Above the Law – Page 234 – Legal News Feed

Above the Law

AI Decodes Keystrokes: Legal Professionals Face Privacy Threats Amidst Cyber Vulnerability

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Legal professionals who value their confidentiality should rethink their public approach to typing sensitive information. Existing concerns over cell phones intercepting confidential conversations has expanded into a far-reaching vulnerability. Unlike the known questionable habit of discussing sensitive matters voluntarily in public, the new threat is much more inconspicuous, fueled by the widespread acceptance of text…

Above the Law

ABA Supports Law Students’ Push for Compensation in Law Review and Journal Editing

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

The summer of 2023 has been marked by labor movements and discussions of fair compensation. The legal field has not been left out of these discussions, with students pushing for remuneration for their work on law reviews and journals. Particularly, students of NYU Law embarked on this mission in March, requesting to be paid in…

Above the Law

Small Law Firms Seek Insight: Above the Law Launches Compensation Survey for Attorneys

Pieter Gunst3 years ago02 mins

Despite the attention often lavished on Biglaw, the truth of the matter is most private practice attorneys are operating within firms that employ less than 20 lawyers. However, reliable information on market rates for associates in these largest firms and the average earnings of partners tend to overshadow key remuneration data needed by attorneys in…

Above the Law

Gunderson Dettmer Debuts ChatGD, Pioneering Proprietary AI Integration in Legal Realm

Pieter Gunst3 years ago04 mins

Internationally recognized law firm Gunderson Dettmer has announced the release of its new artificial intelligence-based chat app, named ChatGD. As a tool developed within the U.S., this launch cements Gunderson Dettmer as the first U.S.-based firm to create a proprietary tool leveraging generative AI technology. Interestingly, it may represent the first instance globally where such…

Above the Law

Cryptocurrency Investments: Verify Advisers Using SEC’s Investor.gov to Avoid Scams

Pieter Gunst3 years ago04 mins

Despite the increase in both popularity and accessibility of cryptocurrency investments in the recent years, there remains a startling lack of clarity about the primary function or use of cryptocurrency. This has led many to draw parallels between cryptocurrency and gold. Both are seen as valuable due to their perceived scarcity, but unlike cryptocurrency, gold…

Above the Law

Nektar Sues Eli Lilly Over Alleged Miscalculation and Sabotage of Atopic Dermatitis Drug

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Nektar Therapeutics, a biotech company developing atopic dermatitis drugs, has filed a lawsuit against former partner Eli Lilly. Nektar alleges that Lilly miscalculated clinical data for their jointly developed drug, rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg), leading to its perceived failure and subsequent discontinuation. The complaint was lodged in the federal court for the Northern District of California. Nektar…

Above the Law

Biglaw Firms Divided on Four-Day In-Office Work Week as Cadwalader Maintains Three-Day Policy

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

While a four-day in-office work week appears to be gaining popularity among some of the most prestigious Biglaw firms, including Skadden, Davis Polk, Weil Gotshal, Ropes & Gray, and Vinson & Elkins, not all firms are eager to make the shift. Indeed, some resistances come from unexpected corners. Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft—a firm that generated…

Above the Law

Justice Clarence Thomas Faces Ethical Concerns Over Undisclosed Gifts

Pieter Gunst3 years ago03 mins

Yet another slew of undisclosed gifts for Justice Clarence Thomas have been reported, racking up to several hundred thousand dollars in value. These dealings have raised serious ethical concerns over conflicts of interests within the judiciary. ProPublica delve further into the specifics. In efforts to diversify the legal field, the American Bar Association (ABA) is…

Supreme Court Justices’ Ethics Under Scrutiny: Alito Controversy and Kagan’s Response

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Recent comments from Justice Samuel Alito have ignited debate over the perception of Supreme Court justices as being above the law. Alito’s views have drawn criticism, with Justice Elena Kagan emerging as a counter-voice of reason amidst the controversy. Drawing attention to the ethical standards of the Court, Kagan represents a growing sentiment that the…

Pence and Giuliani Spar Over Presidential Ambitions, Legal Expertise, and Personal Lives

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Rudy Giuliani, noted for his central role in one of the latest Trump indictments, has found himself again in the spotlight following harsh words from former vice president Mike Pence. Pence, in a tweet posted recently, emphasized that anyone who prioritizes their personal ambitions over the Constitution is ill-suited for the presidency. The former vice…

Supreme Court Justices’ Synchronized Votes Offer Insight into Judicial Ideology

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

In a fascinating finding published by Empirical SCOTUS, it turns out that there is a notable pair of conservative Supreme Court justices who voted together a remarkable 95 percent of the time in the most recent Term. The revealed fact brings a new lens through which we can observe the workings of the Supreme Court….

