures and client responses. I don’t think the deals will have a big impact on recruiting in 2026. The...
AI In The Courtroom: Will We Trade The Rule Of Law For Efficiency’s Sake?
What happens when a judge relies on a GenAI tool in formulating their decision on a key issue, particularly one that could impact the GenAI providers? It’s not only law firms and legal departments that are adopting GenAI systems without fully understanding what they...
Stop Calling It Legal Support: Karl Seelbach Says Deposition Tech Is Mission-Critical Infrastructure
For all our talk about modernizing legal operations, we still treat some of the most essential systems in our profession as afterthoughts. Take depositions. Most in-house lawyers will tell you they are critical in litigation. Yet we accept inefficiency, latency, and...
Law Students Make Hail Mary Plea For ABA To Curb Law Firm Recruitment Timelines
Getting a summer associate gig is probably a far cry from what you remember. There used to be some decorum. You’d make it to campus, try to make some friends, and form your study cohort, knowing that you’d have at least a couple of months before you had to worry about...
‘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...
Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Curriculum Ruling Brings More Clarification to Recent Supreme Court Decision, Plaintiff’s Attorney Says
"I think we're probably going to see some applications that we're not anticipating. I'm sure people will be creative with it," said plaintiff's attorney, Sam Wilson. "I think we're probably going to see some applications that we're not anticipating. I'm sure...
Divided 8th Circuit Finds Employees Have Standing to Challenge Mandatory DEI Training
"The court's decision makes clear that school districts injure teachers when they compel or chill their speech on matters of public importance. A huge victory for the First Amendment, we are hopeful it gives others the courage to fight back against discriminatory...
Latham & Watkins Advised Coinbase on Acquisition of Prediction-Markets Startup
Latham & Watkins advised Coinbase on its acquisition of prediction markets startup The Clearing Co., bolstering the cryptocurrency exchange's push toward a unified “Everything Exchange. Latham & Watkins advised Coinbase on its acquisition of prediction...
Meet the Attorneys Defending Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Their Federal Drug-Trafficking Case
The two defense teams are no strangers to high-profile proceedings. Maduro's lawyer has represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, while one of Flores' attorneys was part of a team that recommended impeachment proceedings against Texas Attorney General Ken...
McGuireWoods Tightening Fact-Checking Systems After Attorney Admits to Filing Briefs ‘Rife With Citation and Quotation Errors’
“This was not a case of a typographical-type error or a couple of small inaccuracies, wrote U.S Magistrate Judge Justin Anand. “This was not a case of a typographical-type error or a couple of small inaccuracies, wrote U.S Magistrate Judge Justin...
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...
Mamdani Names Civil Rights Attorney to Lead Revamped Mayoral Advisory Committee on the Judiciary
Ali Najmi, formerly in private practice, will helm an advisory committee with a mandate to create a more legally and demographically diverse bench in New York City. Mamdani's executive order forming the committee also details new transparency and ethics...
Split 9th Circuit Strikes Down California’s Open-Carry Ban as Unconstitutional
“There is no record of any law restricting open carry at the Founding, let alone a distinctly similar historical regulation,'" wrote Ninth Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke, quoting from the high court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v....
‘I Am Here Kidnapped’: In Manhattan Federal Court, Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy Charges
Defense counsel Barry Pollack, the former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said that Maduro's status as head of a sovereign state, as well as the legality of the U.S. military operation in which he was taken, would be raised in...
Nonpracticing Entities Shower Financial Institutions With Patent Suits
Polsinelli shareholder Patrick Muffo urged the defendants not to settle. "The problem is if you pay every patent troll that comes your way, there's going to be another patent troll right behind them.” Polsinelli shareholder Patrick Muffo urged the defendants not...
Nearly a Year In, the Full Picture for Law Firms Who Cut Deals With Trump Isn’t in Focus
“What remains to be seen is the midterm and longer-term consequences for the firms, both in terms of their ability to recruit and retain lawyers, and in terms of their ability to retain clients," said Scott Cummings, a legal ethics professor at UCLA School of...
Judge Shopping ‘Consequences’ Are Worth Keeping Tabs On, Experts Say
"The thing to keep in mind is that random case assignment is subject to so many exceptions across the federal courts, said Syracuse University College of Law professor Katherine Macfarlane. “Random assignment is this exalted principle, but I don't even know if it's...
