* Beware of “affluenza” — the condition where rich kids believe that their wealth shields them from consequences. One kid with affluenza was convicted of four counts of manslaughter and got… probation. Great way to teach him that there are consequences. I don’t doubt being a hyper-privileged douche contributed to his criminal behavior, but let’s see if the judge is equally lenient to the next kid in this courtroom who argues that poverty contributed to his crimes. [Gawker]
* In America people complain about law reviews sharing outlines for free. In the U.K., they’re selling notes on eBay. If you’re buying notes off the Internet, perhaps law school isn’t your bag. [Legal Cheek]
* Do Twitter mentions reflect the scholarly significance of a professor’s articles? No. [TaxProf Blog]
Labor and Employment Federal Litigation Trends 2026
Drawing on more than a decade of data, the report equips law firms and corporate legal teams with actionable insights to better assess risk, refine strategy, and anticipate outcomes in today’s evolving workplace disputes.
* Here’s some terrifying stuff that lawyers want for Christmas. It’s not quite our gift guide. [The Spark File]
* The word “spin” is apparently trademarked. This is the company that did it and enforces its trademark against gyms with uncertified spin classes. [Racked]
* Law school applications are in free fall. Too bad all these people are going to miss out on that sweet $1 million law degree. [Lawyers, Guns & Money]
* Mental health remains a seriously undiscussed problem in the legal industry. [Law and More]
Product Spotlight: Lexis® Verdict & Settlement Analyzer
Put away the guesswork—Lexis® Verdict & Settlement Analyzer helps legal professionals assess case potential with confidence by using data-driven insights from the industry’s largest collection of verdicts and settlements.
* TSA now confiscating prop guns off stuffed animals. [Lowering the Bar]
* A Chinese law professor lost his job for writing an article advocating constitutional rule. If you think this is a harsh response, remember this government used to throw tanks at people over less. [Washington Post]
* Speaking of China, next month the CBLA is hosting a panel discussion about the expanded use of the FCPA, specifically with regard to China. [CBLA]