On an informative episode of The Jabot podcast, Kathryn Rubino interviews Catherine Dawson, General Counsel at Affinipay, about her career transition from Biglaw to in-house counsel. Having a keen interest in technology, Dawson delves into the significant benefits of incorporating AI into legal practice. Insights about task automation and increased efficiency abound. With the bold…
Providing sound legal advice is, of course, a baseline expectation for all private practice lawyers. Many partners have even gone a step further to understand their clients’ full business operations to provide comprehensive guidance. However, the question that emerges is what truly sets apart a lawyer whom a general counsel would seek out for a…
Ascending the legal career ladder often inspires images of relentless litigation, endless hours of document review, and the ambition to make partner at a prestigious law firm. However, there exists another, often overlooked, pathway to growth in the legal profession: in-house counsel. Trepidation often surrounds the decision to move from law firm life to an…
Welcome to today’s legal news roundup for esteemed lawyers, robust law firms, and dynamic in-house counsels alike. A notable development is the engagement of Alex Spiro, Quinn Emanuel’s “celebrity” partner by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for representation in sexual assault allegations lodged by an NYC Transit Police Department colleague from many years ago….
David McAtee II, the longstanding general counsel of AT&T Inc., has observed another consecutive increase in his pay package. According to Bloomberg, McAtee earned nearly $12.4 million in 2024’s total compensation, an approximately 10% increase from the previous year. McAtee’s tenure as AT&T’s head in-house counsel spans almost a decade. He has navigated a broad…
In recent corporate news, a reprieve has been granted to legal teams as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suspends its newly proposed climate disclosure regulations. The pause comes as a result of a pending court lawsuit challenging the said regulations. On another note, an in-house chief counsel now faces charges relating to the…
Corporations could find themselves in the throes of a dangerous cycle; excessive workloads drive away in-house counsel, and as more people leave, the work builds up, exacerbating the already excessive workload and driving more people away. This cycle, if allowed to spin unchecked, could escalate quickly, warns a report from Axiom and Wakefield Research. Legal…
Within many companies, the role of in-house lawyers transcends legal responsibilities; they are the company’s crucial guardians, navigating complex terrains of regulations and risk assessment. As important as technical proficiency is, the defining factors of an in-house counsel’s value extend far beyond this realm. Alongside a solid foundation in legal research, analysis, contract review, and…
Dina Segal, the Chief Legal Officer at Gusto, recently shared insights regarding her journey from Biglaw to in-house counsel, along with her experiences as a working mother, in an interview at Above the Law. Segal emphasized the importance of understanding the business you’re working in when transitioning to an in-house legal role. She also highlighted…
Welcome to this daily roundup, dedicated to bringing you top legal newsworthy stories catered for lawyers, law firms and in-house counsels. Hogan Lovells recently provided counsel to some of the new investors involved in the $1.7 billion purchase of the Baltimore Orioles. Among the investors advised were Michael Arougheti, CEO of Ares Management, and co-heads…
Kevin Rhodes, the Chief Legal Affairs Officer for multinational conglomerate 3M, has been recognized for his detailed efforts in mitigating both litigation and regulatory risk for the company. According to 3M’s compensation committee, as revealed in the corporation’s newly released proxy statement, Rhodes’ effective actions have significantly reduced risk and uncertainty, propelling him onto the…
Welcome to Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call, a daily rundown of the top news catering to legal professionals, encompassing law firms and in-house counsel around the globe. Today’s highlights include some significant events and moves in the legal world. Erin Morrow Hawley, a professor at Regent University and Kirkland & Ellis alumna, has taken a…
Amid increasing attention towards mental health within the legal profession, a recent Canadian survey has revealed that half of the in-house counsel respondents have observed a rise in stress and anxiety over the previous year. This reflection of the legal professionals’ mental health state comes in light of amplified responsibilities and heavier workloads for in-house…
Ivana Kovacevic, the group general counsel of Australian gaming, wagering and media company Tabcorp, firmly advocates the benefits of legal tech. One of Kovacevic’s key tips for general counsel keen on garnering support for legal tech in their corporations is the introduction of eSignatures. This simple yet effective tool has brought about significant improvements across…
Welcome to this daily news rundown, providing some of the most significant stories affecting legal professionals, law firms and in-house counsel globally. A recent article reveals that certain state attorneys general have launched health care fraud cases against insurer Centene, which were derived and put into motion by a group of “powerful private lawyers”. Leveraging…
Ivana Kovacevic, group general counsel for Australian gaming, wagering, and media company Tabcorp, provides some sage advice for fellow general counsels seeking to encourage legal tech adoption within their organizations: start with eSignatures. She points to the benefits of applications like DocuSign, which she says serves the business side of operations by streamlining the signing…
Deanna Reitman has recently joined Faegre Drinker, bolstering their finance and restructuring team in Dallas. As a partner in this practice, Reitman brings with her a wealth of experience and a focus on providing clientele with legal, regulatory, and business advice on commodities. Particularly, she has a substantial background in areas such as energy, metals,…
Welcome to the legal news of the day. Here’s the breakdown of the most engaging and insightful stories affecting lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsels globally. Recently at the Tulane Corporate Law Institute, a notable Delaware judge countered the claim put forth by some attorneys regarding the seeming unpredictability of the state’s corporate law court….
Consumer handcuffs, harmful to business relationships due to their restricting nature, are currently under scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC plans to take action that would require companies to make the termination of services as straight-forward and easy as their initiation. During my tenure as in-house counsel, automatic renewal clauses, often found…
Awards season might be over, but it has given us ample grist for reflecting upon leadership within the realm of law and beyond. A triumphant example is the movie “Oppenheimer,” which recently snagged seven awards at the Oscar ceremony. Inspired by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin’s book “American Prometheus,” this movie provides a striking portrait…
A recent salary survey in Canada has shown a significant disparity between male and female in-house counsels’ salaries. On average, male lawyers were found to earn nearly CA$20,000 more per year than their female equivalents. Further highlighting this discrepancy, the gap in salaries reportedly increases to over $120,000 per year among more seasoned legal professionals….
Welcome to your daily briefing of the most critical legal news for professionals in world’s largest corporate law firms. This briefing provides an overview of significant stories that have emerged, offering insights for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. Quinn Emanuel partner, William “Bill” Burck will be representing Robert Hur, former Justice Department special counsel,…
In a significant development in Californian legal circles, a serious shift towards combating criminal antitrust violations has been signaled by the state’s Justice Department, with Assistant Attorney General Paula Blizzard leading the charge. After a quiet spell spanning more than two decades, California’s Department of Justice is poised to engage in rigorous enforcement. Blizzard revealed…
Welcome to the daily rundown of top news for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. In the legal profession, there are noteworthy stories unfolding that are worth focusing on. On March 12, Dechert will celebrate International Women’s Day with its presentation of “Sheila’s Story,” featuring recently retired partner Sheila Birnbaum. Known in legal circles as…
Welcome to your daily briefing on notable movements and events in the legal world. This coverage focuses on key developments that have occurred recently and can affect lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel. Blank Rome attorneys are facing an amended lawsuit from a Florida lawyer named Veronica Turner. She alleges they maliciously filed an unfounded…