* Prosecutors prevail at the polls: former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (pictured) wins the gubernatorial race in New Jersey, and former state attorney general Robert McDonnell seizes victory in Virginia. Both are Republicans. [New York Times] * Meanwhile, Maine voters reject a state law that would have allowed same-sex marriage. [Associated Press] * Lawyers for […]
As we’ve noted in Morning Docket for the past two days, lawyer Scott Rothstein is in all kinds of trouble in Florida. From what we understand, it’s Marc Dreier redux, the sunshine state version. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around the story, but as the Bard would say, the sh** hath hitteth the […]
Explore the mindset, cultural shifts, and training strategies that define the AI‑savvy lawyer, revealing why human judgment, standardized competence, and integrated learning—not technology alone—will shape the future of the profession.
* I wish I had read this post before I voted this morning. [What About Clients?] * Gay marriage activists are outing the names of those who stand opposed to gay rights. Good political strategy or straight up intimidation? [True/Slant] * New Wachtell partners. Congratulations boys, enjoy your fabulous wealth. [Am Law Daily] * Lawsuits […]
In July, Morgan Lewis & Bockius announced that it would be ending lockstep compensation for its associates in 2010. At the time, the firm furnished this statement to Above the Law: “We’re running our own business and focusing relentlessly on client relationships,” said Francis M. Milone, Chair of the Firm. “Doing so responsibly means continuing […]
Celebrity newlyweds Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner won last week’s Couple of the Week poll handily, demonstrating that even with ATL readers, beauty, fame, and vast wealth can compensate for lack of a Supreme Court clerkship. Now, Ivanka and Jared move on to the Couple of the Month round, where their competition is less-credentialed than […]
Career service offices can be scary places these days, given the tough job-searching environment for law school students. The summer plans of many 1Ls and 2Ls are still up in the air this year, as firm offers are sparse. Many law school students have given up hope of finding a job. One law school may […]
Legal work isn’t slowing down, and the firms that win won’t be the ones working harder — they’ll be the ones working smarter.
I was in Georgia yesterday. After speaking to the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (nice meeting you, we’ll have to do that again), and playing a ridiculous game of telephone trying to keep current with Above the Law (an HLS grad set S&C on fire on a $7,500 dare?), I was looking forward to a […]
What does it say about the value of a law school education if recent law graduates are begging for an opportunity to work for free? I wonder if applicants for the law school class of 2013 are paying attention. We mentioned this Craigslist post in Non-Sequiturs last night: NY licensed attorney work for free (DC/Maryland/Virginia) […]
For the first time in over three years of operation, Above the Law has been sued. We feel the lawsuit has no merit, but we will not comment further on this ongoing litigation. To access the pro se complaint, coverage by other news outlets and blogs, and ATL’s prior posts about Professor Donald Jones, click […]
The signals seem mixed in terms of whether the legal profession is on the road to recovery. On the one hand, the pace of layoffs is certainly slowing. On the other hand, firms are taking other steps to keep headcount (and expenses) down. They are not yet in a mode where they need more hands […]
LexisNexis sat down with John Ursin, Managing Partner at Schenck Price, to learn how the firm is using legal AI to strengthen client service and daily legal work.
* Florida has its own Marc Dreier. Scott Rothstein is accused of swindling investors. His 70-lawyer firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, will dissolve. [AmLaw and Associated Press] * Store clerk steals man’s $1 million lottery ticket. The Texas Lottery Commission considers the thief to be entitled to the prize, because he signed the back of the […]
The big news out of Sidley Austin today involves Brian Schroeder, a 2009 Harvard Law School graduate who recently turned himself in for setting fire to a chapel housing the remains of 9/11 victims. Earlier today, the firm told ATL it was rescinding Schroeder’s job offer. But there are other developments at Sidley too. Regarding […]
* Will work for food free. [Craigslist] * An argument against privatizing prisons? [New York Times] * County jail doesn’t sound so great either. [Ann Arbor Chronicle via Daily Kos] * For the iPhone obsessed. [Business Insider] * Nothing like a Justice Stevens podcast to get you through a marathon. [Concurring Opinions] * Looking for […]
More than a decade ago, Cory Maples of Alabama murdered two people. After an evening of heavy drinking, playing pool, and riding around in a friend’s car, Maples killed two friends, shooting them execution-style. According to court documents, he signed a confession, “stating that he: (1) shot both victims around midnight; (2) had drunk six […]
What role do lawyers have in advising their clients on business matters? Some might say: None. “The client decides on the business objective, and the lawyer helps the client reach that objective, as long as it’s legal,” this line of thinking goes. “And why would you want lawyers giving business advice anyway? They have no […]