June 2011
-
Crime, Prisons, State Judges, Technology, Trials, Videos
Video Arraignments Save Money and Make Judges Feel Safer
Maybe I’m just naive, but I find the concept of conducting any courtroom business via video enthralling but also a bit unnerving. It seems so inconsistent with the mythical and timeless ideals of the hallowed halls of justice, yadda yadda yadda. Whether we like it or not, however, video conferencing is creeping into courthouses across […] -
Deaths, Divorce Train Wrecks, Family Law, Suicide, Violence
Man Literally Sets Himself On Fire On The Courthouse Steps
I’ve said before that the word “literally” is overused and misused in our culture. I’m guilty of it, and so are many others. It’s not a big deal, except for the fact that when you really need the word, its meaning has been diminished. But guys, today we have a story about a man who […] - Sponsored
Navigating Financial Success by Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Maximizing Firm Performance
In this CLE-eligible webinar, we’ll explore the most common accounting pitfalls and how to avoid them for your firm. -
Celebrities, Crime, Fame Brief, Guns / Firearms, Music, Rap, Violence
Fame Brief: Is This the Man Who Shot Tupac?
Back when things were real, musicians didn’t get hurt jet skiing. They got shot. And if realness can be measured in bullet wounds, nobody was as real as rapper extraordinare and do-rag styling visionary Tupac Shakur, who was shot five times in 1994 and then again, fatally, in 1996. None of the gunmen from either […]
-
Biglaw, Musical Chairs, Partner Issues, Start Dates
Good News at O'Melveny & Myers
We have recently covered a number of notable partner departures from O’Melveny & Myers. While some of the losses were “not undesired,” as one source put it, others were bad news for OMM. But, in fairness to the firm, there is good news coming out of O’Melveny these days as well. Let’s discuss some of […] -
Animal Law, Crime, Pets
Piercing Your Cat Will Not Make You Better at Being a Goth
Something we don’t really get a chance to write about that often on Above the Law is the rise of the Goth subculture in America — and that’s probably because no one cares about it. Just like how no one cared about most Goth kids when they were growing up, which led them to believe […] -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket: 06.17.11
* What’s going on over at the Empire State Building? If the allegations are true, this is one hell of a way to try to oust a tenant. [New York Daily News] * Of course a man would argue that stripping is a “beneficial social activity.” I guess that’s an improvement, since other items on […]
-
Contests, Movies, Reader Polls, Television
Fictional Lawyer Madness: Round 1, Part 2
Yesterday we kicked off the Fictional Lawyer Madness by starting the voting on the left side of the bracket. Today, we’re opening up the right side. On this side of the bracket we have more movie characters, and more female characters. And there has been one big change from yesterday’s bracket. I forgot to add […] -
Document Review, Non-Sequiturs, Paul Clement, Summer Associates
Non-Sequiturs: 06.16.11
* “I doubt this is constitutional, but let’s just do it.” Sounds like business as usual down in the Senate as to plans to extend the FBI Director’s term. [Blog of Legal Times] * Are we really still talking about desegregating schools in Arkansas? I can’t even believe that this is a serious proposition. [WSJ […] - Sponsored
Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
How to best leverage generative AI as an early adopter with ethical use. -
Job Survey, Money, Small Law Firms
Size Matters: Salary Survey Results
I know that all of you have been anxiously awaiting the results of the salary survey. I had envisioned the results post to be equal in excitement to the results shows for American Idol or Dancing With The Stars. Indeed, in anticipation of this monumental post, I commissioned a group of MIT grad students to […] -
Advertising, Biglaw, Career Center, Shameless Plugs, Summer Associates, This Is an Ad
Career Center: Master Your Own Destiny (Or At Least Your Assignments)
Mastering assignments begins with understanding what the lawyers you are working for want. You are not in law school; this is not a contest where you are graded against other students. Clients want answers, not issue spotting. Sophisticated clients already know the issues. Clients want answers based on the facts and applicable law — not […] -
Bar Exams, Law Schools
Is Not Getting Your Grades A Big Deal? The Georgia Bar Thinks So
