December 2009
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Alston & Bird, Parties, Secretaries / Administrative Assistants
Alston & Bird: A Party For Those Who Have Been Forced Out
Sometimes you have to love Biglaw. Back in March, we reported that Alston & Bird was quietly forcing out secretaries and administrative staff. Our sources report that this approach to staff cuts has been ongoing at the firm. A&B is either letting people know they have a limited amount of time to find a new […] -
Deferral Stipend, Start Dates
Nixon Peabody Deferral Extension: Can Somebody Check A Calendar?
Dear law firms: It is December 15th. Christmas is ten days away. January 4th is a mere 20 days away. I bring this up because some of you seem to be having trouble with the Gregorian calendar. Some of you have incoming associates that are set to start at your firm on January 4th or […] - Sponsored
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
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Hogan & Hartson, Law Firm Mergers, Lovells
Hogan and Lovells Merger: All Systems Go
Last night partners at Hogan & Hartson and partners at Lovells voted on the proposed merger between the two firms. According to sources, Ho-Love will be coming to an office building near you. Here’s the report on the partner vote, from a Lovells source: Late last night, the voting closed on our proposed merger with […]
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Morning Docket
Morning Docket 12.15.09
* Elizabeth Wurtzel pens a column for the Wall Street Journal on the law firm meltdown. [Wall Street Journal] * Not only can they not Facebook friend lawyers before them, judges need to start unfriending lawyer friends they currently have. [St. Petersburg Times] * Elin’s talking to a divorce lawyer, if you believe Britain’s News […]
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Law Professors, Law Schools, Legal Ethics, Screw-Ups
Leaked Exam a 'Teachable Moment' on Ethical Consequences for Oregon Law Students
It is exam time, and everybody is hunkered down. Law students at the University of Oregon are undoubtedly excited about the upcoming Rose Bowl, but they’ll have to get through finals first. One group of Oregon Law students received an unexpected surprise during study period last week. They checked their list-serve for Professor John Bonine’s […] -
Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 12.14.09
* Accenture is in the market for a new sponsor, preferably one who can keep his penis on the fairway. [Going Concern] * Speaking of penises, Jeffrey Epstein’s allegedly egg-shaped penis will remain under wraps, says a Florida judge. [UPI] * And now for a story about the proper use for … your penis. Note, […] -
Bonuses, Layoffs, Money, Partner Issues, Partner Profits
More Internal Documents from Simpson Thacher
Last week, we shared with you a very interesting internal document from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett: a collection of notes or informal minutes from a June 2009 partners’ meeting. The notes discussed attorney headcount, possible layoffs, and compensation, among other subjects. Today we have even more deliciousness for you: an internal memorandum from executive committee […] -
Law School Deans, Law Schools
Washington & Lee Law Dean Leaves School (And Unfinished Business) Behind.
Earlier this month, we mentioned that Washington and Lee Law School Dean Rodney Smolla was a candidate to become the new President of Furman University. Well, Dean Smolla got the job and he is taking it: Dear Washington and Lee Faculty, Students, Staff, and Alumni: This afternoon, Furman University will announce that I have been […] - Sponsored
Profit Powerhouse: Elevating Law Firm Financial Performance
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Politics
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Lieutenant Governor?
Quinn Emanuel was instrumental in clarifying the New York State Constitution to allow Governor David Paterson the power to appoint a Lieutenant Governor — the post now being filled by Richard Ravitch. The firm would like $1 million for its counsel. For those of you not steeped in the murky underworld of New York state […] -
Law Schools, Southern New England School of Law/Umass, Student Loans
Umass Trustees Approve Plan for Public Law School
As we mentioned in Morning Docket, late last week the University of Massachusetts board of trustees approved the plan to convert the Southern New England School of Law into the state’s first public law school. The vote went 14 to 4. The Boston Globe reports: “A public law program will fill a conspicuous gap in […] -
Hope For Mega Bonuses at Latham & Watkins?
There have not been many bonus surprises this holiday season. Many associates have been disappointed by the meager payouts in comparison to years past. But, truly, the best bonus this year is still having a job. As far as we know, Latham & Watkins has not yet announced its bonus. An ATL reader spotted a […] -
Bad Ideas, Caption Contests, Contests, Nauseating Things, Pictures
ATL Caption Contest: Study Stall
We know how you love caption contests. Just like our last one, which was holiday-themed, this one is also timely. It goes out to law students in the midst of studying for or taking final exams. Here’s the pic: Same rules as always: Submit possible captions in the comments. We’ll choose our favorites — with […] -
Associate Bonus Watch 2009
Does Cravath Need to Match Sullivan & Cromwell?
A funny thing happened on the way to Cravath setting the 2009 Biglaw associate bonus. They didn’t. When Cleary matched Cravath’s bonus, 83% of Above the Law readers said that all other large New York firms would follow Cravath. But 83% of our readers were wrong. Sullivan & Cromwell topped Cravath’s bonus by $5,000 for […]
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Morning Docket
Morning Docket 12.14.09
* Jurors friending each other on Facebook and doing Wikipedia research cause mistrials in Maryland. [ABA Journal] * A candid conversation with Elie Mystal. Bonus: a slideshow! [Legal Broadcast Network] * University of Massachusetts board ignores Elie’s warning and approves first public law school. [Telegram] * Blago’s defense attorney gets his stolen laptops back. [Chicagoist] […]
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Law Shucks, Layoffs
This Week in Layoffs: 12.12.09
Ed. note: Above the Law has teamed up with Law Shucks, which has done excellent work translating all of the layoff news into user-friendly charts and graphs: the Layoff Tracker. This recession is turning out to have all of the unemployment and none of the rebound of the recession in the early 1980s. Unemployment is […] -
'Tis the Season for Mystery Meetings
Earlier today, we reported on a mystery meeting taking place at K&L Gates next week. Apparently K&L is not alone. Seyfarth Shaw is also calling all of its associates together just before the holidays. Yuletide cheer is sure to follow: Please join Steve Poor for a national videoconference with all Seyfarth associates on Monday, December […] -
Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 12.11.09
* What you need to know about Justice Sotomayor. [Jezebel] * Running makes Lat happy. Is running anything like sitting very still while you smoke cigarettes and watch television? If so, I might have to give this “running” thing a try. [The Happiness Project] * McDermott Will & Emery partner Lisa Linsky slams the New […] -
Boutique Law Firms, Crime, Litigators, My Job Is Murder
My Job Is Murder: Of Departures and Denouements
Ed. note: Welcome to ATL’s first foray into serial fiction: “My Job Is Murder,” a mystery set in a D.C. appellate boutique. This is the final installment; you can read prior installments here. Susanna Dokupil can be reached by email at sdokupil@sbcglobal.net or on Facebook. The loud whack-whack-whack of a helicopter blade caused John, the […] -
Books, Hogan & Hartson, Litigators, Robert Bennett
Advice For Young Lawyers, From Legendary Litigator Bob Bennett
Last month, we spent a week in D.C. doing reporting for “Why Lawyers Make So Much Money,” a piece we — used literally in this case, as it’s bylined by Kash and Lat — wrote for Washingtonian Magazine. We managed to find our way into the office of Robert Bennett, newly arrived at Hogan & […] -
Caption Contests, Contests, Pictures, Reader Polls
A Holiday-Themed Caption Contest: The Winner
Congratulations to the two winners of our holiday caption contest, sponsored by Applied Discovery. We gave you this picture: Almost 5,000 votes later, two winners emerged. Check them out, after the jump.