June 2009
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Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 06.05.09
* It looks like the National Review has been mixing racist-stereotype metaphors. [Talking Points Memo] * Traveling to America is a great way to stimulate the economy. I’d love to do it, but I’ve got these debt payments to make. Can somebody bail me out so I can stimulate the economy? [The Stimulist] * Ambition […] -
2nd Circuit, Harvard, New York Times, Sonia Sotomayor, Weddings
Legal Eagle Wedding Watch 5.31: Canon-Baller
We were dying to write about this wedding announcement, featuring a slutty Strawberry Shortcake costume (WTF?) and a wacky/tacky proposal story. But alas, commenters would have crucified us for elevating comedic potential over excellence. So behold, this week’s finalists. They include five Harvard degrees, five Yale degrees, and OMGOMGOMG the best Article III officiant ever. […] - Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so… -
Law Schools
Michigan Law Offers Employment Help to 2009 and 2010 Grads
We’ve been keeping track of law schools that are coming up with new programs to help their graduates navigate the terrible job market. Even if these measures help a law school (a) keep its “employed upon graduation” statistic high or (b) make money, law students need all the help they can get right now. The […]
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Layoffs, Travel / Vacation, Trendspotting, Unemployment
Funemployment Rate Reaches 9.4%
Many have noted that the jobless rate hit 9.4% today, and many are calling that excellent news. Bloomberg reports: The U.S. lost fewer jobs than forecast in May, reinforcing signs that the deepest recession in half a century is starting to abate…. “The recession is very close to an end,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist […] -
Romance and Dating, Sex, Sweet Hot Justice, Weddings
Respect the Ring?
[Ed. note: The following piece was authored by The Legal Tease, of Sweet Hot Justice fame. Check out her other musings from Sweet Hot Justice here.] Quick question: When you think of the average married, middle-aged guy slogging his way up the Big Law partner track, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A […] -
Clerkships
Can Clerks Come Home Again? It Depends at WilmerHale.
There has been a lot going on at WilmerHale recently. Summer associates are coming, regular associates are “transitioning.” The uncertainty has made some WilmerHale alumni who are currently clerking wonder if they can return to the firm when their clerkships end. Above the Law has received reports from current clerks who were expecting to be […] -
Morning Docket, Sacha Baron Cohen, Sonia Sotomayor
Morning Docket: 06.05.09
* The manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Tony La Russa, is suing Twitter over a fake Twitter account bearing his name. I have the same problem (real me = ElieNYC). But unlike La Russa, I don’t have a J.D. from Florida State or Albert Pujols on my side. [ESPN] * The Senate Judiciary Committee […]
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Advertising, Shameless Plugs, This Is an Ad
A Word from Our Sponsors
Each week, Above the Law’s sponsors generate content for your edification and entertainment. You can find their posts in Sponsored Content, which runs along the right-hand side of the ATL main page. Here are the latest offerings: 1. A Job Opening: Silver Golub & Teitell LLP The Connecticut law firm of Silver Golub & Teitell, […] - Sponsored
How Generative AI Will Improve Legal Service Delivery
Learn how emerging tools will likely change and enhance the work of lawyers for years to come in this new report. -
Money, Salary Cuts
Morrison & Foerster Starting Salaries Are Still Up in the Air
Incoming first-year associates at Morrison & Foerster will not be able to start until April 2010. When they do, you can bet they’ll be happy to show up for early morning calisthenics, after they’ve had to wait for so long to live the dream. But how much will they be getting paid? As of right […] -
Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 06.04.09
* Did Clemson cheat on the U.S. News rankings? [TaxProf Blog] * Would you slap your father? I would, but he’d duck, and that would be the point when I started losing. [Blonde Justice] * What it takes to pass the bar exam might not have anything to do with what it takes to be […] -
Federal Judges, Money, SCOTUS, Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court
Does Judge Sotomayor Need A Visit from Suze Orman?
