September 2008

We know a lot of our readers come here via a desperate attempt to put off billing hours. We encourage so-called “procrastination” on the “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” theory. But we must ever be vigilant against those who would intrude on our precious zoning-out time with false promises of […]

We offer those who passed the Illinois bar (and those that sadly did not) a chance to come together to share their stories of triumph and consequence. Find out your score (or the scores of your friends or enemies) here. Though be forewarned, the site will not load until the exam takers have been notified […]

* Would somebody please design an appropriate scoring system so we can gamble on this bracket? [TechCrunch] * Corporette continues their ongoing series of things every girl needs in her office. Apparently, one pair of panties isn’t enough for today’s working woman. [Corporette] * Congratulations to Allyson Newton Ho, a member of the Elect (OT […]

If you’ve been reading ATL for a while, you may recall our copious coverage of Shanetta Cutlar. She’s the high-powered chief of the Justice Department’s Special Litigation Section, and she has a reputation — perhaps deserved, perhaps not — for being challenging to work for. In case you don’t remember Ms. Cutlar, this message from […]

Mock in-house counsel if you want to (and apparently many of you “want to“), but those jobs still pay great money. A new study says that the average pay for in-house attorneys is $236,000. Maybe that is what CNBC was talking about when they promised aspiring law grads $200K salaries. The numbers were even better […]

Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric last week made me … happy. But the McCain-Palin campaign appears nonplussed with the post-interview spin. Maybe the campaign feels pressured by the latest “global electoral college poll.” Regardless, the campaign is set to “re-introduce” Sarah Palin. Palin, and McCain this time, sat down with Katie Couric again. (I […]

Last week we brought you the rumor that Seyfarth Shaw and Squire Sanders were thinking of merging into “The Super S4 League of Justice.” Seyfarth has declined to comment on the rumor, but they have added a whole slew of attorneys in Los Angeles. Ken Youmans, managing partner of Seyfarth L.A., announced the new hires: […]

We reported last month that the ABA made it easier for law firms to outsource legal work. But as many commenters pointed out, there would need to be a reason for firms to do that and risk a reputation hit. Perhaps the market crisis has given firms the perfect opening to begin using low cost […]

Last week we told you that Harvard and Stanford law schools were enacting sweeping grade reform. Reactions came in from students and alumni from many top schools. One close friend emailed: If Harvard had this when we were in school, I’d be emailing you from DPW right now. Suffice it to say, the friend emailed […]

Those of you who follow science news are likely well aware of the Large Hadron Collider deep beneath the earth near Geneva. For the uninitiated, it’s a scientist’s wet dream: an $8-billion particle accelerator built to test the Big Bang Theory by smashing protons together at the speed of light. They fired it up this […]

* Alberto Gonzales and pals cannot rest easy just yet. AG Michael Mukasey has chosen Nora Dannehy, acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, as special prosecutor to determine whether criminal charges should be brought in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys. [Associated Press] * Many of us are tempted away from work during the day by […]

Last week, we tangentially touched on the issue of California’s Proposition 8, which is titled: “Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry.” The issue touched off a firestorm of comments, with many strong opinions for and against the measure. Apparently, senior attorneys at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe also hold strong opinions about Prop. 8. Political […]

* If I loiter outside my polling place dressed as black Jesus, does that count as electioneering? [The Sable Verity] * If you thought the Farnsworth Invention was must see theater, you won’t want to miss Flash of Genius. It’s a riveting story about the patent litigation surrounding the first intermittent windshield-wiper, starring … wait […]

Given the economic Armageddon happening right in front of our eyes, you might think that even your investments in your own education are depreciating faster than the Congressional approval rating. But you’d be wrong. According to Karl Okamoto over at the Conglomerate: Is law school a good value? That’s the question I ask my students […]

We like to think of ATL as a place where lawyers can get together and discuss the compelling news of the day. Well, the news of the day is that Wall Street will apparently not be receiving $700 billion dollars to cover their bad investments. The House rejected the bailout plan. The Dow is down […]

What’s going to happen to Thelen? That is the question many are asking in the wake of Heller Ehrman’s untimely demise. As we have previously reported, Thelen has not yet been able to merge with another firm, while suffering through a slew of partner defections. They’ve even canceled their 2009 summer program. Today brings more […]

It takes two lawyers to schedule a deposition. And while a third-year associate might view a deposition as the most important event scheduled in a calendar year, most seasoned attorneys can be expected to show some flexibility when it comes to scheduling conflicts. After Hurricane Ike struck Texas, attorneys at Markland Hanley and Tekell, Brook, […]

We have some bad news for this year’s incoming associates. Based on last Wednesday’s ATL / Lateral Link survey, attorneys at your new firm like you even less than they liked summer associates. We received 765 responses, and the number of practicing attorneys who said “First-year associates, hate ’em” beat the number of practicing attorneys […]

The Office of the Inspector General has released its final report on the removal of nine U.S. attorneys from the Department of Justice. The 392-page report can be downloaded here. This morning, the New York Times reported: [O]fficials with knowledge of the inspector general’s investigation and defense lawyers who have been involved in it said […]

Since the last time we took a look at fall recruiting there have been a few interesting economic developments: Lehman collapsed, Heller Ehrman collapsed, and apparently we now live in a socialist republic. But is all the dour economic news affecting law students in search of summer employment? Yes. Big time. One tipster reports: Harvard […]