Over the course of 2009, we covered attempts from a number of firms to replace lockstep associate compensation with a “merit based” compensation system. We have seen firm after firm (and consultant after consultant) claim that clients really care about how law firms pay their associates. And who can disagree with a term like “merit?” […]
We’re not in the business of filing pleadings at Above the Law, but there were five motions in 2009 that were outrageous enough to justify posting here. We’re not sure how the judges felt about these, but we were moved: 5. Motion to Compel State’s Attorney to Drop His Accent: Being a New Yorker in […]
Law firms and legal departments are writing the future of the profession in separate rooms. What happens when they actually work together?
* Airport security rules being reexamined after the Northwest 253 scare. [New York Times] * Advice from lawyers who graduated during the 1990s recession: “Don’t panic.” [ABA Journal] * This may be more embarrassing than ordering an appletini. [New York Post] * We hope 2010 brings closure for Dahlia Lithwick’s novel, which she hoped to […]
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Internetz, Not many creatures were clicking, not even Biglaw cadets; The BlackBerrys were silenced and set aside with care, Because RIM crashed again and no emails were there. Corporate lawyers were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of billable hours danced in their heads… […]
We haven’t received the official memo, but sources report that Mayer Brown (New York) has matched the Cravath scale for 2009 bonuses. A tipster simply reports: Mayer Brown New York announced cravath bonuses today That’s good news for the New Yorkers at the firm. But for our tipster, wow, way to yawn about free money. […]
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I know most law professors don’t like giving or grading exams. They’re busy people with many commitments that don’t have anything to do with preparing the next generation of lawyers. But given the legal economy, given how important law school grades are right now, how can professors justify putting almost no effort into the examination […]
* Next year, Santa will need to make sure his elves have health care. [Politico] * Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor gets serious about bringing an end to judicial elections. [New York Times] * Arnold Schwarzenegger wants cert for Christmas. [True/Slant] * Los Angeles judge protects porn stars’ right to bareback. [Associated Press] […]
In light of the frigid temperatures and snow we’ve been experiencing here in New York, Elie and yours truly have decided to visit sunny Los Angeles on January 7, 2010. We’ll be doing two events, both of them free and open to the public: 1. The Future of Big Law When: Thursday, January 7, 2010, […]
* The parents of Balloon Boy are sentenced. [ABA Journal] * The Constitution v. Obamacare. [Volokh Conspiracy] * Christmas tax rap. Or, as I like to call it, “more proof that the crossover success of hip hop music is a terrible thing.” [Going Concern] * Greenberg Traurig gets into poker. But not in a degenerate […]
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.
On Monday, Adam Liptak had an interesting article about Supreme Court clerk hiring and possible political polarization. From the New York Times: A new study has found that former clerks have started to take jobs that reflect the ideologies of the justices for whom they worked. “It’s cause for concern mainly because it’s a further […]
This week bonuses were announced at Kirkland & Ellis. And it seems that some folks aren’t pleased. Bonuses are individualized at K&E, based on your hours and performance rating (above class / with class / below class). Historically the firm has generally been above-market in terms of overall bonus payments. In the past, it was […]
When Judge Donald Jackson enters a courtroom, the bailiffs may ask that “all kneel” instead of rise. The Texas county judge has been found guilty of offering to help a woman accused of DWI if she was willing to serve time in the bedroom. From the Dallas Morning News: A 28-year-old woman charged with driving […]
Bonuses have been announced over at Weil Gotshal — and, at least for some associates, WGM is paying above the market. Eat your heart out, Cravath. In addition, Weil is giving its associates their standard seniority-based pay raises for 2010. The firm is using the regular NYC pay scale: $160K – $170K – $185K – […]
As the partner announcements (or lack thereof) trickle in, I keep thinking back to the line about partnership in the Simpson Thacher documents that we published earlier this month: We are going to need to continue to be extremely circumspect in making new partners … In an environment in which net income is falling and […]