Yesterday, we brought you a story about the plight of UGA Law students who were still jonesing for their grades. After having received a number of comments, emails, tweets, and Facebook messages, it seems like the moral of the story for rising 2Ls and 3Ls at UGA Law (and at every other law school) is […] -
Associate Bonus Watch 2010, Associate Bonus Watch 2011, Biglaw, Bonuses, Money
Associate Bonus Watch: Cahill Gives Out 'Mid-Year' Bonuses
All right everybody, be cool, no need to break out the Drudge siren. Yes, Cahill Gordon, which previously smashed the year-end associate bonus market back in December, has just announced “mid-year” bonuses. But this announcement is unlikely to start a trend. Remember, because Cahill’s bonuses were already so high, the firm did not announce spring […] -
Education / Schools, Job Searches, Money, Paralegals
The Value of a Paralegal Degree: Experts Weigh In
One week ago, in our advice column, Pls Hndle Thx, Marin and Elie tackled the topic of paralegal education. The question presented: the usefulness of an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree in Paralegal Studies in securing gainful employment as a paralegal. For the record, Pls Hndle Thx should not be viewed as a straight-up advice […]
Sponsored
Navigating Financial Success by Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Maximizing Firm Performance
The Business Case For AI At Your Law Firm
Legal AI: 3 Steps Law Firms Should Take Now
Sponsored
Early Adopters Of Legal AI Gaining Competitive Edge In Marketplace
Is The Future Of Law Distributed? Lessons From The Tech Adoption Curve
-
Billable Hours, General Counsel, In-House Counsel, Job Searches
Inside Straight: The Other Side Of Paradise
I’ve received a couple of e-mails from associates at large firms saying that these folks sit at their desks dreaming about having in-house jobs: One client instead of many competing for your time. More manageable workload. A broader range of work. Less stress. An opportunity to think strategically instead of wallowing in minutiae. No more […] -
Billable Hours, Contract Attorneys, Document Review, Job Searches, Money, Wall Street Journal
How Can a Lawyer 'Settle' for the Only Job He Can Get?
I’ve always wondered what kind of salary contract lawyers make these days. Okay, not really, I kind of already know, because a lot of my friends are contract lawyers. But for those of you who aren’t familiar with the wonderful world of contract lawyering, the Wall Street Journal had an interesting article yesterday, by Vanessa […] -
Politics
Breaking: Anthony Weiner Resigning
This is not strictly legal, but it does involve a lawmaker – or soon-to-be-former lawmaker. We thought you might like to know that you won’t have Anthony’s weiner to kick around anymore. The New York Times is reporting that Weiner will resign: Representative Anthony D. Weiner has told friends that he plans to resign his […] -
Celebrities, Immigration, Jews, Morning Docket, Politics
Morning Docket: 06.16.11
* Oooh, Obama drama at the White House! They’re fighting with Congress over the legal definition of war “hostilities.” Can’t we all just celebrate good Obama (come on)? [New York Times] * Schulte Roth’s tech-support crew would love nothing better than to blue screen the entire firm, but instead, they’re suing for overtime pay. [Thomson […]
-
Contests, Movies, Reader Polls, Television
Fictional Lawyer Madness: Your Favorite Fictional Lawyers of the Past 30 Years
About a month ago, I asked for nominees for an epic bracket that would ask: Who is your favorite fictional lawyer. The suggestions flowed in. In the comments, over email, via Twitter, and even from people I met in bars. And the tips came from all kinds of people. Lawyers and law students, their parents, […] -
Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 06.15.11
* Happy Magna Carta Day! Freedom is great, but real property laws aren’t fun. Law students could have survived without half of them. [An Associate’s Mind] * For those of you who get angsty on planes, here is a quick list of the things you can’t do. Getting naked in the bathroom — not in […] -
Advertising, Shameless Plugs, This Is an Ad
Thanks to This Week's Advertisers
Check out this week’s Sponsored Content: Planet Data Provides For Your E-discovery Needs The Asia Chronicles: Kinney’s 39 (so far) 2011 Asia Placements of US associates in Law Firms And please support Above the Law’s wonderful advertisers: Best Buy Buy With Me Citibank Datacert Delta Effen Vodka Emirates Kinney Recruiting (sponsor of the Asia Chronicles) […]