Here’s interesting information about the personal finances of Judge Sonia Sotomayor (2d Cir.), nominated last month to the U.S. Supreme Court. A tipster directed our attention to this post from the NYT’s Caucus blog, observing: “You can’t spend most of your professional life as a judge and get rich. Maybe Biglaw is the way to […] -
Salary Cuts
Salary Cut Watch: Kilpatrick Stockton Takes Away Previous Gains
What goes up, must come down. Nearly two years ago, Above the Law broke the news of Kilpatrick Stockton raising starting salaries to $145K in Atlanta and North Carolina. At the time, the firm said: As you know, starting salaries for new associates have recently increased, for the second time this year in some of […] -
Email Scandals, Secretaries / Administrative Assistants
Bingham McCutchen's 'Stepford Secretary' Has Left The Building
A couple of days ago, we brought you the story of a Bingham McCutchen secretary who believed that her firm had great “CHARACTER,” despite these tough economic times. She closed her remarks with this: So, although I am grateful for my job and middle class life, I realize that living daily in fear and conforming […]
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How Generative AI Will Improve Legal Service Delivery
Learn how emerging tools will likely change and enhance the work of lawyers for years to come in this new report.
Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
If 2023 introduced legal professionals to generative AI, then 2024 will be when law firms start adapting to utilize it. Things are moving fast, so…
Sponsored
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Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
How to best leverage generative AI as an early adopter with ethical use.
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Profit Powerhouse: Elevating Law Firm Financial Performance
In this CLE-eligible webinar on April 10th, we’ll explore the most common accounting pitfalls and how to avoid them for your firm.
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Admin, Announcements, Career Center, Shameless Plugs, Travel / Vacation
Career Center: How Safe Is Your Vacation Time?
Last week, we brought you information about which firms respect your weekends — and which don’t. This week, we tackle a related topic: vacation. As noted earlier today, it’s an area where firms have been making changes lately. At which firms are your vacations safe? And at which firms might vacation time be at risk […] -
Health Care / Medicine, Swine Flu
Swine Flu in the Bronx D.A.'s Office
Remember to wash your hands, New York attorneys. There’s been a swine flu outbreak in the Bronx. Here’s the memo from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office: Yesterday I was informed that there were three who have contracted the H1N1 virus also known as “swine flu”. Each is home and being treated by their physicians. All […] -
Layoffs
Nationwide Layoff Watch: McDermott Will & Emery Lays Off 72 People
Last Friday, we reported that McDermott Will & Emery had cut the salaries of summer associates. At the time, we said: Good luck, summers — and good luck MWE junior associates. We hope the writing isn’t on the wall. Unfortunately, the words of the prophets were written on the subway walls and tenement halls. And […] -
Travel / Vacation
New Vacation Policy At Sedgwick Could be Disingenuous
Recently, we’ve seen a lot of law firms take creative approaches to cutting costs. At Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, the firm’s new approach to attorney vacations could save a bit of money, especially if the firm decides to go through a round of layoffs. While discussing the Morrison & Foerster face-time policy, a commenter […] -
Associate Advice, Cars, pls hndle thx, Summer Associates
Pls Hndle Thx: Pimp My Ride
Ed. note: Have a question for next week? Send it in to advice@abovethelaw.com. ATL- I’m a summer associate in Texas (3,500 sq. ft., wife, etc) and I drive to work where I park my car in the office’s parking lot. My car is a 2005 BMW. Should I be concerned about looking like a jackass? […] -
Lawyer of the Day, Sonnenschein
Lawyer of the Day: Paul Glad
Have you heard the one about the law firm partner, the Girl Scout, and his Lexus? Well, here it is, but we warn that it’s not very funny. Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal partner Paul Glad is an experienced litigator, but he’s going to need to ramp up his public relations skills in the months ahead. […] -
Morning Docket, Samuel Kent
Morning Docket 06.04.09
* The tales of the Not-So-Honorable Samuel Kent — the first federal judge to be charged with a sex crime — are now being told on the Hill. The House Judiciary Committee task force held his impeachment hearing yesterday. Kent and his lawyer were not in attendance though. They “refuse to be part of the […]