Justice Kagan Pursues Unique Ethics Code as US Supreme Courts Experience Shifting Dynamics

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

In the world of recent legal news, a selection of noteworthy items has been compiled by Howard Bashman’s How Appealing blog, a pioneering web resource devoted to appellate litigation. This roundup features diverse and meaningful developments from across the judicial landscape in the United States. Justice Elena Kagan endeavors to institute a unique ethics code…

Supreme Court’s Accountability Debated: Alito and Kagan Disagree on Congressional Oversight Role

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago01 mins

In an unexpected judicial discourse last week, Justice Samuel Alito declared his viewpoint that the Supreme Court was above regulation by Congress – a view that stirred considerable controversy as reported by various outlets. He stated, “No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court—period.” However, this stance has been…

Senate Democrats Seek Alito’s Recusal in Supreme Court Ethics and Regulation Cases

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

In recent developments, Senate Democrats, led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, have made an appeal to Chief Justice John Roberts in regard to Justice Samuel Alito‘s participation in certain legal proceedings. The group is requesting Alito’s recusal in any future cases related to Supreme Court justice ethics and congressional regulation of the Court. This…

Bridging the Gap: Generative AI Streamlines Communication for General Counsels and Business Leaders

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Generative AI is becoming an invaluable tool for legal professionals aiming to bridge the communicative gap between the dense jargon of the law and the succinct, revenue-focused language of business. In this article, we explore ways that General Counsels (GCs) can effectively employ AI to simplify their communication with CEOs and other key stakeholders, thereby…

Lawyer’s Downfall Highlights Dangers of Fraudulent ADA Lawsuits and Need for Ethical Practices

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Deep-pocketed defendants facing compliance violation charges, such as under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), can provide significant opportunities for lawyers. However, some choose paths far less ethical and considerably more illegal, such as submitting false ADA complaints. Take, for example, the unfortunate case of Florida lawyer Stuart Finkelstein. Finkelstein caught attention recently with serial…

MIT Task Force Releases Preliminary Principles for Responsible Generative AI Use in Legal Systems

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

In a noteworthy development, an MIT task force specifically designed to develop guidelines and principles on Generative AI’s responsible use for law and legal systems has released preliminary versions of seven principles. These principles aim to ensure factual accuracy, ensure valid legal reasoning, align with professional ethics and diligently use AI responsibly in the legal…

Columbia Law School’s Video Submission Requirement: A Genuine Admissions Strategy or Affirmative Action Circumvention?

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

Columbia Law School recently stoked controversy by introducing a short video submission as part of their application requirements. The response on social media and various news outlets was swift. Many accused Columbia Law of exploiting this requirement to bypass the ruling of the Roberts Court that effectively overturned affirmative action recruitment. In response, it’s essential…

Historic Philadelphia Law Firm Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis Announces Closure

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

Sadness has rippled through the legal profession after the announcement that the historic Philadelphia law firm, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, will be closing its doors permanently. The nearly 100-year-old firm recently revealed that it is currently in the process of planning for dissolution, marking an end to its well-esteemed operations in the industry. Through…

Prominent Family Law Attorney Margaret Klaw Shares Insights on The Jabot Podcast

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

In recent news, prominent lawyer, writer, and founding partner of BKW Family Law, Margaret Klaw, shared her insights on working as a family law attorney on an episode of The Jabot podcast. Klaw, who has been named a Preeminent Woman Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, owns a stellar recognition by Best Lawyers in America, and carries an…

Stroock Law Firm Seeks Merger Eligibility by Pursuing Pension Buyouts

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

In the aftermath of failed merger talks with Nixon Peabody last month, powerhouse law firm Stroock has reportedly experienced a substantial outflux of attorneys and legal staff. In response, the firm is now earnestly pursuing a new merger partner and the first step? Jettisoning its pension plan. Above the Law reports. Earlier this year, while…

Navigating Law Firm Choices: Aligning Ambitions and Values for Successful Legal Careers

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago04 mins

The journey of a law student is sprinkled with numerous critical choices. Key amongst those choices is the decision to select from a variety of summer associate or first-year associate offers. It is well understood that the importance of this decision cannot be understated, and seasoned legal talent finders Lateral Link bring to the table…

Elena Kagan Counters Alito’s Views on Supreme Court’s Unchecked Powers

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

In recent legal news, Justice Elena Kagan has spoken out in response to Justice Samuel Alito’s opinions on the Supreme Court’s unchecked powers. This response has made clear that Kagan does not share Alito’s views on the matter, sparking significant conversation within the legal community. For further details on this developing story, visit Politico. Moving…

Law School Graduates See Record-Breaking Starting Salaries in 2023

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago03 mins

As law school graduates are entering the job market, it’s evident the starting salaries they are being offered are noteworthy. If you would like to delve into the figures, and perhaps compare it to your own remuneration package when you first embarked on your career, you will find the expected digits, as they stand in…

UnitedHealth Lawsuit and Trump’s “Not A Rapist” Claim: Legal Developments Impacting Corporate Sector

Pieter Gunst3 years ago3 years ago02 mins

The legal world continues to be a dynamic landscape, wherein corporations, as much as their individual employees, are called out into court for settlement of various disputes. As such, there are significant developments that may be of interest to legal professionals in the corporate sector. Consider the case of President Trump, who continues to assert…