5 Legal Marketing Shifts That Will Define 2026 (And What to Do About Them)
Lyndsi Edgar | Want your law practice to stay visible? Know the legal marketing shifts that are already underway — and start addressing them, one by one. The post 5 Legal Marketing Shifts That Will Define 2026 (And What to Do About Them) appeared first on Articles,...
Consumer Companies Using AI Must Balance Legal and Reputational Issues
Survey shows more than three quarters of in-house counsel use AI to create marketing and advertising content Survey shows more than three quarters of in-house counsel use AI to create marketing and advertising content
Marc Mukasey Closes Boutique to Colead Seyfarth Trial Practice
Mukasey left the boutique firm he cofounded in 2019 to join Seyfarth Shaw's New York office as cochair of the firm's trial practice. Four lawyers are joining him from the boutique. Mukasey left the boutique firm he cofounded in 2019 to join Seyfarth Shaw's New...
How I Made Partner: ‘Be Authentic and Honest,’ Says Tania Kazi of Alston & Bird
"Be authentic and honest, because many of the people around you could become genuine friends and most people want to help if you share any struggles. Tell people along the way how much you appreciate the things they've done for you. Keep in touch with the people you...
‘Law of the Jungle’: US Ouster of Venezuela’s Maduro Shakes Up Latin America
The military action raises prospects for major change in the once-thriving oil-based economy, while sending a warning to other leftist leaders in Latin America and prompting questions related to international law. The military action raises prospects for major...
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...
Top 20 Biglaw Firm Hands Out Extra-Special Bonuses On New Year’s Eve
Happy New Year! One Biglaw firm recently made sure that almost everyone at the firm was able to ring in 2026 with some really great news — for their bank accounts. Sources tell us that management at Norton Rose Fulbright — a firm that brought in $2,436,258,000 gross...
Best Of ’25: Kim Kardashian Turns Failing The Bar Exam Into An Inspiring Comeback Story
The post Best Of ’25: Kim Kardashian Turns Failing The Bar Exam Into An Inspiring Comeback Story appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Kim Kardashian Turns Failing The Bar Exam Into An Inspiring Comeback Story appeared first on Above the Law.
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...
Best Of ’25: Trump’s National Guard Stunt May Finally Give The Third Amendment Its Moment
The post Best Of ’25: Trump’s National Guard Stunt May Finally Give The Third Amendment Its Moment appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Trump’s National Guard Stunt May Finally Give The Third Amendment Its Moment appeared first on Above the Law.
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...
Best Of ’25: ICE Accidentally Publishes A ‘Watch List’ Of Immigration Lawyers, Which Is Definitely A Normal Thing For The Government To Do
The post Best Of ’25: ICE Accidentally Publishes A ‘Watch List’ Of Immigration Lawyers, Which Is Definitely A Normal Thing For The Government To Do appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: ICE Accidentally Publishes A ‘Watch List’ Of Immigration Lawyers,...
Best Of ’25: New Trump Rule Declares Most Public Service Work ‘Illegal,’ Ineligible For Loan Forgiveness
The post Best Of ’25: New Trump Rule Declares Most Public Service Work ‘Illegal,’ Ineligible For Loan Forgiveness appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: New Trump Rule Declares Most Public Service Work ‘Illegal,’ Ineligible For Loan Forgiveness appeared...
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:...
Federal Shutdown’s Slowing of U.S. Agency Operations Likely to Continue After Funding Resumes
When the federal government first shut down on Oct. 1, many facets of the legal industry chugged along uninterrupted. When the federal government first shut down on Oct. 1, many facets of the legal industry chugged along uninterrupted.
SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw to Depart as Deregulatory Shift Accelerates
Crenshaw's exit leaves the commission without a Democratic holdover at a moment of sharp policy change under Chairman Paul S. Atkins, whose leadership has emphasized industry flexibility and reduced enforcement—an approach Crenshaw repeatedly warned could expose...
Law School Student Groups Ask ABA to Review Accelerated Associate Recruiting Timelines
Student associations and governments from 18 top-tier law schools signed a joint letter that asserts "accelerated timelines have also begun to undermine legal education, student and staff well-being, and the recruitment market." Student associations and...
Trump Credited for Release of Bitcoin Hacker Ilya Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for his involvement in a money-laundering conspiracy stemming from the hack and theft of approximately 120,000 Bitcoin from the global cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex. Lichtenstein was sentenced to 60...
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...
Florida Supreme Court Rejects AG’s Idea to Waive Bar Exam for Government Attorneys
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier had argued that letting lawyers who want to work for the government hold Florida Bar membership for up to three years without having to take the state's Bar exam would address staffing issues and allow the state government to...
