May 2010

* Here’s an excellent profile of Elizabeth Loftus — a woman who shows juries just how unreliable “memory” can be. [Slate] * Why pot legalization won’t pass in California. [Legal Blog Watch] * The proposed DADT repeal still seems open to Presidential discretion. [Metro Weekly] * If a court can force Lindsay Lohan to wear […]

Whenever somebody advises you to not do something they themselves are currently doing, you have to take the advice with a bit of skepticism. The cynics among you will not be surprised that a solo practitioner advises against young attorneys starting their own solo practice. Who needs the competition? We’ve detailed how difficult it is […]

Tuesday, the InsideCounsel SuperConference kicked off with a presentation by Eric O’Neill, the former FBI agent whose spy-catching was immortalized in the Hollywood film, Breach (he’s Ryan Phillippe). O’Neill told spy stories that, while exciting, had questionable relevance for the gathered in-house crowd, beyond some advice for preventing corporate espionage. Watch what kind of information […]

Last week, inspired by the pending Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan, we embarked upon a fun little imaginative exercise: What if Supreme Court nominees didn’t have to defend themselves to the American public? What if the U.S. Senate’s constitutional privilege of “advice and consent” was revoked? What would the Court look like if the […]

This past Monday, middle-aged housewives, quadriplegics who were not able to turn the channel, and yours truly tuned into the 763rd 20th season of The Bachelor franchise. This season stars Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky, an unemployed 25-year-old who quit her job at Facebook and moved back in with her parents to be on the show. Fans […]

A quick word of thanks to this week’s advertisers on Above the Law: Barmax Conrad Hotels France Tourism Kinney Recruiting Lateral Link Lexis Nexis – Discovery Solutions Lexis Nexis – Law Firm Marketing Products Lexis Nexis – Martindale Lexis Nexis – RLS Specialized Law Lexis Nexis – Search Advantage & Hosted Litigation MasterCard MarketPlace Robert […]

Sonnenschein isn’t going to let the recession slow down its expansion. Back during the heart of the recession, Sonnenschein saved around 100 lawyers from the sinking Thacher Proffitt. Today brings news that Sonnenschein has expanded its reach across the Atlantic Ocean. The firm has proposed a merger with U.K.-based Denton Wilde, to form SNR Denton. […]

I received this timely and topical letter a few weeks ago: Hello, Now is the time of year when all the 3L’s at every law school are enjoying the time between graduation and starting their bar review (at least for me). Do you have any advice for us on how to keep our sanity during […]

Yesterday, we told you about a law firm that left a war veteran without an offer. Today, we are able to confirm that the firm in question was Foley & Lardner. But we also have a correction and some additional details about the situation. Let’s get to the correction first. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported: Matt […]

* Senators urge the Justice Department to go after BP, Transocean, and any other companies that might be responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. [The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times] * Ana Marie Cox interviews Chris Geidner about repealing 10 U.S.C. § 654 — the first step in dismantling the military’s “don’t ask, […]

Hundreds have gathered here in Chicago for the 10th annual Inside Counsel SuperConference. Though it’s perfectly pleasant weather outside, the Fairmont Hotel meeting rooms are upholding the Windy City’s reputation for frigid temperatures. Many of the sessions offer advice on how in-house counsel can improve their offerings to their companies and get the most from […]

* If Biglaw is dead, what does the afterlife look like? I’ll take anything as long as I don’t have to have it explained to me by Christian Shephard. [Truth on the Market] * Vomit assault guy pleaded guilty. Make sure you work this into your heckles towards Phillies fans if you are heading over […]

Last year, while law firms were still feeling the worst of the recession, Sullivan & Cromwell provided some springtime cheer to its associates. The firm paid a spring bonus in 2009. The payment was less than the one the firm made in 2008, but still, it was extra money in 2009. At the time, we […]

Supermodel Linda Evangelista famously quipped that she doesn’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day. Alas, not all models occupy such a privileged position. This summer, one model is getting out of bed for considerably less than $10,000 a day — to wit, about $3,000 a week. Sara Albert, who made it to the […]

I can’t claim to know all of the difficulties nursing mothers are up against as they try to handle their personal and professional business. But I do know that the recession has pushed “work-life” balance concerns off the front page. We’ve all heard stories about the travails of nursing mothers. Horrible stories about women who […]

Your testimony in this court amounted to perjury. Most compelling is that you lied to this court, continued to lie, after you pleaded guilty to lying. — Judge David Groner, sentencing former Detroit Mayor (and Lawyer of the Day) Kwame Kilpatrick to 18 months to 5 years in prison for violating probation.

Sigh. I love it when the U.S. Government casts its lot with foreign entities that export child molesters to the United States. The WSJ Law Blog reports: In a filing made late last week, the U.S. government weighed in, largely siding with the Vatican’s argument that the Ninth Circuit erred by allowing a sex-abuse case […]

Last year, law professor Kyndra Rotunda filed a federal lawsuit against her former employer, George Mason University School of Law; a GMU law professor, Joseph Zengerle; and the law school’s dean, Daniel Polsby. Rotunda raised claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, pay discrimination, and constructive discharge, alleging that she was sexually harassed by Zengerle when they […]

A number of people sent us this article from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. At first it reads like your classic “boy, this recession seems to be affecting lawyers too,” mainstream media story. Most of the stuff here are things regular Above the Law readers are fully aware of, though it’s always interesting to hear how the […]

* A forthcoming report from the inspector general’s office alleges inappropriate and illegal conduct by employees of the Minerals Management Service, the federal agency that regulates offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. [New York Times] * The White House has lent its support to a possible compromise worked out between legislators and the […]