Above the Law

Can You Get In Any Legal Trouble By Flipping The Bird To Gaudy Trump-Branded Properties?

'Legal' is not synonymous with 'consequence-free.'

Pentagon Formally Requests Name Change To War Department, Setting Up Fight With Dems

The Defense Department stated in a legislative proposal that it will likely spend about $50 million in fiscal 2026 to get the ball rolling on a name change.

Morning Docket: 04.29.26

* Taylor Swift attempts to register her voice and likeness as trademarks to combat deep fakes that copyright law can’t address. [ABA Journal]

* This morning, the Supreme Court will hear the government’s argument that it can arbitrarily strip Haitians over temporary protected status while simultaneously still classifying the country as dangerous. [NPR]

* The Alien Tort Act doesn’t reach everything, but it probably reaches claims that a U.S. company aided and abetted overseas torture. [Law360]

* “Firm Leaders ‘Determined’ to Train Attorneys to Avoid Using AI-Produced Mistakes.” Sure, but since the firm leaders are the ones signing the briefs, have they considered “bothering to edit them?” [Daily Report]

* Popehat breaks down the Comey indictment and is not impressed. [Popehat Report]

* ABA settles diversity scholarship suit after promising not to let it improve diversity.[Law.com]

Disappearing Bullets At The White House Correspondents’ Dinner — See Also

Did Todd Blanche Really Just Say That?: The best and the brightest can’t manage forensics.

…Did Donald Trump Write This?: This DOJ ballroom brief looks a LOT like a Truth Social post.

How Did Obama Get Swept Into This?: Georgetown Law professor tries turning a former president mourning a murdered boy into comedy.

One Hell Of A Streak!: Law student finishes Jeopardy! run with nearly $900k in winnings!

Rowing For Gold

What is true of the cox in an Olympic race is often true of a funder in a high-stakes IP dispute.

8am Now Guarantees Next-Day Payments To Its LawPay Customers

The company also announced new capabilities that it says streamline billing and improve visibility into financial performance for its customers.

After Years Of Decline, Male Law Students Make A Modest Comeback

The shift is small, surprising, and nowhere near enough to change who runs law schools.

DOJ Files Ballroom Brief That Reads Like Truth Social Post — Because Trump Probably Wrote It

This is embarrassing work product from any lawyer. From the DOJ, it's unforgivable.

Climbing Karma Mountain: The Rainmaker’s Advantage No One Teaches In Law School

Why the lawyers who give more, listen better, and follow through faster win the business everyone else is chasing.

Seton Hall Law Student Lands In Jeopardy!’s Top Five

One hell of a run!

The Gap Is Closing: Why AI Is Breaking The Billable Hour Model

For legal operations professionals, the question is no longer whether AI will change the billable hour model, but whether your department is ready to manage that change.

Time Is Running Out: Submit Your Entries For Above The Law’s 17th Annual Law Revue Video Contest!

Send us your submissions by FRIDAY, MAY 1, at 5:00 P.M. (Eastern time).

Has Legal Industry Upheaval Changed Your Career Goals? 

Please share your thoughts in this (always) brief and anonymous survey.

Georgetown Law Professor’s Tweet About Correspondents’ Dinner Attack And Barack Obama Is Just As Bad As You’re Imagining

That's not fair, it's much more racist than you're imagining.

AMA Calls On Congress To Improve Safeguards For AI Mental Health Chatbots

The American Medical Association is urging Congress to add safeguards for AI mental health chatbots amid safety concerns, while noting their potential to expand access.