Tenth Circuit Adopts Ascertainability Test and Clarifies Class Action Requirements
In Cline v. Sunoco, Inc. R&M, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit largely affirmed the federal district court's rulings certifying a class and awarding damages, and in the process, adopted the majority test for determining whether the class members are...
Linklaters and Clifford Chance Continue to Trail Freshfields in US, Accounts Show
While Linklaters is the fastest grower, it is also hosts the smallest U.S. presence of the trio, the latest LLP accounts show. While Linklaters is the fastest grower, it is also hosts the smallest U.S. presence of the trio, the latest LLP accounts...
Riding a Wave of Trump Policy Shifts, Law Firms Have Stayed Busy in DC
Despite white-collar defense practice shifts, several firm leaders said 2025 was a busy year for their D.C. offices, with higher education, trade and investigations practices staying active. Despite white-collar defense practice shifts, several firm leaders said...
Taft, Morris Manning Complete Merger, Creating 1,250 Lawyer Firm Spanning 25 Offices
The merger gives Taft a new presence in Atlanta and a second office in Washington, D.C. The merger gives Taft a new presence in Atlanta and a second office in Washington, D.C.
How I Made Practice Group Chair: ‘You Can’t Do It All Yourself,’ Says Tom Boer of Hogan Lovells
"Balancing requires the ability to prioritize, trust in your team and practice effective delegation. I have immense trust and respect for Nadira Clarke, my co-leader for the group; being able to share the burden and lead with a trusted compatriot is a winning formula....
7 Predictions For 2026 That Should Come True But Won’t
Who could have predicted what 2025 would bring? As the legal profession kicked off last year, we expected another tour de force of Biglaw standing up for those targeted by the Trump administration like the firms did in 2017, we figured that AI hallucinations would...
If You Are Applying To Law School And Want A Few Minutes Of Free Financial Or Career Advice, Email Me
Six years ago, I was hard at work polishing up the manuscript for Your Debt-Free JD (affiliate link). It was a labor of love. I couldn’t be prouder every time I hear of the advice it contains working out. Even more so, I’m proud of the people who’ve used it to help...
Best Of ’25: Georgetown Law To Ed Martin: F All The Way Off
The post Best Of ’25: Georgetown Law To Ed Martin: F All The Way Off appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Georgetown Law To Ed Martin: F All The Way Off appeared first on Above the Law.
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...
Best Of ’25: Vault 100 Rankings: The Most Prestigious Law Firms In America (2026)
The post Best Of ’25: Vault 100 Rankings: The Most Prestigious Law Firms In America (2026) appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Vault 100 Rankings: The Most Prestigious Law Firms In America (2026) appeared first on Above the Law.
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...
Best Of ’25: Pentagon Unveils New GenAI Platform, It Immediately Starts Flagging Pete Hegseth’s War Crimes
The post Best Of ’25: Pentagon Unveils New GenAI Platform, It Immediately Starts Flagging Pete Hegseth’s War Crimes appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Pentagon Unveils New GenAI Platform, It Immediately Starts Flagging Pete Hegseth’s War Crimes...
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...
Best Of ’25: Law Student Regularly Commutes Thousands Of Miles To Attend Classes
The post Best Of ’25: Law Student Regularly Commutes Thousands Of Miles To Attend Classes appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Law Student Regularly Commutes Thousands Of Miles To Attend Classes appeared first on Above the Law.
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...
What to Watch in Securities Litigation in 2026
Here, Law.com takes a look at what securities litigators are paying attention to in 2026. Here, Law.com takes a look at what securities litigators are paying attention to in 2026.
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...
Group Files Complaint Against 2nd Circuit Judge, Alleges Mistreatment of Clerks
The Legal Accountability Project, which advocates for law clerks, stated in a news release Tuesday that its complaint is based on information it received from several former clerks raising concerns about Sarah A.L. Merriam's workplace conduct. The Legal...
King & Spalding and Alston & Bird Announce Associate Bonus Scales
Sources did not disclose a payment date or hours requirements, though King & Spalding said earlier this year it required associates to reach the industry standard of 1,950 billable hours to be eligible for bonuses. Sources did not disclose a payment date or...
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...
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...
How Law Firms Can Compete and Grow in the 2026 Legal Market: A Lawyer’s Practical Guide to Implementing Legal Tech
How many of us have said, “This year went so fast?” If you utter that sentiment, you are not wrong. Things are moving quickly, and with 2026 around the corner, it is a good time to focus and plan on what you and your firm must do to stay ahead. Technology is no longer...
