For aspiring and practicing law professors, the job hunt presents a unique set of considerations compared to ordinary legal practice. While prestige and rankings understandably hold their weight, it’s important to approach the process from a more comprehensive place. Reflecting on the idea of work and livelihood, certain pointers can be outlined for those looking…
In an evolving legal workforce landscape where flexibility is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity, one major question persists: can firms effectively utilize flexibility in terms of expectations, hours, and remote work as a tool for recruitment and retention? While the consensus on this remains divided, it is evident that a greater degree of flexibility does…
In today’s digital landscape, everyone tries to navigate the labyrinth of cybersecurity, and legal professionals are no exception. The disturbing question raised repeatedly- “Why are Lawyers so Terrible at Cybersecurity ?” is the focal point of a recent article published by Sensei Enterprises, a reputable provider of IT, cybersecurity, and digital forensics services. It outlines…
The landscape of fiduciary duties is evolving rapidly, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations are at the forefront of this transformation. Corporate boards find themselves under the scrutiny of various stakeholders, including investors, politicians, regulators, clients, and activists, each with strong opinions on how ESG should be integrated into corporate decision-making. Fiduciary duties, enshrined…
The federal judiciary, including law clerks and federal public defenders, are not covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This means that these judiciary employees cannot sue or seek damages for harm to their careers, reputations or earning potential, even in cases of severe mistreatment by judges exercising their positions of…
Following the recent acquisitions of Logikcull and IPRO by global e-discovery firm Reveal, several employees have started receiving layoff notices. This development comes just a day after Reveal procured both Logikcull and IPRO in a double-play e-discovery acquisition deal estimated to be worth over $1 billion, as reported earlier. The exact number of impacted employees…
In an unusual case that underlines the intricacies of legal discipline, a lawyer from North Carolina is facing a disciplinary commission after apparently substituting a litigant for her criminal client during an arraignment. Nicolle T. Phair asserted that she employed the tactic as part of a strategy she thought was acceptable. According to details provided…
It has been six months since Senior Judge Roger Benitez found himself at the center of controversy after ordering a United States marshal to place a 13-year-old girl in handcuffs during her father’s revocation hearing. Despite the significant media attention that this incident triggered and the lodging of a formal judicial misconduct complaint, no disciplinary…
On July 21, Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey, signed off on controversial district maps, which, according to a panel of federal judges, failed to provide fair opportunities for Black Alabamian voters. Governor Ivey’s decision echoed her belief that the state legislature, rather than federal courts or activist groups, had a better understanding of Alabama’s demographics and…
In a truly unusual set of circumstances, former acting Solicitor General and current Hogan Lovells partner Neal Katyal found himself in the midst of a different kind of challenge at this year’s Burning Man festival. For those unfamiliar with the event, Burning Man is an annual festival typically associated with art, music and alternative culture….
Major law firm Goodwin Procter has implemented a system called ‘Colleague Connect,’ which will keep track of associate presence and specific location in office premises. Following the post-Labor Day expectation of in-office work at least four days a week, Goodwin Procter’s move might seem like an undue surveillance measure to some. However, the firm maintains…
Legal professionals recognize that the answer to almost every legal question is, “It depends.” In the high stakes context of law—where cases surround unfortunate events and substantial amounts of money—clients naturally raise questions about the likelihood of a positive outcome. Providing an accurate prediction for case outcomes typically requires years of reasoning through myriad scenarios,…
In the midst of diverse and significant legal happenings around the globe, it’s worth noting that a downturn in crypto markets may be turning into an unexpected boon for lawyers. According to a report by The New York Times, legal practitioners are cashing in on this financial stumble. Elsewhere, the Federal Circuit Court has commenced…
On August 31, the Office of California Healthcare Affordability (OCHA) will conclude its public comment period regarding proposed regulations under a new law focusing on healthcare M&A deal oversight in California, due to be enacted next year. OCHA’s chief objective is to bridge the existing oversight gaps in healthcare consolidation. The California attorney general currently…
Raising some eyebrows recently, Canada’s legal professionals seem to be outdoing even U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in terms of progress and accomplishments, or so the story goes on Above the Law. The reference made to ‘Toronto Law’ suggests a focus on the way Toronto’s legal entities treat dynamic tech companies like Amazon, possibly…
The way lawyers decide what to say, both in court and beyond, can significantly influence the outcomes in favor of their clients, their career growth, and their entity’s legal footing. Nevertheless, often overlooked is the weight of this responsibility and the strategic thought process shaping these decisions. Recently, Above the Law published an article that…
Unique strides are being made in the sphere of legal industry, particularly among Biglaw firms (601+ attorneys), in the advancement of gender equality. Female representation is paramount for a truly inclusive work environment in modern law firms, and according to Law360’s recent ‘Women in Law’ report, interesting statistics have been revealed concerning the proportion of…
During a recent court hearing, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows testified extensively in an attempt to have the RICO charges against him in Georgia transferred to federal court. The presiding Judge, Steve Jones, requested additional briefing from the parties in what seems to be a complex issue for the defense. The key…
For many lawyers, the law can be all-encompassing, stretching beyond the courtroom or office and often spilling over into everyday personal life. However, as Jordan Rothman, a partner of The Rothman Law Firm and founder of Student Debt Diaries, affirms in a recent article on Above the Law, he is not one of these individuals….
Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice, recently attempted to address accusations of lack of financial disclosure with what some Democrats are viewing as an inadequate response. Leading the critique is Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who was clear in his skepticism of Thomas’s efforts, stating via Twitter: “This late-come effort at ‘Clean-up on Aisle Three’ won’t deter…
A congressional committee led by Chuck Schumer is set to conduct a series of “A.I. Insight Forums” that will feature dialogue with tech industry leaders such as Elon Musk of Tesla, Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Satya Nadella of Microsoft. The forums aim to inform the committee’s efforts in constructing a…
Welcome to your latest update on the top stories of the week from the world of appellate litigation. We owe thanks to Howard Bashman and his dedicated work on How Appealing, the first blog focusing on appellate litigation on the internet. The Supreme Court features heavily in the news this week. For instance, there is…
Transitioning into a lateral partner role in law firms in 2023 continues to be multifaceted, requiring a thorough, comprehensive strategy that adheres to industry norms and standards. Each law firm develops its own unique culture and searches for specific qualities in lateral partners. For an attorney to become a viable candidate, they must meet a…
Earlier this week, Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed a group of potential amici in Donald Trump’s ongoing DC criminal case. Among the applicants was an entity claiming to be the “Galaxy Bar Association”, raising questions about their existence and intentions. The group does not appear to have an online presence, however, various recent court filings suggest…
Canada lays claim to an enviable reputation for its maple syrup, but it might soon add another feather to its cap—ethics and accountability in legal education. The catalyst? Toronto Law’s principled stance on refusing funds that could taint its reputation by creating an appearance of impropriety. As reported by Law.com, the University of Toronto’s prestigious…