5 Private Equity Plays That Are Rewiring International Law Firm Financing
Once unthinkable, private equity reshaped the legal market in 2025. These five PE investment models explain why 2026 may be the year Big Law can no longer hold the line. Once unthinkable, private equity reshaped the legal market in 2025. These five PE investment...
How I Made Practice Group Chair: ‘Start by Leading From Where You Are,’ Says Betty Yang of Gibson Dunn
"Start by leading from where you are. Take ownership, mentor others, and think beyond your own docket. Leadership is about mindset—being proactive, collaborative, and committed to the success of the team as a whole. And there's no better way to position yourself for a...
Best Of ’25: Kirkland Refuses To Publicly Announce Its New Partners, Marking A Shift From Swagger To Silence
The post Best Of ’25: Kirkland Refuses To Publicly Announce Its New Partners, Marking A Shift From Swagger To Silence appeared first on Above the Law.Kirkland & Ellis is recognized as one of the nation’s greatest law firms. Not only does the firm offer a...
BriefCatch Raises $6M Series A To Accelerate Acquisitions And Development
The post BriefCatch Raises $6M Series A To Accelerate Acquisitions And Development appeared first on Above the Law.BriefCatch, a legal technology company devoted to helping legal professionals improve their legal writing, has raised a $6 million Series A led by the...
Best Of ’25: Professor Files Federal Lawsuit After Charlie Kirk Comment Retaliation
The post Best Of ’25: Professor Files Federal Lawsuit After Charlie Kirk Comment Retaliation appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Professor Files Federal Lawsuit After Charlie Kirk Comment Retaliation appeared first on Above the Law.
Five New AI-Powered Business Models For Solos And Smalls In 2026
As the year winds down, the legal profession is flooded with retrospectives: the growing AI adoption rate by solos and smalls (now around 70%), ways that AI is leveling the playing field between large and small firms (including on the hallucination front where large...
Best Of ’25: Amy Coney Barrett Already Workshopping Her ‘President For Life’ Concurring Opinion
The post Best Of ’25: Amy Coney Barrett Already Workshopping Her ‘President For Life’ Concurring Opinion appeared first on Above the Law.The post Best Of ’25: Amy Coney Barrett Already Workshopping Her ‘President For Life’ Concurring Opinion appeared first on Above...
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...
Best Of ’25: Summer Associate’s Naughty Toddler Impression Gets Her Bounced From Biglaw
The post Best Of ’25: Summer Associate’s Naughty Toddler Impression Gets Her Bounced From Biglaw appeared first on Above the Law.Vampire or Biglaw summer associate? You be the judge. This is a story you’re really going to chew on for a while. A Sidley summer associate...
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...
Trump’s Law Firm Executive Order Appeals Exist To Haunt Biglaw, Make Sure His Threats Never Die
Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day. The district court wrote careful opinions which were relatively consistent. An ordinary litigant might have said it’s not worth it. But the desire to win on appeal is not the only reason to pursue these...
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...
Mamdani Selects Ex-Paul Weiss Counsel Steven Banks as NYC’s Top Lawyer
The incoming New York City mayor also reiterated his desire to rapidly expand the city's Law Department, saying "there's a clear need for a few hundred additional lawyers." The incoming New York City mayor also reiterated his desire to rapidly expand the city's...
Mark Cuban, Mavericks Win Dismissal of Miami Voyager Investor Lawsuit
“As the law on whether or not cryptocurrencies or exchanges are securities is evolving, this ruling provides celebrity promoters and other marketers working on national platforms some comfort that they can't be hauled into a jurisdiction where they have not focused...
These Lateral Group Moves Underscored War for Talent in 2025
Big Law firms ramped up their lateral machinery, making group laterals and lift-outs a key part of their playbooks in 2025. Big Law firms ramped up their lateral machinery, making group laterals and lift-outs a key part of their playbooks in...
SEC Senior Leader Exits After Five Years, Continuing Agency’s Talent Exodus
Nekia Hackworth Jones was among the Securities and Exchange Commission's highest-ranking Black lawyers. She led the agency's Atlanta Regional Office before becoming one of the Division of Enforcement's four deputy directors in April. Nekia Hackworth Jones was...
































































